Quick attach-detach mechanism for audio components

In a portable audio apparatus including at least two components having separate housings, a quick attach-detach mechanism for selectively locking the components into a substantially rigid and vibration free integrated unit and selectively releasing the components for stand-alone operation, said quick attach-detach mechanism comprising:

• a plurality of studs projecting from a first one of said housings along spaced-apart parallel axes,
• resilient means on a second one of said housings located thereonto abut the distal ends of said studs when the components are positioned to form an integrated unit, said resilient means being resiliently compressible along the axes of said studs,
• a first locking means projecting outwardly from a selected one of said first and second housings along an axis parallel to the axes of said studs at least when the components are positioned to form an integrated unit, and first locking means having detent means thereon,
• a second locking means carried by the non-selected one of said first and second housings, said second locking means having a first operatve position adapted to engage said detent means only when the components are positioned to form an integrated unit with said resilient means substantially compressed to apply separating forces on said studs along the axes of said studs, and said second locking means having a second operative position adapted to avoid engagement with said detent means in all relative positions of the components,
• and manual operating means movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, said manual operating means coupled to said second locking means such that said second locking means is in its first operative position when said manual operating means is in its latched position and said second locking means is in its second operative position when said manual operating means is in its unlatched position,
• said second locking means and said manual operating means being normally biased toward said respective first operative and latched positions,
• whereby manual movement of said manual operating means to its unlatched position when the components comprise an integrated unit will move said second locking means to its second operative position to disengage said first locking means and permit separation of the components as a result of the separating forces exerted on the distal ends of said studs by said resilient means.