US3827738A

US3827738A - Latch assembly

Info

Publication number: US3827738A
Application number: US00339922A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Dushane
Original assignee: Columbia Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Columbia Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1973-03-09
Filing date: 1973-03-09
Publication date: 1974-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-06

Abstract

Herein described is a latch assembly for use in a sliding closure which includes an inside pull and an outside pull. A twoway spring loaded lock mechanism is disposed within the frame of the closure. Two actuating levers are in operable connection with the lock mechanism. One actuating lever is operable from the outside pull and the other actuating lever is operable from the inside pull.

Description

United States Patent Dushane, Jr.

[ Aug. 6, 1974 LATCH ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Raymond N. Dushane, Jr.,

Fullerton, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Columbia Manufacturing Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 9, 1973 [21], Appl. No.: 339,922

52 U.S.Cl 292/128, 292/106, 292/244, 292/D1G. 46 511 im; c1. E05c 19/10 [58] Field of Search 70/462; 292/126, 128, 244, 292/245, 118, 120, 106, 134, 136, DIG. 46

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,437,793 12/1922 Claude-Mantle 292/244 X 1,656,587 1/1928 Huyck 292/238 X 3,025,693 3/1962 Braginetz 292/126 X 3,212,802 10/1965 Russell 292/101 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe [57] ABSTRACT Herein described is a latch assembly for use in a sliding closure which includes an inside pull and an outside pull. A two-way spring loaded lock mechanism is disposed within the frame of the closure. Two actuating levers are in operable connection with the lock mechanism. One actuating lever is operable from the outside pull and the other actuating lever is operable from the inside pull.

16 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures LATCH ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to door latch assemblies and more particularly to a novel and improved lockable latch assembly for use on sliding closure structures or the like.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art Recently, homes constructed under modern techniques provide that large amounts of glass be installed in homes or other similar structures. In most cases, the glass doors and windows are openable so that the fresh air may be allowed to enter the structures, especially in the warm climate areas. The opening of the glass structures is usually in a horizontal direction where a panel of glass slides adjacent to another panel of glass.

A problem arises in these particular areas when the sliding glass closure structures are opened because of the influx of insects and bugs into the home. Therefore, it is conventional, in many cases, to use a sliding screen structure which can close the opening with a'screen structure small enough to keep out bugs and insects yet still allow the fresh air to enter. In these situations, the screen structures or screen doors slide into position. In many cases, suitable latches are used to secure the sliding screen structure against the frame of the opening to allow the doors to be locked or secured in place. It should be noted that sliding screen door structures, for example, are made of relatively light material and normally have an extruded or formed hollow aluminum sections, and standard hardware does not easily adhere thereto. Thus, a need has arisen for a specially designed latch for use to retain the sliding screen doors or other sliding structure of such construction in closed positions. This type of latch should be provided with a lock so that it may be locked from the inside to prevent unauthorized opening from the outside.

Attempts have been made in this field to provide such a latch, but yet one that is simple toconstruct, inexpensive tomanufacture and easy to install. One of the inherent disadvantages of prior art latches for sliding door structures is that when a structure is applied to a screen door it can only be placed in one position, that position being where the locking mechanism is positionable into the striker to which it adheres. Therefore, the installer must be careful that the latch assembly is always positioned in the right manner so that the latch hook can make correct connection with the striker assembly. i

It would be desireable to have such a latch assembly which can be placed on a sliding screen structure and the screen structure can be placed into the opening and framing with the assurrance that the latch hook assembly in the latch will always be in a correct position to engage the striker.

Mechanically, the assembly used as a latch for a sliding structure should be one which is operable from the inside and also from the outside. Yet it is not desireable to have a device whereby a hole or an opening in the closure either the frame or the screen so that the lever used to actuate the lock against the striker can be operated from either side. Preferrably, a lever should be supplied on both the inside and the outside of the door which coacts with. each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described the present invention provides a hook latch assembly for use in a sliding closure used primarily in dwelling structures. The closures are of the type which includes a frame having an outwardly open channel in one of the horizontal uprights thereof. The

assembly includes dual hook latch assembly comprised of a body portion, an extending shank extending from the body portion, a vpair of opposing hooks each extending normal from said shank on either side thereof and a protruding cam face between said pair of opposing hooks. The assembly is placed in said outwardly extending channel with the cam face protruding from the open side thereof and positionable to contact a striker in the door jamb.

