Patent · US Expired

Latch device for a tailgate of a vehicle

US6017067A · kind A · utility

36Cited by
6References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 29, 1997
Grant dateJan 25, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 29, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T292/1047
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A latch device on a vehicle tailgate having upper and lower doors comprises an open handle assembly for releasing a lower latch assembly from a lower striker, a key cylinder for releasing an upper latch assembly and an upper striker, a coupling mechanism displaceable between a locked position for disabling an opening operation of the handle assembly and an unlocked position for enabling the opening operation of the handle assembly. The upper latch assembly has a latch and a ratchet. The ratchet is displaceable between an engaging position for engaging with the latch located in a door-closed position and an initial position for making contact with the latch located in a door-open position. The coupling mechanism is displaced to the locked position when the ratchet is in the engaging position and displaced to the unlocked position when the ratchet is in the initial position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.