Abstract:
A latch assembly is re-configurable for plural orientations. A slide lock plate engages a claw-typed pawl. A rotating activation mechanism links an operator handle to the slide plate. The handle causes the activation mechanism to rotate, thereby retracting the sliding lock plate form the pawl. A cam follower, activated by a pocket cam, is rotated with handle operation. A first pinion gear on the sliding lock plate and a friction clutch dampen movement. A rotating paddle/blade cam, substituted for the paddle/blade, has a projecting arm. The second pinion gear engages teeth on the edge of the slide lock plate. A dog leg-shaped projection, added to the handle end of the slide plate, accommodates second teeth facing opposite the first teeth.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention relates to latches and latch assemblies. Specifically, the present invention relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/370,347, filed Apr. 7, 2002, for a Glovebox Latch and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/436,317, filed Dec. 23, 2002, for a Rotating Pocket Cam Govebox Latch. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Brief Description of the Related Art 
   A latch and latch assemblies are relied upon in many applications for securing panels and doors to cabinets and enclosures. For example, closets and compartments and the like may have doors and pivotal panels, which may be secured with a releasable latch. 
   One use for such latches is in the automotive field, where it is desirable to access automotive compartments, such as for example, a trunk compartment or a passenger compartment in a vehicle, as well as a glovebox. In this regard, various latches for panel closures have been employed mounted to a moveable panel, such as a swinging door on an automotive glovebox. Typically such glovebox doors swing open downwardly, with the weight of the door exerting a force on the latch prior to opening. Safety standards for modern automobiles have caused manufacturers to position gloveboxes and glovebox doors lower than previously, and often at knee level, almost under the dashboard. This has caused glovebox doors to support the weight of the contents of the glovebox, whether latched or open. 
   An example of a latch is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,056, issued to L. S. Weinerman, et al. Weinerman discloses a latch and lock assembly having expansible latch elements. In another publication, Weinerman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,208, describe a latch and lock assembly with spring-biased pivotal pivot bolts. A rotary paddle latch is shown by M. J. Rachocki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,487; while a paddle handle latch is shown by M. Edmonds, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,907. K. A. Bull, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,141, shows a quick release glovebox latch mechanism. S. J. Gleason, et al. describe a door closure assembly in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,686. Ratchet-type latch assemblies have been shown by K. Takimoto, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,238. 
   These latches, however, are generally designed for a specific application, i.e., a specific structural design configuration. For automotive glovebox applications, these latches, typically, are positioned at the center of a glovebox, juxtaposed the keeper hook. Moreover, each latch has been designed specifically for upper bin operation or for lower bin operation, with no interchangeability between the respective operations. 
   What is desired is a latch assembly, which has universal application, and which will enable an automotive glovebox latch release handle or paddle to be positioned at the side of the glovebox, when the glovebox door panel keeper is centered in its customary position. 
   What is also desired is that this off-set latch assembly be re-configurable to provide its capability of operation, regardless of paddle and keeper positioning in upper bin operation or in lower bin operation. 
   What is further desired is that this off-set re-configurable latch assembly provide a structure which has an ease of operation for the latch release, when the latch has increased pressures against resulting from the weight of objects stored in the glovebox and laying against the glovebox door panel. 
   What is even further desired is a latch assembly with a linking or activation mechanism with improved mechanical strength. 
   The objects of this invention are to provide these features in one structure, in which the component elements remain the same, but the assembly of such is re-configurable for the specific application. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The objects of the present invention are realized in a latch assembly, which can be used as an automotive glovebox latch. This latch assembly has snap-together construction that also facilitates the mechanical reconfiguration of its mechanical parts. The latch assembly provides the capability of multiple and/or universal installation design applications, in order to meet the requirements for various glovebox latch assemblies. The latch assembly is elongate which facilitates a horizontal mounting and an off-set pawl and keeper location from the paddle or operating handle. The latch assembly can be used in both right-hand drive and left-hand drive vehicles, as well as in upper bin location and lower bin location keeper and latch operation. The present latch assembly is capable of being mounted to operate a keeper release, when the glovebox latch handle or paddle is located on either the left side of the glovebox or on the right side of the glovebox. 
   Included as part of this latch is an elongate housing which carries a plurality of bosses for mounting the housing, and the assembly carried thereon. The housing is mounted to the, inside face of the glovebox door panel or bin. 
