Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Matthew Plett

Kenichi Kitayama

Steven Ray Thiele

Shawn Lee Tarr

Masahiro Ishikawa

Andrew Keenan Swayne

Robert Zummallen

Robert G ZumMallen

Kris Lemmon

Joel Romig

Henry DiCato

Thomas H Croyle

Danny C Cheung

Kurt Johansen

Matt Wolfe

Skye Malcom

Pete Cardimen

A closure assembly is mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position. The closure assembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between the closed position and the at least one open position. A first lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first and second lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking to lock the latch in a latched position.

Overstroke latch assembly

A lock assembly for selectively locking to a striker on a vehicle includes a lock body defining a lock body recess for receiving the striker therein. A latch is rotatably mounted to the lock body for selectively locking the striker in the lock body recess. The latch is moveable between a latched position wherein the striker is locked in the lock body recess and an unlatched position wherein the striker is removable from the lock body recess. A ratchet is rotatably mounted to the lock body adjacent the latch for selectively locking the latch in the latched position. The ratchet is moveable between an engaged position wherein the ratchet locks the latch in the latched position and a disengaged position wherein the latch is moveable between the latched position and the unlatched position. The ratchet is (a) in the engaged position when locking the latch in the latched position to lock the striker in the lock body recess and (b) in the disengaged position when the latch is one of (i) in the unlatched position and (ii) moveable between the latched position and the unlatched position.

Vehicle lock assembly

A tailgate synchronizer for coordinating mechanical communication between first and second handles mounted to a tailgate and first and second lock assemblies that selectively lock the tailgate to a vehicle body includes a first lock assembly actuator lever rotatably mounted to the tailgate. The first lock assembly actuator lever is selectively movable by the first handle. The first lock assembly actuator lever is connected to the first lock assembly so that the first lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the first lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the first handle. A second lock assembly actuator lever is rotatably mounted to the tailgate and selectively movable by the second handle. The second lock assembly actuator lever is connected to the second lock assembly so that the second lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the second lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the second handle.

Tailgate synchronizer

A tailgate assembly is adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed for alternatively pivoting about (1) a first axis generally parallel with the open edge of the tailgate for movement between a closed position and a fold-open position and (2) a second axis generally normal relative to the first axis for movement between the closed position and a swing-open position. The tailgate assembly includes a tailgate, a dual-mode hinge assembly, a first hinge/lock assembly and a second hinge/lock assembly. The first hinge/lock assembly is selectively latched to an associated first hinge/lock striker and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support the tailgate about a first pivot axis. The second hinge/lock assembly is selectively latched to an associated second hinge/lock striker and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support the tailgate about a second pivot axis. One of the first and second hinge/lock assemblies is mechanically prevented from unlatching from a respective one of the first and second hinge/lock strikers when the other of the first and second hinge/lock assemblies is unlatched from the other respective one of the first and second hinge/lock strikers.

Dual mode tailgate control system

A C-pillar assembly for a vehicle that lacks a B-pillar, the C-pillar assembly including an inner reinforcement member, an outer reinforcement member, upper and lower hinge assemblies, and an outer garnish member. The outer reinforcement member is disposed over the inner reinforcement member. The inner and outer reinforcement members are secured to one another so as to define a C-pillar having, in cross section, a generally box-like shape. The outer reinforcement has an upper mounting location to which the upper hinge assembly is secured and a lower mounting location to which the lower hinge assembly is secured. A portion of the lower hinge assembly is disposed within a hinge pocket formed in the outer reinforcement member. The outer garnish member is secured to the outer reinforcement member and defines a slotted opening through which the lower hinge assembly extends.

C-pillar and rear door hinge structure for vehicles lacking a B-pillar

A hook and catch assembly for use in securing a door to a body of a vehicle. The hook and catch assembly includes a hook that is secured to the door, a rocker panel that the door engages, a catch that is secured to the rocker panel upper surface, and a rocker panel garnish that is disposed over the rocker panel upper surface and the catch. The hook is positioned such that, when the door is in a closed position, the hook extends through a slot in the rocker panel garnish and is received between the catch and said rocker panel upper surface.

Hook and catch assembly

Growing community of inventors

Worthington, OH, United States of America

Matthew Plett