Recliner handle with overload protection device

An overload protection device for a reclining vehicle seat, the overload protection device comprising:

• an overload stop fixedly coupled to the vehicle seat;
• a recliner having a disc shaft, wherein the disc shaft is rotatable to actuate the recliner between a locked condition and an unlocked condition for providing reclining adjustment of the vehicle seat;
• a handle spline rotatable in a first rotational direction from a first position associated with the locked condition to a second position associated with the unlocked condition, wherein the handle spline defines a disc shaft aperture with the disc shaft received in the disc shaft aperture, wherein the disc shaft and the disc shaft aperture are rotationally decoupled when the handle spline is in the first position and rotationally coupled when the handle spline is in the second position;
• and
• a stop flange rotationally coupled to the handle spline and arranged to abut the overload stop when the handle spline is in the first position;
• wherein engagement between the stop flange and the overload stop prevents rotation of the handle spline in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction and away from the second position when the handle spline is in the first position to prevent an overload force being transferred to the recliner.