Patent ID: 7611173

Claim:
A kit for selectively constructing a system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a latched position relative to a frame with a selected latching part upon which the closure element is movably mounted, the kit comprising: a base assembly; a first latching mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define in conjunction with the base assembly a first system having a first configuration that is operable in a first manner; and a second latching mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define in conjunction with the base assembly a second system having a second configuration that is operable in a second manner that is different than the first manner, the first and second latching mechanisms interchangeably operably attachable to the base assembly, one in place of the other, to allow a selection to be made by an assembler as to a desired configuration and manner of operation of a system, wherein the first and second latching mechanisms each has a first state, the first and second latching mechanisms in their first states engaging the selected latching part on the frame so as to releasably maintain the movable closure element in the latched position, the first and second latching mechanisms each having a second state wherein the first and second latching mechanisms are separable from the selected latching part on the frame so that the movable closure element is movable from the latched position into a release position, the kit further comprising at least one operating assembly, comprising at least one operating handle, and at least one actuating component, attachable to the base assembly so that a selected operating handle is movable relative to the base assembly between normal and release positions and a selected actuating component cooperates with the selected operating handle in a manner whereby the selected actuating component is moved as the selected operating handle is moved from its normal position into the release position as an incident of which the first and second latching mechanism that is selected and attached to the base assembly is changed from its first state into its second state, wherein the first latching mechanism comprises at least one rotor moved by the selected actuating component to pivot around an axis as the first latching mechanism is changed between its first and second states, the at least one rotor engageable with the selected latching part on the frame to releasably maintain the closure element in the latched state, wherein the second latching mechanism comprises a bolt that is moved by the selected actuating component in translation as the second latching mechanism is changed between its first and second states, the bolt engageable with the selected latching part on the frame to releasably maintain the closure element in the latched state.