   Mounted for operation at a first end of the housing is a standard claw-shaped pawl, facing outwardly from the end of the housing. This pawl pivots to engage a keeper, whereof the operation of the pawl is spring biased to the open position. The pawl includes a rearward projecting finger extending towards the body of the housing. 
   The rearward-projecting finger of the pawl is engaged by a blade-shaped end of a slideable lock plate. This lock plate is elongate and slides longitudinally within the housing, and more specifically within a housing defined slot portion. The sliding lock plate locks the pawl in its closed position when its blade end engages the rearward-projecting finger, i.e., the blade intercepts the pawl finger&#39;s rotational path, and thereby prohibits the pawl from rotating open. The sliding lock plate is spring biased to the locked or pawl engagement position. 
   The sliding lock plate may include a movement dampening device. Usually this movement dampening device includes a toothed portion which mates with a toothed portion along the body of the sliding lock plate. 
   The sliding lock plate is engaged by (linked to) the handle (paddle) through the operation of an activation mechanism which activation mechanism is caused to rotate under the force of the handle/paddle rotation, whereby by a projecting shoulder or projecting flange on the handle/paddle engages and rotates a portion of the activation mechanism. The rotation of the activation mechanism, which is connected to the sliding lock plate causes the sliding lock plate to retract from engagement with the pawl and thereby the pawl rotates open under its biasing spring force. 
   The activation mechanism is either symmetrically shaped or can be flipped-over. Both of these features permit left hand and right hand operation. When a flip-over structure is used, the sliding lock plate includes a dog-leg shaped arm extension at the handle end and carries a first and second edge tracks of teeth, one for each respective handed operation. Furthermore, the symmetrical activation mechanism can take more than one shape, one or more of which would require the addition of a track of teeth on a face of the sliding lock plate at the handle end thereof. 
   When the symetrical structure is present, the slidable lock plate is linked to the handle/paddle by either of two structures, depending upon whether the latch assembly is configured for upper bin operation or lower bin operation. Because of the symmetry, the latch assembly needs to merely be switched end for end between left and right handed installations. 
   When configured for lower bin mounting, the end of the lock plate carries a transversely projecting pivot upon which a pocket cam rotates. An elongated oval camming surface forms a pocket on the interior of the camming member. A finger projects outwardly from the periphery of the pocket cam. The pocket cam is symmetrically shaped about the longitudinal axis of the housing, with the cam&#39;s finger extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing, away from the pawl and towards the handle, when in the latch is in the rest or inoperative position. 
   A projecting shoulder on the handle engages the cam&#39;s finger when the handle is operated. This causes the cam to rotate on its pivot. The elongate, oval-like enclosed camming surface, carried within the cam (in a pocket thereof), engages a follower pin at the end of the slidable lock plate. When the cam is caused to rotate by the operation of the handle against the finger, the follower pin is moved towards tha handle and the lock plate slides out of engagement with the pawl. 
   By configuring the cam and its pocket symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the latch, the latch can be mounted for both right hand and left hand operation. The cam operates the latch identically, whether it is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise. 
   Configured for upper bin mounting, the pocket cam is replaced with a paddle cam that carries one or more teeth. These teeth engage teeth at the adjacent end of the lock plate to move the plate out of engagement with the pawl. The paddle cam includes T-shaped projections, extending laterally (transversely) to either side of the longitudinal axis of the housing. When the handle is rotated, a projection on the handle engages one of the paddle cam projections causing the paddle cam to rotate. This rotation causes a movement of the slide plate because the respective teeth of the slide plate and the paddle cam are engaged. The teeth on the slide plate operated similar to a rack with the teeth on the paddle cam acting similar to a pinion. Because the paddle cam is symmetrically shaped about the longitudinal axis of the housing, this structure can again be interchangeably mounted for both left-handed and right-handed operation. 
   In symmetrical structure configuration, upper bin or lower bin, mounting, the cam need only rotate about 15 to 30 degrees to cause the locking plate to disengage from the pawl. 
   When flip-over structure is present, the lock plate also includes intermediate along its length, a pair of elongate longitudinal slots which act to keep the lock plate within the housing while permitting it to slide back and forth, from left to right within the housing, when the housing is mounted horizontally. A first length of gear teeth are carried along at least one edge of the lock plate for a selected distance, to operate as a gear track (or rack). Immediately outboard from this gear track, at the end of the lock plate opposite the blade, is an off-set arm which has a second length of gear teeth on its inwardly facing edge, the edge facing the centerline of the lock plate. This off-set arm is a dog-leg shaped extension arm extending beyond the main body of the lock plate. The first and second gear tracks (racks) each extend in respective separate planes, which are each parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lock plate. 
