Patent Publication Number: US-11377885-B2

Title: Lever actuated latch assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to latch assemblies for movable closures and the like, and, in particular, to a latch assembly for a recreational vehicle that can be manually actuated by a lever. 
     Latch assemblies are generally well-known in the art, and may be flush mounted on an associated closure, such as a door, to facilitate selectively shifting the closure between an open unlocked position and a closed locked position. Paddle handle assemblies are used widely on entry doors as latch assemblies for recreational vehicles, motor homes, and the like, and in such applications require that the latch mechanism be accessible and operable from both the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Typically, such paddle handle assemblies include a deadbolt lock for added security. 
     Heretofore, while paddle handle assemblies have proven generally effective, they experience certain drawbacks. For example, it is sometimes difficult for a user to obtain a positive grip with certain paddle handle assemblies, particularly in the case of a left-handed person operating a paddle handle assembly mounted on the left side of the door exterior or a right-handed person operating a paddle handle assembly mounted on the right side of the door exterior, where the paddle handle is extending in the direction opposite that of the user&#39;s favored hand. Also, some prior art paddle handle assemblies experience a problem in maintaining the alignment between the deadbolt and the associated strike. Further, it is sometimes difficult to lock a paddle handle assembly from the exterior. In addition, many prior art paddle handle assemblies have a rather complicated construction, which is expensive to manufacture and difficult to repair. Hence, a latch assembly that overcomes these drawbacks would be advantageous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is a latch assembly adapted for mounting adjacent an associated closure of the type that can be shifted between an open position and a closed position. The latch assembly comprises an outside housing having an inner face and an outer face and a door latch disposed proximate a side of the outside housing and adapted to engage a jamb section of the door opening, the door latch having a door open position and a door closed position. An external lever handle has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operably coupled with the door latch and the second end is pivotally mounted on the outer face of the outside housing for rotation of the external lever handle between a retracted position and an extended position. A plunger is slidingly received within a plunger recess disposed proximate the inner face of the outside housing and operably connected with the latch assembly, wherein the plunger has a latched position and an unlatched position within the plunger recess and comprises a longitudinal slot within which a plunger cam surface is disposed. A resilient member is operably coupled with the plunger and urges the plunger to the latched position. A handle cam is operably coupled with the first end of the external lever handle, wherein the handle cam is received within the longitudinal slot of the plunger and the handle cam comprises a cam surface juxtaposed against and in sliding relation with the plunger cam surface. The plunger is maintained in the latched position when the external lever handle is in the retracted position by the resilient member, whereby the closure cannot be unintentionally shifted from the closed position, and the plunger is displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position when the external lever handle is displaced from the retracted position to the extended position by the cam surface of the handle cam bearing against the plunger cam surface, whereby the closure is free to be shifted from the closed position to the open position. 
