AU2009213064A1 - Canopy lockable latches - Google Patents

Description

Pool Section 29 Regulation 3.2(2) AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT applicationn Number: Lodged: Invention Title: Canopy lockable latches The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 CANOPY LOCKABLE LATCHES The present invention relates to improvements in lockable latches for window panels or similar hinged panels, typically but not exclusively on a canopy. Canopies on which these lockable latches may be used are typically mounted to 5 a tray region of utility vehicles or light trucks, however they could be used elsewhere. While the lockable latches are designed particularly for use with canopy window panels, they could equally be used in other situations. Conventionally, lockable latches used on hinged canopy window panels where the hinging is along an upper edge region of the window panel are 10 normally located in a lower corner region of the window panels. Such window panels are commonly located at the rear of the canopy and along side walls of the canopy. The lockable latches have a grippable handle outwardly of the window panel typically with a key accessed lock barrel providing the means for locking or unlocking the latch. The latch structure further includes a mounting flange glued 15 to the inside surface of the window panel and a laterally extending latch arm that is rotated between a locking position and an unlocked position. In the locking position, the latch arm engages behind a latch plate or similar feature associated with a stationary surround region of the window panel, and in the unlocked position, the latch arm is freed from the latch plate or similar feature. It will be 20 recognized that because these lockable latches are typically located, in use, in opposite lower corners of the window panel, the latching arms are required to rotate in different directions. Moreover, in some situations, the latch plate or similar feature of the window panel may be located directly below the lockable latch and in other situations, the latch plate or similar feature might be positioned 25 to the left or to the right of the lockable latch, ie on a lower upright side section of the surround for the window panel. Because of these variations, it has been necessary to provide differing configurations of the lockable latch structure for use in the differing applications and as a result, a greater inventory of parts has been required and maintained. This factor has generally increased the cost of 30 providing such lockable latch assemblies. Typically, the outside grippable handle has conventionally been a T-handle or perhaps an L-handle that provide an undesirable obstruction when travelling where environmental brush or similar material might engage and catch the handle. A possible further difficulty is that, 2 conventionally, the inside mounting flange that is glued to the inside surface of the window panel has been circular in configuration. The correct orientation of the circular mounting flange is important to the working of the lockable latch as incorrect positioning of the inner mounting flange can cause incorrect positioning 5 and therefore the latch arm may not work as desired or in a worse case scenario, may not work at all. The circular nature of the inner mounting flange has made it difficult to correctly position same on the inner surface of the window panel. The objective of the present invention is to provide a lockable latch structure of the aforementioned type that will minimize or overcome one or more 10 of the aforementioned difficulties with the known arrangements of such a lockable latch structure. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a lockable latch structure is provided for a panel member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, said lockable latch structure 16 including a mounting flange, adapted in use to be secured to an inner surface of the panel, a base flange positionable, in use on an outer surface of the panel, a grippable handle means positionable outwardly of said base flange including a drive shaft which, in use, passes through a first aperture in said base flange and through a second aperture in said mounting flange, said drive shaft having 20 multiple drive formations on a free end region thereof, and a latch arm means having a mounting region and a latch arm extending laterally from said mounting region with at least one drive formation formed on said mounting region and selectably engageable with at least one of said drive formations on said drive shaft whereby said latch arm is positionable in a plurality of different positions 25 relative to said drive shaft, a connection member for operably securing said latch arm means to said drive shaft with said latch arm in a selected position relative to the drive shaft, and a key operated lock means associated with said grippable handle means operable between said grippable handle means and said base flange in a first configuration to lock said grippable handle means and thereby 30 said latch arm in a locking position, and in a second configuration to free said grippable handle means and thereby said latch arm to move from said locking position to an unlocked position, said locked position corresponding, in use, to a closed position of said panel member.