   A first pair of pivot posts or bushing journals are positioned on the housing outboard of the operational path of the slidable lock plate. This pair is positioned in the location of the first gear track, one each on either side of the lock plate. A third pivot post or bushing journal is positioned at the end of the housing opposite the pawl hook in a location adjacent the second gear track. 
   A pinion gear is selectably mountable onto the housing, on any of the three pivot posts, to co-act with and operate against either the first gear track or the second gear track. In position, the pinion gear teeth engage the respective gear track teeth. A rotation of the pinion gear moves the lock plate along the housing length. 
   The housing carries an outwardly extending guide post for every elongate slot in the lock plate. These guide posts keep the lock plate from binding in the housing, by securing it against lateral movement. 
   For upper bin paddle operation this pinion gear is mounted on a pivot post to engage the first gear track. For lower bin paddle operation, this pinion gear is mounted to operate against the second gear track carried on the dog-leg shaped arm extension of the lock plate. 
   The pinion gear has teeth along an arc section of its outer circumference, extending about 120 degrees. Positioned approximately diagonally opposite the first end tooth on the pinion gear is a radially outwardly extending cantilever arm. This cantilever arm is engaged by the bin or panel paddle (opening handle). The operation of the paddle causes the pinion gear to rotate and the lock plate to retract, thereby, causing the blade member to release the pawl, which pawl then rotates to the open position responsive to its biasing spring. When the pawl rotates to the open or disengaged position under the force of its biasing spring, the bin of the glovebox, or the door panel as the case may be, falls open from gravitational forces. 
   The pinion gear&#39;s cantilever arm is mounted to always be askew with the face of the paddle that it contacts. Therefore, as the contacting face of the paddle moves towards the cantilever arm, the end of the arm rides along the contacting face resulting in a rotation of the pinion gear. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features, advantages and operation of the present invention will become readily apparent and further understood from a reading of the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a pictorial perspective view of the latch assembly with the paddle in a closed position and a top bin structure with the flip-over activation mechanism present; 
       FIG. 1   b  is a pictorial perspective of the top bin structure of  FIG. 1   a  with the paddle in the open position for opening the glovebox; 
       FIG. 2  is a pictorial perspective of the latch assembly operating against the bin paddle showing details of the various elements including the flip-over structure; 
       FIG. 3  is a pictorial plan view of the sliding lock plate flipped-over for right hand replacing left hand operation of the flip-over structure latch assembly; 
       FIG. 4  is a pictorial plan view, partial disassembly of the latch assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIGS. 5   a – 5   f  are a perspective view, top view, bottom view, side view, pawl end view, and gear track end view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1  in the open position for upper bin operation; 
       FIGS. 6   a – 6   f  show corresponding views of the latch assembly of  FIGS. 5   a – 5   f  for upper bin operation in the closed position; 
       FIGS. 7   a – 7   f  show the latch assembly of  FIG. 1  in perspective view, top view, bottom view, side view, pawl end view and gear end view, respectively, when configured for lower bin operation and in the open position; 
       FIGS. 8   a – 8   f  show corresponding views for the lower bin operation configuration of  FIGS. 7   a – 7   f , when in the closed position; 
       FIGS. 9   a – 9   f  show respectively the same views for the housing member of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 10   a – 10   f  show respectively similar views for the lock plate member of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a lower bin configuration of the latch assembly in the unlocked position; 
       FIG. 12  shows a side view of the configuration of  FIG. 11  in the closed and locked position with a lock mechanism; 
       FIG. 13  shows a side view of the latch assembly configured for upper bin operation with left-sided vehicle steering wheel; 
       FIG. 14  shows a side view of the latch assembly configured for upper bin operation with a right-sided vehicle steering wheel; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1  now configured for the pocket cam activation mechanism and for lower bin mounting and assembly for left-hand operation; 
       FIG. 16   a  is a plan view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 16   b  is a plan view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 15  with the handle (paddle) pulled to rotate the pocket cam and thereby cause the lock plate to disengage from the pawl; 
       FIG. 17  shows the rotation of the pocket cam of  FIGS. 16   a ,  16   b  for right-handed operation; 
