Patent ID: 9540859
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: E05F,E05Y

Claim:
1. A tailgate drive for use with a tailgate in a cargo bed of a pickup truck, the cargo bed having a first hinge bracket and a second hinge bracket, and the tailgate defining a volume therein, the tailgate drive comprising: a counterbalance assembly positioned within the volume of the tailgate and removably coupled to one of the first hinge bracket and the second hinge bracket; a motor assembly positioned within the volume of the tailgate and removably coupled to one of the first hinge bracket and the second hinge bracket, the motor assembly operable to rotate the tailgate with respect to the cargo bed between an opened position and a closed position; wherein the motor assembly includes a motor, a first clutch, and an output shaft operatively coupled to one of the first hinge bracket and the second hinge bracket, and wherein the first clutch is adjustable between an engaged configuration, where the first clutch transmits torque between the motor and the output shaft, and a disengaged configuration, where the first clutch does not transmit torque between the motor and the output shaft; and wherein the tailgate drive further comprises a second clutch in operable communication with both the first clutch and the output shaft, wherein the second clutch is an abusive overload clutch, and wherein the second clutch operates independently of the first clutch.