Variable turn latch assembly and method

A latch assembly that comprises a housing, a plug or actuator, and an engagement arm wherein the actuator is rotatably held within the housing and the engagement arm is mounted to the actuator, and wherein the actuator and engagement arm may be assembled in several orientations relative to the housing. Each different assemblage provides for a different range and direction of operation. As a result, the latch of the present invention can operate as a quarter-turn latch or a half-turn-latch. As a quarter-turn latch, the latch may be operated in any one of the four 90° quadrants around the axis of rotation, and it may operate in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. As a half-turn latch, the latch may likewise be operated in either one of the two 180° halves of a full circle around the axis of rotation, and it may operate in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Further, in one configuration assemblage, the engagement arm will operate as a bi-directional quarter-turn latch, rotatable throughout a quarter-turn in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.