Patent ID: 7201422

Claim:
A tailgate synchronizer for coordinating mechanical communication between first and second handles mounted to a tailgate and first and second lock assemblies that selectively lock the tailgate to a vehicle body, said synchronizer comprising: a first lock assembly actuator lever rotatably mounted to the tailgate and selectively moveable by the first handle, said first lock assembly actuator lever connected to the first lock assembly so that said first lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the first lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the first handle, the first handle always fully movable but only selectively able to sufficiently move said first lock assembly actuator lever; and a second lock assembly actuator lever rotatably mounted to the tailgate and selectively moveable by the second handle, said second lock assembly actuator lever connected to the second lock assembly so that said second lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the second lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the second handle, the second handle always fully movable but only selectively able to sufficiently move said second lock assembly actuator lever.