Patent ID: 8657349

Claim:
A latching system comprising: a striker including a first extension bar, a second extension bar parallel with and spaced from the first extension bar, and a cross bar extending between the first extension bar and the second extension bar, with the first extension bar, the second extension bar, and the cross bar all disposed along a common plane to define a generally U-shaped striker disposed on the common plane; wherein the striker defines an outer width measured on the common plane, between an outer edge of the first extension bar and an outer edge of the second extension bar; a latch assembly moveable relative to the striker along a direction of travel that is parallel with the common plane and perpendicular to the cross bar of the striker, the latch assembly including: a support structure including a first side plate and a second side plate, wherein the first side plate and the second side plate are parallel with each other and are spaced from each other a separation distance that is greater than the outer width of the striker; wherein the first side plate and the second side plate define an opening therebetween for receiving the striker therethrough such that the striker moves parallel with and between both the first side plate and the second side plate; a latch mechanism disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate and moveable between a lock position configured for engaging the striker in locking engagement and a release position configured for disengaging the striker; wherein the latch mechanism includes a fork bolt rotatable about an axis between the lock position and the release position, with the fork bolt directly contacting the cross bar in locking engagement when disposed in the lock position; wherein the axis that the fork bolt rotates about is perpendicular to the first side plate and the second side plate, and parallel with the common plane; and wherein the outer width of the striker is completely disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate when in locking engagement with the latch mechanism.