       FIG. 18   a  is a perspective partial disassembly view of the pocket cam, slide plate, housing and damper casing of  FIG. 15  as ready for assembly; 
       FIG. 18   b  is a partial assembly view of the structure of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 18   c  is a further assembly view of the structure of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 19  shows a detail partial perspective view of the slide plate biasing torsion spring from a reverse direction; 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the reverse side of the latch assembly of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a partial perspective detail view of the clutch dampened pinion gear of  FIG. 19  with its cover removed; 
       FIG. 22  shows a partial perspective detail view of the engagement of the lock plate with the pawl and the respective position of the damper that moves within a cavity of the housing; 
       FIG. 23  is a partial perspective detail view of the slidable lock plate track teeth for engagement by the pinion gear of the damper; 
       FIG. 24   a  is a partial perspective view of the handle projecting shoulder disengaged from the paddle cam which has been substituted for the pocket cam of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 24   b  is a partial perspective view of  FIG. 24   a  with the handle projecting shoulder engaging the paddle cam transverse projection; 
       FIG. 25  is a partial perspective view of the paddle cam end of the housing for upper bin configuration; 
       FIG. 26  is a partial perspective view of the housing with the slidable lock plate and damper assembly installed; 
       FIG. 27   a  is a partial perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 24   a  further with the paddle cam now installed; 
       FIG. 27   b  is the partial perspective view of the partial assembly of  FIG. 24   a  with the paddle cam pushed down into the housing; 
       FIG. 28   a  is a perspective top view of the slidable lock plate for the latch assembly of  FIG. 24   a;    
       FIG. 28   b  is a perspective bottom view of the slidable lock plate of  FIG. 28   a;    
       FIG. 29   a  is a perspective top view of the housing for the latch assembly of  FIG. 24   a;    
       FIG. 29   b  is a perspective bottom view of the housing of  FIG. 29   a;    
       FIG. 30   a  is a perspective top view of the paddle cam used for the latch assembly of  FIG. 24   a;    
       FIG. 30   b  is a perspective bottom view of the paddle cam of  FIG. 30   a;    
       FIG. 31   a  is a front perspective view of the operator handle (paddle) used with the latch assembly of  FIG. 24   a ; and 
       FIG. 31   b  is a rear perspective view of the operator handle of  FIG. 31   a.    
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A multi-application, automotive glovebox latch assembly is re-configurable with the same components in a snap-together assembly to meet a plurality of applications, for glovebox off-set handle (paddle) position and operation: The glovebox keeper hook remains in the middle of the glovebox. The versatility of this off-set latch assembly permits the latch assembly to be used in left-hand drive and right-hand drive automobiles and to permit ease of access to the glovebox release handle, i.e., glovebox paddle, by the driver as well as the passenger. 
   A pictorial perspective view,  FIG. 1   a , shows the latch assembly  121  mounted on a glovebox panel  123 , with the paddle  125  in the closed position for an upper bin configuration. Protruding from the latch assembly is its actuator arm  127 , which will be further discussed below. This arm  127  is a radially, outwardly extending cantilever the end of which can ride against the surface  126  of the handle/paddle  125 , which when the handle  125  is moved moves the cantilever  127  and thereby rotates the gear  129 ,  FIG. 2 . The latch assembly  121  is elongate shaped to extend between the paddle  125  location and the location of the keeper hook  129  location. Included on the housing portion of the latch assembly  121  are a plurality of bosses  124  facilitating mounting for various configurations and installations. 
   The end of the actuator arm  127  is in contact with the inner face of the paddle  125  and rides along that face when the paddle  125  is pivoted by a passenger. A pictorial perspective view,  FIG. 1   b , shows the paddle  125  pivoted to move the actuator arm  127  in an arc path. The actuator arm  127  is mounted on and a part of a pinion gear  129  incorporated within the latch assembly  121 . The installations illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  and  2   b  is for upper bin glovebox latch location operation. 
   In the pictorial view,  FIG. 2 , which is a close-up perspective of the assembly  121  with the cover plate removed showing the assembly housing  133 , for lower bin configuration. In this configuration, the handle can be fitted with a cylinder mechanism  134 . This handle and lock mechanism  131  carries an abutment post  143  (shown in  FIG. 8   a ), which can move downwardly from its rest position, and in turn acts against the side of the actuator arm  127 , moving it downward to rotate this arm  127  and its associated gear  129 . 
