Locking tail-gate assembly

Abstract

A tail-gate assembly comprises a stationary support, a slide mounted on the stationary support, a platform pivotally mounted on the slide, a latch member mounted on and projecting laterally from said loading platform, a latch plate mounted on said stationary support. The latch plate has a latch notch formed therein which has an entrance way opening in a direction to admit the latching member. The notch is proportioned to receive said latch member in a close fitting relationship so as to provide a vertical restraint limiting vertical movement and a rotational restraint limiting rotational movement of said platform. A pair of latching jaws each having a locking tooth at one end thereof, are mounted on the latch plate for pivotal movement between a closed position in which the locking teeth extend inwardly from opposite sides of said entrance way to prevent withdrawal of the latching member from said notch and an open position in which the teeth are displaced outwardly from said entrance way to admit and release the latching member. A closure spring normally urges the jaws toward the closed position, the closure spring is adapted to yield to permit the jaws to open in response to contact with the latch member as it is moved into engagement therewith. An actuator is provided on the jaws which is adapted to cause the jaws to interact with one another whereby movement of one jaw toward the open position causes movement of the other jaw toward the open position.