Patent ID: 6540232
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
An articulated fitting which is mounted on a vehicle seat that includes a backrest the articulated fitting comprising:an upper fitting part mounted to the backrest and pivotally mounted to a lower fitting part so that the backrest can rotate with the upper fitting part relative to the lower fitting part between at least one upright seat position and at least one other backrest position, with the backrest being at least generally upright in the upright seat position and the other backrest position being a table position, in which the backrest extends substantially horizontally, or a reclining position, in which the backrest is reclined, wherein one of the upper and lower fitting parts is a first fitting part and the other of the upper and lower fitting parts is a second fitting part; a control cam provided on the first fitting part for interacting with a control element provided on the second fitting part so as to releasably secure the articulated fitting in the other backrest position; and a detent pawl pivotably mounted to the second fitting part for moving into a locking position in which the detent pawl releasably engages the first fitting part to releasably lock the articulated fitting in the upright seat position, wherein the control cam includes a first section that defines a void into which the control element extends during a range of scat positions that includes the upright seat position, the combination of the control cam and the control element does not substantially restrict movement of the backrest within said range of scat positions, and the combination of the control cam and the control element does restrict movement of the backrest from inside to outside of said range of seat positions.