Patent ID: 7313937

Claim:
A latch comprising: a latch module including at least a portion of a latching mechanism; and an actuator module, wherein said latch module can be secured to said actuator module in any one of a plurality of angular orientations relative to said actuator module, such that a user can secure said latch module to said actuator module with said latch module being in a user selected one of said plurality of angular orientations relative to said actuator module, wherein the latch can be operated to assume a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration, wherein during operation of the latch between said latched configuration and said unlatched configuration said latch module at least in part remains in said user selected one of said plurality of angular orientations relative to said actuator module, wherein said actuator module comprises an actuating member having a longitudinal axis and said actuating member remains in a position to engage said latch module such that the latch remains operable with said latch module secured to said actuator module in any one of said plurality of angular orientations, said plurality of angular orientations being determined by reference to rotation about an imaginary axis passing through said actuator module, wherein said actuator module further comprises a first housing supporting said actuating member, wherein said latch module comprises a second housing supporting a pawl, wherein the latch remains operable with said second housing secured to said first housing in any one of a plurality of angular orientations relative to said first housing about said imaginary axis, wherein said imaginary axis is coincident with said longitudinal axis of said actuating member, and wherein said plurality of angular orientations of said second housing relative to said first housing define said plurality of angular orientations of said latch module relative to said actuator module, wherein said actuating member is supported by said first housing for linear movement directed along said imaginary axis, and wherein said actuator module further comprises a handle pivotally attached to said first housing, said handle moving pivotally between a raised position and a folded-down position, said actuating member moving linearly along said imaginary axis in response to said handle moving between said raised position and said folded-down position.