An articulating locking mechanism includes a support bracket with an upwardly opening receiving slot having an open top portion and closed bottom portion. A spring member is coupled to the support bracket at a mounting portion and includes a ramp portion disposed adjacent to the receiving slot. A pivot member includes a pivot bushing and a rotating mounting shaft extending outwardly from the pivotbushing. The pivot busing is received in the receiving slot of the support bracket, and is retained by the ramp portion of the spring member when the pivot busing is fully seated in the receiving slot of the support bracket.