Means are included to bias the latch assembly so that it is horizontally disposed and the opposing hooks are vertically disposed. The assembly has a pair of outwardly extending and opposing flanges and a pair of spring retaining posts are mounted thereon which extend horizontally and towards the inside edge in the channel. A spring is disposed on each said post and engage the back ledge of said channel maintaining the bias on the assembly.

An inside pull means and an outside pull means are included. The inside pull means is attached to the inside of the closure frame and the outside pull means is attached to the outside of the closure frame. Each pull means includes a recessed area for ease in gripping by a user. An inside lever extends from the channel in the frame and into the recessed area of the inside pull means and an outside lever extends from the channel in the frame and into the recessed area of the outside pull means. Each lever includes a male interlocking means which extends form one end of the lever and inwardly towards the channel. The body portion of the hook latch assembly includes an opening on either side thereof having a configuration to match the male interlocking means on each lever.

Movement of the levers cause reciprocal movement of the hook latch assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art when taken into consideration with the following detailed description wherein like reference indicate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the integral mechanisms of a latch hook assembly removed from the sliding screen closure;

FIG. 2 is a view of the latch hook assembly of the present invention installed into a sliding closure structure having a broken away portion showing the integral mechanism of the assembly; and

FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the positioning of the structure in the latch hook assembly of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT the basic structure of the latch assembly used in setting forth one embodiment of the hereafter claimed invention. Basically, a pair of

identical pulls

14 and 16 are provided. These pulls are for grasping and moving the sliding closure open or closed. Both pulls include a pair of

attachment plates

18 and 20 extending from each side of the

pulls

14 and 16 to be attached to a door frame as will be hereinafter explained in detail. Pull 16 has a pair of

posts

32 and 34 extending outwardly from the plate 18 and towards the pull 14.

Posts

32 and 34 each having a pair of

holes

22 and 24 therein respectively. Plate 20 on the pull 16 has a pair of

holes

26 and 28 therethrough which align with the

posts

32 and 34 on plate 18 respectively so that the plate 20 may be secured to the plate 18 by

screws

31 and 33 being screwed into the

respective holes

22 and 24 in

posts

32 and 34.

Each

pull

14 and 16 is formed with a

recessed area

38 and 40 which includes

sides

42 and 44 at substantially right angles to the

plates

18 and 20 respectively. The

recessed area

38 and 40 on

pulls

14 and 16 are for allowing a person to grip the pull to slide the closure. Each

side

42 and 44 has a

slot

46 and 48 therein which communicates to the

recessed area

38 and 40 respec-' tively. Also, the

slots

46 and 48 are under the

plates

18 and 20 respectively.

Pull 14 is considered to be an outside pull and pull 16 is considered to be an inside pull. That is, pull 14 is placed on the outside of the closure and pull 16 is placed on the inside of the closure. In assembly and referring to FIG. 2, the

pulls

14 and 16 are placed on a frame 50 of the closure. The frame 50 is the type which extends completely around the outside of a closure and includes a screen mesh 52 connected across the frame 50. The frame 50 may be constructed of a suitable material and may be formed of a rolled type material, or it may be formed by extrusion if the material is suitable in characteristics for extrusion. The frame may be formed, though, of rolled stock to have the screen material 52 placed between the frame which is formed as shown in FIG. 3 and pressed between the rolls of the frame 50. Frame 50 is generally hollow having a channel therein. The channel includes a pair of

sides

51 and 53, an inside back ledge and a front side 55. Front edge 57 has an elongated recess along the front therein. The back ledge is rolled back and interlocks with an extension from the side 51 and screen 52 is connected to the frame by being squeezed between the rolled ends as best shown in FIG. 3.

A pair of holes are drilled through the frame 50 (not shown) in alignment with the

posts

32 and 34 on the plate 18 on pull 14 and in alignment with the

holes

26 and 28 on plate on pull 16. The

posts

32 and 34 are then placed through the holes from the outside of the closure and the

screws

31 and 33 are inserted through the

holes

26 and 28 and threaded in to the

holes

22 and 24 of the

posts

32 and 34 so that the

pulls

14 and 16 may be mounted to the frame 50 from the inside. That is, the

screws

31 and 33 are in the inside of the dwelling structure and thus cannot be opened and removed from the outside.

