System to remotely unlatch a pickup box tailgate
First Claim
1. A powered latch system for selective release of a tailgate of a pickup truck of the type that includes a vechilce structure including an upwardly-facing box and upstanding sidewalls extending along opposite sides of the box structure to define a generally upright rear box opening and a tailgate movably mounted to the vehicle structure for movement between an upright closed position and a generally horizontal open position, the powered latch system comprising:
- first and second latches having first and second latch members, respectively, that are movable between latched and released positions, the first and second latch members adapted to retain a tailgate in the closed position when the first and second latches are in their latched positions;
at least one resilient member that is adapted to interact with a tailgate and bias a tailgate towards the open position when a tailgate is in the closed position and the latches are in the latched position;
at least one powered actuator operably connected to the first and second latches to selectively shift the first and second latches from their respective latched positions to their respective released positions, whereby a tailgate automatically shifts from its upright closed position to its open position upon actuation of the powered actuator.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A powered latch system for selective release of a tailgate of a pickup truck of the type that includes a vechilce structure including an upwardly-facing box and upstanding sidewalls extending along opposite sides of the box structure to define a generally upright rear box opening and a tailgate movably mounted to the vehicle structure for movement between an upright closed position and a generally horizontal open position, the powered latch system comprising:
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first and second latches having first and second latch members, respectively, that are movable between latched and released positions, the first and second latch members adapted to retain a tailgate in the closed position when the first and second latches are in their latched positions; at least one resilient member that is adapted to interact with a tailgate and bias a tailgate towards the open position when a tailgate is in the closed position and the latches are in the latched position; at least one powered actuator operably connected to the first and second latches to selectively shift the first and second latches from their respective latched positions to their respective released positions, whereby a tailgate automatically shifts from its upright closed position to its open position upon actuation of the powered actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A tailgate assembly, comprising:
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first and second strikers; a tailgate having movable latch members at opposite side edges thereof adapted to releasably engage the strikers; a powered actuator operably interconnected with the latch members; a remote switch configured to actuate the actuator from inside a vehicle; resilient members mounted on the tailgate and deformably engaging the strikers to push the tailgate open automatically upon release of the latches by the powered actuator. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of opening a tailgate of a pickup truck of the type having a structure, a box, and a tailgate that moves between open and closed positions relative to the box, the method comprising:
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providing a releasable latch mechanism adapted to selectively retain the tailgate in its closed position when the latch mechanism is in a latched state; biasing the tailgate away from the closed position whereby the tailgate automatically moves towards its open position upon releasing the latch mechanism; providing a powered actuator that releases the latch mechanism upon receiving a signal from a remote source, whereby the tailgate automatically moves from its closed position to its open position upon actuation of a remote source by a user, even if a user does not pull on the tailgate. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification