Latch

An aircraft storage compartment, comprising:

• a frame;
• a door;
• and
• a latch for releasably securing the door to the frame in a closed position, the latch comprising:
• a first, biased locking bolt movable between a first, extended position and a first, retracted position, wherein the first, biased locking bolt is biased into the first, extended position;
• a second, unbiased locking bolt movable between a second, extended position and a second, retracted position, wherein the second, unbiased locking bolt is able to remain in the second, retracted position while the first, biased locking bolt is biased into the first, extended position;
• and
• an actuation device operatively connected to both the first, biased locking bolt and the second, unbiased locking bolt such that when the first, biased locking bolt is in the first, extended position and the second, unbiased locking bolt is in the second, extended position for securing the door to the frame, actuation of the actuation device from a first position to a second position moves both the first, biased locking bolt into the first, retracted position and the second, unbiased locking bolt into the second, retracted position for enabling opening of the door in relation to the frame,
• wherein a locking indicator is disposed on the second, unbiased locking bolt, the locking indicator being concealed by a lever of the actuation device when the second, unbiased locking bolt is in the second, extended position and the actuation device is in the first position.

A method of operating a latch comprising a first, biased locking bolt movable between a first, extended position and a first, retracted position, wherein the first, biased locking bolt is biased into the first, extended position;

• a second, unbiased locking bolt movable between a second, extended position and a second, retracted position wherein the second, unbiased locking bolt is able to remain in the second, retracted position while the first, biased locking bolt is biased into the first, extended position;
• and an actuation device operatively connected to both the first, biased locking bolt and the second, unbiased locking bolt such that actuation of the actuation device from a first position to a second position moves both the first, biased locking bolt into the first, retracted position and the second, unbiased locking bolt into the second, retracted position, wherein a locking indicator is disposed on the second, unbiased locking bolt, the locking indicator being concealed by a lever of the actuation device when the second, unbiased locking bolt is in the second, extended position and the actuation device is in the first position, wherein the method comprises:
• manipulating the actuation device from the first position to the second position;
• by operation of the actuation device to the second position, retracting the first, biased locking bolt from the first, extended position to the first, retracted position and also retracting the second, unbiased locking bolt from the second, extended position to the second, retracted position;
• and
• releasing the actuation device, permitting the first, biased locking bolt to return to the first, extended position while the second, unbiased locking bolt remains in the second, retracted position.