Patent ID: RE38693

Claim:
A latch assembly for mounting to a sliding door and engaging with a strike plate means, comprising: a) housing for fitting within the sliding door; b) deadbolt means associated with said housing for engaging with the strike plate means; and c) self-retracting finger pull means associated with said deadbolt means for accessing the sliding door from within a surrounding framework, wherein said selfretracting finger pull means comprises: i) a finger pull member having first and second ends; ii) finger grasping means proximate said finger pull member first end; iii) self-retraction means within said deadbolt means for providing access to said finger pull member and for retracting said finger pull member, wherein said self-retraction means comprises: a plunger member fitted within a receiving aperture formed in said deadbolt means; plunger biasing means coupled between said plunger member and said receiving aperture; a continuous channel formed in said plunger member; and channel following means for locking said plunger in a retracted position and for retaining said plunger in an extended position, and iv) finger pull attachment means proximate said finger pull member second end for providing a hinged connection to said self-retraction means.