Patent ID: 7452011

Claim:
A safety latch apparatus for retaining a movable member of an opening assembly in a closed or substantially closed position relative to a fixed position member of an opening assembly, said opening assembly having a fixed position member and a movable member, said safety latch apparatus comprising: a receiving assembly having a base portion for mounting to said fixed position member or said movable member and a single receiving element protruding from said base portion; and a latching assembly engageable with said receiving element, said latching assembly comprising: an arm comprised of compliant material and having a separate hook element coupled at the end thereof, said biased compliant arm biasing said hook element towards said receiving element, wherein said receiving element engages said hook element; a latching assembly mounting mechanism for mounting said biased compliant arm to said fixed position member or movable member such that the receiving assembly and latching assembly are mounted on cooperating fixed position member and movable member, said latching assembly mounting mechanism further comprising an arm retaining plate coupled to said fixed position member or said movable member and also coupled to said biased compliant arm, and said latching assembly mounting mechanism comprising an arm cover plate removably coupled to said biased compliant arm, wherein the arm cover plate has a contacting surface with the biased compliant arm; and a means for disassembling said latching assembly mounting mechanism while leaving the arm retaining plate coupled to said fixed position member or said movable member and removing said arm cover plate and said biased compliant arm in order to allow said opening assembly to freely open.