Patent ID: 7201407

Claim:
A latch for securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member, and there being a keeper that is stationary relative to the second member, the first member having an opening for mounting the latch thereto, the latch comprising: a cup adapted for mounting in the opening in the first member, said cup having a flange engageable with a portion of the first member adjacent the opening in the first member, said cup having a first pair of slots and a second pair of slots, said second pair of slots extending longitudinally in a direction parallel to a bottom surface of said flange, said first pair of slots extending longitudinally in a direction perpendicular to said direction in which said second pair of slots extend; means for securing said cup to the first member; and a lever supported by said cup in such a way that said lever can pivot about a pivot axis that is movable along a substantially straight linear direction relative to said cup, said lever being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said cup, said lever including a crossbar that is adapted to be engageable with the keeper, said lever having a pair of stub shafts positioned in said first pair of slots and said lever having a pair of stub shafts positioned in said second pair of slots, and said crossbar being coaxial with said pair of stub shafts positioned in said second pair of slots such that said crossbar is confined by said cup to move in a substantially straight linear direction that is perpendicular to said direction of motion of said pivot axis of said lever relative to said cup as said lever is moved pivotally about said pivot axis, whereby the first member moves toward the closed position thereof as said lever is moved from said open position of said lever to said closed position of said lever while said crossbar is in engagement with the stationary keeper.