TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to sliding door latches. More particularly, the present invention relates to an anti-burst sliding door latch for a delivery truck or van or similar vehicles that may be subjected to a variety of forces while also preventing inadvertent lockout of an operator.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Package delivery trucks, which have also been known or referred to as panel trucks or vans, are typically provided with a sliding door that provides access to the vehicle for retrieving packages to be delivered. The driver or operator may access the storage compartment of the panel truck without leaving the truck by means of an opening between the driver&#39;s position and the storage compartment. The driver, once in the storage compartment of the truck, identifies the package to be delivered and then approaches the panel truck&#39;s sliding door. The operator grabs the door handle on the inside of the truck and by manipulation thereof, unlatches the door. The door may then be manually opened by pulling the door toward the rear of the truck along a track. Such doors conventionally provide a latch coupled with the two handles which holds the door in a fully opened or closed position by engagement with strikes mounted adjacent each end of the door. Of course, a variety of vehicles are provided with such doors and latches, including delivery trucks, vans, and other vehicles that includes a sliding door for ready ingress and egress to and from the vehicle. Thus, it is to be understood that the panel truck is used here by way of example and not by way of limitation.  
           [0003]    Such sliding doors provide a handle on the outside of the door so that the panel truck door may be opened from either the inside or the outside. For security purposes, these doors have been previously fitted with manually operable inside locks which prevent the door from being opened from the outside while the operator or driver is inside the truck. These inside locks conventionally included a lock bar that could be moved into and out of locking engagement with an internal cam that is operated by the outside handle that cams the latch out of latching engagement with a strike.  
           [0004]    For many years, a sliding door latch such as that described hereinabove was sold as Model 4000 series manufactured by Kason Industries, Inc. This arrangement was described in some detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,949, entitled “Sliding Door Latch With Lock-out Protection.” The inventions described and claimed therein address the problem of an operator who has locked the latch while working inside the vehicle and forgot to unlock it upon his or her departure from the vehicle. Once outside the vehicle, the worker may and often did slide the door shut so as to be inadvertently locked out of the vehicle. The Kason Industries 4000 series latch has proven its usefulness over the test of time.  
           [0005]    Kason also invented the inventions described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,423, entitled “Anti-Burst Latch.” The inventions described and claimed therein address the need for a rugged latch that is less likely to become accidentally unlatched upon the application of forces of diverse magnitudes and direction applied thereto. For example, the jostling of the vehicle over rough roads or the impact of a collision could cause the door to become accidentally unlatch and to open and result in personal injury to the driver or operator, and damage to the contents contained in the truck.  
           [0006]    Thus, while the inventions described and claimed in the &#39;949 patent prevented inadvertent lockouts and the inventions described and claimed in the &#39;423 patent prevented accidental unlatching of the latch due to a variety of forces, there has for many years been a need in the art for a latch that is both rugged and prevented inadvertent lock-out of the operator. The present invention is directed to providing both functions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention fills the above-described need in the prior art by providing a rugged anti-burst latch for a sliding door that does not readily open when subjected to a variety of forces and that also prevents inadvertent lockout of an operator or driver.  
           [0008]    Briefly described, the present invention comprises a radial rotary action two-sided latch that is able to maintain a sliding vehicle door in either an open or closed position.  
           [0009]    Described somewhat more particularly, the present invention comprises an improved latch for a sliding door of a truck or the like, including a single rotary latch bar with ratchet steps and a locking arm whereby the rotary latch bar engages a strike and captures it as the door is moved into a latched position, and the locking arm restrains the rotary latch bar so as to prevent it from releasing the strike. In an alternative form of the invention, a locking slide is provided to engage a notch defined in the rotary latch bar, thereby preventing it from moving and releasing the strike. The locking slide may preferably be activated by either a manual slide inside of the vehicle or by a key cylinder outside of the vehicle. The locking slide action is independent of the locking arm that restrains the rotary latch bar. In yet another form of the invention, the locking slide is detented in a locked or open position by a set of fingers.  
           [0010]    Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door for a vehicle.  
           [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that prevents inadvertent lockout of the operator or driver.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that is capable of utilizing a single rotor.  
           [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that can be opened from the outside if locked on the inside.  
