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A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly, a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, and a second actuating assembly having a second configuration and normal and release states. The latching subassembly has a latched state, and a release state

A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly, a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, and a second actuating assembly having a second configuration and normal and release states. The latching subassembly has a latched state, and a release state. The first actuating assembly is mountable on the first side of a movable closure element and causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The second actuating assembly is mountable in place of the first actuating assembly and causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A latch assembly kit comprising: a) a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the

The invention claimed is: 1. A latch assembly kit comprising: a) a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and ii) a release state; b) a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state; and c) a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states, the second actuating assembly mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein the first and second actuating assemblies can be selectively interchangeably mounted to the first side of the movable closure element to operate the latching subassembly, wherein with the first actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a first part on the first actuating assembly that directly engages and interacts with the latching subassembly moves in a first manner as the first actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a second part on the second actuating assembly moves in a second manner, that is different than the first manner, as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein the kit further comprises a third actuating assembly mountable to the second side of the movable closure element with either of the first and second actuating assemblies mounted to the first side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the third actuating assembly causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the third actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a part on the second actuating assembly directly engages and interacts with a part of the third actuating assembly so as to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly being changed from its normal state into its release state. 2. The latch assembly kit according to claim 1 wherein the first actuating assembly comprises an actuating handle that is mounted for pivoting movement between normal and release positions to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state. 3. The latch assembly kit according to claim 1 wherein the latching subassembly comprises a rotor that is pivotable between a latched position and a release position and the 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. 4. The latch assembly kit according to claim 1 further in combination with a movable closure element on which the latching subassembly is mounted. 5. A latch assembly kit comprising: a) a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latching subassembly comprising a rotor that is movable between a latched position and a release position, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the rotor is in the latched position and releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and ii) a release state wherein the rotor is in the release position; b) a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state; c) a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states, the second actuating assembly mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein the first and second actuating assemblies can be selectively interchangeably mounted to the first side of the movable closure element to operate the latching subassembly, wherein the first actuating assembly comprises a pushbutton actuator having an element that is translatable from a normal position into a release position to directly engage and thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein the second actuating assembly comprises an element that is pivotable from a normal position into a release position to thereby change the latching assembly from its latched state into its release state; and d) an operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable between i) an engaged position, wherein the catch block assembly maintains the rotor in the latched position; and ii) disengaged position wherein the rotor is permitted to move from its latched position into its release position. 6. The latch assembly kit according to claim 5 wherein the element on the second actuating assembly comprises a graspable actuating handle. 7. The latch assembly kit according to claim 6 wherein the kit further comprises a third actuating assembly mountable to the second side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the third actuating assembly causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the third actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. 8. A latch assembly kit comprising: a) a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and ii) a release state; b) a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state; and c) a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states, the second actuating assembly mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein the first and second actuating assemblies can be selectively interchangeably mounted to the first side of the movable closure element to operate the latching subassembly, wherein with the first actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a first part on the first actuating assembly that directly engages and interacts with the latching subassembly moves in a first manner as the first actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a second part on the second actuating assembly moves in a second manner, that is different than the first manner, as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein the kit further comprises a third actuating assembly mountable to the second side of the movable closure element with either of the first and second actuating assemblies mounted to the first side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the third actuating assembly causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the third actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein the third actuating assembly comprises a trip lever that is pivotable around an axis between normal and release positions to thereby change the latching assembly from its latched state into its release state. 9. A latch assembly kit comprising: a) a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and ii) a release state; b) a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state; and c) a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states, the second actuating assembly mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein the first and second actuating assemblies can be selectively interchangeably mounted to the first side of the movable closure element to operate the latching subassembly, wherein with the first actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a first part on the first actuating assembly that directly engages and interacts with the latching subassembly moves in a first manner as the first actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a second part on the second actuating assembly moves in a second manner, that is different than the first manner, as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein the kit further comprises a third actuating assembly mountable to the second side of the movable closure element with either of the first and second actuating assemblies mounted to the first side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the third actuating assembly causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the third actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state wherein the third actuating assembly comprises a trip lever that is pivotable around a first axis between normal and release positions to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, and the first actuating assembly comprises an actuating handle that is mounted for pivoting movement around a second axis between normal and release positions to thereby change the latching assembly from its latched state into its release state. 10. The latch assembly kit according to claim 9 wherein the first and second axes are substantially parallel to each other. 11. The latch assembly kit according to claim 9 wherein the first and second axes are substantially orthogonal to each other. 12. The latch assembly kit according to claim 9 wherein the first and second axes reside in planes that do not intersect the movable closure element upon which the latching subassembly and first and third actuating assemblies are mounted. 