   Slidably operable within the housing  133  is a lock plate  145 . The lock plate  145  has a blade portion  147  at its end located with the housing curved hook-like flange  135 . The opposite end of the lock plate  145  has a first gear track  149  section on its edge, and a dog-leg shaped off-set arm  151  carrying a second gear track  153  section facing in the opposite direction from the first track  149 . 
   The off-set arm  151  carries its respective second gear track  153  section with the teeth facing the longitudinal centerline of the housing  133 . A first pair of pivot posts or bushing journals  155 ,  157  are located on the housing  133  in the region of the first gear track  149  at opposite outboard edges of the housing  133 . The pinion gear  129  is selectably mountable to either of these journals  155 ,  157  depending upon right-hand or left-hand handle (paddle)  125  positioning. A third pivot post or bushing journal  159  is located at the extreme end of the housing  133 , adjacent the second gear track  153  section. 
   A return spring  161  biases the lock plate  145  with its blade  147  against the pawl  137  end of the housing  133 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the lock plate  145  must be turned over for opposite hand installation and operation. The pinion gear  129  can be held onto a respective journal  155 ,  157 ,  159  by a snap ring or other quick installation and release mechanism. 
     FIG. 3  is a pictorial plan view of the sliding lock plate  133  flipped over for right hand replacing left hand operation of the flip-over structure latch assembly.  FIG. 4  shows a pictorial plan view of a partial disassembly of the major components of  FIG. 3 . Pivot posts carry a pair of keys  163 ,  165 ,  167  at each of their outer ends. These keys are positioned at about 120 degrees from each other. The pinion gear  129  has a matching bore  169  which has a pair of keyways  171  on it to accept the any of the pair keys. The pinion gear  129  path  173  traverses an arc of about 120 degrees. By off-setting the operational rotation of the pinion from its installation orientation on a respective keyed  163 ,  165 ,  167  post, the pinion can be installed and operated against a respective selected gear track  149 ,  151  without the use of snaps, snap rings or other separate holding means. 
   The latch assembly  FIGS. 7 ,  8  has a first gear track section  149 ,  149   a  on each opposite edge of the lock plate  145 . This eliminates the need to turn the lock plate over when switching between left-hand and right-hand operation configurations. 
     FIGS. 5   a – 5   f  are respectively perspective, top, bottom, side, pawl end, and pinion gear end views of the latch assembly  121 . The keeper hook  139  is not engaged because the pinion gear  129  has rotated to retract the lock plate  145  by means of its action against the first gear track  149  section. The return spring  175  associated with pawl  137  has rotated the pawl  137  to the open position. The pawl  137  and its return spring  175  are shown in the partial detail of  FIG. 5   c.    
   The curved slot  177  in the pawl  137  captures the keeper hook  139  when the pawl  137  approaches the keeper  139  tangentially as the glovebox is closed. This causes the pawl  137  to rotate. The end of the blade  147  is normally in contact with the cam surface  179  on the pawl  137 . When fully closed, the blade  147  slides past the end of the pawl  137  cam  179  and moves into a locking position beyond the cam  179  to bear against the lock shoulder  181  of the pawl  137 . Thereby the latch assembly is locked as shown in the various views of  FIGS. 6   a – 6   f . Also shown in  FIGS. 6   a – 6   f  is the glovebox panel paddle  125  and it abutment flange  126 . 
     FIGS. 7   a – 7   f  show respectively, perspective, top, bottom, side, pawl end and gear end view of the latch assembly configured for lower bin installation and with the latch open, while  FIGS. 8   a – 8   f  show the same respective view lower bin configuration with the latch closed. In this configuration the handle and lock mechanism  131  are shown, including the abutment post  143  which is moved downward to rotate the cantilevered actuator arm  127  carried on the pinion gear  129 . 
   The pinion gear  129  held on by cap-type snaps or snap rings, or other similar means. The pinion gear path  173  (gear teeth) traverse an arc of about 270 degrees. This longer arc of the pinion gear  129  teeth eliminates the need to turn the pinion over between left-hand and right hand applications, and permits for greater flexibility of adjustment for application to various configurations and differences in types of paddles  125  and handle and lock mechanisms  131 . 
     FIGS. 9   a – 9   f  show the same respective selection of view as  FIGS. 7   a–f  and  8   a–f  for the housing  133 . The housing  133  side walls  183 ,  185  in the middle portion of the housing  133 , and the enclosure bar  187  at the blade operating region of the housing  133 . Also seen on the base of the curved hook flange  135  is the pawl rotation pin, which holds one end of the pawl  135  return spring  175 . A lock plate guide way pin  191  extends outwardly from the back wall of the housing  133  towards the operating location of the lock plate  145 . 