     These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front side perspective view of a recreational vehicle provided with a plurality of ceiling vents on a roof portion thereof; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective exterior view of a first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch in an unlatched position; 
         FIG. 3  is an exterior elevation view of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is interior elevation view of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective interior view of the of the inner face of the outside housing of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 , with the door latch in the latched position, taken along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 , with the door latch in the unlatched position, taken along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is perspective interior view of a first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch in the unlatched position; 
         FIG. 9  is an interior elevation view of a first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch in the latched position; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective interior view of a first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an interior elevation view of the of the inner face of the outside housing of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 , with the lock bolt rack in the unlocked position; 
         FIG. 12  is an interior elevation view of the of the inner face of the outside housing of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 , with the lock bolt rack in the locked position; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the inside plate assembly of the first embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an exterior elevation view of a second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch in the latched position; 
         FIG. 15  is perspective interior view of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch and deadbolt in the latched position; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective interior view of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 15 , taken along the line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the inner face of the outside housing of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 15 , with the spring bolt and deadbolt in the latched position; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective exterior view of the of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 15 , with the external lever handle disengaged from the latch assembly at a first end thereof; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a portion of the inner face of the outside housing of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 15 , with the spring bolt and deadbolt in the latched position; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 15 , taken along the line  21 - 21  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 15 , taken along the line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective exterior view of a third embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch and deadbolt in the unlatched position; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective interior view of the third embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch and deadbolt in the unlatched position; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective interior view of the of the inner face of the outside housing of the third embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch and deadbolt in the unlatched position; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the lock pawl and trigger in the unlatched position; 
         FIG. 27  is an interior elevation view of the inner face of the outside housing of the third embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch in the latched position and the deadbolt in the unlatched position; and 
         FIG. 28  is an interior elevation view of the inner face of the outside housing of the third embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, shown with the door latch and deadbolt in the unlatched position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  8  generally designates a recreational vehicle travel trailer particularly adapted for being towed by a motor vehicle (not shown). However, other recreational vehicle  8  configurations may advantageously employ the benefits of the present disclosure, such as and including motor coaches and so-called fifth wheel travel trailers. In the embodiment contemplated herein, the recreational vehicle  8  generally comprises a body  10  that is primarily supported by a pair of axles  14 , each comprising an axle assembly  16  and at least one pair of opposed road wheels  18 , and a trailer tongue  22  and ball  24  by which the recreational vehicle  8  be attached to the tow vehicle. As is typical, the recreational vehicle  8  has a closure or entry door  20  for ingress and egress and a plurality of windows  22  arranged on side walls  24  of the body  10 . A roof portion  12  is provided to enclose the body  10 . Propane tanks  30  mounted to the trailer tongue  22  may also be included. Also, optionally, an air conditioning unit  32  can be mounted on the roof portion  12 . 
     The reference numeral  40  in the Figures generally designates a latch assembly  40  embodying a first embodiment of the present invention. Latch assembly  40  may be mounted on associated closure  20 , and more particularly where the closure  20  is an entry door for a recreational vehicle  8 , as shown, as well as on a motor home, trailer, shed, or the like, wherein the closure  20  can be pivotally shifted between open and closed positions along a substantially vertical hinge axis. For purposes of the present disclosure, the closure  20  will be referred to as the entry door  20 . However, it is to be understood that the closure  20  can also include closures for other applications, and closures other than doors, such as hatches and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , entry door  20  selectively engages a doorframe  42  having a jamb section  44  that defines an associated door opening  46  and in which a door strike  48  is mounted. The door strike  48  includes a horizontally extending recess  50  extending into the jamb section  44  into which an associated portion of a door latch  52  (such as a spring bolt  54 ) and deadbolt  56  (if equipped, as shown in  FIGS. 15-28 ) engages and disengages, respectively, to selectively retain the entry door  20  in the fully closed position, as described in greater detail hereinafter. Of course, door strike recess  50  can be a single recess or may be separate recesses where a separate deadbolt  56  is utilized. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2-13 , the latch assembly  40  generally comprises a two-part construction, including an outside housing  60  and an inside plate  62 . A left-hand version of the latch assembly  40  is shown in  FIGS. 2-9 , while the right-hand version is shown in  FIGS. 10-13 . Otherwise, both versions include the same components. 
     As shown in the  FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, and 12 , the outside housing  60  has an inner face  64  and an outer face  66 . Similarly, the inside plate  62  has having an inner face  68  and an outer face  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 4, 8, 9, and 13 . The inside plate  62  may be preferably attached to the outside housing  60  by fasteners  72  extending through a plurality of openings  74  extending through and disposed about the margin  76  of the inside plate  62  and attached to a plurality of bosses  78  disposed about the margin  80  of the outside housing  60 . Thus, the latch assembly  40 , as installed, may be deposed on either side of the entry door  20  and received within a through-cavity (as best depicted in  FIG. 2 ) in the entry door  20 , where the latch assembly  40  may be accessed from both the exterior and interior of the recreational vehicle  8 , as further described below. 
