A lift assist mechanism is provided for positioning a hatch cover in relation to a corresponding opening in a hatch frame. The assist mechanism includes a torsion bar and a lifting mechanism. The torsion bar has first and second opposite ends. The first end secures to the hatch frame. The second end connects to a bar spur gear. The lifting assembly includes a lift spur gear and a hinge gear. The lift spur gear engages the bar spur gear. The gears convert an acute angle twist of the bar to substantially perpendicular pivot the hatch cover from the hatch frame.

A lift assist mechanism is provided for positioning a hatch cover in relation to a corresponding opening in a hatch frame. The assist mechanism includes a torsion bar and a lifting mechanism. The torsion bar has first and second opposite ends. The first end secures to the hatch frame. The second end connects to a bar spur gear. The lifting assembly includes a lift spur gear and a hinge gear. The lift spur gear engages the bar spur gear. The gears convert an acute angle twist of the bar to substantially perpendicular pivot the hatch cover from the hatch frame.

A compression latch having a body including a cup having a well defining a first side of the compression latch, an exterior portion defining a second side opposite the first side, and a raised portion defining a peripheral rim surrounding the cup, the peripheral rim providing an uppermost surface of the cup is disclosed. The compression latch has a T-shaped handle mounted to the body, the T-shaped handle being foldable and reversible and having a cam lock mounted thereon, the cam lock having a keying element on one side of the handle and a rotatable locking cam on the second side of the handle, wherein when the T-shaped handle is folded in a first position, the keying element is exposed and does not protrude beyond the uppermost surface of the cup and when the T-shaped handle is reversed and folded in a second position, the rotatable locking cam is exposed and does no protrude beyond the uppermost surface of the cup.

A compression latch having a body including a cup having a well defining a first side of the compression latch, an exterior portion defining a second side opposite the first side, and a raised portion defining a peripheral rim surrounding the cup, the peripheral rim providing an uppermost surface of the cup is disclosed. The compression latch has a T-shaped handle mounted to the body, the T-shaped handle being foldable and reversible and having a cam lock mounted thereon, the cam lock having a keying element on one side of the handle and a rotatable locking cam on the second side of the handle, wherein when the T-shaped handle is folded in a first position, the keying element is exposed and does not protrude beyond the uppermost surface of the cup and when the T-shaped handle is reversed and folded in a second position, the rotatable locking cam is exposed and does no protrude beyond the uppermost surface of the cup.