Abstract: A vehicle seat, especially a motor vehicle seat, with a backrest that can be swung freely and with an interlock device by means of which a flipping motion of the backrest can be prevented in positive locking fashion. The interlock device has a catch lever whose hinge point lies between its first end section, which interacts with a stop and its second end section. The latter is pivotably connected to a second lever by means of a pivot pin whose longitudinal axis lies parallel to the flipping axle of the backrest. The second lever is connected, in the area of the stop to the part of the seat, said part supporting the stop. It is connected so that it can pivot about an axis that is parallel to the pivoting axis of the catch lever.