A lock assembly having a housing containing a push rod movable along its longitudinal
axis between a locked position where the push rod is extended outwardly of the
housing and a retracted, unlocked position. A movable latch moves radially to engage
with the push rod to hold it in the locked position and to disengage from the push
rod to allow the push rod to move to its unlocked position. The latch member has
an opening that, when aligned with the main axis of the push rod, allows the push
rod to pass through the opening but when the latch member is offset with respect
to that axis the latch member abuts against the push rod to prevent the push rod
from moving to its unlocked position. A pushbutton moves the latch member and a
locking assembly blocks the movement of the pushbutton when the lock assembly is locked.