Lever latch

Abstract

The present invention provides a lever latch for securing a door panel of a cabinet or the like in a closed position relative to the frame. The lever latch is installed within an aperture formed in the door, and releasably retains the door against the frame when the door and the frame are latched together. The lever latch includes a housing for mounting in the door, a handle assembly which is pivotally attached to the housing, and rotatable between an opened and closed position, and a fastening means. The fastening means retains the door, when the door is closed against the frame, by engaging the frame as the handle assembly is rotated to the closed position. The housing, handle assembly and fastening means form a integral solid structure for preventing the passage of matter through the latch itself. The lever latch further includes a biasing means which is adapted to retain the handle assembly in the closed position, urge the handle assembly from the closed position to the opened position upon disengagement and provide initial accelerated movement to the handle assembly toward the opened position upon disengagement thereof. A trigger means is also included for latching the handle assembly in the closed position, and unlatching the handle assembly from the closed position for movement to the opened position. The trigger means which is integrally disposed within the central vicinity of the handle assembly provides increased mechanical advantage during the closing thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.