Patent ID: 8051967

Claim:
A step-by-step mechanism for a seat adjustment means in a motor vehicle, comprising a housing component, in which an outer ring which can be connected to a drive element or is configured in one piece with the latter and an inner ring which acts as driven element are arranged concentrically, clamping elements which interact with double clamping ramps on at least one of the rings being arranged in an annular space which is formed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and having two spring carriers which are arranged concentrically with respect to the rings, can be pivoted with respect to one another, interact with a stop on the housing component and engage in each case both into the annular space and into an inner space which is arranged radially within the inner ring, the spring carriers being clamped against one another by means of at least one spring which is arranged in the inner space, in such a way that, in order to secure the clamping elements in the center of the double clamping ramps, suitable stop faces of the spring carriers are loaded with a force in the direction of their minimum spacing.