Patent ID: 8127578

Claim:
A latch comprising: (a) a housing in which (b) a latching element is mounted to be rotatable around a first axis of rotation from a latching position towards an open position in which a striker arm independent of the latch is released, and (c) the latching element having a latching shoulder adapted to retain the striker arm when engaged behind the latching shoulder and having an engagement surface adapted to be engaged by the striker arm when the striker arm and the latching element are brought together to rotate the latching element and for permitting relative movement of the striker arm to adopt a position behind the latching shoulder, (d) a locking element for locking the latching element and mounted to be rotatable around a second axis of rotation between a locked position, in which the latching element is restrained from moving, and an unlocked position in which the latching element is free to be moved, one of the axis of rotation being displaced from the other axis of rotation in a direction radial to the other axis, (e) the locking element being biased towards the locked position, (f) the latching element being biased towards an open position, (g) the latching element having an interference portion which operates when the latching element has been displaced away from the latching position to prevent the locking element returning to its locked position, (h) whereby when the striker arm engages the latching element, the latching element is rotated thereby releasing the interference portion from the locking element whereby the locking element is released to move into the locked position so that a self locking arrangement is provided, (i) wherein the locking element has first and second projections extending radially from the second axis and spaced apart along the second axis, one of the projections having a side face for engaging the interference portion of the latching element, an aperture being defined between the projections for accommodating a projecting tab of the latching element, whereby in the latching position of the latching element the projecting tab is retained in the aperture.