Automatically positioned latch assembly

Apparatus for securing together a body and a lid of a case first and second members, comprising:

• first and second members;
• walls on said members which form a recess when said members lie adjacent to each other;
• a strike member configured for attachment to said first member;
• a support configured for attachment to said second member;
• an arm pivotally carried on said support to pivot toward and away from an initial arm position;
• a resilient element disposed between said arm and said support to urge pivoting of said arm away from said initial arm position;
• a bolt carried by said arm for reciprocal movement therealong to engage said strike member when said arm lies in said initial arm position;
• and
• an abutment carried by said support and positioned in the path of said arm when it pivots away from said initial position, to abut said arm and prevent pivoting thereof past a ready position that is angularly spaced by less than 45.degree. from said initial position;
• said bolt having a strike-engaging lip that lies at least partially within said recess when said arm lies in said ready position and said first and second members lie adjacent to each other.