Abstract: A latching device for a backrest of a vehicle seat is provided, including a mounting bracket having an arcuate slot extending therethrough and configured to be mounted to a support member on the vehicle, and a backrest mounting arm pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket by a first pivot. The backrest mounting arm also includes a pair of spaced detent notches to retain the backrest mounting arm in first and second positions. A release lever is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket by a second pivot spaced from the first pivot, and includes a latch pin. The latch pin extends through the arcuate slot and is engagable with a detent notch to retain the backrest mounting arm in a position.