A locking mechanism is provided internally within the frame 50 and in communication with the pulls l4 and 16. Specifically, a dual latch hook 60 is placed within the hollow frame 50 and comprises a pair of oppositely opposed latch hooks 62 and 64 and a front cam face 66. The cam face 66 is defined by a raised apex between the

hooks

42 and 44. A shank 67 protrudes from the center of the latch hooks 62 and 64. A pair of

spring retaining members

68 and 70 extend horizontally from the shank 67 and a pair of

spring retaining posts

72 and 74 extend therefrom. A body portion 78 extends between the spring posts 72 and 74 and has a square opening 79 therein. A pair of

springs

80 and 82 are then positioned over the

posts

72 and 74 respectively and are of sufficient length to abut the edge 54 within the frame 50. The latch hook 60 is placed within the channel in the frame 50 and positioned between the

plates

18 and 20 of pulls l4 and 16. A slot 59 is cut into the front side 55 of frame 50 so that the apex 66 of dual latch hook 60 slightly protrudes through the slot 59 into recess along the front.

A pair of actuating levers and 92 extend through the

slots

46 and 48 respectively and into the

recess areas

38 and 40 thereof. A nut end 94 protrudes on the inside of lever 90 and first directly into the square opening 79 on the body portion 78 of the hook latch 60 so that movement of the lever either 90 or 92 causes movement of the hook latch 60 in a manner yet to be described. A similar nut end 96 is provided on lever 92 and extends to the other side of the square opening 79 of hook latch 60. The

levers

90 and 92 can then operate the hook latch 60 raising it up or down from either the inside pull 14 or the outside pull 16.

The underside of the

plates

18 and 20 include recessed

areas

91 and 93 so that

levers

90 and 92 can move therein and not be restricted when moved to latch and unlatch the closure.

The

levers

90 and 92 are positioned in a horizontal position and bias in that position by the

springs

80 and 82 exerting equal pressure to the

ends

68 and 70 of the latch hook 60. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, if the lever 92 is pushed downwardly to the position 100 the latch hook 60 will move in the opposite direction, that is, upwardly. Likewise, if the lever 92 is positioned to the position 102 as shown in FIG. 2, the latch hook 60 will push downwardly.

For ease in manipulation of the

levers

90 and 92, a button 106 is suitably connected to the end of lever 90 by a suitable rivet 108, and as shown in FIG. 1, the button 106 is square and has a slot 107 therein which slides over the end of the lever 90. The button 106 has a recessed portion 109 so that the rivet 108 will fit flush against the button 106. A button 110 is also square shaped and is placed on end 111 through a slot 113. Unlike lever 90, the button 110 thereon is slideable on the end 111 on the lever 92. A pair of upstanding posts 112 and 114 and spaced on either side of the lever 92 and mounted to the recessed area 40. The height of the posts 1 12 and 114 are low enough so that the lever and 111 is allowed to pass over the top of the posts 112 and 114. The button 112, though, will not pass over the end and will abut posts 112 and 114. Thus, if the button 110 is pulled all the way to the left as shown in FIG. 2, the lever 92 can be actuated and passed over the posts 112 and 114. On the other hand, if the lever 92 is in a horizontal position and the bottom 110 is pushed to the right in respect to FIG. 2, the lever 92 will not move because the button 110 is lodged in between the posts 112 and 114 respectively. Thus, the slideability of the button 110 provides for locking the closure to prevent opening from the outside thereof.

