초록 ▼

A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing, a handle, and a lock barrel. The housing is adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member. The handle is pivotally

A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing, a handle, and a lock barrel. The housing is adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The handle causes the latch assembly to open when the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the handle. The lock barrel is adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key. The lock barrel has two projections that are positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of the handle to the open position when the lock barrel is in the locked position.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the latch assembly comprising: a housing adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member; a handle pivotally attached to said housing and being mo

What is claimed is: 1. A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the latch assembly comprising: a housing adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member; a handle pivotally attached to said housing and being movable between a closed position and an open position, said handle causing the latch assembly to open when said handle is moved to the open position; and a lock barrel assembly supported by said handle, said lock barrel assembly being adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key, said lock barrel assembly having a keyhole end, locking engagement end, and a longitudinal axis about which said lock barrel assembly is rotated to move said lock barrel assembly between locked and unlocked positions, said lock barrel assembly having at least one projection that is positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of said handle to said open position of said handle by engaging a portion of said housing when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position, wherein said at least one projection is attached to said locking engagement end of said lock barrel assembly, wherein said at least one projection is offset relative to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly, and wherein said first projection extends from said locking engagement end of said lock barrel assembly in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly and away from said keyhole end of said lock barrel assembly, whereby said lock barrel assembly can be used to selectively lock the latch assembly against opening. 2. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one projection is a first projection and wherein the latch assembly further comprises a second projection attached to said locking engagement end of said lock barrel assembly, said second projection being offset relative to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly, and said second projection extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly, said second projection being positioned such that said second projection obstructs movement of said handle to said open position when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position. 3. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one projection is cylindrical. 4. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a slot and wherein said at least one projection is positioned within said slot when said handle is in said closed position. 5. The latch assembly according to claim 4, wherein said at least one projection is positioned within said slot such that movement of said handle from the closed position toward the open position brings said at least one projection into interference with an end of said slot and thus obstructs movement of said handle to said open position, when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position and said handle is in said closed position. 6. The latch assembly according to claim 5, one of the first member and the second member having a keeper in a fixed positional relationship therewith, wherein said latch assembly further comprises: a pawl rotationally connected to said housing, said pawl being movable between an open position of said pawl and a closed position of said pawl, said pawl being spring biased toward said open position of said pawl; a locking member supported by said housing, said locking member being capable of engagement with said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl; and an actuation arm attached to said handle, said actuation arm engaging and moving said locking member out of engagement with said pawl in response to movement of said handle from said closed position to said open position, said pawl being capable of capturing the keeper to thereby secure the first member in the closed position relative to the second member when the keeper is captured by said pawl with said pawl being in said closed position of said pawl, said locking member engages said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl, and said handle is in said closed position of said handle. 7. The latch assembly according to claim 6, wherein said at least one projection is cylindrical. 8. The latch assembly according to claim 4, wherein said slot has an arcuate portion and a straight portion, said arcuate portion having a closed end and said straight portion having a closed end, said straight portion of said slot being connected to and in open communication with said arcuate portion of said slot, said arcuate portion of said slot corresponding to an arc-shaped path of said at least one projection resulting from rotation of said lock barrel assembly between said locked and unlocked positions, said at least one projection being positioned proximate said closed end of said arcuate portion of said slot such that movement of said handle from said closed position of said handle to said open position of said handle is prevented due to interference between said at least one projection and said closed end of said arcuate portion of said slot when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position and said handle is in said closed position, said at least one projection being in registry with said straight portion of said slot when said lock barrel assembly is in said unlocked position and said handle is in said closed position such that said handle can be moved from said closed position of said handle to said open position of said handle without any interference between said at least one projection and said closed end of said straight portion of said slot. 9. The latch assembly according to claim 8, one of the first member and the second member having a keeper in a fixed positional relationship therewith, wherein said latch assembly further comprises: a pawl rotationally connected to said housing, said pawl being movable between an open position of said pawl and a closed position of said pawl, said pawl being spring biased toward said open position of said pawl; a locking member supported by said housing, said locking member being capable of engagement with said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl; and an actuation arm attached to said handle, said actuation arm engaging and moving said locking member out of engagement with said pawl in response to movement of said handle from said closed position to said open position, said pawl being capable of capturing the keeper to thereby secure the first member in the closed position relative to the second member when the keeper is captured by said pawl with said pawl being in said closed position of said pawl, said locking member engages said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl, and said handle is in said closed position of said handle. 10. The latch assembly according to claim 9, wherein said at least one projection is cylindrical. 11. The latch assembly according to claim 2, wherein said handle has an axis of rotation, said second projection moving along an arc about the longitudinal axis of the lock barrel assembly as said lock barrel assembly rotates between said locked and unlocked positions, with said lock barrel assembly being positioned in said locked position said second projection is positioned relative to said axis of rotation of said handle such that said second projection tends to move toward said housing in a first direction to thereby push said second projection into interference with said housing when an attempt is made to rotate said handle from said closed position toward said open position to thereby obstruct movement of said handle to said open position when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position, and when said lock barrel assembly is in said unlocked position and said handle is in said closed position, said second projection is positioned relative to said housing such that said second projection will move away from said housing in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction by virtue of a starting position of said second projection relative to said axis of rotation of said handle when said handle is rotated from said closed position toward said open position, to thereby allow said handle to be moved to said open position without interference from said second projection and allow the latch assembly to be opened. 