Patent ID: 6966583

Claim:
A gravity-sensitive latch comprising: a housing; a handle pivotally secured to said housing, said handle pivoting between a latched position and an unlatched position; a pawl pivotally secured to said housing, said pawl being dimensioned and configured to engage a keeper, said pawl pivoting between a latched position and an unlatched position; a pawl-retaining arm pivoting between a latched position and an unlatched position; a pendulum pivotally secured to said pawl-retaining arm, said pendulum being dimensioned and configured to abut said handle, said pendulum pivoting between a latched position and an unlatched position; and means for pivotally securing said housing and said pawl-retaining arm, wherein said pawl includes an upper forward arm and a lower forward arm extending toward said handle, a channel between said forward arms, and a third arm extending rearward, said third arm is dimensioned and configured to engage said pawl-retaining arm, said forward arms are dimensioned and configured to secure a keeper, said pawl pivots between said latched position wherein said forward arms are substantially horizontal, and said unlatched position wherein said forward arms point downward.