     An external lever handle  82  is mounted to the outer face  66  of the outside housing  60  and has a first end  84  and a second end  86 , wherein the first end  84  is operably coupled with the door latch  52  and the second end  86  is pivotally mounted on the outer face  66  of the outside housing  60  for rotation of the external lever handle  82  between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     The illustrated outside housing  60  includes a centrally disposed, bowl-shaped external lever handle recess  88  located directly behind the external lever handle  82 , which provides finger access to facilitate actuation of the external lever handle  82  between the retracted and extended position. Similarly, the illustrated inside plate  62  includes a centrally disposed, bowl-shaped interior recess  90  directly behind an interior door release control  92 , which provides finger access to facilitate rotation of the interior door release control  92  between a latched and unlatched position. Preferably, the inner face  68  of the inside plate  62  further comprises an integral hook  94  disposed proximate the margin  76  thereof adapted to engage and capture a screen door lever (not shown) of a recreational vehicle, as is known in the art. 
     The marginal upper portion  96  of the outside housing  60  also includes a lock aperture  98  in which an external lock cylinder  100  is mounted. The door latch  52  is disposed proximate a side of the outside housing  60  and inside plate  62  and is adapted to engage the jamb section  44  of the door opening  46 , the door latch  52  having a door open position and a door closed position. 
     A plunger  102  is slidingly received within a plunger recess  104  disposed proximate the inner face  64  of the outside housing  60  and operably connected with the latch assembly  40 . Preferably, the plunger recess  104  is integrally formed on the inner face  64  of the outside housing  60 . The plunger  102  is adapted to slide and thereby shift between a latched position and an unlatched position within the plunger recess  104  and is provided with a longitudinal slot  106  within which a plunger cam surface  108  is disposed. Preferably, an inside plate  110  is mounted to the inner face  64  of the outside housing  60 , wherein the plunger  102  is disposed between the outside housing  60  and the inside plate  110  and is restrained within the plunger recess  104 . 
     A resilient member  112  is operably coupled with the plunger  102  and urges the plunger  102  to the latched position. Preferably, the resilient member  112  is a compression spring having a first end  114  received within a cylindrical cavity  116  disposed within a first end  118  of the plunger  102  and a second end  120  abutting a terminal wall  122  of the plunger recess  104  opposite the first end  118  of the plunger  102 . 
     A handle cam  124  is operably coupled with the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  and is received within the longitudinal slot  106  of the plunger  102 . The handle cam  124  is provided with a cam surface  126  juxtaposed against and in sliding relation with the plunger cam surface  108 . Preferably, the longitudinal slot  106  is wider than handle cam  124  in order to allow the handle cam  124  to move transverse to the longitudinal slot  106 , as the external lever handle  82  is rotated from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     The plunger  102  is maintained in the latched position when the external lever handle is in the retracted position by the resilient member  112 , whereby the entry door  20  cannot be unintentionally shifted from the closed position. The resilient member  112  that is operably coupled with the plunger  102  also simultaneously acts on the handle cam  124  by urging the plunger  102  to its latched position, thereby retracting the external lever handle  82  to its retracted position. To open the entry door  20 , the plunger  102  may be displaced from the latched position to the unlatched position as the external lever handle  82  is displaced from the retracted position to the extended position, whereupon the cam surface  126  of the handle cam  124  bears against the plunger cam surface  108 , causing the door latch  52  to shift to the door open position, whereby the entry door  20  is free to be shifted from the closed position to the open position. 