     FIGS. 10   a – 10   f  show respective detail views of the sliding lock plate in the same order as previous views. The lock plate  145  includes the blade end  147  at a first end, and at the other end, the first gear track  149 , and the off-set arm  151  carrying the second gear track  153 . The lock plate return spring  161  attaches to the lock plate  145  at on of opposite face mounted notched spring posts  193 ,  195 , depending upon the left hand or right hand configuration selected. The housing  133  guide way pin  191  extends through an elongate slot  197  in the face of the lock plate  145 . The position and length of this slot  197  determines the “throw” of the lock plate  145 . 
     FIG. 11  shows a perspective, assembled view of the latch assembly  121  operating with a handle and lock  131  of a lower bin configuration and the lock open for left hand installation.  FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of the latch assembly configuration of  FIG. 11 , in the closed and locked position. A locking mechanism  199  is engaged against the cantilever arm  127 . Thereby the pinion gear  129  and the lock plate  145  are held fixed. 
     FIG. 13  illustrates the upper bin configuration with a left-handed paddle  125  position.  FIG. 14  illustrates the lower bin configuration for the latch assembly  121  with a right-handed paddle  125  position. 
   By modifying the assembly with the interchange of two components, the pull handle (paddle) and the cam operated by the handle from a pocket cam to a paddle cam, the assembly can be reconfigured from lower bin operation assembly to upper bin operation assembly. 
   A pictorial perspective view,  FIG. 15 , view of the latch assembly  221  of  FIG. 1 , now configured with the pocket cam activation mechanism for lower bin and left-hand operation also shows the operator handle  247 . The latch assembly  221  includes an elongate housing  223  which is essentially rectangular in shape having side walls  225  in a region which encloses a damper mechanism  227 . A standard claw-type pawl  229  is mounted for operation at one end of the housing  223 . This pawl  229  is spring biased to the open position, and includes camming surfaces which enables it to engage and lock against a keeper. Carried to slide longitudinally within the housing  223  is a lock plate  231 . This lock plate  231  has a pawl-engaging blade  233  at the pawl  229  end, and a cam follower pin  235  at the other end. 
   The cam follower pin  235  engages the pocket camming surface  237  of an oval-shaped pocket cam  239 . Projecting radially, outwardly from the side of the cam  239  away from the pawl  229  is a finger  241 . This radially projecting finger  241  carries a pair of abutment plates  243  to be engaged by a projecting shoulder  245  or like member on the operating handle  247 . 
   Because the latch assembly  221  is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, it can be reversed between left-hand and right-hand operation. 
     FIG. 16   a  shows a plan view of the latch assembly  221  of  FIG. 15 . When the handle  247  is rotated by an operator, as can be seen in  FIG. 16   b , the handle projecting shoulder  245  moves the pocket cam projecting finger  241  downward (for left-handed operation). This causes the pocket cam  239  to rotate clockwise on its pivot journal  249 . The pocket cam  239  is mounted to the end of the lock plate  231 , opposite the blade  233  end, by engagement with and mounting for rotation on the journal pin  249 . 
   The pocket cam surface  237  is oval shaped. As the cam  239  rotates further, the cam follower pin  235  is moved towards the handle  247 , which as it is attached to the lock plate  231 , carries the lock plate  231  towards the handle  247  and withdraws the lock plate blade end  233  from holding engagement with the pawl  229 . This permits the pawl  229  to swing open under its spring biasing. For right-handed operation the latch assembly is turned around (i.e., the handle  247  is positioned to the opposite side of the latch  221 . 
     FIG. 17  shows a configuration correct assembly for right-handed operation. For right-hand operation the pawl  229  is on the right and the handle  247  (not shown here) is on the left of the view. In a right-hand configuration, the cam  39  is rotated in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise). However, the symmetrical construction of the latch assembly  221  and of the pocket camming surface  237  permits the latch assembly to be switched between right and left hand installations with any reconfiguration. Any rotation of the pocket cam  235  results in the opening of the latch assembly  221  by withdrawing the blade  233  from the spring biased pawl  229 . 
