Actuator apparatus and related methods for use with vehicle locks are disclosed. A disclosed locking system for a vehicle includes a movable component of the vehicle and a lock operatively coupled to the movable component. The locking system also includes an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a housing coupled to a vehicle body, an actuator supported by the housing, and a linkage mechanism connecting the actuator to the lock. The locking system also includes an input device supported by the housing. Activation of the input device causes the actuator to change a state of the lock.

An endgate striker assembly engageable with an endgate latch, wherein the endgate striker assembly has a striker and an overmolded-annular shoulder. The striker has an attachment portion at one end, a head at the opposite end and a cylindrical shaft between the attachment portion and the head. The overmolded-annular shoulder is between the cylindrical shaft and the attachment portion. The overmolded-annular shoulder has an annular damper and an annular shoulder. The annular damper is molded over the surface of the annular shoulder facing the cylindrical shaft and at least part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular shoulder.

A latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to one or more latches. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is pivotally connected to a gate wall. The handle includes at least one retention arm that lockingly engages a latch when the hinged gate is in a latched position. According to certain embodiments, the handle includes a retention arm at both ends of the handle, with the handle extending generally along the length of the gate wall. Further, the handle may be pivotally displaced about the retention arm(s) so that the handle is displaced from the first position to a second position. As the handle is pivotally displaced to the second position, a release mechanism of the handle may engage and pivotally displace the adjacent latch so that the retention arm may be released from the locking engagement with the latch.

A retrofit tailgate latching mechanism and method for a tailgate. This includes a retrofit housing configured to be connected to the tailgate. Also, there is an actuating handle joined with the retrofit housing. A linkage assembly is joined with the actuating handle at a proximal end of the linkage assembly and extending through and within the tailgate toward the stop catch of the truck bed sidewall. The linkage assembly selectively engages and disengages the stop catch of the truck bed sidewall at a distal end of the linkage assembly. A cable is connected between the proximal end and the distal end of the linkage assembly wherein actuation of the actuating handle to an open position pulls the distal end of the linkage assembly toward the actuating handle and disengages the linkage assembly distal end from the stop catch whereby the tailgate can pivot to a lowered position.

A retrofit tailgate latching mechanism and method for a tailgate. This includes a retrofit housing configured to be connected to the tailgate. Also, there is an actuating handle joined with the retrofit housing. A linkage assembly is joined with the actuating handle at a proximal end of the linkage assembly and extending through and within the tailgate toward the stop catch of the truck bed sidewall. The linkage assembly selectively engages and disengages the stop catch of the truck bed sidewall at a distal end of the linkage assembly. A cable is connected between the proximal end and the distal end of the linkage assembly wherein actuation of the actuating handle to an open position pulls the distal end of the linkage assembly toward the actuating handle and disengages the linkage assembly distal end from the stop catch whereby the tailgate can pivot to a lowered position.

The invention is a sliding latch with a bolt sliding in and out of a primary housing from a closed condition to an open condition on a sled that also slides in the housing. A spring biases the bolt to extend out of the housing to the closed condition. The bolt can be moved to an open condition by an electric motor mounted on the sled that rotates a threaded member to move a nut in a cavity in the bolt that pulls the bolt against the spring bias. The bolt can also be moved to an open condition by a force directly on the bolt against the spring bias. The bolt can also be moved to an open condition by a force pulling on the sled to move the sled and nut so the nut pulls the bolt against the spring bias to an open condition.

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative devices, systems, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a device includes a latch motor configured to generate a power value, a position sensor configured to generate a striker pin position signal, a processor configured to communicate with the latch motor and the position sensor, and a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to determine the striker pin position in response to the generated striker pin position signal, detect an obstruction in response to the striker pin position and the power value, and perform an anti-pinch function in response to the detected obstruction.

A closet unit for a vehicle and a threshold assembly for use with a door are provided. The threshold assembly includes a threshold body that is coupleable to a frame of the closet unit with the threshold body including an opening formed therethrough. The threshold assembly further includes a striker component, in which the striker component includes a plate removably coupleable to the threshold body and a cup coupled to and offset from a center of the plate with the cup positionable through the opening of the threshold body. The threshold assembly further includes a fastener to removably couple the plate of the striker component to the threshold body.

A closet unit for a vehicle and a threshold assembly for use with a door are provided. The threshold assembly includes a threshold body that is coupleable to a frame of the closet unit with the threshold body including an opening formed therethrough. The threshold assembly further includes a striker component, in which the striker component includes a plate removably coupleable to the threshold body and a cup coupled to and offset from a center of the plate with the cup positionable through the opening of the threshold body. The threshold assembly further includes a fastener to removably couple the plate of the striker component to the threshold body.

A modular side storage assembly for use on automotive bodies includes at least one door storage compartment module and at least one rear fender storage compartment module. The door storage compartment module has an internal sidewall, a horizontal base, and a curved external sidewall, joined with a rearward facing sidewall. The curved external sidewall meets the internal sidewall and forms a curved forward facing sidewall. A hinged hatch is attached to the external sidewall. The rear fender storage compartment module has an internal sidewall, a horizontal base, and a curved external sidewall joined by a forward facing sidewall. The curved external sidewall meets the internal sidewall and forms a curved rearward facing sidewall. An assembly includes front and rear door storage compartments; front fender guards; marker lights; a lockable storage panel cap and an antenna mount; and side steps with embedded LEDs. The assemblies are aerodynamic and easy to use.