Reclining seat latch

Claim 1

A latch mechanism for controlling rotation of a vehicle seat back to a reclining position relative to a vehicle seat, said mechanism comprising a pivot pin joining said seat and seat back for relative rotation, a quadrant secured to said pivot pin for rotation relative to both said seat and seat back, stop means on said quadrant for defining the position of said seat back relative to said quadrant, an arm extending between said seat and said quadrant for controlling the position of said quadrant, said arm being pivotally connected to said quadrant at a point radially spaced from said pivot pin and having spaced teeth on opposite sides thereof, a manual operator pivoted on a first pin on said seat and having a slot therein spaced from the first pin for the control of a second pin, a pair of spaced pawls on said first and second pins having teeth complementary to the teeth on said arm, said pawls being movable relative to said arm to effect engagement and release thereof, whereby said arm is latchable against movement when said pawls are engaged therewith and movable when released to position said quadrant and seat back at a desired rotational position relative to said seat, a first pawl control plate mounted on said first pin for rotation and reciprocation relative thereto, and a second pawl control plate having a plurality of fingers engaged with said arm in slidable relationship for controlling the position of said arm, movement of said second pin effecting movement of said second pawl control plate and said arm away from said first pin.