Abstract: A seat-positioning mechanism is disclosed and is of the type which includes an elongated housing having a rod slidably received therein for movement in either direction with respect to the housing. The housing contains friction lock elements which have a locked position canted about a fulcrum to be in frictional engagement with the rod. This engagement frictionally restrains the rod against the movement in at least one direction with respect to the housing. The friction lock elements have an unlocked position wherein the friction lock elements are disposed substantially perpendicular to said rod and out of frictional engagement therewith to permit free movement of the rod with respect to said housing to any selected position. The housing also includes a spring operatively connected to the friction lock element to urge the friction lock element towards the locked position. A cam, which is capable of tilting the friction lock element into the unlocked position is also included within the housing.

Abstract: A seat recliner mechanism comprises a first plate for attachment to one side of the back of a seat and a second plate is pivotally connected to the first plate. The first plate is provided with a series of teeth formed in an arc whose radius is coincident with the pivot of the first and second plates. The second plate is attached to one side of the cushion of the seat and pivotally carries a locking pawl having a pin attached thereto whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis through the pivot point. The locking pawl is provided with a series of teeth complementary to the teeth provided on the first plate for selective intermeshing therewith. First spring means pivotally bias the first plate toward the second plate. A release handle is pivotally connected at the pivot point to the first and second plates having a camming slot therein for receiving and camming the pin.