     The latch assembly  40  preferably may be provided with the interior door release control  92  mounted proximate to the outer face  70  of the inside plate  62 . Preferably, the interior door release control  92  is a rotatable lever operably coupled with a cam  128 , where a square opening  130  in the cam  128  may be operably coupled with a rotating square shaft  132  of the interior door release control  92 . An interior plunger arm  134  may be operably coupled with the plunger  102 . Preferably, the interior plunger arm  134  is integral with the plunger  102  and depends therefrom in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the longitudinal slot  106 , as shown in  FIGS. 5, 10, 11, and 12 . In operation, rotation of the interior door release control  92  from the unlatched to the latched position urges the cam  128  against the interior plunger arm  134  to displace the plunger  102  from the latched position and an unlatched position, thereby moving the latch assembly  40  to the door open position. During this operation, it is preferable that the longitudinal sliding the plunger be provided with sufficient relief to allow the plunger  102  to slide to the unlatched position without contacting the handle cam an axle assembly  16124 , as shown in, for example,  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 . 
     The outer face  66  of the outside housing  60  further may also include a lower recess  136  within which the second end  86  of the external lever handle  82  is received. This lower recess  136  may be and preferably is continuous with the bowl-shaped external lever handle recess  88 . A hinge pin  138  may be inserted within openings  140  provided in the lower recess and an opening  142  in the second end  86  of the external lever handle  82 , whereby the hinge pin  138  extends across the lower recess  136  and through the opening  142  in the second end  86  of the external lever handle  82  to pivotally mount the second end  86  of the external lever handle  82  to the outer face  66  of the outside housing  60  for rotation of the external lever handle  82  between the retracted position and an extended position. Optionally, as handle hinge spring  144  may be disposed about the hinge pin  138  and adapted to urge the external lever handle  82  to the retracted position. Preferably, if so provided, the handle hinge spring  144  is a torsion spring. 
     The lock aperture  98  may be provided through the outside housing  60  through which the external lock cylinder  100  extends from the outer face  66 . The external lock cylinder  100  has a locked condition and an unlocked condition, as further discussed below. 
     In operation, the entry door  20  can be shifted from the closed to the open position from the exterior of the recreational vehicle  8  in the following manner. With the latch assembly  40  in the unlocked position, the external lever handle  82  may be rotated outwardly from the retracted position to the extended position. Rotation of the external lever handle  82  from the retracted position to the extended position displaces the handle cam  124  outwardly, which, in turn, shifts the plunger  102  laterally inwardly. The lateral inward shifting of the plunger  102  causes the door latch  52  to shift to the unlatched position. The door latch  52  thereby disengages from the door strike recess  50 , and permits the user to shift the entry door  20  from the closed position to the open position. 
     Entry door  20  can be similarly shifted from the closed position to the open position from the interior of the entry door  20  in the following manner. With the external lock cylinder  100  in the unlocked position, the interior door release control  92  may be actuated, which is preferably by rotation of a rotatable lever, which displaces the interior plunger arm  134  laterally and moves the plunger  102  inwardly, which causes the door latch  52  to shift to the unlatched position. The door latch  52  thereby disengages from the door strike recess  50 , and permits the user to shift entry door  20  from the closed position to the open position. 
     In order to return the entry door  20  to the closed and latched position from either the exterior or interior of the entry door  20 , the user simply swings the entry door  20  to the closed position, which causes the door latch  52  (here, a spring bolt  54 ) to strike the door strike  48  and engage the door strike recess  50 . When the entry door  20  is in the fully closed and latched position, the same can be positively locked in place by rotation of the external lock cylinder  100 . More specifically, a matching key is inserted into the key slot in the external lock cylinder  100 , and the same are then rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position, as further discussed below. 
     According to a first embodiment of the latch assembly  40  disclosed herein, the door latch  52  includes a spring bolt  54  integrated with the plunger  102 . That is, the plunger recess  104  and longitudinal slot  106  are perpendicular with the jamb section  44  and the spring bolt  54  integrated with the plunger  102  slides in a direction perpendicular with the jamb section  44  of the door opening  46 . 
     Preferably, the spring bolt  54  has an outer end  148  that extends exterior of the outside housing  60  for engagement with the associated door strike  48  having a door strike recess  50  and an inner end  150  thereof which extends interior of the outside housing  60  and is integral with the plunger  102 . The outer end  148  of the spring bolt  54  preferably has a first inclined surface  152  that faces the door strike recess  50  on the door strike  48  when the entry door  20  is in the open position and a second inclined surface  154  that engages the door strike recess  50  when the entry door  20  is in the closed position, the second inclined surface  154  extending outwardly toward the exterior of the housing. 
