Abstract: Passenger car individual front passenger seat back actuated seat latch release means comprising pivotally connected seat and seat back bracket means, longitudinal track seat adjustment means including manual latch release means, pivoted lever means on the seat bracket means, striker means fixed on the seat back bracket means responsive to forward tilting for actuating the lever means, linkage means from the lever means for actuating said manual latch release means, the striker means including a surface for retaining the lever means in latch release mode during manual return of the seat to rearward position and seat back to upright position.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuating linkage assembly tolerance compensating system comprising means for establishing a final linkage pivot location at the end of assembly operations. The incomplete assembly is located with one end of a link in a piercing die press fixture oriented relative to connecting linkage to provide required final operating handle position.

Abstract: A passenger car seat back inertia latch providing gravity actuated latch release and deceleration responsive inertia latch retention characterized by a compound resolution of predominant opposing gravity and deceleration forces to provide more sensitive and dependable latch retention at a predetermined minimum emergency vehicle deceleration as well as minimum weight to unlock the latch when the vehicle is stationary over a wider range of seat back adjustment and vehicle inclination than is possible with the conventional simple one-piece inertia latch wherein horizontal and vertical coordinates of the center of gravity relative to a latch pivot are solely depended upon to produce respective opposite gravity actuated release and inertia actuated locking moments on the latch element.

Abstract: An inertia latch return linkage for a seat back inertia latch system normally biasing the inertia latch to an engagement oriented position maintained by inertia effect upon sudden vehicle deceleration, such linkage being rendered inoperative to permit gravity disengagement of the inertia latch upon initial seat back tilting in a forward direction when the vehicle is stationary.

Abstract: A gravity and inertia responsive latch mechanism for accommodating pivotal forward tilting of a vehicle seat back to permit ingress and egress of back seat passengers when the vehicle is stationary without requiring manual release and for automatically preventing forward tilting of the seat back under sudden deceleration such as incident to a front end collision. A spring detent cooperates to resist initial forward tilting of the seat back rendering the inertia latch more dependable under marginal and unusual conditions of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back adjuster for achieving fine increments of adjustsment in the order of 1.degree., without resort to translation overdrive, through employment of reaction backup for teeth in the order of 1.degree. pitch in an adjustment quadrant minimizing yield of components which could permit fine tooth disengagement. .Iadd.An inertia latch per se serves as stop element for seating back rest position as well as arresting element preventing forward tilting under high vehicle deceleration for all positions of adjustment. .Iaddend.