L-handle with safety lock feature

A latch with a safety lock feature, comprising:

• a handle having a shank portion with a bore formed therethrough, with a side aperture extending through the shank portion into communication with the bore;
• an interposing object placed in the side aperture;
• a lock plug positioned in the bore of the shank portion, the lock plug having a keyed head portion and a shaft, the keyed head portion, the shaft having a radially spaced apart recessed area and unrecessed area, the lock plug being rotatable to move the lock plug between a locked position, wherein the unrecessed area is in alignment with the side aperture to cause the interposing object to protrude from the side aperture, and an unlocked position, wherein the unrecessed area is in alignment with the side aperture to permit the interposing object to retract into the side aperture;
• a biasing means which biases the lock plug to the locked position when the keyed head is not being turned to move the lock plug to its unlocked position;
• an escutcheon with an aperture for receiving the shank portion of the handle, the aperture having a pocket for the interposing means, wherein when the handle is in a closed position and the lock plug is in the locked position, the unrecessed portion of the shaft is aligned with the side aperture which is in alignment with the pocket, thereby preventing turning of the handle, and when the lock plug is in the unlocked position, the recessed portion of the shaft is aligned with the side aperture and the interposing object can retract from the pocket, thereby permitting the handle to be turned and opened.