3 Preferred features of the aforementioned aspect may be as defined in claims 2 to 23 inclusive annexed hereto, the subject matter of these claims being included in the disclosure of this specification by this reference thereto. In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides, a 5 lockable latch structure for a panel movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, said lockable latch structure including a mounting flange, adapted in use to be secured to an inner surface of the panel, a base flange positionable, in use, on an outer surface of the panel, a grippable handle means positionable outwardly of said base flange including a 10 drive shaft which, in use, passes through a first aperture in said base flange and through a second aperture in said mounting flange, a latch arm mounted to or mountable to said drive shaft, and a key operated lock means associated with said grippable handle means operable between said grippable handle means and said base flange in a first configuration to lock said grippable handle means and 15 thereby said latch arm in a locking position, and in a second configuration to free said grippable handle means and thereby said latch arm to move from said locking position to an unlocked position, said locked position corresponding, in use, to a closed position of said panel member, said key operated locking means including a blocking portion positionable in use in a recessed region of said base 20 flange member, said blocking portion being movable by key operation of said key operated lock means to at least first and second configurations, said recessed region including a first groove section where said blocking portion in said first configuration will pass along said first groove section upon rotation of said grippable handle means relative to said base flange member, and when said 25 blocking portion is in said second configuration corresponding to the locking position, said blocking portion is configured to prevent its movement along said first groove section. Preferred features of the aforementioned aspect may be as defined in claims 25 and 26 annexed hereto, the subject matter of these claims being 30 included in the disclosure of this specification by this reference thereto. In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides, in a lockable latch structure for a panel member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, a mounting flange, 4 adapted in use, to be adhesively secured to a surface said panel member, said mounting flange having a first surface, a peripheral flange surrounding said first surface and extending therefrom by a first predetermined distance, a plurality of individual discrete flange members connected to said first surface and positioned 5 within said peripheral flange, each of said individual discrete flange members being inclined at an acute angle to said first surface and having an outer free edge spaced from said first surface by a distance no greater than said first predetermined distance. Preferred features of the aforesaid further aspect may be as defined in 10 claims 28 and 29 annexed hereto, the subject matter of these claims being included in the disclosure of this specification by this reference thereto. In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides a lockable latch structure for a panel member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, said lockable latch 15 structure having a movable latch arm cooperable, in use, with said stationary surround to hold said panel member in said closed position or free said panel member to move towards said open position, a mounting flange, adapted in use, to be adhesively secured to a first surface of said panel member, a base flange adapted, in use, to be arranged against a second surface of said panel opposite 20 to said first surface, said mounting flange and said base flange each having engagement formations permitting the base flange to be restrained against rotation relative to said mounting flange, at least one of the engagement formations on one of the base flange on the mounting flange passing through an opening in said panel, said mounting flange having a peripheral edge zone 25 surrounding a first mounting flange surface adapted, in use, to face towards said first surface of the panel, said base flange and said mounting flange having apertures passing therethrough whereby a drive shaft having a grippable handle at one end can pass therethrough for connection to said latch arm, the peripheral edge zone of said mounting flange having at least one straight line edge region 30 configured in a predetermined arrangement relative to said engagement formations whereby said straight line edge region can be arranged substantially parallel to a region of the stationary surround for said panel member. Preferably the aforesaid structure includes a key operated lock means associated with said 5 grippable handle and cooperable with said base flange to either lock said grippable handle against rotation or to free said lockable handle for rotation to an open position. According to a still further aspect, the invention provides a grippable 5 handle for a lockable latch structure used with a panel member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround and having a base flange member in use engaging against a surface of said panel member, said grippable handle having an outer grippable surface with opposed end regions positionable in use radially outwardly of said base flange member, 10 said opposed end regions each having end surface planes, that in use, are adjacent to and parallel to an outer surface of the panel member. According to another aspect, the invention provides a key operated lock barrel including an outer cap member retaining a movable dust shutter member inwardly of the cap member and above a key access slot of said lock barrel, said 15 shutter member being movable laterally relative to said key access slot to either cover said key access slot or provide key access thereto, said dust shutter member being characterized by being a one piece construction