Abstract: A method of mounting a lock to a pick-up truck tailgate latching mechanism including the steps of locating targets for holes to be formed in a plastic bezel, the bezel carrying a handle for the tailgate, forming the holes in the plastic bezel, and securing the locking mechanism to the bezel via the formed holes.

Abstract: A compact power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate with a key lockable latch that relies on a lock lever for its operation. The power lock includes a linear power actuator attached to a sliding actuating link with two tabs that engage the lock lever of the key lockable tailgate latch. The actuating link is arranged alongside the linear power actuator so as not to add to its length and to attain maximum compactness. The spacing of the two tabs is such that the lock lever can move freely between the locked and unlocked position when it is activated by the key lockable tailgate latch. When the actuator is energized by voltage pulses of alternating polarity its motion is transferred to the attached actuating link and the tabs push the locking lever to or fro to lock or unlock the tail gate.

Abstract: A tamperproof power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate latch handle. The lock includes a power actuator, a rotating crank, a connecting rod and a lock bolt that locks the tailgate handle. The linear output motion of the actuator is transferred into rotation of the crank that is limited to rotate between two stops. An over center spring or friction keeps the crank or the lock bolt in either of the two stop positions. The rotation of the crank is transferred into linear motion of the locking bolt by the connecting rod. In the locked position the crank is up against one of the stops and the connecting rod past dead center. As a result the locking bolt cannot be pushed back forcibly in an attempt to defeat the lock.

Abstract: A method of mounting a lock to a pick-up truck tailgate latching mechanism including the steps of locating targets for holes to be formed in a plastic bezel, the bezel carrying a handle for the tailgate, forming the holes in the plastic bezel, and securing the locking mechanism to the bezel via the formed holes.

Abstract: A gas-fired heat gun is ignited using an electrode tip located downstream of a flame holder such that the electrode tip is in the path of the flowing gas. The electrode is connected to a voltage source that causes a spark to jump from the electrode tip to another part of the heat gun, such as the flame holder or a casing of the heat gun, when a trigger is pulled, thereby igniting the flowing gas. The electrode is typically a thin wire extending through a portion of a diffuser defining a portion of the gas flow path upstream of the flame holder. The electrode may be continuous from the diffuser to a terminal end downstream of the flame holder.

Abstract: A tailgate control mechanism used to exert a force on a pivot. The tailgate may include a pivoting main body and a pivot fixed to a truck bed, where the main body may move about the pivot. The tailgate may also include a piston element including a first end connected to the pivot and a second end connected to the main body. The second end may be positioned above the first end when the main body is in a closed position. The piston element may also be configured to provide a counter force to balance the weight of the tailgate. The piston element may also be retrofitted.

Abstract: A method of mounting a lock to a pick-up truck tailgate latching mechanism including the steps of locating targets for holes to be formed in a plastic bezel, the bezel carrying a handle for the tailgate, forming the holes in the plastic bezel, and securing the locking mechanism to the bezel via the formed holes.

Abstract: A tailgate control mechanism used to exert a force on a pivot. The tailgate may include a pivoting main body and a pivot fixed to a truck bed, where the main body may move about the pivot. The tailgate may also include a piston element including a first end connected to the pivot and a second end connected to the main body. The second end may be positioned above the first end when the main body is in a closed position. The piston element may also be configured to provide a counter force as the main body is lowered. The piston element may also be retrofitted.

Abstract: A compact power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate with a key lockable latch that relies on a lock lever for its operation. The power lock includes a linear power actuator attached to a sliding actuating link with two tabs that engage the lock lever of the key lockable tailgate latch. The actuating link is arranged alongside the linear power actuator so as not to add to its length and to attain maximum compactness. The spacing of the two tabs is such that the lock lever can move freely between the locked and unlocked position when it is activated by the key lockable tailgate latch. When the actuator is energized by voltage pulses of alternating polarity its motion is transferred to the attached actuating link and the tabs push the locking lever to or fro to lock or unlock the tail gate.

Abstract: A counterbalancing system is provided that can be easily installed to an exterior of a tailgate and provides a mechanism for arresting the tailgate in an open position. The system includes a stop assembly coupled to the vehicle and a counterbalance assembly adapted to be coupled in a pretensioned position to an outer periphery of the tailgate, the counterbalance assembly providing a counterbalance force when engaged with the stop assembly while the tailgate is opened or closed.

Abstract: A tailgate control mechanism used to exert a force on a pivot. The tailgate may include a pivoting main body and a pivot fixed to a truck bed, where the main body may move about the pivot. The tailgate may also include a piston element including a first end connected to the pivot and a second end connected to the main body. The second end may be positioned above the first end when the main body is in a closed position. The piston element may also be configured to provide a counter force as the main body is lowered. The piston element may also be retrofitted.