12. The latch assembly according to claim 11, wherein said first projection is cylindrical. 13. The latch assembly according to claim 11, wherein said housing has a slot and wherein said first projection is positioned within said slot when said handle is in said closed position. 14. The latch assembly according to claim 13, wherein said first projection is positioned within said slot such that movement of said handle from the closed position toward the open position brings said first projection into interference with an end of said slot and thus obstructs movement of said handle to said open position, when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position and said handle is in said closed position. 15. The latch assembly according to claim 14, one of the first member and the second member having a keeper in a fixed positional relationship therewith, wherein said latch assembly further comprises: a pawl rotationally connected to said housing, said pawl being movable between an open position of said pawl and a closed position of said pawl, said pawl being spring biased toward said open position of said pawl; a locking member supported by said housing, said locking member being capable of engagement with said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl; and an actuation arm attached to said handle, said actuation arm engaging and moving said locking member out of engagement with said pawl in response to movement of said handle from said closed position to said open position, said pawl being capable of capturing the keeper to thereby secure the first member in the closed position relative to the second member when the keeper is captured by said pawl with said pawl being in said closed position of said pawl, said locking member engages said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl, and said handle is in said closed position of said handle. 16. The latch assembly according to claim 15, wherein said first projection is cylindrical. 17. The latch assembly according to claim 13, wherein said slot has an arcuate portion and a straight portion, said arcuate portion having a closed end and said straight portion having a closed end, said straight portion of said slot being connected to and in open communication with said arcuate portion of said slot, said arcuate portion of said slot corresponding to an arc-shaped path of said first projection resulting from rotation of said lock barrel assembly between said locked and unlocked positions, said first projection being positioned proximate said closed end of said arcuate portion of said slot such that movement of said handle from said closed position of said handle to said open position of said handle is prevented due to interference between said first projection and said closed end of said arcuate portion of said slot when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position and said handle is in said closed position, said first projection being in registry with said straight portion of said slot when said lock barrel assembly is in said unlocked position and said handle is in said closed position such that said handle can be moved from said closed position of said handle to said open position of said handle without any interference between said first projection and said closed end of said straight portion of said slot. 18. The latch assembly according to claim 17, one of the first member and the second member having a keeper in a fixed positional relationship therewith, wherein said latch assembly further comprises: a pawl rotationally connected to said housing, said pawl being movable between an open position of said pawl and a closed position of said pawl, said pawl being spring biased toward said open position of said pawl; a locking member supported by said housing, said locking member being capable of engagement with said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl; and an actuation arm attached to said handle, said actuation arm engaging and moving said locking member out of engagement with said pawl in response to movement of said handle from said closed position to said open position, said pawl being capable of capturing the keeper to thereby secure the first member in the closed position relative to the second member when the keeper is captured by said pawl with said pawl being in said closed position of said pawl, said locking member engages said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl, and said handle is in said closed position of said handle. 19. The latch assembly according to claim 18, wherein said first projection is cylindrical. 20. A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the latch assembly comprising: a housing adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member; a handle pivotally attached to said housing and being movable between a closed position and an open position, said handle causing the latch assembly to open when said handle is moved to the open position; and a lock barrel assembly supported by said handle, said lock barrel assembly being adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key, said lock barrel assembly having a keyhole end, locking engagement end, and a longitudinal axis about which said lock barrel assembly is rotated to move said lock barrel assembly between locked and unlocked positions, said lock barrel assembly having at least one projection that is positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of said handle to said open position of said handle when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position, wherein said at least one projection is attached to said locking engagement end of said lock barrel assembly, wherein said at least one projection is offset relative to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly, and wherein said at least one projection extends from said locking engagement end of said lock barrel assembly in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly, whereby said lock barrel assembly can be used to selectively lock the latch assembly against opening, wherein said handle has an axis of rotation, said at least one projection moving along an arc about the longitudinal axis of the lock barrel assembly as said lock barrel assembly rotates between said locked and unlocked positions, with said lock barrel assembly being positioned in said locked position said at least one projection is positioned relative to said axis of rotation of said handle such that said at least one projection tends to move toward said housing in a first direction to thereby push said at least one projection into interference with said housing when an attempt is made to rotate said handle from said closed position toward said open position to thereby obstruct movement of said handle to said open position when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position, and when said lock barrel assembly is in said unlocked position and said handle is in said closed position, said at least one projection is positioned relative to said housing such that said at least one projection will move away from said housing in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction by virtue of a starting position of said at least one projection relative to said axis of rotation of said handle when said handle is rotated from said closed position toward said open position, to thereby allow said handle to be moved to said open position without interference from said at least one projection and allow the latch assembly to be opened. 21. The latch assembly according to claim 20, one of the first member and the second member having a keeper in a fixed positional relationship therewith, wherein said latch assembly further comprises: a pawl rotationally connected to said housing, said pawl being movable between an open position of said pawl and a closed position of said pawl, said pawl being spring biased toward said open position of said pawl; a locking member supported by said housing, said locking member being capable of engagement with said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl; and an actuation arm attached to said handle, said actuation arm engaging and moving said locking member out of engagement with said pawl in response to movement of said handle from said closed position to said open position, said pawl being capable of capturing the keeper to thereby secure the first member in the closed position relative to the second member when the keeper is captured by said pawl with said pawl being in said closed position of said pawl, said locking member engages said pawl to maintain said pawl in said closed position of said pawl, and said handle is in said closed position of said handle.