having a cover portion and a leaf spring portion formed from sheet metal, said leaf spring portion being adapted to urge said cover portion towards a position covering said key 20 access slot. Other preferred features and aspects will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is an exploded view of parts adapted to be assembled into a lockable 25 latch structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figs 2 and 3 are respective underneath perspective views of the lockable latch structure once assembled; Fig 4 is a view similar to Figs 2 and 3 but from an upper position; 30 Fig 5 is a front elevation view of the preferred mounting flange shown in Fig 1; Fig 6 is a front perspective view of the mounting flange shown in Fig 5; Fig 7 is a sectioned perspective view of the assembly shown in Fig 4; 6 Fig 8 is a section elevation view similar to Fig 7; Fig 9 shows in perspective view an exploded illustration of the lock barrel assembly including a dust cover according to one aspect of the invention; Fig 10 shows the lock barrel assembly of Fig 9 in an assembled 5 perspective view; Fig 11 is an underneath perspective view of a sub-assembly comprised of the grippable handle, drive member and base flange member shown in Fig 1; Fig 12 is a front plan view of part of the sub-assembly shown in Fig 11; Fig 13 is an underneath perspective view of the latch arm illustrated in Fig 10 1; Figs 14a and 14c show illustratively the lockable latch assembly in two possible locked positions, typically for use on left and right sides of a rear window panel for a canopy; Figs 14b and 14d show the assemblies in Figs 14a and 14c respectively in 15 open positions; Figs 15a and 15c show illustratively the lockable latch assembly in two possible locked positions, typically for use in left and right sides of a side window panel for a canopy; and Figs 15b and 15 c show the assemblies of Figs 15a and 15c respectively in 20 open positions. Referring to Fig 1 of the drawings, the lockable latch structure assembly 10 comprises a latch arm 11 with a spring washer 12 and threaded fastener 13 for connecting the latch arm 11 to the end of a drive shaft 15 of a drive member 14. The assembly further includes a mounting flange member 16 adapted to be 25 adhesively secured to the inside surface of a movable panel such as a window panel in a vehicle canopy construction. The assembly also includes a base flange 17 with its associated insert 18 adapted in use to be located on the outside surface of the movable panel, a grippable handle structure 19, and a lock barrel assembly 20 comprised of a lock barrel 21, an outer cap 22 and a dust shutter 30 member 23. In the embodiment of Fig 1, the dust shutter member 23 is mounted within the outer cap 22 but in an alternative arrangement (Fig 9), the member 23 might be mounted in the outer end region of the lock barrel 21. As will be described hereafter the lock barrel assembly 20, the handle structure 19 and the 7 drive member 14 form a sub-assembly with the lock barrel assembly 20 cooperating with the base flange 17 to lock the grippable handle in a locked position or to free same for at least limited rotational movement to relatively move the latch arm 11. In Fig 1, a wave washer 24 is shown together with a large 5 diameter O-ring seal 25, a threaded fastener 26, and a small diameter O-ring seal 27, the fastener 26 enabling the drive member 14 to be operationally connected to the handle structure 19. With reference to the assembled views of Figs 2 to 4, it will be apparent that the handle structure 19 has an outer handle part 28 with a generally curved outwardly facing surface 29 and a central part circular flange 10 section 30 integrally formed with the handle part 28 whereby in the assembled configuration the flange sections 30 generally cover and enclose the main part of the base flange 17. The handle part 28 terminates at opposed ends 31, 32 with portions 33 that are substantially coplanar and adapted to be generally parallel to the plane of the outer surface of the window panel to which the assembly, in use, 15 will be mounted. The outwardly facing surface 29 is convexly curved between the ends 31, 32 and preferably convex curved at all transverse sections between the ends 31, 32 not including the zone mounting the lock barrel assembly 20. The window panel would, in use, be located in the space 34. Generally the portions 33 are located intermediate the opposed surfaces of the base flange 17. 20 We refer now to Fig 1 and the cross-sectional assembly views shown in Figs 7 and 8. The base flange 17 has a first groove 36 formed in surface 35 adapted to face toward the drive member 14. The drive member 14 has an axial projection 37 located within an arcuate groove 38 such that the positioning and length of the groove 38 limit relative rotation between the drive member 14 and 25 the connected handle structure 19 relative to the base flange 17. As best seen in Fig 1, the groove 38 has end regions 39 of relatively lower depth separated by an intermediate region of relatively greater depth such that as the projection 37 rides up on the regions 39, the operator is given a feel that the limit of relative rotation of the handle structure 19 is approaching. An arcuate rib 72 is also provided to 30 be located in a similarly shaped groove 73 in the drive member 14. Generally diametrally opposite the groove 38, a second recessed formation 41 is provided housing the insert 18. Conveniently, the base flange 17 is of plastics material, the insert 18 is of metal, the handle part 28 is of plastics material and the drive 8 member 14 is of metal. The insert 18 is retained in position by the bore 42 engaging over a pin 43 on the base flange 17 and the lug 44 engaging in a recess 45 formed in the recessed formation 41 of the base flange 17. The insert 18 further includes a relatively narrow groove 46 connecting enlarged recessed 5 areas 47, 48 of the recessed formation 41 in the base flange 17. In the assembled condition, blocking tab formations 49 on the lock barrel 21 are rotatable in response to key operation of the barrel. Rotation of the blocking tab formations 49 allow them to either pass along the narrow groove 46 or be blocked from doing so because in a second 10 configuration they are too wide to pass along the groove 46. In this manner, key operation of the lock barrel 21 allows the handle structure 19 to be locked or freed for operational rotation. The drive member 14 is retained in the handle part 28 by the single screw 25 and by a snap lever 50 engaging over a lug 51 on the other side of the drive member 14. 