     Thus, in accordance with the first embodiment of the latch assembly  40  disclosed herein, in order to return the entry door  20  to the closed and latched position from either the exterior or interior of the closure, the user simply shifts the entry door  20  to the closed position, which causes the first inclined surface  152  on the spring bolt  54  to strike the door strike  48  and thereby push the spring bolt  54  into the interior of the latch assembly  40 . When the spring bolt  54  comes into registry with the door strike recess  50 , the spring bolt  54  is urged back to the latched position by virtue of the spring biasing force exerted by the resilient member  112 , thereby preventing the entry door  20  from being inadvertently shifted from the closed position to the open position. 
     The second inclined surface  154  at the outer end  148  of the spring bolt  54  also may have a slightly inclined surface relative its longitudinal length that replaces the normally flat surface opposite the first inclined surface  152 . It has been found that such a second inclined surface  154 , which extends outwardly toward the marginal edge of the latch assembly  40  at about 4° relative the longitudinal length of the spring bolt, provides a greater resistance to inadvertent opening of the entry door  20  and more reliable engagement with the door strike recess  50 , particularly when the latch assembly  40  is applied to a recreational vehicle  8  or other mobile application subject to significant vibrations during transit. 
     In addition, according to the first embodiment of the latch assembly  40 , the handle cam  124  has a distal end  156  proximate the cam surface  126  and the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  is operably coupled to the handle cam  124  by a threaded fastener  158  extending through an orifice  160  in the handle cam  124  and threadingly received within a threaded opening  162  in the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82 . Preferably, the orifice  160  in the handle cam  124  is provided with a shoulder  164  upon which a head  166  of the threaded fastener  158  is disposed. 
     As a further feature of the first embodiment of the latch assembly disclosed herein, a lock bolt rack  168  may be operably coupled with a cam gear  170  and slidably retained within a rack slot  172  transverse to the plunger recess  104  within which plunger  102  is slidably received. A deadbolt clutch  174  may be operably and rotatably coupled with the external lock cylinder  100 , while the cam gear  170  may be operably and rotatably coupled with the deadbolt clutch  174 . 
     Rotation of the external lock cylinder  100  from the unlocked condition to the locked condition also rotates the cam gear  170 . Since the cam gear  170  is in engagement with the lock bolt rack  168 , rotary motion is converted to linear motion, and the lock bolt rack  168  is shifted to a locked position within the rack slot  172 . When in the locked position within the rack slot  172 , the lock bolt rack  168  engages a notch  176  in the plunger  102  to prevent shifting of the plunger  102  from the latched position to the unlatched position, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12 . Conversely, rotation of the external lock cylinder  100  from the locked condition to the unlocked condition rotates the cam gear  170  in the opposite direction and slides the lock bolt rack  168  to an unlocked position, whereby the lock bolt rack  168  is disengaged from the notch  176  in the plunger  102  to allow shifting of the plunger  102  from the latched position to the unlatched position, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Preferably, a deadbolt clutch spring  178  may be disposed between the inside plate  110  mounted to the inner face  64  of the outside housing  60  and the cam gear  170 . The inside plate  110  preferably is provided with an opening  180  through which the cam gear  170  extends and a plurality of symmetrically arranged radial slots  182  that engage opposed radial detents  184  disposed on the deadbolt clutch spring  178 , in order to maintain the selected position of the lock bolt rack  168 , as described above. 
