Patent ID: 6722738
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A reclining device, comprising:a plurality of pawls, each having outer teeth formed in a first end portion on one side, first and second leg portions formed in a second end portion on another side opposite to the first end portion where the outer teeth are formed and a middle bearing portion formed between the first and second leg portions; an annular ratchet having, on a side of an inner periphery thereof, inner teeth meshing with the outer teeth; a rotating cam body which comes into abutment on the middle bearing portion of each of the pawls, the rotating cam body having first and second bearing portions to receive the first and second leg portions respectively, and the rotating cam body pressing the pawl toward the ratchet so that the pawl is brought into mesh with the ratchet and locked with respect thereto and, the rotating cam body stops pressing the pawl so that the pawl is unlocked from the ratchet; and a holder which holds each of the pawls such that the pawls can move toward and away from the inner teeth of the ratchet, wherein: when the pawls are locked with respect to the ratchet, the first leg portion located on the side of a direction in which the cam body rotates during the unlocking of the pawls and the first bearing portion of the rotating cam body corresponding to the first leg portion are spaced from each other by a greater distance than the second leg portion, and the second bearing portion of the rotating cam body corresponding to the second leg portion, and at least four pawls are provided, a length of the first leg portion is longer than the second leg portion, and each of the pawls is provided such that the first leg portion of one of the pawls is adjacent to the second leg portion of another one of the pawls.