15 Reference is now made to Figs 9 and 10 where the lock barrel assembly 20 is generally illustrated. The lock barrel 21 apart from an outer end region 55 is generally of conventional type including blocking tab formations 49 at its end distant from the outer end region 55 including a key access slot 52. The cap 22 has a key access slot 53 which, when assembled, is aligned with the slot 52. The 20 cap 22 may be a conventional stainless steel cap part having a recessed zone 54 formed in an outer surface 56 directing a key end, in use, towards the access slot 53. The outer end region 55 of the barrel 21 has a recessed zone 57 surrounding the key access slot 52. One side region 58 of the recessed zone 57 is of complementary shape to the region 56 in the cap 22. The dust shutter member 25 23 comprises a body section 59 with an integrally formed leaf spring arm 60. The body section 59, in use, sits in the recessed zone 57 with the spring arm 160 engaged against a wall 61 of the recessed zone 57. In this manner, in use the body section 59 covers the key slot 52 until it is pushed laterally against the spring force applied by the spring arm 160 by entry of a key into the slot 52 (Fig 30 10). Referring to Figs 5 and 6, the mounting flange 16 has a surface 60 adapted, in use to face towards a surface of a movable panel such as a window panel in a vehicle canopy and be adhesively secured thereto. A peripheral flange 9 61 surrounds the surface 60 and a plurality of individual discrete flanges 62, 63 are provided extending from the surface 60, preferably at an inclined angle of between 750 to 850, conveniently about 800, to the surface 60. The discrete flanges 62, 63 are generally disposed in a direction transverse to the peripheral 5 flange 61 and are arranged in pairs where the angle of inclination of each discrete flange is opposite to the other flange in the pair. The outer edges 64 of the discrete flanges 62, 63 are no further from the surface 60 than is the free edge 65 of the peripheral flange 61. The arrangement shown in Figs 5 / 6 provides a recessed zone 66 to contain the adhesive material used to glue or adhere the 10 mounting flange 16 to the panel surface (in use). The arrangement of the individual discrete flanges 62, 63 assists with retaining the mounting flange 16 to the surface of the panel member. The base flange has an aperture 90 and the mounting flange 16 has an aperture 67 to enable the drive shaft 15 to pass therethrough. A boss structure 68 surrounds the aperture 67 and extends from 15 the surface 60 by a distance no greater than the height of the free edge 65 of the peripheral flange 61. Within the boss structure 68, a general square location recess 69 is provided. On the reverse side of the mounting flange 16 a further generally square location boss 70 is provided. As can be seen in Figs 5 / 6, the peripheral flange 61 has one edge 71 that provides a straight line that assists with 20 lining the mounting flange 16 up with a desired configuration relative to the stationary surround of the panel member. The straight line edge 71 has a predetermined and fixed relationship relative to the square location recess 69. Referring now to Fig 11, it can be seen that the face 74 of the base flange 17 has a substantially square location boss 75 extending therefrom, the boss 75 25 being adapted to locate in the square recess 69 in the boss 68 on the mounting flange 16. In the illustrated embodiment the boss 75 extends through an opening in the panel member when the lockable latch structure 10 is mounted thereto. The interengagement of the boss 75 into the recess 69 allows for minor distance changes caused by varying thicknesses of the panel member but prevents, when 30 assembled, rotation of the base flange 17 relative to the mounting flange 16. The structure enables the base flange 17 to be secured correctly to the mounting flange but potentially in differing positions depending on the functionality required as described hereafter. In each configuration the formations in the base flange 10 17 are correctly positioned to enable the latch arm 11 to move as required. As can further be seen in Fig 11, a through aperture 76 passes through the base flange 17 and the boss 75 to enable the drive shaft 15 of the drive member 14 to pass therethrough. 5 Referring to Fig 13, the latch arm 11 is illustrated having an arm part 84 and a mounting part 85. The mounting part 85 is a generally circular boss with a recessed region 86 housing strengthening web formations 87 and engagement formations 88, 89. An opening 90 is provided to allow the screw member 13 to pass therethrough and be engaged in a threaded bore 83 in the free end of the 10 drive shaft 15. The end of the drive shaft 15 has spline recesses 77 to 82 arranged on opposed pairs 77/78, 79/80 and 81/82. Each of the spline recesses 77 to 82 are adapted to engage with an engagement formation 88, 89 to thereby drive the latch arm 11 in a desired rotation. The structure is such that the latch arm 11 can be mounted to the drive shaft 15 with the arm part 65 extending in at 15 least six different directions (as illustrated in Figs 14a to 14d and in Figs 15a to 15d). This potential variation together with adjustment of the position of the flange plate 17 relative to the mounting plate 16 enables a single assembly of parts to be used in a number of different configurations without the need of different parts inventory to achieve this functionality. 20 It will of course be appreciated that many variations and modifications of the assembly may be made within the scope of the annexed patent claims.

