Hinge joint with bearings for the eccentric for use in seats of motor vehicles and the like

A hinge joint for use in the seats of vehicles, comprising a first component;

• a second component;
• a pintle having an axis and pivotally connecting said second component to said first component;
• and means for pivoting said second component about said axis between a plurality of different positions, including a motion transmitting member, first and second substantially wedge-like sections extending circumferentially of said pintle within one of said first and second components and flanking said motion transmitting member, said wedge-like sections and said member together forming an eccentric section, energy storing means reacting against one of said wedge-like sections and bearing against the other of said wedge-like sections to urge said sections away from each other and toward said member, and means for establishing substantially only rolling friction between said wedge-like sections and said one component further comprising a centering element axially adjacent said wedge-like sections and radially disposed between the other of said components and said means for establishing substantially only rolling friction including at least one needle bearing between said sections and said one component and at least one ball bearing between said one component and said centering element.