Releasable lock mechanism

A releasable lock mechanism comprising a stationary first member;

• a second member mounted adjacent said first member for rotary movement relative to said first member between an inoperative idel position and a plurality of selected operative positions annularly spaced from said inoperative position, said second member including means offset from the rotary axis thereof urging said second member to normally assume said inoperative position;
• a first lock component carried by one of said members and having at least a curved peripheral segment provided with a plurality of annularly spaced pockets, each pocket corresponding to a selected operative position of said second member relative to said first member, the center of curvature of the first lock component peripheral segment being substantially coaxial with the rotary axis of said second member;
• and a pivotally adjustable second lock component carried by the other of said members and being in interlocking engagement with a peripheral pocket when said second member is in a selected operative position, said lock components, when in interlocking engagement, effecting retention of said second member in a selected operative position, said second lock component having means to transversely shift the pivotal axis thereof relative to the said other member upon a predetermined manual external force being applied to said second lock component in a direction away from the peripheral segment of said first lock component whereby said second lock component assumes an unlocked position.