Claims (33)

1. A lockable latch structure for a panel movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, said lockable latch structure including a mounting flange, adapted in use to be secured to an inner 5 surface of the panel, a base flange positionable, in use on an outer surface of the panel, a grippable handle means positionable outwardly of said base. flange including a drive shaft which, in use, passes through a first aperture in said base flange and through a second aperture in said mounting flange, said drive shaft having multiple drive formations on a free end region thereof, and a latch arm 10 means having a mounting region and a latch arm extending laterally from said mounting region with at least one drive formation formed on said mounting region and selectably engageable with at least one of said drive formations on said drive shaft whereby said latch arm is positionable in a plurality of different positions relative to said drive shaft, a connection member for operably securing said latch 15 arm means to said drive shaft with said latch arm in a selected position relative to the drive shaft, and a key operated lock means associated with said grippable handle means operable between said grippable handle means and said base flange in a first configuration to lock said grippable handle means and thereby said latch arm in a locking position, and in a second configuration to free said 20 grippable handle means and thereby said latch arm to move from said locking position to an unlocked position, said locked position corresponding, in use, to a closed position of said panel member:

2. A lockable latch structure according to claim 1 wherein said grippable handle means includes a handle part and a drive member part carrying said drive 25 shaft, said handle part and said drive member part being engaged with said key operated lock means engaging in both said handle part and said drive member part with said key operated lock means having a key slot accessible through an outer surface of said handle part.

3. A lockable latch structure according to claim 2 wherein the handle part is a 30 moulded plastics material part and the drive member part is a metal part. 12

4. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the base flange and the mounting flange are interengageable in a manner preventing rotation of said base flange relative to said mounting flange.

