Abstract: A vehicle seat latch (24) includes a latch member (40) and a blocking member (70) that each have associated first and second blocking surfaces (80, 82 and 88, 90) for holding the latch member in a latched position with the blocking member in a blocking position. The first blocking surfaces (80 and 88) of the latch member and blocking member have a pressure angle between 4.6 and 6.6 degrees while the second blocking surfaces (82 and 90) have a zero degree pressure angle and are slightly spaced from each other. A deformable blocking portion (84) of the blocking member (70) defines its first blocking surface (88) and is deformed by excessive loading so that the zero degree pressure angle second blocking surfaces (82 and 90) then contact each other to hold the latch member in its latched position.

Abstract: A vehicle foldable seat back recliner (20) is operable to permit movement of a foldable vehicle seat (14) so that its seat bottom (16) and seat back (18) store in either a folded vertical position or a folded horizontal position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat support frame assembly (14) has a seat cushion base member (16) with opposite ends (20) and (22) pivotally connected to first and second legs (28, 40). The first legs (28) are also pivotally connected to the associated vehicle and the second legs (40) have first and second latches (50) and (52). Each first latch (50) provides securement of the associated second leg to the associated vehicle in the seating position, and each second latch (52) prevents pivoting between the second leg and the seat cushion base member end (22) to provide rigidity in the seating position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat attachment latch assembly (24) includes a latch (40) mounted for movement between latched and unlatched positions with respect to a striker (29) to secure and selectively release a vehicle seat with respect to a vehicle body. A latching wedge (48) is mounted on the latch (40) for movement therewith and for movement with respect thereto in cooperation with a bias (54) provided by a first spring (58) that moves a wedging surface 52 of the latching wedge (48) into wedging contact with the striker (29) with the latch (40) in its latched position in order to provide a rattle free attachment. A locking pawl (70) and a spring (78) cooperate to hold the latch (40) in its latched position or permit release thereof for movement to the unlatched position where the striker (29) is released.

Abstract: A vehicle seat attachment latch assembly (24) includes a latch (40) mounted for movement between latched and unlatched positions with respect to a striker (29) to secure and selectively release a vehicle seat with respect to a vehicle body. A latching wedge (48) is mounted on the latch (40) for movement therewith and for movement with respect thereto in cooperation with a bias (54) provided by a first spring (58) that moves a wedging surface 52 of the latching wedge (48) into wedging contact with the striker (29) with the latch (40) in its latched position in order to provide a rattle free attachment. A locking pawl (70) and a spring (78) cooperate to hold the latch (40) in its latched position or permit release thereof for movement to the unlatched position where the striker (29) is released.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back recliner assembly (20) includes a pair of recliners (22) each of which has a locking mechanism (32) including an operator (74) having a control lever (76) that pivots in opposite directions to provide recliner locking and unlocking. The control lever is pivoted in one direction to move a pair of toothed pawls (68) through a pair of cams (72) to provide locking, and the control lever is pivoted in the other direction to move the cams so as to permit movement of the pawls for the unlocking and to also move the pawls from the locking positions to the unlocked positions to permit recliner adjustment. A release mechanism (32) of the recliner assembly includes a release actuator (82) and a cable assembly (84) that insure unlocking of both recliners (22) upon an unlocking actuation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back recliner (18) includes a locking mechanism (28) having a pair of toothed pawls (34) and a pair of cams (38) operated by a control (40) to provide locking and release between a stationary seat cushion mounted member (20) and a pivotal seat back member (24). A spring (68) of the control (40) biases the locking mechanism to a locked condition and upon release springs (50) move the toothed pawls (34) out of engagement with the toothed locking ring (32) to permit pivotal adjustment of the seat back member (24). In one embodiment, the cams (38) move in rectilinear directions and have flat actuating surfaces engaged with flat actuating surfaces of the pawls, while another embodiment has the cams (38?) moved in curved paths and having curved actuating surfaces slidably engaged with curved actuating surfaces of the pawls.

Abstract: A vehicle seat support frame assembly (14) has a seat cushion base member (16) with opposite ends (20) and (22) pivotally connected to first and second legs (28, 40). The first legs (28) are also pivotally connected to the associated vehicle and the second legs (40) have first and second latches (50) and (52). Each first latch (50) provides securement of the associated second leg to the associated vehicle in the seating position, and each second latch (52) prevents pivoting between the second leg and the seat cushion base member end (22) to provide rigidity in the seating position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back recliner (24) includes a lock mechanism (50) having a locking pawl (52) for locking a seat back pivotal bracket (44) against pivoting with respect to a seat cushion stationary bracket (34) under the operation of an associated control cam (54) and a locking pawl catch (56). The catch (56) holds the locking pawl (52) in an unlocked position until the seat back is pivoted upwardly from a horizontal cargo position to an upright use position whereupon the catch releases the locking pawl and the control cam (54) maintains the locking pawl in its locked position. Pivoting of the control cam (54) against a spring bias provides release of the locking pawl (52) to permit seat back pivoting from a upright use position to the horizontal cargo position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back recliner (18) includes a locking mechanism (28) having a pair of toothed pawls (34) and a pair of cams (38) operated by a control (40) to provide locking and release between a stationary seat cushion mounted member (20) and a pivotal seat back member (24). A spring (68) of the control (40) biases the locking mechanism to a locked condition and upon release springs (50) move the toothed pawls (34) out of engagement with the toothed locking ring (32) to permit pivotal adjustment of the seat back member (24). In one embodiment, the cams (38) move in rectilinear directions and have flat actuating surfaces engaged with flat actuating surfaces of the pawls, while another embodiment has the cams (38′) moved in curved paths and having curved actuating surfaces slidably engaged with curved actuating surfaces of the pawls.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back recliner (24) includes a lock mechanism (50) having a locking pawl (52) for locking a seat back pivotal bracket (44) against pivoting with respect to a seat cushion stationary bracket (34) under the operation of an associated control cam (54) and a locking pawl catch (56). The catch (56) holds the locking pawl (52) in an unlocked position until the seat back is pivoted upwardly from a horizontal cargo position to an upright use position whereupon the catch releases the locking pawl and the control cam (54) maintains the locking pawl in its locked position. Pivoting of the control cam (54) against a spring bias provides release of the locking pawl (52) to permit seat back pivoting from a upright use position to the horizontal cargo position.