     In addition, deadbolt knob  186  may be mounted proximate to the outer face  70  of the inside plate  62 . The deadbolt knob  186  has a locked position and an unlocked position and may be operably and rotatably coupled with the external lock cylinder  100 , wherein operation of deadbolt knob  186  from the unlocked position to the locked position slides the lock bolt rack  168  to the locked position within the rack slot  172 , whereby the lock bolt rack  168  engages the notch  176  in the plunger  102  to prevent shifting of the plunger  102  from the latched position to the unlatched position. Conversely, rotation of the deadbolt knob  186  from the locked condition to the unlocked condition slides the lock bolt rack  168  to an unlocked position, whereby the lock bolt rack  168  is disengaged from the notch  176  in the plunger  102  to allow shifting of the plunger  102  from the latched position to the unlatched position. The deadbolt knob  186  preferably further includes a stop  188  that is received within a recess  190  of a deadbolt clutch  174  to allow independent rotation of the deadbolt knob  186  relative the external lock cylinder  100 . 
     As a further feature of the first embodiment of the latch assembly disclosed herein, the plunger  102  may be provided with an inwardly extending tab  194  disposed on the plunger  102  proximate the inner face  68  of the inside plate  62 . An arcuate slot  196  preferably extends through the inside plate  62 , where the arcuate slot  196  has a first end  198  aligned with the plunger recess  104  and plunger  102  and a second end  200  that is not aligned with the plunger recess  104  and plunger  102 . A night lock knob  202  preferably extends through and is shiftingly restrained in the arcuate slot  196 . The night lock knob  202  has a locked position and an unlocked position, whereby shifting the night lock knob  202  to the locked position engages the night lock knob  202  with the inwardly extending tab  194  disposed on the plunger  102 , thus preventing the plunger  102  from shifting from the latched position to the unlatched position. Conversely, shifting the night lock knob  202  to the unlocked position disengages the night lock knob  202  from the inwardly extending tab  194  disposed on the plunger  102  to allow shifting of the plunger  102  from the latched position to the unlatched position. Preferably, the night lock knob  202  is slidably restrained in the arcuate slot by lock washer  204 . 
     Thus, the first embodiment of the latch assembly  40  disclosed herein may be locked by either an external lock cylinder  100 , an inside deadbolt knob  186 , or a night lock knob  202 . The external lock cylinder  100  and deadbolt knob  186  each separately controls a cam gear  170  that extends or retracts a lock bolt rack  168 . This lock bolt rack  168 , in turn, engages the plunger  102  in the latched position and prevents the plunger  102  and door latch  52  (here, spring bolt  54 ) from moving. The night lock knob  202  may be advantageous for users concerned about the external lock cylinder  100  being picked and can be shifted into a locked position to prevent motion of the plunger  102  independent of the external lock cylinder  100  or inside deadbolt knob  186 . By engaging the tab  194  on the plunger  102  to prevent motion, the night lock knob  202  prevents the entry door  20  from being opened externally. 
     According to a second embodiment of the latch assembly  40  disclosed herein, shown in  FIGS. 14-22 , a deadbolt  56  separate from the plunger  102  and door latch  52  (here, spring bolt  54 ) is provided. Additionally, the external lock cylinder  100  is preferably disposed proximate the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  in order to operate the deadbolt  56 , and may be master keyed for dealership use. The night lock knob  202  is omitted in favor of the separate deadbolt  56 . 
     According to the second embodiment of the latch assembly  40  of the present disclosure, the latch assembly  40  similarly includes the lock aperture  98  through the outside housing  60  through which the external lock cylinder  100  extends from the outer face  66 . A deadbolt  56  having an outer end  206  and an inner end  208 , a lock cam  210 , and a first link  212  are added, whereby rotation of external lock cylinder  100  rotates the lock cam  210  mounted to the inner face  64  of the outside housing  60 , preferably above the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82 . The deadbolt  56  preferably has a cross-sectional lateral thickness that is narrower than a cross-sectional lateral thickness of the spring bolt  54 . In addition, the outer end  206  of the deadbolt  56  is preferably tapered. 
