The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 04, 2007
Filed:
Oct. 13, 2005
David G. Kraenzle, St. Louis, MO (US);
David G. Kraenzle, St. Louis, MO (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus for latching a tailgate to supporting structure of a vehicle generally includes a latch, a keeper, and a member for rotating the keeper relative to the latch. The member is rotatably supported by the tailgate such that the member is rotatable between at least a first position and a second position. The latch includes a latching surface, and the keeper includes a keeper surface configured for engagement with the latching surface. The latch is pivotably coupled to the vehicle supporting structure such that the latch is pivotable between at least a closed position and an opened position. To disengage the latching surface from the keeper surface, the member is rotated from the first position towards the second position, which, in turn, causes the keeper to rotate and to pivotally move the latch from the closed position towards the opened position.