Snap-in lock retention system for a safe

A lock retainer assembly, comprising:

• a lock socket molded into an escutcheon plate, which lock socket has at least one lock alignment flat to receive a lock in a proper orientation and at least one resilient snap lock that is free to move radially in and out;
• a cylindrical lock having at least one cam surface leading up to a diameter that fits in the lock socket, the diameter including at least one socket alignment flat for alignment with the lock alignment flat in order to assure proper orientation of the lock in the lock socket such that as the lock is inserted, the at least one cam surface radially spreads open the at least one resilient snap lock, which passes over a retainer lip and snaps into position behind the retainer lip so as to retain the cylindrical lock against outward axial movement;
• and
• a flange on the outside of the cylindrical lock that limits the depth of insertion of the cylindrical lock into the lock socket.

A lock retainer assembly, comprising:

• a key cylinder having a front end for key insertion and a back end, the key cylinder having at least one removal blocking member and at least one insertion blocking member extending radially outward, the removal blocking member having a camming surface with a removal blocking surface on the other side of a lip therefrom;
• a key cylinder aperture in an escutcheon, which aperture is adapted to have the back end of the key cylinder inserted therein until only the front end is accessible via said key cylinder aperture, the aperture having at least one insertion blocking ledge extending radially inward so as to come into contact with the insertion blocking member when the key cylinder is fully inserted into the aperture;
• and
• resilient snap locks connected to said escutcheon, each of which snap locks has a camming surface such that the insertion of the key cylinder into the key cylinder aperture causes the camming surface of said resilient snap locks to contact the camming surface of the removal blocking members of said key cylinder, thereby deflecting the resilient snap locks sufficiently for said removal blocking member to move past said resilient snap assemblies whereupon said snap assemblies snap into position behind the lip adjacent the removal blocking surfaces of said locking members.