Latch mechanism and housing

A latch housing comprising:

• a receptacle member, the receptacle member including a top portion, side flaps, and an end wall, the side flaps adapted to releasably secure a fitting end of a latch hook upon engagement of the latch hook with the receptacle member;
• and
• a clip, wherein the clip is spring loaded to exert pressure on the side flaps of the receptacle member;
• wherein the receptacle member includes a side opening and a bottom opening;
• and
• wherein the receptacle member is adapted for engagement with a fitting end of a latch mechanism through the side opening or the bottom opening.

A latch assembly comprising:

• a latch mechanism;
• and
• a latch housing,
• the latch mechanism including a latch hook having a fitting end adapted for engagement with the latch housing;
• and
• the latch housing comprising
• a receptacle member, the receptacle member including a top portion, side flaps, an end wall, a side opening and a bottom opening, the receptacle member being adapted for engagement with the fitting end of the latch hook,
• wherein the fitting end of the latch hook may enter the latch housing through the side opening or the bottom opening, the side flaps adapted to releasably secure the fitting end upon engagement with the receptacle member;
• and a clip, wherein the clip is spring loaded to exert pressure on the side flaps of the receptacle member.

A latch assembly for releasably securing a cooler lid to a body of a cooler, the latch assembly comprising:

• a latch mechanism and a latch housing,
• the latch mechanism being attached to the body of the cooler and the latch housing being attached to a cooler lid,
• the latch mechanism including a fitting end adapted for engagement with the latch housing, and
• the latch housing including a side opening and a bottom opening,
• wherein the cooler lid may be releasably secured to the body of the cooler by rotating the fitting end of the latch mechanism through the side opening of the latch housing or forcing the fitting end of the latch mechanism through the bottom opening of the latch housing.