5. A lockable latch structure according to claim 4 wherein, in use, a portion of 5 said base flange passes through the panel and engages with a portion of said mounting flange to prevent relative rotation between said base flange and said mounting flange.

6. A lockable latch structure according to claim 5 wherein said portions generally surround said first and said second apertures. 10

7. A lockable latch structure according to claim 6 wherein the portion of said base flange member has a substantially square or rectangular outer surface cross-section that is engageable in a square or rectangular recess or bore region in said mounting flange.

8. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein 15 said grippable handle means includes an axially extending projection which in use engages in a semi-circular groove formed in said base flange member, ends of said semi-circular groove defining limits of rotation of the grippable handle means relative to said base flange member.

9. A lockable latch structure according to claim 8 wherein a said semi-circular 20 groove has a region of lower depth adjacent at least one said end to indicate the grippable handle means is approaching a limit of movement.

10. A lockable latch structure according to claim 9 wherein a said region of lower depth is located adjacent both said ends of the semi-circular groove with a region of greater depth therebetween. 13

11. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said key operated lock means includes a blocking portion positionable in use in a recessed region of said base flange member, said blocking portion being movable by key operation of said key operated lock means to at least first and second 5 configurations, said recessed region including a first groove section where said blocking portion in said first configuration will pass along said first groove section upon rotation of said grippable handle means relative to said base flange member, and when said blocking portion is in said second configuration corresponding to the locking position, said blocking portion is configured to 10 prevent its movement along said first groove section.

12. A lockable latch structure according to claim 11 wherein said recessed region includes second and third enlarged regions at opposed ends of said first groove section.

13. A lockable latch structure according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said 15 base flange member is made from plastics material with a metal insert, at least the first groove section being formed in said metal insert.

14. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said mounting flange includes a recessed zone on a face of the mounting flange adapted to face towards the inner surface of the panel, said recessed zone being 20 located within a peripheral edge flange, and a plurality of individual discrete flange members positioned within said recessed zone, each of said individual discrete flange members having at least one surface inclined to an axial direction.

- 15. A lockable latch structure according to claim 14 wherein said individual discrete flange members are arranged extending radially. 25

16. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein at least one edge region of the mounting flange defines a straight line whereby said straight line, in use, is aligned substantially parallel to an edge region of the panel. 14

17. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein a first circumferential seal member is positioned, in use, between the base flange and the outer surface of the panel, the first circumferential seal member being positioned adjacent to and radially inwardly from a peripheral edge of the base 5 flange.

18. A lockable latch structure according to claim 17 wherein a second circumferential seal member is positioned, in use, between the grippable handle means and the base flange surrounding said first aperture in the base flange.

19. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein 10 the grippable handle means has an outer grippable surface portion with opposed end regions having end surface planes, that in use, are parallel to the outer surface of the panel and located at radially outwardly of the base flange.

20. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein a key access slot leading to the key operated lock means is movably covered by a 15 dust shutter member.

21. A lockable latch structure according to claim 21 wherein the dust shutter member is a one piece construction including a cover portion and a spring loading portion formed from sheet metal.

22. A lockable latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein 20 the mounting region of the latch arm means includes two said drive formations diametrically opposed from one another, said two drive formations on said mounting region being selectably engageable with selected pairs of drive formations on said drive shaft whereby said latch arm is selectably positionable in at least three different positions. 25

23. A lockable latch structure according to claim 22 wherein said latch arm is selectably positionable in six different positions, each position being diametrically opposed to another possible said position. 15

