Patent ID: 8075027
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A latch assembly combination comprising: a) a first plate assembly with inner and outer surfaces; b) first and second axles mounted to and extending in a first direction from the first plate assembly inner surface and respectively having first and second axes; c) a rotor movable between latched and released positions, d) a catch movable between: i) an engaged position wherein the catch blocks the rotor in the latched position; and ii) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to change from the latched position into the released, the rotor and catch selectively mountable to a respective axle in: a) a first axle configuration wherein the rotor is mounted to the first axle and the catch is mounted to the second axle; and b) a second axle configuration wherein the rotor is mounted to the second axle and the catch is mounted to the first axle; e) a biasing assembly for normally urging the rotor toward the released position and the catch toward the engaged position; and f) at least second and third plate assemblies that can be selectively operatively joined, one in place of the other, to the first plate assembly, each of the at least second and third plate assemblies comprising: a) inner and outer surfaces; b) spaced first and second ends; and c) at least one tab adjacent a respective one of the ends and extending in a first direction from a respective outer surface, wherein with the rotor and catch in each of the first and second axle configurations, the operatively joined one of the at least second and third plate assemblies has one of its respective ends adjacent to the catch and its respective at least one tab extending in the first direction so as to allow the latch assembly to be selectively positioned in different latch configurations; and g) an actuating system operatively connected to the one tab on the operatively joined one of the at least first and second plate assemblies to move the catch from the engaged position toward the disengaged position to thereby release the rotor.