     Rotation of the lock cam  210 , by either the external lock cylinder  100  or the deadbolt knob  186 , contemporaneously shifts a crank arm  214  of the lock cam  210 , to which is pivotally attached a first end  216  of the first link  212 . A second end  218  of the first link  212  is in turn pivotally connected with the inner end  208  of the deadbolt  56 , whereby the second end  218  of the first link  212  longitudinally shifts the deadbolt  56  from the unlocked position to the locked position. In the unlocked position, the outer end  206  of the deadbolt  56  is fully withdrawn into the interior of the latch assembly  40 , as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 20 . In the locked position, the outer end  206  of the deadbolt  56  engages door strike recess  50  in the door strike  48 , and positively prevents opening of the entry door  20 . The deadbolt  56  is unlocked by rotating external lock cylinder  100  or deadbolt knob  186  in the opposite direction. Thus, the deadbolt  56  may be movably shifted between a locked position, wherein the entry door  20  is positively retained in the closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the entry door  20  is free to be shifted between the open and closed positions. 
     Also, according to the second embodiment of the latch assembly  40  disclosed herein, the outer face  66  of the outside housing  60  may be provided with an upper recess  220  within which the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  is received. This upper recess  220  may similarly be continuous with the bowl-shaped external lever handle recess  88 . The upper recess  220  further preferably includes an elongated slot  222 , while the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  preferably includes a lever lock bolt  224  having a locked position and an unlocked position, the lever lock bolt  224  being received within the elongated slot  222  when in the unlocked position and being retained within the elongated slot  222  when in the locked position, as shown in  FIGS. 17, 19, 20, and 22 . The locked position of the lever lock bolt  224  is preferably rotationally 90° relative the unlocked position of the lever lock bolt  224 . 
     The first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  further preferably includes an orifice  226  through the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  through which a handle lock cylinder  228  extends, the handle lock cylinder  28  having a locked condition and an unlocked condition. A clutch  230  is preferably disposed on an exterior end  232  of the lever lock bolt  224  that may be operably and rotatably coupled with the handle lock cylinder  228 , through which the handle lock cylinder  228  is operably coupled with the lever lock bolt  224 . A clutch holder  234  may be provided by which the lever lock bolt  224  is mounted to the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82 . The handle lock cylinder  228  may also be master keyed for dealership convenience. 
     Further, according to the second embodiment of the latch assembly  40  disclosed herein, the external lever handle  82  is coupled to the handle cam  124  via an alternative structure. That is, the handle cam  124  is still provided with a distal end  156  proximate the cam surface  126 . However, the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  is operably coupled to the handle cam  124  by a handle shaft  236  fixedly mounted in the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  and extending through and fixed within an orifice  160  in the handle cam  124 . The handle shaft  236  further preferably comprises a notch  238  disposed at a distal end  240  thereof and is fixed within the orifice  160  in the handle cam  124  by a C-clamp  242  resiliently received and secured in the notch  238 . As further described below, the external lever handle  82  may be injection molded and the handle shaft  236  is preferably fixedly mounted in the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  during the molding process. 
     In accordance with a third embodiment of the latch assembly of the present disclosure, a rotary latch assembly  244  is employed as the door latch  52 , as shown in  FIGS. 22-28 . In this embodiment, the rotary latch assembly  244  has a locked position and an unlocked position. A door striker  246  may be disposed on the jamb section  44  of the door opening  46  for engagement with the rotary latch assembly  244 . 
     A rotary latch cam  248  is preferably pivotably mounted at a pivot  250  at a first end  252  to the inner face  64  of the outside housing  60  proximate the rotary latch assembly  244 . A second link  254  having a first end  256  thereof may be pivotally operably coupled with the plunger  102  and a second end  258  thereof may be pivotally connected with a second end  260  of the rotary latch cam  248 . The first end  256  of the second link  254  is preferably operably coupled with the interior plunger arm  134 . 
