Hinge-like device for controlling the inclination of motor vehicle seat backs

Claim 1

A hinge-like device for adjusting the inclination of the back of a seat with respect to the seat, comprising: a. a body fixed to the seat, a body fixed to the seat back, and a pivot connection between said two bodies, b. a toothed wheel fixed to a first one of said bodies coaxial with the axis of said pivot connection, c. a slide slidably mounted on a second one of said bodies, said slide having a toothed sector adapted to mesh with said toothed wheel to prevent relative movement between said two bodies, and said slide having a tooth and an appendage, d. resilient means constantly urging said slide in a direction to maintain engagement between said toothed wheel and said slide toothed sector, e. a lever pivotally mounted on said second body, said slide tooth being in the path of pivotal movement of said lever, and f. a handle pivotally mounted on said second body and movable between a normal position, in which relative movement between said two bodies is prevented, and an actuated position, in which relative movement between said two bodies is permitted, said handle having means engaging said lever to pivot the latter against said slide tooth and move said slide away from said toothed wheel when said handle is moved from its normal to its actuated position, and said handle having an abutment arranged in the path of movement of said slide appendage when said handle is in its normal position to prevent movement of said slide in a direction away from said toothed wheel, said abutment moving out of the path of said slide appendage when said handle is moved to its actuated position.