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A kit for selectively constructing a system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a predetermined position relative to a frame upon which the closure element is movably mounted. The kit includes a base assembly, a first mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to

A kit for selectively constructing a system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a predetermined position relative to a frame upon which the closure element is movably mounted. The kit includes a base assembly, a first mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define a first system having a first configuration that is operable in a first manner, and a second mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define a second system having a second configuration that is operable in a second manner that is different than the first manner. The first and second mechanisms are interchangeably operably attachable to the base assembly, one in place of the other, to allow a selection to be made by an assembler as to a desired configuration and manner of operation of a system.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A kit for selectively constructing a system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a latched position relative to a frame with a selected latching part upon which the closure element is movably mounted, the kit comprising: a base assembly; a first latch

The invention claimed is: 1. A kit for selectively constructing a system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a latched position relative to a frame with a selected latching part upon which the closure element is movably mounted, the kit comprising: a base assembly; a first latching mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define in conjunction with the base assembly a first system having a first configuration that is operable in a first manner; and a second latching mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define in conjunction with the base assembly a second system having a second configuration that is operable in a second manner that is different than the first manner, the first and second latching mechanisms interchangeably operably attachable to the base assembly, one in place of the other, to allow a selection to be made by an assembler as to a desired configuration and manner of operation of a system, wherein the first and second latching mechanisms each has a first state, the first and second latching mechanisms in their first states engaging the selected latching part on the frame so as to releasably maintain the movable closure element in the latched position, the first and second latching mechanisms each having a second state wherein the first and second latching mechanisms are separable from the selected latching part on the frame so that the movable closure element is movable from the latched position into a release position, the kit further comprising at least one operating assembly, comprising at least one operating handle, and at least one actuating component, attachable to the base assembly so that a selected operating handle is movable relative to the base assembly between normal and release positions and a selected actuating component cooperates with the selected operating handle in a manner whereby the selected actuating component is moved as the selected operating handle is moved from its normal position into the release position as an incident of which the first and second latching mechanism that is selected and attached to the base assembly is changed from its first state into its second state, wherein the first latching mechanism comprises at least one rotor moved by the selected actuating component to pivot around an axis as the first latching mechanism is changed between its first and second states, the at least one rotor engageable with the selected latching part on the frame to releasably maintain the closure element in the latched state, wherein the second latching mechanism comprises a bolt that is moved by the selected actuating component in translation as the second latching mechanism is changed between its first and second states, the bolt engageable with the selected latching part on the frame to releasably maintain the closure element in the latched state. 2. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 1 in combination with a movable closure element upon which the system is operably mounted and a frame to which the movable closure element is mounted for guided movement between the latched and release positions. 3. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 2 wherein the at least one operating assembly comprises first and second operating assemblies respectively comprising first and second operating handles that are each graspable by a user and movable relative to the base assembly from a normal position to a release position to thereby change the respective first and second latching mechanisms from their first state into their second state, wherein the first and second handles have different configurations to be graspable in different manners to be repositioned by an operator from their normal into their release positions and are interchangeably operably attachable one in place of the other, to the base assembly. 4. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 3 wherein the first and second operating handles are each pivotable about an axis between their normal and release positions. 5. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 3 wherein the first handle comprises a graspable bail and the second handle comprises a flat, graspable paddle. 6. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 3 wherein the base assembly has a non-handed configuration. 7. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 2 wherein the selected latching part on the frame is selected from first and second latching parts having first and second configurations that may be the same or different in construction. 8. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 7 wherein the first and second latching mechanisms respectively are in the form of first and second modules that are each selectively operably attachable, one in place of the other as a unit, directly to the base assembly. 9. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 8 wherein the base assembly has a substantially flat mounting surface, the first latching mechanism has a first mounting plate with a first flat surface that is placed facially against the flat mounting surface with the first latching mechanism operably attached to the base assembly, and the second latching mechanism has a second mounting plate with a second flat surface that is placed facially against the flat mounting surface with the second latching mechanism operably attached to the base assembly. 10. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 9 wherein the base assembly comprises a cup-shaped housing with a front and back and the flat mounting surface is at the back of the cup-shaped housing, the cup-shaped housing has pre-formed bores, the first mounting plate has pre-formed bores aligned with the pre-formed bores in the cup-shaped housing to receive fasteners that maintain the first latching mechanism operably attached to the base assembly, and the second mounting plate has pre-formed bores aligned with pre-formed bores in the cup-shaped housing to receive fasteners and maintain the second latching mechanism operably attached to the base assembly. 11. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 7 wherein there is a single actuating component that is part of the base assembly and is translated from a retracted position into an extended position to thereby change each of the first and second latching mechanisms that is attached to the base assembly from its first state into its second state. 12. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 11 wherein the first latching mechanism comprises a pivoting operating arm that is repositionable by the single actuating component as the single actuating component is changed from the retracted position into the extended position to thereby cause the at least one rotor to pivot around the axis, and the single actuating component engages the bolt and cams the bolt so as to move the bolt along the line as the single actuating component is changed from the retracted position into the extended position. 13. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 11 wherein the base assembly has a front and back and the single actuating component is translated between the retracted and extended positions in a front-to-back/back-to-front direction. 14. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 7 wherein the first latching mechanism comprises a housing remote from the base assembly upon which the at least one rotor is mounted and there is a linkage connecting between the base assembly and remote housing. 15. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 14 wherein the first latching mechanism comprises a first mounting plate having pre-formed bores that are alignable with a first set of pre-formed bores in the base assembly to accept fasteners that maintain the first latching mechanism operably attached to the base assembly. 16. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 15 wherein the second latching mechanism comprises a second mounting plate having pre-formed bores that are alignable with a second set of pre-formed bores in the base assembly that is different than the first set of pre-formed bores to accept fasteners that maintain the second latching mechanism operably attached to the base assembly. 17. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 14 wherein the linkage comprises a bell crank between the base assembly and the remote housing. 18. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 2 wherein the base assembly comprises a non-metal material. 19. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 18 wherein the base assembly comprises a cup-shaped housing with a front and back, the housing comprising a body with a periphery having an effective diameter and an outturned flange on the body defining a rearwardly facing mounting surface, the base assembly and first or second latching mechanism that is operably attached to the base assembly movable as a unit from a fully separated state through a mounting opening in the movable closure element to place the rearwardly facing mounting surface facially against a surface on the movable closure element. 20. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 19 wherein the unit can be moved by guiding the rearwardly facing mounting surface against the surface on the movable closure element to thereby change an angular orientation of the unit relative to the movable closure element. 21. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 19 wherein the outturned flange has a peripheral outer edge that is substantially round. 22. The kit for selectively constructing a system according to claim 2 further in combination with a plurality of different, keyed locking cylinders that can be selectively installed on the base assembly, one in place of the other, to selectively prevent operation of the first and second mechanisms. 23. A method of constructing a system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a latched position relative to a frame with a selected part upon which the closure element is movably mounted, the method comprising the steps of: providing a base assembly; providing a plurality of components that can be interchangeably mounted on the base assembly and comprising a plurality of latching mechanisms that are selectively operably attachable, one in place of the other, to respectively define, in conjunction with the base assembly, first and second systems that are operable in different manners by an operator to releasably engage a selected latching part on the frame thereby to releasably maintain a closure element upon which the first and second systems are provided in the latched position, wherein the step of providing a plurality of components comprises providing: a) at least one operating handle that is attachable movably to the base assembly; b) at least one actuating component that is moved by the selected operating handle; c) a first latching mechanism comprising a first module with at least one pivotable rotor that is releasably engageable with a selected latching part on the frame to maintain its movable closure element in the latched position and operable through movement of the at least one actuating component as an incident of the handle being moved relative to the base assembly; and d) a second latching mechanism comprising a second module with a bolt that is translatable substantially along a line and releasably engageable with a selected latching part on the frame to releasably maintain the movable closure element in the latched position and operable through movement of the at least one actuating component as an incident of the handle being moved relative to the base assembly; and selectively operatively connecting together the base assembly, at least one actuating component, one operating handle, and a selected one of the first and second latching mechanisms depending upon a type of latching operation that is desired. 24. A method of constructing a system according to claim 23 wherein the step of providing at least one handle comprises providing a first handle that is pivotable relative to the base assembly and graspable in a first manner, and providing a second handle that is pivotable relative to the base assembly and graspable in a second manner that is different than the first manner, the first and second handles selectively operatively connected to the base assembly, one in place of the other. 25. A method of constructing a system according to claim 23 further comprising the step of operably attaching the first module to the base assembly using a plurality of fasteners directed into a first set of pre-formed bores in the base assembly. 26. A method of constructing a system according to claim 25 further comprising the step of operably attaching the second module to the base assembly in place of the first module using a plurality of fasteners directed into a second set of pre-formed bores in the base assembly that is different than the first set of pre-formed bores in the base assembly. 27. A method of constructing a system according to claim 23 wherein the step of providing a plurality of components comprises providing the first latching mechanism with a housing remote from the base assembly with at least one pivotable rotor that is engageable with a part on a frame upon which the movable closure element is mounted and a linkage between the housing and the base assembly. 28. A method of constructing a system according to claim 27 wherein the step of providing a linkage comprises providing a linkage comprising a bell crank. 29. A method of constructing a system according to claim 23 wherein the step of providing a plurality of components comprises providing a plurality of different keyed lock cylinders and selectively installing one of the keyed lock cylinders on the base assembly. 30. A method of constructing a system according to claim 23 wherein the step of providing a base assembly comprises providing a base assembly with a cup-shaped housing. 31. A method of constructing a system according to claim 30 wherein the step of providing at least one actuating component comprises providing a single actuating component that directly interacts with each of the first and second latching mechanisms that is selected and operatively connected. 32. A method of constructing a system according to claim 31 wherein the step of providing at least one actuating component comprises providing a single actuating component that is translated by the at least one operating handle to operate each of the first and second latching mechanisms that is selected and operatively connected. 33. A method of constructing a system according to claim 23 further comprising the steps of providing a movable closure element and operably mounting the base assembly and one of the first and second mechanisms as a unit to the movable closure element. 34. A method of constructing a system according to claim 33 wherein the step of operably mounting the unit to the movable closure element comprises moving the unit guidingly against the movable closure element to change an angular relationship between the unit and the movable closure element. 35. A method of constructing a system according to claim 23 wherein the step of providing at least one actuating component comprises providing at least one actuating component that is translated by the at least one operating handle.