Rotary pawl latch

A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member, the second member having a keeper in a fixed positional relationship therewith, the latch assembly comprising:

• a frame adapted for attachment to the first member, said frame being provided with a pocket;
• a pawl rotationally supported by said frame, said pawl being rotationally movable between latched and unlatched positions;
• a locking member supported by said frame, said locking member being rectilinearly movable between locked and unlocked positions, said locking member also being capable of assuming a deflected configuration at least when said locking member is in said unlocked position, said locking member also being capable of assuming an undeflected configuration, said locking member engaging and retaining said pawl in said latched position when said pawl is in said latched position and said locking member is in said undeflected configuration, said locking member releasing said pawl from said latched position when said locking member assumes said deflected configuration while said locking member is in said unlocked position;
• a handle pivotally attached to said frame and being movable between a closed position and an open position, said handle causing said locking member to assume said deflected configuration when said locking member is in said unlocked position and said handle is moved to the open position, said locking member being positioned in said locked position such that said locking member cannot be engaged by said handle, said handle having a grasping portion and a rear face and pivotally moving about a pivot axis;
• a lock plug supported by said frame, said lock plug being adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key, said lock plug engaging said locking member such that rotation of said lock plug between locked and unlocked positions moves said locking member between locked and unlocked positions, respectively;
• and
• a handle torsion spring supported by said frame, said handle torsion spring having a coiled portion and two arms, one of said arms of said handle torsion spring being received in said pocket and another of said arms of said handle torsion spring pressing against said rear face of said handle on the side of said pivot axis of said handle that is opposite said grasping portion of said handle such that said handle torsion spring biases said handle toward said closed position.