     The rotary latch assembly preferably comprises a frame  262  attached to the margin  80  of the outside housing  60 , a lock pawl  264  rotatably mounted to the frame  262  and having a locked position in engagement with the door striker  246  and an unlocked position, and a trigger  266  rotatably mounted to the frame  262  and operably coupled with the rotary latch cam  248  and a detent  268  on the lock pawl to  264 . The trigger  266  has a locked position and an unlocked position. The rotary latch cam  248  rotates the trigger  266  from the locked position to the unlocked position as the plunger  102  shifts from the latched position to the unlatched position, thus bringing the trigger  266  out of engagement with a detent  268  and releasing the lock pawl  264  to the unlocked position. Thus, shifting the plunger  102  to the unlatched position rotates the rotary latch cam  248  to shift the rotary latch assembly  244  between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     The rotary latch assembly  244  may also include a first torsion spring  270  that urges the lock pawl  264  to the unlocked position and a second torsion spring  272  that urges the trigger  266  to the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 26 . Shifting the entry door  20  from the open position to the closed position causes the lock pawl  264  to engage the door striker  246 , which rotates the lock pawl  264  to the locked position against the urging of the first torsion spring  270  and allows the trigger  266  to reengage the detent  268  on the lock pawl  264  under the urging of the second torsion spring  272 , thereby maintaining the lock pawl in the locked position. 
     In accordance with the third embodiment of the latch assembly  40  of the present disclosure, the use of a rotary latch assembly  244  has been found to be advantageous in that replacement of the spring bolt  54  utilized with the first and second embodiments described above with a rotary latch assembly  244  allows use of many common components to lower tooling and production costs. This interchangeability also provides the option to the door manufacturer and subsequent OEM to offer two different latching systems (a spring bolt  54  or a rotary latch assembly  244 ) that otherwise look identical from the exterior or interior of the entry door  20 . Once the plunger  102  is actuated either by shifting of the external lever handle  82  from the retracted to the extended position or by rotation of the interior door release control  92 , the rotary latch cam  248  rotates and moves the trigger  266  to release the lock pawl  264 . 
     Furthermore, a latch assembly  40  having a door latch  52  configured as spring bolt  54  may be desired for lower cost applications, while the rotary latch assembly  244  may be desired for motorized applications. That is, a feature of the use of the rotary latch assembly  244  is the second link  254  from the interior plunger arm  134  to the rotary latch cam  248 . While the rotary latch assembly  244  of the third embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated as attached to the latch assembly  40  by installing a different link, the rotary latch assembly  244  may be remotely activated for doors in which the latch assembly  40  is installed further inboard of the door edge. 
     As applied to any of the foregoing embodiments, it has been determined that water control is important to the continued function and durability of the latch assembly  40 . More particularly, it has been found desirable to provide features to provide such water control to minimize infiltration of water into the interior of the latch assembly  40 . 
     Water control may be obtained by the use of water diversion provided on the outer face  66  of the outside housing  60 . Preferably, an upper portion of the outer face  66  of the outside housing  60  comprises a raised portion  274  to divert water around the outside housing  60 . The water diversion also includes the inner edges  276  of the external lever handle  82  having parallel grooves  278  disposed therein and the outer face  66  of the outside housing  60  proximate the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  having a pair of outwardly facing walls  280  that engage the grooves  278  disposed on the external lever handle  82  when the external lever handle  82  is in the retracted position. Further, the lock aperture  98  through the outside housing  60  through which the external lock cylinder  100  extends may be disposed above the external lever handle  82  and may include a raised portion  282  to divert water around the outside housing  60  and away from the external lever handle  82 . Finally, ribs  284  may be disposed about the upper recess  220  within which the first end  84  of the external lever handle  82  is received to divert water from the latch assembly  40 . 
     Finally, the latch assembly  40  as described in any of the foregoing embodiments may be constructed of injection molded components. In particular, the outside housing  60 , inside plate  62 , external lever handle  82 , interior door release control  92 , deadbolt knob  186 , and night lock knob  202  may be advantageously constructed of injection molding resins. Such resins can include polymers, such as glass filled nylon. 
     In accordance with the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) and “connected” (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.) generally mean the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “operably connected” generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the inner faces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.