           [0014]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that can be opened from the inside is locked on the outside.  
           [0015]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that is mass balanced so a severe force, such as from collision or the like, is not likely to dislodge the latch.  
           [0016]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door wherein the lock cylinder may be secured in the door rather than the handle.  
           [0017]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that may protect working parts from the elements.  
           [0018]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that may allow for a wider range of cylinder sizes for certain applications.  
           [0019]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-burst latch for a sliding door that can be adapted to a remote access system mounted solely on the jamb side of the door.  
           [0020]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an open position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed position.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outside of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the interior of the rotary latch housing assembly of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, showing the latch rotor assembly and release arm assembly.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4A is a plan view of a preferred rotary latch bar, in isolation.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the interior of the rotary latch housing assembly showing the latch rotor assembly, the release area assembly and the lockout slide assembly.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a sectioned, side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, showing an inside handle of the device as mounted to the drive shaft.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6A is a sectioned side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, showing an outside handle of the device in combination with a key lock cylinder.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a section and top view of a strike assembly according to the present invention, which shows both a top and a front view of this assembly.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a section view of the latch bar housing assembly, including the housing cover and lock drive mechanism of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]    The present invention is well suited for use with a package delivery truck or the like which has a sliding door that provides access to the vehicle for retrieving packages to be delivered. In the conventional door latch, the latch is mounted to the vehicle door. The vehicle door jamb is provided with a strike or catch that typically consists of one or more unshaped bars. This catch or strike may be provided in either the front or rear door jamb. It is also known to place a catch in both the front and rear door jambs. When the vehicle&#39;s sliding door is closed, the latch is engaged with the catch to maintain the door in that position. A handle is provided that facilitates disengagement of the latch and the catch to facilitate opening of the door.  
         [0032]    Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention generally at  10 . This embodiment provides a rotary latch assembly  20  and a strike assembly  30 . As shown in FIG. 1, the open position of the invention  10  is defined by a separation of the rotary latch (or latch rotor) assembly  20  separated from the strike assembly  30 . As shown in FIG. 2, the closed position of the invention  10  is defined by mating engagement of the rotary latch assembly  20  and the strike assembly  30 . It is to be understood that FIGS. 1 and 2 show the inside of a panel truck sliding door  22  and that the door opens in the direction of arrow “ 22  ‘O’” in FIG. 1 and closes in the direction of arrow “ 22  ‘C’” in FIG. 2.  
         [0033]    Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that the door jambs of such vehicles are oftentimes fitted with a catch or strike that consists of one or more U-shaped bars positioned in either the front or the rear (or both) jambs relative to the vehicle door opening. While the present invention provides and includes a strike assembly  30 , which is described in more detail below, it is to be understood that the present invention may be used in association with a conventional or pre-existing latch catch or strike. Conventional catch assemblies are well known in the art and need not be described further herein. When the door  22  is fully closed, the latch assembly  20  may be engaged with a conventional catch assembly. When the door  22  is in the fully opened position, the latch assembly  20  of the present invention may be fully engaged with a conventional rear catch assembly. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that the latch assembly  20  of the present invention may be used with a conventional catch or strike. As described herein, the present invention also expressly contemplates that the latch assembly  20  and the strike assembly  30  of the present invention may be retrofit to existing vehicles and used in place of a conventional latch catch assembly. In fact, such replacement is preferred for retrofitting the present invention to existing sliding panel truck or van doors.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred strike assembly  30  and latch assembly  20  according to the present invention. Referring in detail to the latch assembly  20  shown in the drawing figures, the assembly includes a housing  24  which supports a rotary latch bar  25 . The housing  24  is generally rectangular in shape, and may be made of any suitable material. A preferred material is steel or any other suitable metal, composite or sufficiently rigid material. The housing  24  defines four (4) edge surfaces  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and  24   d . The housing  24  defines two indented areas  27  and  28  in edge surfaces  24   a  and  24   c , respectively. The ends of the latch bar  25  may be seen projecting in the indentations  27  and  28 . Indentation  27  is positioned so as to receive the strike assembly  30  as described herein. Indentation  28  is positioned to receive a strike assembly (not shown) at a rearward-most position. This other strike assembly is a mirror image and substantially identical to strike assembly  30 . Accordingly, this other strike assembly need not be described further herein. When the sliding door  22  is slid fully rearward to engage the other strike assembly, the sliding door is maintained in its fully opened position. When the latch assembly  20  is fully engaged with the strike assembly  30 , the sliding door  22  is maintained in a fully-closed position.  
