Patent ID: 8720956

Claim:
A tailgate synchronizer for coordinating mechanical communications in a tailgate from a first handle for unlocking a first lock assembly of the tailgate and from a second handle for unlocking a second lock assembly of the tailgate, comprising: a first lock assembly actuator lever connected to the first lock assembly to unlock the first lock assembly when rotated; a second lock assembly actuator lever connected to the second lock assembly to unlock the second lock assembly when rotated; and a synchronizer locking device having a locked state and an unlocked state, the synchronizer locking device including a rotatable lock cylinder movable between a first unlocked position wherein the synchronizer locking device is in the unlocked state and a second locked position wherein the synchronizer locking device is in the locked state; wherein movement of the first handle selectively translates into rotation of said first lock assembly actuator lever based on a state of said second lock assembly actuator lever and a state of the synchronizer locking device, the state of the synchronizer locking device being one of said locked state and said unlocked state; and wherein movement of the second handle selectively translates into rotation of said second lock assembly actuator lever based on a state of said first lock assembly actuator lever and said state of said synchronizer locking device.