A linear recliner is described for controllably adjusting the angular position of a seatback relative to a seat member in response to actuation by a seat occupant. The linear seat recliner includes a rod adapted to be operatively connected to one of the seatback and the seat member and a housing pivotably connected to the other of the seatback and the seat member. The housing is configured to receive a portion of the rod for linear movement relative thereto whereby linear movement of the recliner rod corresponds to angular movement of the seatback relative to the seat member. The linear seat recliner further includes a cam plate coupled for rotation with an actuator shaft and which is adapted to engage a toothed pawl so as to move the pawl to and from engagement with the toothed portion of the recliner rod, thereby establishing locked and released modes for the linear seat recliner. In one embodiment, substantially similar slave and master latch mechanisms are provided with the master latch mechanism connected to a release mechanism operable to shift both latch mechanisms from their latched conditions.

An apparatus for allowing pivotal movement of a top portion of a seat relative to a bottom portion, is provided. The apparatus includes a mounting bracket, a fixed portion, and a rack portion. The mounting bracket is mounted to the bottom portion of the seat. The fixed portion has a plurality of fixed portion teeth extending from the fixed portion base and is mounted to the mounting bracket. The rack portion has a plurality of base portion teeth extending from the base portion towards the fixed portion. The end portion of the rack portion is pivotally connected to the top portion. An engaging member is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket. The engaging member moves the rack portion in a direction generally toward the rack portion and to lock the rack portion and the fixed portion in an engaged relationship in response to movement of a handle in one direction. A disengaging member is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket. The disengaging member moves the rack portion in a direction generally away from the engaging member to unlock the apparatus.

A spring loaded latch mechanism for controlling tilting movement of a seat back relative to a seat frame to which it is pivoted, includes an elongated rod having one toothed face and only one end connected to the seat, a latch frame connected to the seat and supporting the other end of the rod for reciprocation therewithin, a pawl adapted to releasably engage the teeth, a manually-operated handle, and a cam interconnecting the handle and the pawl to drive the pawl into and from engagement. In one embodiment similar latch mechanisms are provided, one on each side of the seat with the mechanism opposite to the handle being a slave having a free-floating cam plate and a lever plate driven by the operator, actuation of the slave cam plate resulting from the lever plate being rotated thereagainst independently of the master latch mechanism on the handle side.

A linear recliner for a vehicle seat assembly providing selectively lockable pivotal adjustment of a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions. A housing is fixedly secured to the seat cushion. The housing includes a bore extending between front and rear ends of the housing. A chamber is formed within the housing adjacent and open to a portion of the bore. A rod extends between one end pivotally coupled to the seat back and an opposite end slidably carried within the bore of the housing for axial displacement of the rod within the bore during pivotal movement of the seat back. The rod includes a rack of teeth extending towards the chamber. A pawl lockably engagable with the rack of teeth in the rod for preventing axial displacement of the rod within the bore is pivotally coupled to the housing for movement in and out of the locking engagement with the rack of teeth in the rod. The pawl includes an opening extending between opposing and spaced apart upper and lower edges. A step portion and a relief portion define the lower edge. A cam having a primary lobe engagable with the step portion of the lower edge and a secondary lobe engagable with the upper edge is pivotally coupled to the housing for moving the primary and secondary lobes in and out of camming engagement with the step portion and upper edge, respectively. While engaged with the step portion, the primary lobe of the cam maintains the pawl lockably engaged with the rack of teeth in the rod. During manual rotation of the cam, the secondary lobe engages the upper edge to move the pawl out of locking engagement with the rack of teeth in the rod when the primary lobe disengages the step portion and extends towards the relief portion. An internal spring extends between one end fixedly secured to the pawl and an opposite end fixedly secured to the cam. The internal spring simultaneously and continuously biases the pawl towards locking engagement with the rack of teeth in the rod and the primary lobe of the cam towards camming engagement with the step portion.

A seat adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom supported by the vehicle and a seatback coupled to the seat bottom is provided. The seat adjustment mechanism includes a first kneel mechanism connected to the vehicle seat and a powered motor operably connected to the first kneel mechanism. The powered motor drives the first kneel mechanism to translate the seatback and seat bottom relative the vehicle to manipulate the seat assembly into a desired configuration.