         [0035]    The rotary latch bar  25  is mounted for rotational movement within the latch assembly housing  24  and defines two catch slots  35  and  36 . The rotary latch bar  25  is shown mounted within the housing  24  in FIG. 4. The rotary latch bar  25  is also shown, in isolation, in FIG. 4A. The catch slots  35  and  36  are sized to receive and capture a strike (described below). The slots  35  and  36  may therefore be of any suitable configuration, so long as this purpose is considered. Referring to FIG. 4A, it is seen that one possible configuration includes enlarging the area of each slot  35  and  36  at their innermost end portions so as to provide a rest area for the strike. It is to be understood that for reference purposes the indented areas  27  and  28  and the catch slots  35  and  36 , as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  4 , may be referred to as “left” or “right” for identification purposes. Such references are not meant to be limiting. In fact, it is a benefit of the present invention that it may be used interchangeably on left or right side doors  22 . Thus, the orientation of the rotary latch bar  25  as shown in FIG. 4A is purposely “reversed” to demonstrate such flexibility.  
         [0036]    Referring in more detail to FIGS. 4, 4A and  5 , the latch bar housing  24  is comprised of two sections  37  and  39 . Latch bar housing member  37  is an external plate that receives and suspends a pin  41 . Housing member  39  is substantially rectangular in shape and contains the lockout slide assembly and the rotary latch assembly as described herein. The preferred embodiment of housing member  39  is preferably configured for mating engagement with housing member  37 . It is to be understood that the present invention is not restricted or limited by any such configuration. Housing member  39  defines an opening  40 . This opening  40  is configured to receive a pin  41 , described in greater detail below. The pin  41  is preferably formed integrally with housing member  37  and extends into the interior of the housing  24  to engage the opening  40  in the back wall of housing member  39 . The pin  41  may be connected to housing member  37  in any suitable manner, including by a threaded opening, in conjunction with a screw (in place of the pin  41 ), a weld or any other conventional means. As described below, the pin  41  is stationary and supports the rotary latch bar  25 .  
         [0037]    Referring in more detail to FIG. 4A, the rotary latch bar  25  defines a center opening  41 a through which pin  41  extends. Thus, pin  41  supports and facilitates rotation of the rotary latch bar  25 . The rotary latch bar  25  defines a lower edge surface  43  that in turn, defines two ratchet step positions  44  and  45 , and a stop surface  46 . As a result, the latch bar  25  cannot rotate a complete 360°, but rather, is rotatable between different positions, the extreme positions being essentially defined by the lower surface edge  43  and the last ratchet surface  45 .  
         [0038]    The rotary latch bar  25  further includes a dual-spring post  48  that projects outwardly of the bar&#39;s surface, toward housing member  37 . The dual-spring post  48  may be formed integrally with the latch bar  25  and is sized to receive one end of both a latch spring  50  and a locking arm spring  51 . The latch spring  50  is secured to a latch spring post  53  that is either formed integrally with or attached to the back surface of housing member  39 . See FIG. 4, for example. The locking arm spring  51  is secured to a locking arm spring post  55 . The locking arm spring post  55  is either formed integrally with or for attachment to a lock arm  57 . The lock arm  57  is generally L-shaped in configuration, defining a first end that is sized to engage the stop surface  46  (and the lower surface  45 ) of the rotary latch bar  25 . The lock arm  57  may also engage rotary latch bar surfaces  43  and  44  to fix the position of the rotary latch bar  25 . It is thus to be understood that the lock arm  57  is capable of rotation. This action is facilitated by a pin  58  that extends through an opening  59  in the lock arm  57 . The lock arm  57  pivots about pin  58  to effect the desired action. The lock arm  57  is therefore made of any suitable material. A preferred material is steel.  
