Latching mechanisms, storage receptacles with latching mechanisms, and methods of manufacturing and using the same

A storage receptacle, comprising:

• a storage compartment;
• and
• a latching mechanism coupled to the storage compartment, the latching mechanism comprising:
• a first elongated latching element, comprising:
• a first structure, and
• a second structure movably coupled to the first structure,
• the first structure comprising a first enclosure with an aperture formed therethrough,
• the second structure positioned at least partially within the first structure and including an inclined surface that is oriented toward the first enclosure,
• a ball movably enclosed between the inclined surface, the first enclosure, and the aperture, and
• a biasing element coupled between the first structure and the second structure, wherein the biasing element imparts a biasing force along a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to a second axis;
• and
• a second elongated latching element that is shaped to receive the first elongated latching element when the first elongated latching element is inserted into the second elongated latching element along the second axis, the second elongated latching element forming a second enclosure having an interior surface with a locking feature,
• wherein the biasing element is configured to bias the inclined surface in a first direction along the first axis thereby shifting the ball along a third axis into the aperture, such that at least a portion of the ball extends out of the aperture and into interference with the locking feature, and
• wherein the biasing element is configured such that a counteracting force applied to the biasing element shifts the ball out of the aperture and out of interference with the locking feature.

A method of manufacturing a storage receptacle, the method comprising:

• forming a storage compartment;
• forming a latching mechanism comprising:
• a first elongated latching element, comprising:
• a first structure, and
• a second structure movably coupled to the first structure,
• the first structure comprising a first enclosure with an aperture formed therethrough,
• the second structure positioned at least partially within the first structure and including an inclined surface that is oriented toward the first enclosure,
• a ball movably enclosed between the inclined surface, the first enclosure, and the aperture, and
• a biasing element coupled between the first structure and the second structure, wherein the biasing element imparts a biasing force along a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to a second axis;
• and
• a second elongated latching element that is shaped to receive the first elongated latching element when the first elongated latching element is inserted into the second elongated latching element along the second axis, the second elongated latching element forming a second enclosure having an interior surface with a locking feature,
• wherein the biasing element is configured to bias the inclined surface in a first direction along the first axis thereby shifting the ball second, opposite direction along the first axis and into the aperture, such that at least a portion of the ball extends out of the aperture and into interference with the locking feature, and
• wherein the biasing element is configured such that a counteracting force applied to the biasing element shifts the ball out of the aperture and out of interference with the locking feature;
• and
• coupling the latching mechanism to the storage compartment.