Quick release latch mechanism

A latching mechanism for latching closed a movable member of a cabinet, comprising:

• a support mounted to the movable member providing a pivotal connection;
• a handle attached to the pivotal connection for pivotal motion with respect to the movable member;
• and
• a latch attached to the pivotal connection and operated by the handle to pivot between a closed position in which the latch engages the cabinet and an open position in which the latch is free from the cabinet, wherein the latch is pivoted to the open position when the movable member is pulled by the handle away from the cabinet and wherein the latch can engage the cabinet when in the closed position without pivoting the handle;
• wherein the movable member is a drawer and the support is attached to a front face of the drawer;
• further comprising a second latch attached at the pivot connection and operated by the handle to pivot between the closed and open positions together with the latch;
• wherein the support is wider than the drawer front face and the latch and the second latch are positioned at ends of the support extending beyond the front face.

A drawer front latching mechanism, comprising:

• an elongated support member of greater length than a drawer front such that an end of the support member extends beyond the drawer front, the support member having a back plate with an opening at the extending end of the support and an integral attachment member for mounting the support member to the drawer front, the support member also having a front extremity defining an arcuate pivot groove;
• an elongated handle extending substantially the length of the support member, the handle having a grip for grasping the handle and a beaded pivot edge sized to pivot within the support member pivot groove about a pivot axis, the handle also having an opening at the extending end of the support member;
• and
• a first latch having a trailing end disposed at a notch in the handle and a leading end extending through the opening in the support member substantially perpendicular to the drawer front, the leading end having a leading end catch for engaging a portion of a drawer mounting frame corresponding to the extending end of the support member and the trailing end having a beaded pivot edge sized to pivot within the support member pivot groove about the pivot axis, the trailing end also having a trailing end catch sized to engage with the pivot member;
• whereby the drawer is unlatched by pivoting the handle about the pivot axis to engage with the trailing end catch so as to disengage the leading end catch from the drawer mounting frame.