Forceps including a pre-loaded handle latch

A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly including: (a) a latch unit comprising: (A) a hook latch, having a home position, (B) a forward bias constraint, (C) a rearward bias constraint, and (D) a bias member extending between the forward bias constraint and the rearward bias constraint so that the bias member has a pre-load when the hook latch is in the home position; (b) a movement unit including a bar that is movable relative to the latch unit so that the bar is movable in a prescribed motion into contact with the latch unit to create a locked state; and wherein the bar moves into contact with the hook latch driving the hook latch in a first direction, away relative to the home position, and then the hook latch is moved by the bar in a second direction relative to the home position, and a loading of the bias member is increased from the pre-load when the hook latch is moved in either the first direction away from the home position or the second direction away from the home position.