Rotary latch

Abstract

A rotary latch having a pivoting handle mounted in the recess of a mounting plate includes a turn-key member that rotates within the handle's free end, and the turn-key member is mechanically linked to a catch rod where rotation of the turn-key member results in a corresponding rotation of the catch rod. As a result of the rotation of the turn-key member, the catch rod has two positions—a 'lock' position that does not engage a swiveling trip lever, and an 'unlocked' position that engages the swiveling trip lever. When the turn-key member rotates the catch rod into the unlocked position, an actuation/pivoting of the handle about the pivot pin rotates the free end of the handle away from the mounting plate recess to linearly displace the catch rod. The linear displacement of the catch rod causes it to come into contact with and pivot the arm of a swiveling trip lever. The trip lever arm, when rotated by the catch rod, rotates an adjacent kicker journaled on the mounting plate's rear surface. The kicker includes a kicker pin that is engaged by the swiveling trip lever, causing the release kicker to rotate and push a guard rotary. The guard rotary protects a capture rotary from opening, where the capture rotary retains a lock bar. However, when the release kicker pushes the guard rotary against the bias of a dedicated spring, the capture rotary can rotate freely and open outward to release the captured lock bar.