Seatback recliner mechanism

Claim 1

A hinge fitting for a reclining vehicle seat structure, comprising: a fixed support assembly comprising a pair of sandwich bracket plates; a seatback support assembly pivotally connected to said fixed support assembly by a first pivot assembly, said seatback support assembly being movable from an upright position, rearwardly through a range of rearwardly inclined positions; a rotatable locking member positioned at least partially between said bracket plates, pivotally connected to said fixed support assembly by a second pivot assembly, said second pivot assembly fixing said seatback support assembly in adjusted positions throughout the range of rearwardly inclined positions, said locking member defining a first face and first engagement surface, said first face and said first engagement surface being generally perpendicular to one another and intersecting along a first edge, said first face of said locking member defining a first alignment marking extending substantially to said first edge; a lock actuator assembly, said lock actuator assembly including a rotatable cam pivotally connected to said fixed support assembly by a third pivot assembly, said cam defining a second face and a second engagement surface, said second face and said second engagement surface being generally perpendicular to each another and intersecting along a second edge, said second face of said cam defining a second alignment marking extending substantially to said second edge, said second engagement surface engageable with said locking member to cam said locking member into said locking position and engaging said locking member at an engagement point when said locking member is in said locking position; wherein said locking member and said cam are sized and shaped such that when said first alignment marking is positioned to a predetermined side of said second alignment marking said engagement point is located such that a force acting perpendicularly at said engagement point urges said cam into engagement with said locking member, thereby preventing movement of said locking member out of said locking position in response to forces applied to said seatback support member.