     FIGS. 18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  illustrate the snap together assembling features of the latch assembly  221  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 18   a  is a partial detail view of the pocket cam  239  shape and the adjacent portion of the housing  223 . The cam  239  has curved shoulder  253  that surrounds a substantial portion of the pivot journal  249 . The slidable lock plate  231  is spring biased to the blade  233  engaged position with the pawl  229 . Therefore, the cam follower pin  235  is maintained in pressure contact with the pocket camming surface  237  of the cam  239 . While this cam surface  237  can be implemented with various curves, the cam curve is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the assembly. The shape of the cam surface  235  is oval as shown in  FIGS. 18   a – 18   c.    
   The curved shoulder  251  rides against the outside surface of the journal pin  249  under the spring force transferred through the lock plate  231 , thereby the cam follower pin  235  exerts pressure against the camming surface  237 . This shoulder  251  is implemented with juxtaposed pairs of projecting walls and adds stability to the pivoting operation of the cam  235 . 
   The opening in the cam  239  is liken to a figure “8” shape, that being two lobes opening onto one anther. The pivot lobe  253  is circular-shaped, while the camming lobe  237  is oval-shaped,  FIGS. 18   a ,  18   b.    
   The housing  223  side walls  225  help form a slot  255  in the housing into which the sliding lock plate  231  is inserted to slide there within. The lock plate  231  interacts with a damper mechanism  227  positioned in the middle of the housing  223 . The sliding lock plate  231  also carries a plurality of teeth  257  such as to form a rack at the cam follower pin  235  end thereof. 
     FIG. 19  is an close-up partial view which for right-hand configuration which shows the pocket cam  239  being positioned over its pivot pin or journal  249  with the cam follower pin  235  in contact with the pocket cam surface. Where the cam  239  and the journal  249  are made of plastic or similar pliable material, this structure can be assembled by snap fit. 
   The lock plate  231  and the components mounted thereon are biased towards the pawl  229  by a coiled torsion spring  259 . This spring  259  has an end pressing against an end wall  228  of the damper mechanism  227  mounted on the lock plate  231 . 
   The latch assembly  221  of  FIG. 15  is shown in a back/bottom back perspective view in  FIG. 20 . The pawl  229  is shown with its biasing coil, torsion spring  261  having the tail of the spring  261  abutting a face  262  of the housing opening in which the pawl  229  rotates via an axle or pivot pin  230 . The damper mechanism  227  is positioned in a receiving hole  263  in the back face of the housing  223 . This damper mechanism  227  operates to regulate the lock plate  231  velocity, when the lock plate  231  is under the force of the return spring  259 , and operates to reduce any noise. The damper mechanism  227  includes a pinion gear  265 ,  FIG. 21 , connected to a friction clutch  271  (not shown in this figure). The gear  265  intercepts a toothed portion  275  of the lock plate  231 , shown in  FIG. 23 , as the gear  265  extends the opening  273 . The lock plate  231  blade member  233  extends through a housing slot  267  formed by a bridge wall  269  adjacent the pawl  229 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . 
   The friction clutch  271 ,  FIG. 22 , is of standard design and is connected to the pinion gear  265 . The lock plate  231  contains a cavity  273  in its central body portion, into which the pinion gear  265  extends to engage the several inwardly projecting teeth  275  which form a track of teeth on the sliding lock plate  231 . The sliding lock plate cavity  273  teeth are therefore part of the friction clutch  271  pinion gear  265  sub-assembly implementing the damper function. 
     FIG. 23  illustrates the sliding lock plate  231  cavity  273  in which the track teeth  275  extend inwardly from one side edge. The cavity or opening  273  is oval-shaped. The length of this cavity affects the “throw”, i.e., length of movement, of the sliding lock plate  231 . The number of teeth  275  is sufficient for the length of travel of the sliding lock plate  231 . 
   As recited above, a change in the handle  247  and the cam  239  is almost all that is needed to convert the latch assembly  221  from lower bin configuration to upper bin configuration. Of course the housing  223  includes cavities, formed members and shoulders, as well as a plurality of mounting bosses  224 , which may be used in one operation and not the other. However, these cavity shapes do not generally interferer when the latch assembly  21  is converted. 
   For upper bin configuration, the handle  277 ,  FIGS. 24   a ,  24   b , includes a large projecting shovel-shaped arm  279 , which engages the mating structure of the latch assembly  221 . Specifically, this arm  279  engages and moves a projection  281 , being one of two lateral projections  281  on a symmetrical paddle cam  283 . That projection  281  end of the cam  283  provides a T-shaped paddle cam  283 ,  FIGS. 24   a ,  24   b ,  27   a ,  27   b . The paddle cam  283  is mounted in the housing  223  to rock upward under the movement of the handle  277  arm  279 ,  FIG. 24   b ,  2727   a . When this occurs a gear portion  289  on the body of the paddle cam  283  engages a track of teeth  257 ,  FIGS. 26 ,  27   a , extend from the face of the sliding lock plate  231 . When the paddle cam  283  rotates, its gear teeth  289  move the lock plate track teeth  57 , thereby moving the sliding lock plate  231  away from the pawl  229 . 
