Door latching system

1. A latching system comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a closable member;

(c) an elongated member rotatably secured to said closable member, said elongated member including a first connector, and a rotator clevis secured to the elongated member; and

(d) a latch plate assembly hingedly secured to said closable member, wherein said latch plate assembly includes a handle and a latch lever extending from said handle, said latch lever in mechanical communication with said rotator clevis;

wherein hinging said handle causes said elongated member to rotate;

wherein said elongated member includes a second connector adapted to engage a portion of said base, and wherein said first and second connectors are secured at opposite ends of said elongated member.

2. The latching system of claim 1 wherein said base has first and second keepers secured thereto, and wherein said first and second connectors are adapted to engage said keeper when said closable member engages said base.

3. A latching system comprising:

(a) abase;

(b) a closable member;

(C) an elongated member rotatably secured to said closable member, said elongated member including a first connector, and a rotator clevis secured to the elongated member; and (d) a latch plate assembly hingedly secured to said closable member, wherein said latch plate assembly includes a handle and a latch lever extending from said handle, said latch lever in mechanical communication with said rotator clevis;

wherein hinging said handle causes said elongated member to rotate;

wherein said latch plate assembly includes a base plate; and

wherein said handle is hingedly secured to said base plate.

4. The latching system of claim 3 wherein when said handle is hinged relative to said base plate, said latch lever causes said elongated member to rotate.

5. The latching system of claim 3 wherein said base plate includes a beak member hingedly secured thereto, and wherein said handle has an elongated opening defined therein, said elongated opening being adapted to receive said beak member.

6. The latching system of claim 5 wherein said handle includes a beak striker plate secured thereto and at least partially disposed in said elongated opening.

7. The latching system of claim 6 wherein said beak striker plate defines a cam surface, wherein said cam surface is adapted for sliding contact with said beak member.

8. The latching system of claim 5 wherein said beak member is constructed as a fuselink, whereby said beak member is easily broken without damaging the remainder of the latching system.

9. The latching system of claim 3 wherein said handle is hingedly secured to said base plate by a pivot pin.

10. The latching system of claim 9 wherein said latch plate assembly includes a spring for holding said handle in an open position relative to said base plate.

11. A latching system comprising:

(a) abase;

(b) a closable member;

(c) an elongated member rotatably secured to said closable member, said elongated member including a first connector, and a rotator clevis secured to the elongated member; and

(d) a latch plate assembly hingedly secured to said closable member, wherein said latch plate assembly includes a handle and a latch lever extending from said handle, said latch lever in mechanical communication with said rotator clevis;

wherein hinging said handle causes said elongated member to rotate; and

wherein said elongated member comprises an elongated shaft, and wherein said first connector comprises a first hook.

12. The latching system of claim 11 wherein said base has a first keeper secured thereto, and wherein said first hook is adapted to engage said keeper when said closable member engages said base.

13. The latching system of claim 11 wherein said first hook comprises a tube having a hook member extending therefrom, wherein said elongated shaft is received in said tube and said first hook is secured to said elongated shaft.

14. The latching system of claim 13 wherein said first hook comprises stainless steel.

15. The latching system of claim 14 wherein said first hook is made using a casting process.

16. A latching system for securing a first object to a second object, said latching system comprising:

a) a shaft assembly secured to said first object, said shaft assembly including an elongated member having at least one connector and a rotator clevis secured thereto;

b) a hinged latch plate assembly secured to said first object, said hinged latch plate assembly including a handle and a latch lever in mechanical communication with said rotator clevis; and

c) at least one keeper secure to said second object:

wherein hinged movement of said handle causes rotational movement of said elongated member and cooperation between said at least one connector and said at least one keeper;

wherein said shaft assembly includes a shield portion for rotationally securing said elongated member therein and for securing said shaft assembly to said first object; and

wherein said latch plate assembly further includes a base plate secured to said shield, and wherein said handle is hingedly secured to said base plate at a first end thereof.

17. The latching system of claim 16 wherein said latch plate assembly further includes a beak member hingedly secured to said base plate at a second end thereof.

18. The latching system of claim 17 wherein said handle has an elongated opening defined therein, said elongated opening being adapted to receive said beak member.

19. A latching system for securing a first object to a second object, said latching system comprising:

a) a shaft assembly secured to said first object, said shaft assembly including an elongated member having at least one connector and a rotator clevis secured thereto;

b) a hinged latch plate assembly secured to said first object, said hinged latch plate assembly including a handle, and a latch lever in mechanical communication with said rotator clevis; and

c) at least one keeper secure to said second object;

wherein hinged movement of said handle causes rotational movement of said elongated member and cooperation between said at least one connector and said at least one keeper; and

wherein said elongated member comprises an elongated shaft, and wherein said at least one connector comprises at least one hook.