Dual action luggage latch

A latch for use in latching a hasp of a luggage case, said latch comprising a base having a first portion;

• a first actuating member rotatably mounted on said front portion of said base by a first pivot pin, said first actuating member including a front surface and outer and inner edges, said outer edge being movable in response to an external force applied to said outer edge to rotate said first actuating member in a first direction from a first position to a second position about said first pivot pin;
• a second actuating member rotatably mounted on said front portion of said base by a second pivot pin which is parallel to said first pivot pin, said second actuating member including a front surface, an inner edge disposed adjacent said inner edge of said first actuating member, and an outer edge which is movable in response to an external force applied to said outer edge, to rotate said second actuating member in a second direction opposite said first direction from a first position to a second position, said second actuating member being engageable with the hasp in said first position of said second actuating member and disengaged from the hasp in said second position of said second actuating member;
• and a sliding member mounted behind said first and second actuating members and slidable relative thereto between first and second positions associated with said first and second positions, respectively, of said first actuating member;
• said first actuating member including first displacement means for sliding said sliding member from its first position to its second position in response to rotation of said first actuating member from its first position to its second position;
• said sliding member including a stop which, in said first position of said sliding member, is positioned behind a portion of said second actuating member to prevent the latter from being rotated from its first position to tis second position, said stop being moved from behind said portion of said second actuating member when said sliding member is in its second position, to permit said second actuating member to be rotated to its second position.