A striker is secured to the door jamb 122 by suitable screw 124. The striker comprises a flat plate with a hook end 125 which extends outwardly from the jamb 122. When the closure is slid into place, the cam face of the hook latch 60 abuts against the striker hook end 125 causing it to be pushed downwardly until the hook end 62 passes the hook 124 of the striker 120. The spring bias on spring 82 is overcome but will snap back into place when the hook 124 passes over the hook end 62 of the hook latch 60 causing the closure to be secure. To release the closure, the lever 92 is held upwardly after the button lock 110 is removed from between the posts 112 and 114 and the closure is then slid away with the lever 92 being held in the upward position. 1

One basic advantage of the present invention as shown is that the door can be opened from either the inside or the outside and the mechanism to accomplish this is quite simple in construction. Further, during the assembly of the door screens into the door jamb the latch assembly can be constructed and placed into position at the plant before it is carried to the construction site or to the site in which the screen doors are placed into the dwelling. It is not necessary to be concerned with which side of the screen will abut a striker because the door latch assembly is symmetrical, that is, it can be placed into the door in either position. Specifically, it can be placed from a right to left closure or a left to right closure without worrying about whether or not the latch assembly will be upside down because the hook latch will operate no matter what side the striker is on or whether the hook end thereof is upward or downwardly. It will operate in either manner.

Having thus described but one preferred embodiment of this invention, what is claimed is:

l. A sliding latch assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure having an outwardly open channel and an inside backledge, a front edge, said latch assembly including:

a dual hook latch including a pair of opposing hooks and a cam face extending between said pair of hooks, said dual latch being disposed within said channel and the cam face thereof extending from said channel;

a pair of spring retaining posts being disposed from said assembly, and towards the inside back edge of said channel;

a spring means disposed on each said spring retaining post and against said inside back edge of said channel;

an inside pull means mounted on the inside of said closure and adjacent said channel;

an outside pull means mounted on the outside of said closure and adjacent said channel; and

lever means for actuating said dual hook latch; said lever means being positioned on said pull means and disposed in operable connection with said latch hook.

2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever means including:

a first lever mounted on said first pull means; and

a second lever mounted on said second pull means.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 and further including means for biasing said hook latch assembly horizontally.

4. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said spring means being coil springs.

5. A sliding latch assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure having an outwardly open channel and an inside back ledge, a front edge, said latch assembly including:

a dual hook latch including a pair of opposing hooks and a cam face extending between said pair of hooks, said dual latch being disposed within said channel and the cam face thereof extending from said open channel;

lever means for actuating said dual hook latch, said lever means being positioned on said pull means and disposed in operable connection with said hook latch;

said inside and said outside pull means including:

a substantially flat portion having a cavity on one side said plate being adjacent said frame with the cavity being against said frame; and

a recessed grasping portion from said flat portion defining inner walls having a slot therein between said cavity in said flat portion and said recessed grasping portion and said lever means being placed between said cavity under said flat por tion and said recessed grasping portion.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 5 and further including locking means on said inside pull for locking said latch hook in a selected position.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said lever means including:

a first lever disposed in the slot in said inner wall of said inside pull means, and

a second lever disposed in the slot in said inner wall of said outside pull means.

8. The assembly as defined in claim 7 and further including locking means on said first lever for locking said'latch hook in a selected position.

9. The assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said locking means including:

a slider member having a slot thereon, one end of said first lever being positionable in said slot, and

a pair of restriction posts extending from said recessed portion, said slider member being slideable between said restriction posts, the height of said posts being low enough so that said first lever will pass thereover but high enough so said slider member will not pass thereover.

10. A sliding closure latch hook assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure, said frame including at least an upright having a central outwardly extending channel with a pair of sides, a front edge and an inside back ledge, and openings on either side of said upright substantially centrally located thereon to communicate with said central channel, said assembly including:

a dual latch having a body portion positioned in said channel in the upright of said frame having an engaging opening therethrough aligned with the openings in said upright of said closure frame, a pair of opposing flanges extending from said body portion, a pair of spring retaining posts each extending from one of said pair of flanges and towards the inside back ledge of said channel, a pair of springs each being disposed on one of said spring retaining posts and bearing against the inside back ledge of said channel in said upright;

an inside pull means including a substantially flat plate mounted to the upright of said frame, an inner cavity on the side of said plate adjacent said being low enough so that said inside lever will pass thereover but high enough so that slider member will not pass thereover.

