Spring Plunger Locking Mechanism for Use in Hand-Actuated Tools

In designing a hand-actuated microspine gripper, a ratcheting locking mechanism was required that had discrete points of locking engagement. The mechanism had to actuate smoothly in the positive vertical direction while resisting the force of springs trying to pull the mechanism back down in the negative vertical direction. This locking mechanism needed to resist upwards of 50 pounds of load or more trying to disengage the mechanism in one direction, while being easily actuated by a person in the other direction.