pin which cooperates to provide a simple yet very reliable automated latching and unlatching mechanism for the tailgate of a rear loading refuse vehicle the mechanism is designed to be retrofitted or be interchangeable with a manual system in a manner which facilitates easy conversion from one to the other involving the changing of a minimum of parts application_number US 75531291 A description the detailed description depicts one or more specific forms of the present invention which are meant to be representative and by no means limiting or exhaustive as to the scope of the invention and it is contemplated that other forms or variations might occur to those skilled in the art it is contemplated that the invention is universally adaptable to be used for any latching tailgate or discharge gate of a class including rear discharge dump trucks and the like in which the tailgate needs to be unlatched for dumping o discharge and relatched for subsequent reloading it will also be appreciated that an important aspect of the automatic tailgate latching assembly of the present invention is directed to the ease of interchangeability or retrofit between the automatic and manual types of operation no structural parts need be changed.