US 11,702,148 B2
Tailgate deactivation system
James E. Banks, Jr., Clayton, NC (US); and Michael A. Morrison, Clayton, NC (US)
Assigned to Banks Morrison Innovations LLC, Clayton, NC (US)
Filed by Banks Morrison Innovations LLC, Clayton, NC (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/514,831.
Application 17/514,831 is a continuation of application No. 16/816,441, filed on Mar. 12, 2020, granted, now 11,161,555.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/896,878, filed on Sep. 6, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/935,231, filed on Nov. 14, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0048580 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E05F 15/611 (2015.01); B60J 5/10 (2006.01); B62D 33/027 (2006.01); E05F 15/60 (2015.01); H01H 13/50 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 33/0273 (2013.01) [E05F 15/60 (2015.01); H01H 13/50 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/434 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/60 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/546 (2013.01); H01H 2231/026 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tailgate deactivation system comprising:
a switch configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, wherein the switch comprises a proximity switch; and
an actuator configured to cause the switch to transition from an on state to an off state, in the on state the switch being configured to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and in the off state the switch being configured to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.