Patent ID: 8532873

Claim:
A powered latch system for selective release of a tailgate of a pickup truck of the type that includes a vechilce structure including an upwardly-facing box and upstanding sidewalls extending along opposite sides of the box structure to define a generally upright rear box opening and a tailgate movably mounted to the vehicle structure for movement between an upright closed position and a generally horizontal open position, the powered latch system comprising: first and second latches having first and second latch members, respectively, that are movable between latched and released positions, the first and second latch members adapted to retain a tailgate in the closed position when the first and second latches are in their latched positions; at least one resilient member that is adapted to interact with a tailgate and bias a tailgate towards the open position when a tailgate is in the closed position and the latches are in the latched position; at least one powered actuator operably connected to the first and second latches to selectively shift the first and second latches from their respective latched positions to their respective released positions, whereby a tailgate automatically shifts from its upright closed position to its open position upon actuation of the powered actuator.