Patent ID: 6402250
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
Apparatus for locking a backrest which is moveable between a folded and an upright position relative to a seat portion, the apparatus comprising:a first flanged area attached to the seat portion; a second flanged area attached to the backrest and seated on the first flanged area such that the second flanged area is pivotable about a folding axis; a locking latch articulated on the second flanged area and moveable between a locked and an unlocked position, in the locked position a locking surface of the locking latch communicates with an opposing surface on the first flanged area to hold the backrest in place and in the unlocked position the locking surface is disengaged from the opposing surface such that the second flanged area may be pivoted about the folding axis, the pivoting of the second flanged area being limited by a contact surface attached to the second flange area and a second opposing contact surface on the locking latch; a handle is provided to move the locking latch between its locked and unlocked positions about a pivot axis which is parallel to the folding axis; a spring element arranged to move the locking latch about the folding axis when the locking latch is moved into the unlocked position; and a re-adjusting spring biasing the locking latch into its locked position.