Latching device for a hinged panel

A latching device for engagement with a latch lug for releasably securing a hinged panel in a closed condition, said latching device comprising:

• a housing with a continuous first track having two identical arcuate sections providing two track peaks, a linear intermediate section of said track connecting adjacent ends of the arcuate sections and linear end sections of said track at distal ends of said arcuate sections;
• a movable latching member in said housing having a pair of track followers spaced apart and lying in corresponding parts of said first track as said latching member moves relative to said first track;
• second track on said latching member;
• a lever pivotally connected intermediate at its ends to said housing;
• second track follower on said lever;
• engagement means on said latching member disposed adjacent an opening in said housing dimensioned for receiving a panel mounted latch lug for engagement by said engagement means, wherein pivotal movement of said lever relative to said housing causes movement of said second track follower along said second track and movement of said pair of track followers along said first track for producing planar movement of said latching member and movement of said engagement means between an extended position, in which said pair of track followers are at the peaks of said first track, and a retracted position, in which said track followers of said pair of track followers respectively lie in the intermediate section and one of the end sections of said first track.