A lock having a reversible latch bolt, the lock comprising
- a frame comprising a base plate and a side plate,
- the latch bolt extending along a door width direction through a latch bolt opening in the side plate, the latch bolt being movably mounted on the frame along the door width direction between a locking and an unlocking position, wherein the latch bolt comprises a main body, a connection assembly, and a tip connected to the main body by the connection assembly, wherein the main body and the tip are aligned along the door width direction, wherein the tip is a substantially cylindrical element comprising a distal portion having a beveled ending configured for impacting on a lock striker, wherein, on the outer surface of the latch bolt, the transition between the main body and the tip is on the outer side of the side plate,
- a first spring arranged to bias the latch bolt into the locking position by acting on the main body, and
- an operating mechanism acting on the main body for actuating the latch bolt from its locking to its unlocking position against the action of the first spring, and
- wherein the latch bolt further comprises a reversing mechanism, the reversing mechanism being arranged to rotate the tip with respect to the main body over 180° along the door width direction from a first angular position to a second angular position, wherein the reversing mechanism comprises the following elements:
- a proximal portion of the tip opposite to the distal portion of the tip wherein the proximal portion is arranged to fit inside a receiving portion of the main body, characterized in that the reversing mechanism further comprises the following elements:
- the receiving portion of the main body and the proximal portion of the tip respectively form a female and male cylindrical part such that the tip can be rotated between the first and second angular positions whilst residing in the receiving portion of the main body,
- a second spring, biased to maintain the tip in the first or second angular position when the tip is respectively in the first or second angular position, and
- a cam and follower assembly, wherein the tip comprises the cam, wherein the cam is arranged to cooperate with the follower upon rotation of the tip between the first and second angular position, wherein the relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip out of the first or second angular positions loads the second spring and wherein the relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip into the first or second angular positions unloads the second spring, \
- wherein the cam and follower assembly is arranged to translate the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction upon rotation of the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction and wherein said translation loads or unloads the second spring.