초록 ▼

A latch assembly for a movable closure element of the type having first and second sides. The latch assembly has a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, and an operating assembly which is operable to change the fir

A latch assembly for a movable closure element of the type having first and second sides. The latch assembly has a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position. A first rotor is engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position. The first rotor is biased towards the release position. The operating assembly includes a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the first rotor is maintained in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the first rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position. The operating assembly further includes a first actuating assembly for mounting on the first side of the movable closure. The first actuating assembly has a first normal state and a first release state. The first actuating assembly directly engages the catch block assembly and causes the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the release position as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from the first normal state into the first release state.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A latch assembly for a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latch assembly comprising: a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, the first rotor engageable with a s

The invention claimed is: 1. A latch assembly for a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latch assembly comprising: a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, the first rotor engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position, the first rotor biased towards the release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the catch block assembly engages the first rotor to thereby maintain the first rotor in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the first rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position, the catch block assembly comprising a portion that moves as one piece substantially along a first line and acts against the first rotor as the catch block assembly is changed from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a first actuating assembly for mounting on the first side of the movable closure element, the first actuating assembly having a first normal state and a first release state the first actuating assembly having a first element directly engaging the portion of the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from the first normal state into the first release state, the operating assembly further comprising a second actuating assembly for mounting on the second side of the movable closure element, the second actuating assembly having a second normal state and a second release state, the second actuating assembly having a second element separate from the first element directly engaging the portion of the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from the second normal state into the second release state, the portion of the catch block assembly acting against the first rotor to maintain the first rotor in its latched position with the catch block assembly in the engaged position. 2. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 1 wherein the housing, first rotor, catch block assembly and first actuating assembly define a first subassembly that is selectively separable and operably connectable as a unit to the second actuating assembly. 3. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 1 wherein the first rotor is movable between the latched position and release position around a first axis. 4. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 1 further comprising a second rotor that is movable relative to the housing between a latched position and a release position, the first and second rotors each having a throat to receive a strike element and configured so that the first and second rotors cooperatively captively engage a strike element with the first and second rotors in their latched positions. 5. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 1 wherein the first actuating assembly comprises a base which defines the mounting surface and a first actuating handle which is pivotably attached to the base for movement about a first axis between normal and release positions. 6. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 1 further in combination with a movable closure element having first and second sides. 7. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 1 further in combination with a movable closure element having first and second sides, one of the first and second sides defined by a flat surface to which one of the first and second actuating assemblies is mounted and the first line is substantially perpendicular to a plane containing the flat surface. 8. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 1 wherein the first line is substantially straight. 9. A latch assembly for a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latch assembly comprising: a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, the first rotor engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position, the first rotor biased towards the release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the first rotor is maintained in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position, the catch block assembly comprising a portion that moves as one piece substantially along a first line as the catch block assembly is changed from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a first actuating assembly for mounting on the first side of the movable closure, the first actuating assembly having a first normal state and a first release state, the first actuating assembly having a first element directly engaging the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from the first normal state into the first release state, the operating assembly further comprising a second actuating assembly for mounting on the second side of the movable closure element, the second actuating assembly having a second normal state and a second release state, the second actuating assembly having a second element separate from the first element directly engaging the portion of the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from the second normal state into the second release state, the portion of the catch block assembly acting against the first rotor to maintain the first rotor in its latched position with the catch block assembly in the engaged position, wherein the first rotor is movable between the latched position and release position around a first axis, wherein the operating assembly comprises a catch arm that is pivotable relative to the housing about a second axis between first and second positions and the catch block assembly is mounted to the catch arm and is movable pivotably relative to the catch arm around a third axis. 10. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 9 wherein the first, second, and third axes are substantially parallel to each other. 11. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 9 wherein the catch block assembly comprise a catch block and an adaptor attached to the catch block, the adaptor securing the catch block to the catch arm and defining a first surface that is directly engaged by the first element on the first actuating assembly. 12. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 11 wherein the catch block and adaptor are movable as one piece substantially parallel to the first line as the catch block assembly moves between the engaged and disengaged positions. 13. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 11 wherein the first surface is defined by a cantilevered first post projecting substantially orthogonally to the first line. 14. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 13 wherein the catch block assembly defines a second surface that is directly engaged by the second element and the second surface is defined by a second cantilevered post that is spaced from the first cantilevered post and projects substantially orthogonally to the first line. 15. A latch assembly for a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latch assembly comprising: a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, the first rotor engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position, the first rotor biased towards the release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the first rotor is maintained in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position, the catch block assembly comprising a portion that moves as one piece substantially along a first line as the catch block assembly is changed from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a first actuating assembly for mounting on the first side of the movable closure, the first actuating assembly having a first normal state and a first release state, the first actuating assembly having a first element directly engaging the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from the first normal state into the first release state, the operating assembly further comprising a second actuating assembly for mounting on the second side of the movable closure element, the second actuating assembly having a second normal state and a second release state, the second actuating assembly having a second element separate from the first element directly engaging the portion of the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from the second normal state into the second release state, the portion of the catch block assembly acting against the first rotor to maintain the first rotor in its latched position with the catch block assembly in the engaged position, wherein the first actuating assembly comprises a flat mounting surface to abut to the first side of the movable closure element and a cantilevered connecting element which projects past the mounting surface and engages the catch block assembly. 16. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 15 wherein the first actuating assembly comprises a base which defines the mounting surface and a first actuating handle which is pivotably attached to the base for movement about a first axis between normal and release positions and the cantilevered connecting element is moved in a path as one piece with the first actuating handle transversely to the mounting surface as the first actuating handle is moved between its normal and release positions. 17. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 16 wherein the cantilevered connecting element has a length extending along a first line and a first reference plane containing the first line is substantially orthogonal to a second reference plane containing the first axis. 18. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 16 wherein the first actuating handle is U-shaped and defined by a graspable base and spaced first and second legs, the first leg is pivotably attached to the base, and the cantilevered connecting element is on the second leg. 19. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 18 wherein the cantilevered connecting element has an opening, the catch block assembly has a post, and the cantilevered connecting element is engaged with the catch block assembly by directing the post into the opening of the cantilevered connecting element without requiring any separate fasteners acting between the cantilevered connecting element and the post. 20. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 16 further comprising a locking assembly having a locked state and an unlocked state, the locking assembly in the latched state preventing movement of the first actuating handle from the normal position into the release position. 21. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 20 wherein the locking assembly comprises a key operated locking tab which directly blocks the cantilevered connecting element with the locking assembly in the locked state. 22. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 19 wherein the cantilevered connecting element has a length extending along a second line and is engageable with the post on the catch block assembly with the first actuating assembly moved around the second line through a range of at least 90째 relative to the housing. 23. A latch assembly for a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latch assembly comprising: a housing; a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, the first rotor engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position, the first rotor biased towards the release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the catch block assembly engages the first rotor to thereby maintain the first rotor in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the first rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position, the catch block assembly comprising a portion that moves as one piece substantially along a first line and acts against the first rotor as the catch block assembly is changed from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly comprising a first actuating assembly for mounting on the first side of the movable closure, the first actuating assembly having a first normal state and a first release state, the first actuating assembly comprising a mounting surface to abut to the first side of the movable closure and a projecting element which projects past the mounting surface and engages the portion of the catch block assembly, wherein the first actuating assembly comprises a mounting base which defines the mounting surface and a first actuating handle which is pivotably attached to the base for movement about a first axis between normal and release positions, wherein the first actuating handle is U-shaped and defined by a graspable base and spaced first and second legs, wherein the first leg is pivotably attached to the mounting base and the projecting element is in a fixed position on the second leg so that as the actuating handle is pivoted from the normal position into the release position the projecting element moves substantially parallel to the first line as one piece with the second leg and cause the rotor to be changed from the latched position into the release position. 24. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 23 wherein the projecting element has an opening, the catch block assembly has a post, and the projecting element is engaged with the catch block assembly by directing the post into the opening in the projecting element. 25. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 24 wherein the post is maintained in the opening in the projecting element without requiring any separate fasteners acting between the projecting element and the post. 26. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 24 further comprising a locking assembly having a locked state and an unlocked state, the locking assembly in the latched state preventing movement of the first actuating handle from the normal position into the release position. 27. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 26 wherein the locking assembly comprises a key operated locking tab which directly blocks the projecting element with the locking assembly in the locked state. 28. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 24 wherein the projecting element has a length extending along a first line and is engageable with the post on the catch block assembly with the first actuating assembly moved around the first line through a range of at least 90째 relative to the housing. 29. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 23 further in combination with a movable closure element having first and second sides. 30. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 23 wherein the mounting surface is substantially flat. 31. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 30 wherein the mounting base has a length and a width and the flat mounting surface extends over substantially the entire length of the base. 32. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 23 further in combination with a movable closure element having first and second sides, one of the first and second sides defined by a flat surface to which one of the first and second actuating assemblies is mounted and the first line is substantially perpendicular to a plane containing the flat surface. 33. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 23 wherein the first line is substantially straight. 34. A latch assembly for a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latch assembly comprising: a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, the first rotor engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position, the first rotor biased towards the release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the catch block assembly engages the first rotor to thereby maintain the first rotor in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the first rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position, the catch block assembly comprising a portion that moves as one piece substantially along a first line and acts against the rotor as the catch block assembly is changed from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a first actuating assembly for mounting on the first side of the movable closure, the first actuating assembly having a first normal state and a first release state, the first actuating assembly having a first element directly engaging the portion of the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from the first normal state into the first release state. 35. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 34 further in combination with a movable closure element having first and second sides, one of the first and second sides defined by a flat surface to which one of the first and second actuating assemblies is mounted and the first line is substantially perpendicular to a plane containing the flat surface. 36. The latch assembly for a movable closure element according to claim 34 wherein the first line is substantially straight. 37. In combination: a) a latch assembly for a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latch assembly comprising: a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, the first rotor engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position, the first rotor biased towards the release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the first rotor is maintained in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position, the catch block assembly comprising a portion that moves as one piece substantially along a first line and acts against the first rotor as the catch block assembly is changed from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a first actuating assembly for mounting on the first side of the movable closure, the first actuating assembly having a first normal state and a first release state, the first actuating assembly having a first element directly engaging the portion of the catch block assembly, moving substantially parallel to the first line, and causing the catch block assembly to change from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from the first normal state into the first release state; and b) a movable closure element having first and second sides, one of the first and second sides defined by a flat surface to which the first actuating assembly is mounted, wherein the first line is substantially perpendicular to a plane containing the flat surface.