by the latch 10 and the first and second segments cooperate with the mounting bracket 12 to retain the door therebetween while the invention is described as being primarily used for retaining of a machine shed door it should be understood that it may just as readily be used on other doors gates or other sliding or swinging closures and the term door as used throughout this disclosure should be construed to include other closures including but not limited to fence gates and doors in general located at the free end of the strap 30 and extending from the second segment 34 is a third segment 42 which is angled forwardly transversely outwardly from the second segment 34 at an angle of approximately 30 degrees although this angle may be increased or decreased somewhat while still being effective the third segment has a door deflecting surface 44 positioned to receive and guide an approaching sliding door 40 as it nears the latch apparatus 10 so as to direct the door within the second segment 34 and against the first segment 32 where it can be retained between the strap 30 and the mounting bracket 12 as best shown in fig1 a sliding door moving toward the latch apparatus 10 in direction 68 will strike door deflecting surface 44 fig7 and be guided along the second segment 34 of the strap 30 the mounting bracket 12 has a generally elongated rectangular rigid mounting plate 46 preferably formed of sheet steel and suitable for attachment to the door frame or wall 52.