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.