A latch, comprising: a housing 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16 opposite the first end, a first chamber 18 that extends from the first end to a location intermediate the first and second ends, a second chamber 32 that extends from the first end to a location intermediate the first and second ends; a cylinder 20 positioned within the first chamber, wherein the cylinder includes a body 22 having a hollow portion 26, a compression spring 28 positioned within the hollow portion of the body, and a ball 30 positioned at one end of the compression spring proximate to the first end of the housing; a hook 34 positioned slidably within the second chamber of the housing and including a shaft 35 and a hook head 36 at one end of the shaft; a star wheel 42 positioned around the shaft of the hook and further positioned at the first end of the housing, wherein the star wheel includes a shaft 43 and a flange 44 located at one end of the shaft and having a face 46 juxtaposed with the first end of the housing and a first plurality of holes 48 formed within the face, wherein the ball aligns with and engages one of the first plurality of holes of the star wheel to retain the star wheel in a first position, wherein the star wheel is moveable rotatably relative to the housing, such that when the star wheel is rotated, the ball disengages the one of the first plurality of holes of the star wheel to enable the hook to move axially relative to the housing, and wherein, when the star wheel is rotated, the ball is adapted to engage another of the first plurality of holes of the star wheel to retain the star wheel in a second position; and a handle 54 attached pivotally to the housing. a housing 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16 opposite the first end, a first chamber 18 that extends from the first end to a location intermediate the first and second ends, a second chamber 32 that extends from the first end to a location intermediate the first and second ends; a cylinder 20 positioned within the first chamber, wherein the cylinder includes a body 22 having a hollow portion 26, a compression spring 28 positioned within the hollow portion of the body, and a ball 30 positioned at one end of the compression spring proximate to the first end of the housing; a hook 34 positioned slidably within the second chamber of the housing and including a shaft 35 and a hook head 36 at one end of the shaft; a star wheel 42 positioned around the shaft of the hook and further positioned at the first end of the housing, wherein the star wheel includes a shaft 43 and a flange 44 located at one end of the shaft and having a face 46 juxtaposed with the first end of the housing and a first plurality of holes 48 formed within the face, wherein the ball aligns with and engages one of the first plurality of holes of the star wheel to retain the star wheel in a first position, wherein the star wheel is moveable rotatably relative to the housing, such that when the star wheel is rotated, the ball disengages the one of the first plurality of holes of the star wheel to enable the hook to move axially relative to the housing, and wherein, when the star wheel is rotated, the ball is adapted to engage another of the first plurality of holes of the star wheel to retain the star wheel in a second position; and a handle 54 attached pivotally to the housing. <EOS>