         [0039]    The springs  50  and  51  are preferably extension springs that exert a force to their respective parts. More particularly, the latch spring  50  is secured between post  48  (on the rotary latch bar  25 ) and post  53  (on the housing member  39 ). This arrangement exerts a clockwise force against the rotary latch bar  25  so as to pull the bar into contact with a locking end surface  61  of the locking arm  57 . The locking arm spring  51  (connected between post  48  on the latch bar  25  and post  55  on the locking arm  57 ) exerts an upward force to the right side (as shown in FIG. 4) of the locking arm  57  so as to maintain contact with the lower surface  43  of the rotary latch bar  25 . In this manner, the locking end surface  61  of the locking arm  57  is forced into one of the stepped ratchet positions defined by lower surfaces  43 ,  44  or  45  of the rotary latch bar. It is therefore to be understood that the rotary latch bar  25  is always urged into mating engagement with the locking arm  57  by operation of the springs  50  and  51 .  
         [0040]    The assembly  20  further includes an inside handle  70  (see FIG. 1) and an outside handle  72  (see FIG. 6A). The outside handle  72  is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and is attached to an outside mounting plate  75 . The outside mounting plate  75  is substantially rectangular in configuration and may be made of any suitable material, including metal, wood composite or any other rigid material. The inside handle  70  and the outside handle  72  are rigidly mounted to opposite ends of a drive shaft  76  (see FIG. 6). The drive shaft  76  extends into an opening  78  defined in the base of the outside handle  72 . The drive shaft  76  extends from the opening  78  through a housing spacer plate  79  and through the interior of the latch assembly housing  24  to engage an opening  80  defined in the base of the inside handle  70 .  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 4, the drive shaft  76  is substantially square in cross-section. A cam  83  is rigidly mounted to the shaft  76 , and cooperates with a cam bushing  84 . The cam  83  includes an integral extension arm  85  that engages the lowermost extension of the locking arm  57 . The cam extension  85  projects to the left of the drift shaft  76  (as shown in FIG. 4). Rotation of the drive shaft  76  in turn rotates the cam  83 , causing the extension  84  to rotate in a clockwise direction. This rotation of the cam  83  causes the locking arm  57  to pivot in a clockwise direction about the pin  60  and, in turn, release the rotary latch bar  25  by separation of the end of the locking arm  61  and the lower surface ratchet steps  43 ,  44  or  45  of the latch bar  25 . It is to be understood that either the inside handle  70  or the outside handle  72  are capable of causing such rotation of the drive shaft  76  and cam  83 . A lock bar  86  is provided that cooperates with the cam  83 . The bar  86 , in its initial position, extends downwardly of the drive shaft  76 , is bounded on one side by a centering spring  87 , a spring rod  87   a  and a washer  87   b.  The cam  83  is thus held at center bias and is able to be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise by activating handle  70 , thereby releasing the locking action and permitting unlatching of the door  22 .  
         [0042]    The present invention further contemplates both keyed and keyless entry. Referring again to FIG. 3, the preferred latch bar assembly  20  includes a key lock cylinder  85  and a mating key  88 . The key lock cylinder  85  fits within an opening  86  in the mounting plate  75 . Generally speaking, the key lock cylinder  85  cooperates with a lockout cam  90  (see FIG. 4) to effect locking or unlocking of the panel door or the like. For example, operation of the cylinder  85  (by a key, for example) causes the lockout cam  90  to rotate about a rotor  92 . The cam  90  engages a lockout slide  95  to effect locking or unlocking of the slide.  
         [0043]    Described more particularly, the key lock cylinder  85  is shown in more detail in FIG. 6A. The lock cylinder  85  may be a conventional device defining a keyway that cooperates with a rotor and a stator to effect movement of a slide bar, bolt or the lock. Such cylinders are well known in the art and need not be further described herein. The lock cylinder  85  is inserted and retained in the opening  86  mounting plate  75  as shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, which shows the interior of the housing  24 , the preferred locking mechanism includes the lockout cam  90  and the lockout slide  95 . The lockout cam  90  is oblong in shape and defines an operating cavity  91 . The cavity  91  receives a pin  92  that projects upwardly and downwardly of the lockout slide  95 . The end of the lower portion of pin  92  rests within the cavity  91  and, as shown in FIG. 4, the far left end of the cavity is designed to receive the lower pin  92 . FIG. 4 shows the cavity  91  receiving pin  92 . FIG. 6 further shows the top portion of the pin  92 , the end of which rests in a slot  93  defined in the housing member  37 . The upper portion of pin  92  is captured and retained by a lockout slide spacer  96 . The spacer  96  is characterized by a upper portion that preferably consists of two arms biased toward one another to capture the pin  92 . The spacer  96  is further characterized by an integrally formed lower portion that is circular in configuration and defines an opening  97 , the opening  97  receives the rotary latch pin  41 , the lockout slide  95  defines a slot  98  through which the rotary latch pin  41  projects.  
