Concordville, PA, June 26, 2005 The heavy-duty design of a new Southco push-to-close rotary latch family offers stronger performance, greater design flexibility, and improved user convenience for door and panel fastening in off-highway, transportation, HVAC, and other industrial equipment and enclosure applications. The enhanced Southco R4-30 Series latches feature higher maximum working loads, greater corrosion resistance, and greater tolerance for engaging misaligned door panels without compromising latching security.

Steel body construction, plus a triple-layer pawl and double-layer trigger of hardened steel, provide heavy-duty performance in a compact package that enables the latches to be used in thinner door profiles, while accommodating maximum working loads up to 13000 N (2950 lb/ft.). The rotary latching mechanism permits a generous tolerance of + 8 mm (0.31") to accommodate misalignment or flexing in lightweight or oversized door panels, yet holds the door snug in the closed position to minimize rattles. Zinc plating and a bright chromate finish improve corrosion resistance to inhibit rust that might otherwise interfere with latch operation or stain the door.

A two-position rotor provides security against accidental opening despite shock or vibration experienced in off-highway or heavy equipment use. And when installed with an optional supplemental bracket, the latch also satisfies the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206.

The compact housing measuring just 77 mm (3.03") by 35.7 mm (1.40") by 17.8 mm (0.70") is available in three different actuation styles, each with three different mounting options, for maximum flexibility and convenience in equipment design and latch use. The direct perpendicular lever and two-point lever actuation options all include opportunities for remote actuation via a cable or mechanical linkage.


All three actuator styles are available in both right-hand and left-hand opening models, and all offer mounting options of a 6.7 mm (0.265") through hole, 1/4-20 tapped threads, or 6M tapped threads.

Southco is a leading global provider of engineered access solutions, including latches, locks, captive fasteners, hinges, handles, and other accessories for applications in the marine, networking, telecommunications, computer, automotive, aerospace, mass transit, off-highway/construction, RV/caravan, industrial machinery and HVAC industries.

Southco is strongly focused on customized engineering solutions and global support for its key customers. The company aspires to be a virtual engineering center for its customers' engineered-access solutions and is committed to providing outstanding quality and overall satisfaction. Southco's promise to its customers is to connect, create and innovate to provide the best solution for every access engineering problem.