Rotary pawl latch with lock down paddle

A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the latch assembly comprising:

• a housing adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member;
• a handle pivotally attached to said housing and being movable between a closed position and an open position, said handle causing the latch assembly to open when said handle is moved to the open position;
• and
• a lock barrel assembly supported by said handle, said lock barrel assembly being adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key, said lock barrel assembly having a keyhole end, locking engagement end, and a longitudinal axis about which said lock barrel assembly is rotated to move said lock barrel assembly between locked and unlocked positions, said lock barrel assembly having at least one projection that is positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of said handle to said open position of said handle when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position, wherein said at least one projection is attached to said locking engagement end of said lock barrel assembly, wherein said at least one projection is offset relative to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly, and wherein said at least one projection extends from said locking engagement end of said lock barrel assembly in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lock barrel assembly, whereby said lock barrel assembly can be used to selectively lock the latch assembly against opening,
• wherein said handle has an axis of rotation, said at least one projection moving along an arc about the longitudinal axis of the lock barrel assembly as said lock barrel assembly rotates between said locked and unlocked positions, with said lock barrel assembly being positioned in said locked position said at least one projection is positioned relative to said axis of rotation of said handle such that said at least one projection tends to move toward said housing in a first direction to thereby push said at least one projection into interference with said housing when an attempt is made to rotate said handle from said closed position toward said open position to thereby obstruct movement of said handle to said open position when said lock barrel assembly is in said locked position, and
• when said lock barrel assembly is in said unlocked position and said handle is in said closed position, said at least one projection is positioned relative to said housing such that said at least one projection will move away from said housing in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction by virtue of a starting position of said at least one projection relative to said axis of rotation of said handle when said handle is rotated from said closed position toward said open position, to thereby allow said handle to be moved to said open position without interference from said at least one projection and allow the latch assembly to be opened.