Toggle latch

A toggle latch for latching together first and second structures when in juxtaposition for latching at a closed position, the latch comprising a first unit having a body for mounting on the first structure,

• a pivotally mounted latch arm projecting laterally and pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis,
• a support for supporting the latch arm when free to limit normally downward pivoting of the latch arm,
• a second unit for mounting on the second structure and receiving in latching engagement the latch arm, the second unit having a body portion within which a laterally directed aperture is defined for admitting the latch arm and a cavity for retaining the latch arm in latching engagement,
• the body portion being characterized by a forward nose providing a ramp to deflect upwardly and over the nose the latch arm when impacting thereon, and an interior retainer surface defining upper and rear surfaces of the cavity and profiled to deflect down into the cavity the latch arm after it has ridden up over the nose and wherein
• the body portion of each of the first unit and the second unit is molded in plastics material, the first unit is invertible with two spaced supports for the latch arm to that when installed the latch arm may be directed to the left or to the right towards the second unit, and wherein the surfaces defining the cavity follow a complex curve decreasing in radius of curvature generally from a superior surface (which extends over an upper rearward end of the nose) through the posterior surface to the forward surface.