Locking mechanism for vehicle seats

Claim 1

A locking mechanism for a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a backrest, comprising: a bracket fixed to a vehicle floor and provided with an elongated groove; a locking pin fixed to said seat cushion and guided in said elongated groove of said bracket; first latch means pivotably mounted on said bracket and provided with an engaging groove engageable with said locking pin for retaining said seat cushion in a first position, said first latch means further provided with a projecting portion and a sliding face; second latch means for retaining said seat cushion in a second position vertically displaced from said first position, said second latch means pivotably mounted on said bracket and provided with a recessed portion engageable with said locking pin and a cam surface engageable with said projecting portion of said first latch means; first spring means for urging said engaging groove of said first latch means into engagement with said locking pin; second spring means for urging said recessed portion of said second latch means into engagement with said locking pin; and wire means for effecting disengagement of said first and second latch means, said wire means having one end engaged with said backrest and other end engaged with said first latch means, whereby pivotal movement of said backrest in one direction effects disengagement of said first latch means and pivotal movement of said backrest in the opposite direction effects disengagement of said second latch means by engagement of said projecting portion of said first latch means with said cam surface of said second latch means.