A novel quick release locking mechanism is disclosed. The locking mechanism is comprised of a male latch member and a female receptacle. The male latch member is comprised of an arbor with a planar handle at its proximal end and a catch apparatus at its distal end. The arbor is further equipped with a slidable annulus that moves between the lower margin of the planar handle and the catch apparatus. The female receptacle is comprised of a housing and a duality of notched resilient arms. Operation of the locking mechanism is achieved by introduction of the male latch member into the female receptacle with sufficient force to urge open the resilient arms which then springably close around the catch means, thus locking the mechanism. The female receptacle is further supplied with appropriate stops to prevent separation forces from inducing upward travel of the resilient arms during use, thus increasing lock strength and durability. Unlocking is achieved by pressing the male latch member further into the female receptacle such that the resilient arms are urged open by the slidable annulus which is then pressure captured in the resilient arm notches. The male latch member is then retracted. During retraction, the catch means dislodge the slidable annulus thus allowing full separation of the male latch member from the female receptacle.