Paddle lock

A latch assembly, comprising:

• a tray having a front side and a back side;
• a handle member pivotally mounted to said tray;
• an actuating member mounted to said handle member to pivot therewith relative to said tray;
• an operating member defining a slot therethrough and being pivotally and slidably mounted on said back side of said tray via a mounting element fixed to said tray and extending through said slot, said operating member being pivotally movable relative to said tray between a locked position and an operating position, in said operating position, said operating member being contactable by said actuating member upon movement of said handle member to slide said operating member relative to said tray;
• an intermediate member pivotally mounted to said tray and pivotally actuated by said operating member sliding relative to said tray upon movement of said handle member;
• a latching mechanism configured on said back side of said tray, said latching mechanism including means for latching and unlatching said latch assembly, said latching mechanism actuated by pivoting of said intermediate member upon movement of said handle member;
• and
• a lock mechanism configured to pivot said operating member between said locked position and said operating position.