Abstract: A method of mounting a lock to a pick-up truck tailgate latching mechanism including the steps of locating targets for holes to be formed in a plastic bezel, the bezel carrying a handle for the tailgate, forming the holes in the plastic bezel, and securing the locking mechanism to the bezel via the formed holes.

Abstract: A counterbalancing system is provided that can be easily installed to an exterior of a tailgate and provides a mechanism for arresting the tailgate in an open position. The system includes a stop assembly coupled to the vehicle and a counterbalance assembly adapted to be coupled in a pretensioned position to an outer periphery of the tailgate, the counterbalance assembly providing a counterbalance force when engaged with the stop assembly while the tailgate is opened or closed.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator for the release of a tailgate latch mechanism to open the tailgate by remote control in combination with a module that slows or stops the descent of the tailgate to prevent it from crashing down. In one embodiment the module is a pre-tensioned spring linkage with some degree of lost motion which arrests the tailgate in a partially open position. In another embodiment the module is a viscous fluid damper or a gas spring which limits the speed of travel of the tailgate. The actuator permits both manual and remote controlled opening of the tailgate is and suitable for after-market installation. Unintentional opening of the tailgate sends a warning to the operator.

Abstract: A compact tailgate accessory for assisting in the one-handed safe raising and lowering of the tailgate and to permit easy removal of the tailgate includes a counterbalance module tucked in-between the tailgate and the truck bed sides in a pocket so as to be hidden from view. The module counterbalances the tailgate so that raising and lowering the tailgate can be controlled easily by one hand, with the linkage sharing one or more common attachment points with the detachable tailgate holding straps to facilitate installation. Sharing the common attachment points with the detachable tailgate holding straps also facilitates removal of the tailgate. The accessory provides the ability to lower or raise a tailgate by a small person or non-muscular individual such as a woman with one hand so that the bed of the truck can be easily and safely loaded or unloaded, the tailgate being maintained in the down position by its own weight.

Abstract: A tailgate locking device includes a cylinder lock supported by a bracket which fits into the recess present in the standard insert or bezel which surrounds the latch handle in a truck tailgate. The bracket is secured to the tailgate in such a way that it cannot be removed from the tailgate either from the inside or outside thereof. When the lock is rotated to a locked position, it moves a locking arm into position in front of the latch handle thereby preventing actuation of the latch to open the tailgate. Rotation of the lock to its unlocked position frees the latch handle allowing the tailgate to be opened.

Abstract: A combustor extension for a heat gun where the heat gun has a jet pump for mixing pressurized fuel with air to form an air/fuel mixture and a combustor attachment for combusting the air/fuel mixture. The jet pump has a first electrical connector for providing an electrical charge to an ignition device at the combustor attachment for igniting the air/fuel mixture. The combustor extension includes a hollow conduit having proximal and distal ends for extending between and coupling the combustor attachment to the jet pump. A second electrical connector at the proximal end of the conduit electrically couples to the first electrical connector of the jet pump. A third electrical connector at the distal end of the conduit electrically couples to the ignition device of the combustor attachment. The second and third electrical connectors are electrically connected together.

Abstract: A tailgate locking device includes a bezel used in place of the conventional bezel to surround a tailgate handle aperture. When a key-operated lock is rotated to a locked position, it moves a locking arm into position in front of a handle arm thereby preventing an interloper from actuating the handle to open the tailgate. Preferably the key-lock rotation also moves one or more retention bolts into positions behind the exterior panel of the tailgate to prevent removal of the locking device. Rotation of the lock to its unlocked position frees the tailgate handle and retracts the retention bolts.

Abstract: A jet pump for a heat gun includes an elongate hollow pump body lying along a longitudinal axis. The pump body has an inlet, a mixing section and an outlet. A nozzle unit is axially aligned with the inlet for directing pressurized fuel into the inlet of the pump body. Movement of the pressurized fuel into the inlet causes air to be drawn into the inlet to mix with the fuel within the pump body. A disk shaped air diverter is axially spaced away from the inlet of the pump body. The diverter has a length and a diameter. The diameter of the diverter is greater than the length of the diverter and larger than the inlet of the pump body. A housing is radially spaced from and surrounds the diverter forming a first annular gap therearound for air outside the housing to pass therethrough. The air moves around the diverter then changes direction between the diverter and the inlet of the pump body before entering the inlet.

Abstract: The pressure head needed to drive combustion air into the combustion region (46) of a heat gun (930) is imparted to the air by a compressor blades (36) driven by a turbine whose blades (32) are interposed in the fuel conduit that leads to the combustion region (46). The expansion of the gaseous fuel, which is obtained from a pressurized source, provides the power to impose the necessary pressure head. The turbine-compressor combination is efficient enough that it can extract from the fuel flow enough power to maintain the necessary pressure head not only on the combustion gas (A.sub.1), which flows through vents (44) in a manifold (43), but also on a larger volume of air (A.sub.2) delivered downstream of the combustion region (46) to dilute the combustion products and thereby cool them to the desired heat-gun output temperature.