Patent ID: 6902213

Claim:
A coupling structure adapted to cooperate between a tail gate lock and a tail gate latch in a vehicular tail gate locking system wherein the lock may be rotated beyond a first angle defining a locked position, said system comprising: a first rod having first and second ends, the first end of the first rod being connected to the tail gate lock; a second rod having first and second ends, with the first end of the second rod connected to the tail gate latch; and a control latch for allowing the second rod to maintain its position as the lock is rotated beyond the first angle, the second end of the first rod and the second end of the second rod being connected to the control latch, wherein the control latch includes: a base mounted on the tail gate; a key lever supported on the base and coupled to the first rod for rotation depending on displacement of the first rod; and a remote lever supported on the base for rotation depending on rotation of the key lever to shift the position of the second rod connected to the remote lever, whereby the second rod is displaced by a proper distance as the lock is locked from an unlocked position, the second rod maintains its position as a key is removed in the locked position of the lock, the second rod is reversely displaced by the proper distance to its original position as the lock is unlocked from the locked position, the second rod maintains its position as the key is removed in the unlocked position of the lock, and the second rod maintains its position when the lock is further rotated in the locked position.