   The paddle cam  283  end of the housing  223  incorpates has a pair of curved rocker-like surfaces  285 ,  FIGS. 25 ,  26  which act as pivot shoulders for the paddle cam  283  when the paddle cam is installed into the housing  23  at that location. The pocket cam  239  pivot journal  249   a  now includes an arcuate cavity  287 ,  FIG. 25 . This arcuate cavity  287  provides a space for the cam follower pin  235  and thereby the sliding lock plate  231  to move closer to the handle  277  position and the rack teeth  257  projecting outwardly in the adjacent end of the lock plate  231  to be engaged by the paddle cam  283 . 
   The paddle cam  283  has its T-shaped handle projections  281  outboard of the housing,  FIG. 27   a . The underside of the paddle cam  283  has a curved section of gear teeth  289  which engage the rack teeth  257  on the face of the lock plate  231 . The paddle cam  283  carries outboard projections shoulders  2103  on each side (shown in  FIGS. 30   a ,  30   b ) discussed further below) which permit the paddle cam  83  to be snapped into receiving indentations  286  adjacent each rocker surface  285  in the housing  223 . When snapped into position, the paddle cam  283  seats down into the housing  223 ,  FIG. 27   b.    
   A perspective view detail of the sliding lock plate  231  is shown in a top view,  FIG. 28   a , and a bottom view,  FIG. 28   b . The lock plate  231  is planar, with rectangular sections and with a flat rectangular blade  233  extending, longitudinally in the plane of the plate  231  and the track teeth  57  extending upwardly (outwardly) from the top face of the plate  231 . The outer edge  234  of the blade  233  is tapered or beveled. The number of track teeth  57  will depend upon the adjustments necessary for various installations and the length of travel for the lock plate  231 . Typically there are provided four (4) rack teeth  257  and four paddle cam teeth  289 . As seen, there are provided only three lock plate cavity teeth  75 ,  FIG. 28   b.    
   The cavities of the housing  223  are shown in detail in a top view  FIG. 29   a  and a bottom view  29   b , respectively. These include curved keeper clearance surfaces  291 , the lock plate torsion spring cavity  293 , the friction clutch cavity  295  and the lock plate track cavity  297 . Each of these cavities  293 ,  295  and  297  are located adjacent the respective active member locations recited above. 
   The rocker shape of the paddle cam  283  is shown is a top view,  FIG. 30   a , and a bottom view  FIG. 30   b , respectively. The paddle cam  283  projections  281  form handle like wings, with a curved opening  299  there between. This opening  299  provides a clearance for the paddle cam  283  to fully seat about the cam follower pin  235  ( FIGS. 24   a ,  27   b ) which pin  235  remains as a part of the housing  223  when the latch assembly  221  is reconfigured. Curved rocker surfaces  2101  on either side of the bottom of the paddle cam  283  have a curvature that mates the curvature of the rocker surfaces  285  of the housing  223 . These curved surfaces  2101  mate with and rock on the curved rocker surfaces  285 . 
   The shovel shaped long arm  279  extending from the handle  277 ,  FIGS. 31   a ,  31   b  is slightly curved or angled to engage one of the adjacent one of the projections  281  of the paddle cam  283 . As the paddle cam  283  and its interaction with the sliding lock plate  231  face track teeth  257  is symmetrical reconfiguration between left-hand and right-hand operation by merely involves flipping the latch assembly  221  end for end to engage the alternate handle  277  location. 
   Regardless of installation, the handles (paddles)  125 ,  131 ,  247  and  277  each pivot about an axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latch assembly. In so pivoting, each handle  125 ,  131 ,  247  and  277  causes its respective activation suface/member  126 ,  143 ,  245  and  279  to move in a plane transverse (perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis of the latch assembly. 
   Many changes can be made in the above-described invention without departing from the intent and scope thereof. It is therefore intended that the above description be read in the illustrative sense and not in the limiting sense. Substitutions and changes can be made while still being within the scope and intent of the invention as described and claimed.