Patent ID: 7156430

Claim:
A latch assembly comprising: a housing; and a catch assembly on the housing, the catch assembly comprising at least one catch element that is repositionable relative to the housing to change the catch assembly between first and second different states, the catch assembly in the first state capable of preventing a strike element engaged by the latch assembly from separating from the latch assembly, the catch assembly in the second state permitting a strike element engaged by the latch assembly with the catch assembly in the first state to be separated from the latch assembly, the housing comprising a base wall having a first substantially flat surface residing in a first plane and defining a support for at least a part of the catch assembly, a first side wall extending angularly away from the base wall, and a return wall projecting angularly away from the first side wall, at least a part of each of the base wall, first side wall and return wall integrally formed to define a U-shaped portion, consisting of a base and spaced first and second legs projecting away from the base in a common direction, that opens in a first direction and resists deflection of the housing in response to the application of a force imparted through the catch assembly to the housing in the first direction and oppositely to the first direction, wherein the base is defined by the first side wall, the first leg is defined by the base wall, and the second leg is defined by the return wall, wherein at least one axle is fixed on and projects from the base wall, wherein the at least one repositionable catch element comprises a rotor that is guided in pivoting movement by and relative to the axle about an axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane between first and second positions, the rotor in the first position with the catch assembly in the first state and in the second position with the catch assembly in the second state.