Quick Release Fastening System

A locking device, comprising:

• first and second legs operatively coupled to one another to form a perimeter substantially uninterrupted from a proximal end of the first leg to a proximal end of the second leg, the first leg proximal end and the second leg proximal end being separated by an opening, the first leg proximal end and the second leg proximal end each respectively defining a passage along a common imaginary axis, the first leg proximal end having a first side relatively adjacent to the second leg and a second side relatively distant from the second leg, the first leg proximal end having a keyway extending from the first leg passage, the first leg proximal end having first and second shoulders adjacent the keyway at the second side;
• a locking pin passing through the second leg passage;
• the locking pin having a key and a stop that prevent the locking pin from passing entirely through the second leg passage such that the locking pin is inseparable from the second leg proximal end;
• the locking pin having first and second ends;
• the key being at the locking pin first end;
• the locking pin being movable between an open position wherein the opening is at least partially unobstructed, a closed position wherein the opening is completely obstructed by the locking pin and the key is seated against the first leg proximal end with the first and second shoulders preventing the key from reaching the keyway, and an intermediate position wherein the key extends beyond the first and second shoulders to access the keyway;
• a biasing member that biases the locking pin such that the key seats against the first leg proximal end when the locking pin is at the closed position, such that the key passes at least partially through the keyway when the locking pin is at the intermediate position and the key is aligned with the keyway, and such that the locking pin moves to the closed position when the locking pin is at the intermediate position and the key is aligned distinctly from the keyway and the first and second shoulders.