         [0044]    The latch assembly  20  further includes a remote control option assembly. The preferred remote consists of a generally L-shaped mounting bracket  100  that rests at the top of the latch assembly housing  24 , immediately above surface  24   b . (See FIG. 1.) The assembly suspends an anti-burst bolt  101  spaced vertically above. To effect this suspension, the mounting assembly defines two vertical plates,  103  and  103 ′ (only  103  is shown). The plates  103  and  103 ′ may be joined at one end but are preferably opened at the end facing the strike assembly  30 . The assembly suspends the bolt  101  in a substantially horizontal position between the two plates  103  and  103 ′. As shown, the plates  103  and  103 ′ may be mounted for a slight rotation about a bolt  104 , but such rotation is not necessary to effect the invention.  
         [0045]    The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 further includes a strike assembly  30 . The strike assembly  30  may be positioned at any location where a conventional, w-shaped catch bar is mounted. Such a conventional apparatus could typically include two catch bars mounted to angle irons which, in turn, are mounted to opposite sides of a vehicle door jam. In such an arrangement, the door  22  could be slid either forward or backward until a conventional latch would engage one or the other of the catch bars to retain the door in a fully closed or fully opened position. In the present invention, the strike assembly  30  is, for references purposes, considered to be a front strike, and is perhaps best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  7 . Referring to FIG. 1, the strike assembly  30  includes a strike bar or catch  32 . Referring to FIG. 7, it is seen that the preferred strike assembly  30  provides a mounting plate  134  that is an elongated, substantially rectangular workpiece. The mounting plate  134  is configured to be mounted upon a vehicle door jamb  135  or the like. Such mounting may be accomplished by bolts or any other suitable attachment device. The bolts may be used in connection with an adjustment plate  136 . The mounting plate  134  defines openings  137 . The adjustment plate similarly defines openings  138 . It will be appreciated that openings  137  and openings  138  may be aligned to permit a bolt to extend therebetween and secure both the mounting plate  134  and the adjustment plate  136  to the jamb  135 . Of course, in certain applications, the strike assembly  30  may be aligned with the latch assembly  20  so that the adjustment plate  136  is not necessary.  
         [0046]    The front strike assembly  30  further includes an angle workpiece  140 . The piece  140  is preferably welded to the mounting plate  134 , although any suitable means of attachment (such as a fastener, glue, unitary workpiece or the like) is acceptable. As perhaps shown best in FIG. 7, this angle piece  140  creates a channel-like cavity  141  in which the strike  32  rests. Accordingly, the mounting plate  134  and the angle iron  140  support and suspend the strike  32  in the appropriate position. Further, it is to be understood that an end  134   a  of the mounting plate  134  and an end  140   a  of the angle piece  140  are best inwardly towards one another to assist in directing to rotary latch bar  25  to the strike  32 . Thus, the strike  32  is positioned so as to be able to engage the slot  35  of the rotary latch bar  25 , and thereby secure the position of the door  22 .  
         [0047]    As indicated above, the present invention further contemplates use of a rear strike  300  or the like. The rear strike  300  is shown in FIG. 8. The rear strike assembly  300  is specifically configured for use in a rear strike position. The assembly  300  includes a mounting plate  303  and two forward projecting plates  305  and  305 ′. The plates  305  and  305 ′ may be formed integrally with the mounting plate  303  or for attachment therewith in any suitable manner. The plates  305  and  305 ′ suspend a strike  310  in position to engage the rotary latch bar  25  as described herein. Thus, the mounting plate  303  includes mounting holes  313  and  314  that can be utilized to secure the position of the strike assembly  300 .  