13. A sliding latch assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure having an outwardly open and a slot communicating said recessed area with said cavity; an outside pull means including a substantially flat channel, an inside back ledge, a front edge, said latch assembly including:

a dual hook latch including a pair of opposing hooks plate mounted to said frame, an inner cavity on the engaging member being in operable engagement with the engagement opening on one side of said body portion of said dual latch hook, said inside actuating lever extending through said slot into the recessed grasping area in said inside pull means; and

a substantially flat outside actuating lever disposed in the slot in said outside pull means and including a male engaging member on the end within said cavand a cam face extending between said pair of Side of Said Plate adjacent Said frame and Substan' l0 hooks, said dual latch being disposed within said P the p g in Said m and a recessed channel and the cam face thereof extending from P area f l l from Said pliflte Over said open channel, a pair of spring retaining posts closure Said mslde P means lncludmg an being disposed from said assembly, and towards the P F recessed graspmg ar ea "E inside back edge of said channel, and spring means cavty m and pk,lte n a l commumcatmg disposed on each said spring retaining post and Sald rec?ssed cfivltyi against said inside back edge of said channel; and a substantially flat inside actuating lever disposed in the slot m mslde pull means l i a lever means for actuating said dual hook latch, said m engagmg member h wlthm Sald l" lever means being disposed in operable connection ity under the plate of said inside pull means, said with said hook latch 14. The assembly as defined in claim 13 and further including locking means for said inside pull for locking said latch in a selected position.

15. A latch assembly for a sliding closure having a lever extending from said latch assembly and a lever locking means for a latch assembly including:

an actuating lever disposed upon a first side of said closure for actuating said locking means;

ity under the plate of said inside pull means, said an eplarged member f f a theireln one end 9 engaging member being in operable engagement said lever being pos tionable in said slot and said with the engagement opening in tb6 other Side of enlarged member being slideable on said lever; and said body portion of said dual latch hook, said outside actuating lever extending through said slot into a Palr of outwifrdly efiendmgfesmctlon Posts bemg the recessed grasping area in said outside n affixed on either side of said lever, said enlarged means member being slideable on said lever between said 11. The assembly as defined in claim 10 and further resmcuon Posts, h height f 531d P0Sts bemg l including locking means for on said inside pull for lockenough f Sald lever P F but hlgh ing said latch hook in a selected position. enough 50 said enlarged member will not P 12. The assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said 40 thereover- 16. The latch assembly as defined in claim 15 locking means including:

wherein said lever locking means further including:

a slider member having a slot therein, said inside lever being slideable positioned in said slot in the recessed grasping area; and

a further actuating lever disposed on a second side of said closure; and

a pair of restriction posts extending from said re- 5 a further enlarged member formerly affixed to said cessed area, said slider member being slideable befurther actuating lever. tween said restriction posts, the length of said posts

Claims

1. A sliding latch assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure having an outwardly open channel and an inside backledge, a front edge, said latch assembly including: a dual hook latch including a pair of opposing hooks and a cam face extending between said pair of hooks, said dual latch being disposed within said channel and the cam face thereof extending from said channel; a pair of spring retaining posts being disposed from said assembly, and towards the inside back edge of said channel; a spring means disposed on each said spring retaining post and against said inside back edge of said channel; an inside pull means mounted on the inside of said closure and adjacent said channel; an outside pull means mounted on the outside of said closure and adjacent said channel; and lever means for actuating said dual hook latch; said lever means being positioned on said pull means and disposed in operable connection with said latch hook.

2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever means including: a first lever mounted on said first pull means; and a second lever mounted on said second pull means.

5. A sliding latch assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure having an outwardly open channel and an inside back ledge, a front edge, said latch assembly including: a dual hook latch including a pair of opposing hooks and a cam face extending between said pair of hooks, said dual latch being disposed within said channel and the cam face thereof extending from said open channel; an inside pull means mounted on the inside of said closure and adjacent said channel; lever means for actuating said dual hook latch, said lever means being positioned on said pull means and disposed in operable connection with said hook latch; said inside and said outside pull means including: a substantially flat portion having a cavity on one side said plate being adjacent said frame with the cavity being against said frame; and a recessed grasping portion from said flat portion defining inner walls having a slot therein between said cavity in said flat portion and said recessed grasping portion and said lever means being placed between said cavity under said flat portion and said recessed grasping portion.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said lever means including: a first lever disposed in the slot in said inner wall of said inside pull means, and a second lever disposed in the slot in said inner wall of said outside pull means.