24. A lockable latch structure for a panel movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, said lockable latch structure including a mounting flange, adapted in use to be secured to an inner surface of the panel, a base flange positionable, in use, on an outer surface of the 5 panel, a grippable handle means positionable outwardly of said base flange including a drive shaft which, in use, passes through a first aperture in said base flange and through a second aperture in said mounting flange, a latch arm mounted to or mountable to said drive shaft, and a key operated lock means associated with said grippable handle means operable between said grippable 10 handle means and said base flange in a first configuration to lock said grippable handle means and thereby said latch arm in a locking position, and in a second configuration to free said grippable handle means and thereby said latch arm to move from said locking position to an unlocked position, said locked position corresponding, in use, to a closed position of said panel member, said key 15 operated locking means including a blocking portion positionable in use in a recessed region of said base flange member, said blocking portion being movable by key operation of said key operated lock means to at least first and second configurations, said recessed region including a first groove section where said blocking portion in said first configuration will pass along said first groove section 20 upon rotation of said grippable handle means relative to said base flange member, and when said blocking portion is in said second configuration corresponding to the locking position, said blocking portion is configured to prevent its movement along said first groove section.

25. A lockable latch structure according to claim 24 wherein said recessed 25 region includes second and third enlarged regions at opposed ends of said first groove section.

26. A lockable latch structure according to claim 24 or claim 25 wherein said base flange member is made from plastics material with a metal insert, at least the first groove section being formed in said metal insert. 16

27. In a lockable latch structure for a panel member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, a mounting flange, adapted in use, to be adhesively secured to a surface said panel member, said mounting flange having a first surface, a peripheral flange surrounding said first 5 surface and extending therefrom by a first predetermined distance, a plurality of individual discrete flange members connected to said first surface and positioned within said peripheral flange, each of said individual discrete flange members being inclined at an acute angle to said first surface and having an outer free edge spaced from said first surface by a distance no greater than said first 10 predetermined distance.

28. In a lockable latch structure according to claim 27 wherein the individual discrete flange members extend in directions generally transverse to said peripheral flange and the angle of inclination relative to the first surface is between 750 and 850, preferably 80*. 15

29. In a lockable latch structure according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the individual discrete flange members are arranged in pairs, the individual discrete flanges of each said pair being inclined in opposite directions relative to said first surface.

30. A lockable latch structure for a panel member movable between an open 20 position and a closed position relative to a stationary surround, said lockable latch structure having a movable latch arm cooperable, in use, with said stationary surround to hold said panel member in said closed position or free said panel member to move towards said open position, a mounting flange, adapted in use, to be adhesively secured to a first surface of said panel member, a base flange 25 adapted, in use, to be arranged against a second surface of said panel opposite to said first surface, said mounting flange and said base flange each having engagement formations permitting the base flange to be restrained against rotation relative to said mounting flange, at least one of the engagement formations on one of the base flange on the mounting flange passing through an 30 opening in said panel, said mounting flange having a peripheral edge zone 17 surrounding a first mounting flange surface adapted, in use, to face towards said first surface of the panel, said base flange and said mounting flange having apertures passing therethrough whereby a drive shaft having a grippable handle at one end can pass therethrough for connection to said latch arm, the peripheral 5 edge zone of said mounting flange having at least one straight line edge region configured in a predetermined arrangement relative to said engagement formations whereby said straight line edge region can be arranged substantially parallel to a region of the stationary surround for said panel member.

31. A lockable latch structure according to claim 30 wherein a key operated 10 lock means is provided associated with said grippable handle and cooperable with said base flange to either lock said grippable handle against rotation or to free said lockable handle for rotation to an open position.

32. A grippable handle for a lockable latch structure used with a panel member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary 15 surround and having a base flange member in use engaging against a surface of said panel member, said grippable handle having an outer grippable surface with opposed end regions positionable in use radially outwardly of said base flange member, said opposed end regions each having end surface planes, that in use, are adjacent to and parallel to an outer surface of the panel member. 20

33. A key operated lock barrel including an outer cap member retaining a movable dust shutter member inwardly of the cap member and above a key access slot of said lock barrel, said shutter member being movable laterally relative to said key access slot to either cover said key access slot or provide key access thereto, said dust shutter member being characterized by being a one 25 piece construction having a cover portion and a leaf spring portion formed from sheet metal, said leaf spring portion being adapted to urge said cover portion towards a position covering said key access slot. LOCK FOCUS PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P30906AU00