         [0048]    It is therefore to be understood that a latch for a sliding door of a truck or the like is provided that significantly reduces the potential of inadvertent lockout and is of rugged construction so as to significantly reduce the potential for accidental unlatching. In fact, the present invention includes several advantages over prior art designs. For example, the strike assembly  30 , by means of the plates  40  and  40 ′ (or  305  and  305 ′) pilot and align the door vertically by engaging the opposing faces of the indentations  27  and  28  of the latch assembly. This aids in the latching function, especially on vehicles where bouncing of the vehicle or wear and tear may dislodge the sliding door  22 . Further, the strikes  32  and  310  are adjustable in mounting position. This allows the entire assembly to compensate for door or gasket track wear and tear. These problems, while in existence and known for many years, have been un-addressed by prior art devices.  
         [0049]    Moreover, it is to be understood that the locking slide  146  may be remotely activated. A remote control actuator device  250  is provided. (See FIG. 3). The actuator device  250  is capable of routing a signal to an encoder chip contained therein. This, in turn, sends a series of electrical pulses to a diode. The pulses form a signal in binary code that is sent to a receiver unit  260 . (See FIG. 4). The receiver unit  260  includes a diode that is connected in reverse bias. The receive unit diode is connected to a decoder, that interprets or “decodes” the signal and actuates the lock, as is known in the art.  
         [0050]    An extension plate  200  is secured to the strike assembly housing  134 . The plate  200  may be made of any suitably rigid material, including wood, metal or a composite. The plate  210  supports a solenoid  205  and a movable, remote control locking bolt assembly  210 . This assembly comprises a locking arm  212  connected to an elbow  214  that depends from a retractable piston  215 . The elbow  214  is connected to the piston  215  by a bolt  217 . The elbow  214  is connected to the arm  212  by a bolt  219 . The solenoid  105  is in turn connected to an electric power source  220 , preferably a source associated with the vehicle.  
         [0051]    The arm  212  is pivotally mounted to the extension plate  200  by a pin  225  and secured by a lock washer  230 . The end of the arm  212  furthest from the bolt  219  defines a jaw  227  having two fingers  128  and  129 . The fingers  228  and  229  define a slot  230  therebetween that is dimensioned to receive the remote rod  101  secured between plates  103  and  103 ′. This operation is described in greater detail hereinbelow.  
         [0052]    The present invention further contemplates use of a remote control device  250  to manipulate the lock system. Thus, as is known in the art, the latch assembly  20  may be provided with well-known, conventional electronics to manipulate the locking slide  146  and the cam  142  to lock or unlock the system. The most sophisticated of such systems utilizes sound waves, although a light beam or other such system may be used. For example, a sensitive microphone may be placed in the latch assembly  20  and a separate, hand-held unit fitted with a small sound emitting device such as a tuning fork. The microphone receives or “hears” the sound, and produces an electric signal that may be amplified and used to trigger a relay so as to initiate the open/lock operation of the cam  142 . Such operation is now known in the art and need not be described further herein.  
         [0053]    Further, the latch bar assembly of the present invention can be configured to accept a wide range of lock cylinders to match (or not to match) ignition locks, as security needs dictate. The present invention further provides for keyless entry, and maintains all electrical components on the stationary (jamb) side of the vehicle so as to insure reliability on a commercial vehicle that may be used frequently and roughly.  
         [0054]    Yet other advantages include the size and manufacturing cost of the preferred embodiments, which are comparable to currently available, “lower-tech” latches. The present invention, however, offers more features and is readily adapted to many custom vehicle door configurations.  
         [0055]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are given by way of illustration. In light thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
An improved latch for the sliding door of a truck or the like is disclosed. The latch includes a single rotary latch bar with ratchet steps and a locking arm that engages a strike and captures it as the door is moved into a latched position. The locking arm restrains the rotary latch bar so as to prevent it from releasing the strike. A lockout slide is mounted for manual movement within the latch assembly housing for movement into and out of locking engagement with an internal cam. The latch and strike assemblies are adaptable for remote, keyless entry, performed with all electrical components on the stationary side to provide for reliable and repeated use.