8. The assembly as defined in claim 7 and further including locking means on said first lever for locking said latch hook in a selected position.

9. The assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said locking means including: a slider member having a slot thereon, one end of said first lever being positionable in said slot, and a pair of restriction posts extending from said recessed portion, said slider member being slideable between said restriction posts, the height of said posts being low enough so that said first lever will pass thereover but high enough so said slider member will not pass thereover.

10. A sliding closure latch hook assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure, said frame including at least an upright having a central outwardly extending channel with a pair of sides, a front edge and an inside back ledge, and openings on either side of said upright substantially centrally located thereon to communicate with said central channel, said assembly including: a dual latch having a body portion positioned in said channel in the upright of said frame having an engaging opening therethrough aligned with the openings in said upright of said closure frame, a pair of opposing flanges extending from said body portion, a pair of spring retaining posts each extending from one of said pair of flanges and towards the inside back ledge of said channel, a pair of springs each being disposed on one of said spring retaining posts and bearing against the inside back ledge of said channel in said upright; an inside pull means including a substantially flat plate mounted to the upright of said frame, an inner cavity on the side of said plate adjacent said frame and substantially over the opening in said frame, and a recessed grasping area extending from said plate and over said closure, said inside pull means including an inner wall between said recessed grasping area and the cavity in said plate, and a slot communicating said recessed area with said cavity; an outside pull means including a substantially flat plate mounted to said frame, an inner cavity on the side of said plate adjacent said frame and substantially over the opening in said frame, and a recessed grasping area extending from said plate and over said closure, said inside pull means including an inner wall between said recessed grasping area and the cavity in said plate and a slot communicating said recessed area with said cavity; a substantially flat inside actuating lever disposed in the slot in said inside pull means and including a male engaging member on the end within said cavity under the plate of said inside pull means, said engaging member being in operable engagement with the engagement opening on one side of said body portion of said dual latch hook, said inside actuating lever extending through said slot into the recessed grasping area in said inside pull means; and a substantially flat outside actuating lever disposed in the slot in said outside pull means and including a male engaging member on the end within said cavity under the plate of said inside pull means, said engaging member being in operable engagement with the engagement opening in the other side of said body portion of said dual latch hook, said outside actuating lever extending through said slot into the recessed grasping area in said outside pull means.

11. The assembly as defined in claim 10 and further including locking means for on said inside pull for locking said latch hook in a selected position.

12. The assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said locking means including: a slider member having a slot therein, said inside lever being slideable positioned in said slot in the recessed grasping area; and a pair of restriction posts extending from said recessed area, said slider member being slideable between said restriction posts, the length of said posts being low enough so that said inside lever will pass thereover but high enough so that slider member will not pass thereover.

13. A sliding latch assembly for a frame forming a part of a sliding closure having an outwardly open channel, an inside back ledge, a front edge, said latch assembly including: a dual hook latch including a pair of opposing hooks and a cam face extending between said pair of hooks, said dual latch being disposed within said channel and the cam face thereof extending from said open channel, a pair of spring retaining posts being disposed from said assembly, and towards the inside back edge of said channel, and spring means disposed on each said spring retaining post and against said inside back edge of said channel; and lever means for actuating said dual hook latch, said lever means being disposed in operable connection with said hook latch.

14. The assembly as defined in claim 13 and further including locking means for said inside pull for locking said latch in a selected position.

15. A latch assembly for a sliding closure having a lever extending from said latch assembly and a lever locking means for a latch assembly including: an actuating lever disposed upon a first side of said closure for actuating said locking means; an enlarged member having a slot therein one end of said lever being positionable in said slot and said enlarged member being slideable on said lever; and a pair of outwardly extending restriction posts being affixed on either side of said lever, said enlarged member being slideable on said lever between said restriction posts, the height of said posts being low enough so that said lever will pass over but high enough so said enlarged member will not pass thereover.

16. The latch assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said lever locking means further including: a further actuating lever disposed on a second side of said closure; and a further enlarged member formerly affixed to said further actuating lever.