Abstract: A rotary latch assembly is provided wherein the front plate has a C-shaped configuration with opposite top and bottom flanges, and an interconnecting front face. A back plate is connected to the front plate for use in right-handed and left-handed applications. One or more trip levers are mounted on the plates to release the catch and rotor from a latched position. An embossment is provided on the front plate to strengthen the assembly and to support the rotor and the catch. Indicia is provided on the latch assembly to provide for ease of alignment with the striker for proper latching.

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly is provided which can be configured as right-handed and left-handed using the same rotor and catch components, without reconfiguring the front and back plates. The axles for the rotor and catch are identical so that the rotor and catch can be interchanged on the axles. The latch biasing springs are mirror images so as to be used on either the rotor or the catch. The latch includes multiple connection points for single or dual actuators, and a lifting block to align the assembly with a striker.

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly is provided wherein the front plate has a C-shaped configuration with opposite top and bottom flanges, and an interconnecting front face. A back plate is connected to the front plate for use in right-handed and left-handed applications. One or more trip levers are mounted on the plates to release the catch and rotor from a latched position. An embossment is provided on the front plate to strengthen the assembly and to support the rotor and the catch. Indicia is provided on the latch assembly to provide for ease of alignment with the striker for proper latching.

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly is provided which can be configured as right-handed and left-handed using the same rotor and catch components, without reconfiguring the front and back plates. The axles for the rotor and catch are identical so that the rotor and catch can be interchanged on the axles. The latch biasing springs are mirror images so as to be used on either the rotor or the catch. The latch includes multiple connection points for single or dual actuators, and a lifting block to align the assembly with a striker.

Abstract: A heavy duty vehicle door latch assembly is provided with interconnected latch, release, and bell crank modules to form a single, pre-assembled unit for quick and easy installation on the inside of a vehicle door. The modular design allows for application to multiple door layouts and arrangements. The release module includes a locking mechanism using a lever rod to disallow latch component movement. A release lever interfaces with the lock lever to automatically unlock and release the latch in a single motion. A lockout feature is also provided to prevent accidental locking of the door.

Abstract: A latch assembly combination having: a) a first plate assembly; b) first and second axles extending from the first plate assembly; c) a rotor mounted to one of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement between latched and released positions; d) a catch mounted to the other of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement between: i) an engaged position wherein the catch blocks the rotor in the latched position; and ii) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to reposition; e) a biasing assembly for urging the rotor toward the released position; and f) at least one of: i) a second plate assembly that can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly in first and second different manners; and ii) third and fourth plate assemblies of different configuration that can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly.

Abstract: A door latch and striker combination for a vehicle door is provided with a pivotal cam on the striker assembly of the door frame so as to overcome misalignment between the latch assembly and striker assembly. When the door is moved from an open position to the closed position, the latch housing engages the cam, which pivots over center as the door closure continues, thereby lifting the latch assembly and door into proper alignment with the striker bolt on the door frame, such that the door can be closed. The cam is spring biased to an initial position with an inclined upper surface. The cam supports the latch assembly while the door is closed, and allows the latch assembly to slide over the upper cam surface when the door is opened.

Abstract: A latch assembly combination having: a) a first plate assembly; b) first and second axles extending from the first plate assembly; c) a rotor mounted to one of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement between latched and released positions; d) a catch mounted to the other of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement between: i) an engaged position wherein the catch blocks the rotor in the latched position; and ii) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to reposition; e) a biasing assembly for urging the rotor toward the released position; and f) at least one of: i) a second plate assembly that can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly in first and second different manners; and ii) third and fourth plate assemblies of different configuration that can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly, a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, and a second actuating assembly having a second configuration and normal and release states. The latching subassembly has a latched state, and a release state. The first actuating assembly is mountable on the first side of a movable closure element and causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The second actuating assembly is mountable in place of the first actuating assembly and causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state.

Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element, an actuating assembly, a first elongate graspable handle, and a second elongate graspable handle. The latching subassembly has a latched state, wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and a release state. The actuating assembly has a normal state and a release state. The actuating assembly causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The first elongate graspable handle has a first length and is releasably operatively connectable to at least one of the latching subassembly and actuating assembly to facilitate repositioning of the movable closure element upon which the latching subassembly is mounted.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a movable closure element of the type having first and second sides. The latch assembly has a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position. A first rotor is engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position. The first rotor is biased towards the release position. The operating assembly includes a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the first rotor is maintained in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the first rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position.

Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element, an actuating assembly, a first elongate graspable handle, and a second elongate graspable handle. The latching subassembly has a latched state, wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and a release state. The actuating assembly has a normal state and a release state. The actuating assembly causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The first elongate graspable handle has a first length and is releasably operatively connectable to at least one of the latching subassembly and actuating assembly to facilitate repositioning of the movable closure element upon which the latching subassembly is mounted.

Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element, a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, and a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states. The latching subassembly has a latched state, wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and a release state. The first actuating assembly is mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The second actuating assembly is mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a movable closure element of the type having first and second sides. The latch assembly has a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position. A first rotor is engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position. The first rotor is biased towards the release position. The operating assembly includes a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the first rotor is maintained in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the first rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position.