A toggle release mechanism comprises a base element and a toggle element rotatably mounted at a first end to the base element about a first axis for rotation between a first, locking position and a second, release position. The mechanism further comprises a link element mounted at a first end to a second end of the toggle element about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The first end of the toggle element comprises a first stop and the base element comprises a second stop opposed to the first stop. The first stop and the second stop are in contact when the toggle element is in its locked position, preventing rotational movement of the toggle element in one rotational direction.