13. A latch assembly kit comprising: a) a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and ii) a release state; b) a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state; and c) a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states, the second actuating assembly mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein the first and second actuating assemblies can be selectively interchangeably mounted to the first side of the movable closure element to operate the latching subassembly, wherein with the first actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a first part on the first actuating assembly that directly engages and interacts with the latching subassembly moves in a first manner as the first actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a second part on the second actuating assembly that interacts with the latching subassembly moves in a second manner, that is different than the first manner, as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein the latching subassembly comprises a rotor that is pivotable between a latched position and a release position and the 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, wherein the latch assembly kit further comprises a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the rotor is maintained in its latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is permitted to move from its latched position into its release position. 14. The latch assembly kit according to claim 13 wherein the latch assembly kit further comprises a trip latch that is movable from a first position into a second position to thereby change the catch block assembly from the engaged position into the disengaged position and a third actuating assembly mountable to the second side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the third actuating assembly causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the third actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, and the third actuating assembly comprises a trip lever that is movable between normal and release positions to thereby change the trip latch from the first position into the second position. 15. The latch assembly kit according to claim 14 wherein the trip latch is pivotable about a first axis between the first and second positions and the trip lever is pivotable about a second axis between its normal and release positions. 16. The latch assembly kit according to claim 15 wherein the first and second axes are substantially parallel. 17. The latch assembly kit according to claim 15 wherein the first and second axes are substantially coincident. 18. The latch assembly kit according to claim 15 wherein with the trip latch in the first position and the trip lever in its normal position, the trip latch can be moved from the first position into the second position without moving the trip lever from its normal position into its release position. 19. The latch assembly kit according to claim 18 wherein the first actuating assembly comprises a pushbutton actuator having an element that is translatable from a normal position into a release position to thereby pivot the trip latch from the first position into the second position. 20. The latch assembly kit according to claim 19 wherein the second actuating assembly comprises an actuating handle that is mounted for pivoting movement between normal and release positions to thereby change the catch block assembly from its engaged position into its disengaged position. 21. The latch assembly kit according to claim 20 wherein the actuating handle has a projecting element/cantilevered connecting element that follows pivoting movement of the actuating handle and directly engages the catch block assembly. 22. The latch assembly kit according to claim 21 wherein the catch block assembly comprises a cantilevered post that engages the projecting element/cantilevered connecting element. 23. The latch assembly kit according to claim 22 wherein the catch block assembly comprises a second cantilevered post that is engaged by the first actuating assembly so that the catch block assembly is moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position as the first actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state. 24. In combination: a) a movable closure element having first and second sides; and b) a latch assembly comprising: a latching subassembly, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly has at least one rotor defining a receptacle into which a strike element can be directed and releasably maintained to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached with the at least one rotor in a latched position, and ii) a release state with the at least one rotor in a release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the latching subassembly from the latched state into the release state, the operating assembly comprising a first actuating assembly having normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mounted on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable in translation in a linear path selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the catch block assembly engages the at least one rotor to maintain the at least one rotor in the latched position whereby the latching subassembly is maintained in the latched state and b) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to move from the latched position into the release position and thereby the latching subassembly is permitted to be changed from its latched state into its release state, the operating assembly further comprising a trip latch that is on the first side of the movable closure element and engageable with the catch block assembly and movable around a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position to thereby cause the catch block assembly to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a trip lever that is movable around a second pivot axis between normal and release positions to thereby cause the trip latch to move from the first position into the second position, wherein the trip latch is movable from the first position into the second position without moving the trip lever from its normal position into its release position, the trip latch moved from its first position into its second position as an incident of the trip lever moving from its normal position into its release positions. 25. The combination according to claim 24 further comprising a second actuating assembly on the second side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the second actuating assembly acting against the trip latch and causing the trip latch to change from the first position into the second position without moving the trip lever from its normal position into its release position as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state. 26. The combination according to claim 25 wherein the second actuating assembly comprises a pushbutton actuator having an element that is translatable between normal and release positions to change the trip latch from the first position into the second position. 27. The combination according to claim 24 wherein the first and second axes are substantially parallel to each other. 28. The combination according to claim 24 wherein the first and second axes are substantially coincident. 29. The combination according to claim 24 further comprising a second actuating assembly on the second side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the second actuating assembly causing the catch block assembly to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state without requiring movement of the trip lever from its normal position into its release position. 30. The combination according to claim 29 wherein the catch block assembly has a first post which is engaged by the second actuating assembly and repositionable by the second actuating assembly as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to cause the catch block assembly to be changed from the engaged state into the disengaged state. 31. The combination according to claim 29 wherein the catch block assembly has a post which is engaged by the trip latch and repositionable by the trip latch from the engaged position into the disengaged position as the catch block is changed from the first position into the second position. 32. The combination according to claim 29 wherein the second actuating assembly comprises an actuating handle that is pivotable between normal and release positions to thereby change the catch block assembly from the engaged position into the disengaged position. 33. The combination according to claim 24 further in combination with a movable closure element on which the latching subassembly is mounted. 