Patent ID: 7086699

Claim:
A seat recliner assembly comprising: a fixed gear plate having a gear portion formed therein and disposed about a first slot having a first raised collar; a moveable plate having a gear portion formed therein and disposed about a second slot having a second raised collar, the gear portion of the moveable plate in operating engagement with the gear portion of the fixed plate thereby defining an annular race between an outer surface of the first raised collar and an inner surface of the second raised collar; a bearing member disposed concentric to the inner surface of the second raised collar; first and second wedge members disposed in the annular race and engaging the bearing member, each of the wedge members including first and second contact features; a spring member engaging each of the wedge members for biasing the wedge members apart; a hub member engaged with a drive shaft and projecting through the first slot; a drive plate juxtaposed in relation to the moveable plate and adapted to engage the hub member, the drive plate including first and second engagement features for engaging the first and second contact features of the first and second wedge members wherein rotary motion of the drive plate causes engagement of the first engagement feature with the first contact feature followed by engagement of the second engagement feature with the second contact feature for releasing and moving the moveable plate relative to the fixed plate.