34. In combination: a) a movable closure element having first and second sides; and b) a latch assembly comprising; a latching subassembly, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly has at least one rotor defining a receptacle into which a strike element can be directed and releasably maintained to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached with the at least one rotor in a latched position, and ii) a release state with the at least one rotor in a release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the latching subassembly from the latched state into the release state, the operating assembly comprising a first actuating assembly having normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mounted on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the catch block assembly engages the at least one rotor to maintain the at least one rotor in the latched position whereby the latching subassembly is maintained in the latched state and b) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to move from the latched position into the release position and thereby the latching subassembly is permitted to be changed from its latched state into its release state, the operating assembly further comprising a trip latch that is on the first side of the movable closure element and engageable with the catch block assembly and movable around a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position to thereby cause the catch block assembly to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a trip lever that is movable around a second pivot axis between normal and release positions to thereby cause the trip latch to move from the first position into the second position, wherein the trip latch is movable from the first position into the second position without moving the trip lever from its normal position into its release position, the trip latch moved from its first position into its second position as an incident of the trip lever moving from its normal position into its release positions; and a second actuating assembly on the second side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the second actuating assembly causing the catch block assembly to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state without requiring movement of the trip lever from its normal position into its release position, wherein the catch block assembly has a first post which is engaged by the second actuating assembly and repositionable by the second actuating assembly as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to cause the catch block assembly to be changed from the engaged state into the disengaged state, wherein the catch block assembly has a second post which is engaged by the trip latch and repositionable by the trip latch from the engaged position into the disengaged position as the catch block is changed from the first position into the second position. 35. The combination according to claim 34 wherein the first and second posts are spaced from each other and project in cantilevered fashion. 36. In combination: a) a movable closure element having first and second sides; and b) a latch assembly comprising; a latching subassembly, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly has at least one rotor defining a receptacle into which a strike element can be directed and releasably maintained to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached with the at least one rotor in a latched position, and ii) a release state with the at least one rotor in a release position; and an operating assembly which is operable to change the latching subassembly from the latched state into the release state, the operating assembly comprising a first actuating assembly having normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mounted on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, the operating assembly comprising a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the catch block assembly engages the at least one rotor to maintain the at least one rotor in the latched position whereby the latching subassembly is maintained in the latched state and b) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to move from the latched position into the release position and thereby the latching subassembly is permitted to be changed from its latched state into its release state, the operating assembly further comprising a trip latch that is on the first side of the movable closure element and engageable with the catch block assembly and movable around a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position to thereby cause the catch block assembly to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position, the operating assembly further comprising a trip lever that is movable around a second pivot axis between normal and release positions to thereby cause the trip latch to move from the first position into the second position, wherein the trip latch is movable from the first position into the second position without moving the trip lever from its normal position into its release position. the trip latch moved from its first position into its second position as an incident of the trip lever moving from its normal position into its release positions; and a second actuating assembly on the second side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the second actuating assembly causing the catch block assembly to be moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state without requiring movement of the trip lever from its normal position into its release position, wherein the second actuating assembly comprises an actuating handle that is pivotable between normal and release positions to thereby change the catch block assembly from the engaged position into the disengaged position, wherein the actuating handle has a projecting element/cantilevered connecting element that follows pivoting movement of the actuating handle and directly engages the catch block assembly. 37. The combination according to claim 36 wherein the catch block assembly comprises a cantilevered post that engages the projecting element/cantilevered connecting element. 38. A latch assembly kit comprising: a) a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element having first and second sides, the latching subassembly having i) a latched state wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and ii) a release state; b) a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, the first actuating assembly mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state; c) a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states, the second actuating assembly mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly and causing the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, wherein the first and second actuating assemblies can be selectively interchangeably mounted to the first side of the movable closure element to operate the latching subassembly, wherein with the first actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a first part on the first actuating assembly interacts with the latching subassembly in a first manner as the first actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state, wherein with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element, a second part on the second actuating assembly interacts with the latching subassembly in a second manner that is different than the first manner as the second actuating assembly is changed from its normal state into its release state to thereby change the latching subassembly from its latched state into its release state; and wherein with the first actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element the first part of the first actuating assembly engages the latching subassembly at a first location and with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element the second part of the second actuating assembly directly engages and interacts with a part of the third actuating assembly so as to thereby change the latching subassembly from the latched state into the release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state, d) a third actuating assembly mountable to the second side of the movable closure element with either of the first and second actuating assemblies mounted to the first side of the movable closure element and having normal and release states, the third actuating assembly causing the latching assembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the third actuating assembly changing from the normal state into its release state. 39. The latch assembly kit according to claim 38 wherein with the first actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element the first part of the first actuating assembly acts at a first location and with the second actuating assembly mounted to the first side of the movable closure element the second part of the second actuating assembly acts at a second location spaced from the first location to thereby impart a force that causes the latching assembly to change from its latched state into its release state.