Adjustable hinge mount for reclinable seat

A seat recliner comprising:

• a first hinge member adapted to be fixed to a seat proper and formed with a window;
• a second hinge member adapted to be fixed to a seat back;
• an axle interconnecting said first and second hinge members;
• a spring coupled between said first and second hinge members for pivotally biasing said second hinge member in one direction about said axle relative to said first hinge member;
• internal teeth formed in said second hinge member along an arcuate surface thereof, centered on said axle;
• a bearing plate having upper teeth, which lockingly cooperate with said internal teeth, said bearing plate having first and second lower surface parts and front and rear faces,
• wherein said first hinge member has spaced guide walls for guiding said bearing plate in reciprocal directions relative to said guide walls, said guide walls slidably cooperating with said front and rear faces of said bearing plate;
• control members for controlling the motion of said bearing plate into and out of engagement with said internal teeth, said control members including a lever pivotally connected to said first hinge member and a cam in unitary motion with said lever for camming said upper teeth of said bearing plate into engagement with said internal teeth of said second hinge member;
• a motion transmitting pipe rotatably mounted to said first hinge member, said motion transmitting pipe having a lug projecting therefrom in a radial direction;
• and
• a motion transmitting pin disposed in said window, said motion transmitting pin being fixed at one end thereof to said cam and having an opposite end drivingly engaging said lug,
• wherein said cam has a first elevated portion cooperating with said first lower surface part for pushing said bearing plate into locking engagement with said internal teeth, and a second elevated portion cooperating with said second lower surface part for engaging said second lower surface part to prevent said bearing plate from moving out of locking engagement with said internal teeth when, with said bearing plate in locking engagement with said internal teeth, said second hinge member is pivotally biased.

A seat recliner, comprising:

• a first hinge member adapted to be fixed to a seat proper and formed with a window;
• a second hinge member adapted to be fixed to a seat back;
• an axle interconnecting said first and second hinge members;
• a spring coupled between said first and second hinge members for pivotally biasing said second hinge member in one direction about said axle relative to said first hinge member;
• internal teeth formed in said second hinge member along an arcuate surface thereof, centered on said axle;
• a bearing plate having upper teeth, which lockingly cooperate with said internal teeth, said bearing plate having first and second lower surface parts and front and rear faces,
• wherein said first hinge member has spaced guide walls for guiding said bearing plate in reciprocal directions relative to said guide walls, said guide walls slidably cooperating with said front and rear faces of said bearing plate;
• control members for controlling the motion of said bearing plate into and out of engagement with said internal teeth, said control members including a lever pivotally connected to said first hinge member and a cam in unitary motion with said lever for camming said upper teeth of said bearing plate into engagement with said internal teeth of said second hinge member;
• a motion transmitting pipe fitted at one end thereof about said axle for rotation therewith, wherein said axle is rotatably supported by said first hinge member, said cam is supported on said axle for rotation therewith, and said lever is supported on said axle for rotation therewith,
• wherein said cam has a first elevated portion cooperating with said first lower surface part for pushing said bearing plate into locking engagement with said internal teeth, and a second elevated portion cooperating with said second lower surface part for engaging said second lower surface part to prevent said bearing plate from moving out of locking engagement with said internal teeth when, with said bearing plate in locking engagement with said internal teeth, said second hinge member is pivotally biased.

A seat recliner, comprising:

• a first hinge member adapted to be fixed to a seat proper, said first hinge member being formed with a slot;
• a second hinge member adapted to be fixed to a seat back;
• a first axle interconnecting said first and second hinge members;
• a spring coupled between said first and second hinge members for pivotally biasing said second hinge member in one direction about said axle relative to said first hinge member;
• internal teeth formed in said second hinge member along an arcuate surface thereof, centered on said axle;
• a bearing plate having upper teeth, which lockingly cooperate with said internal teeth, said bearing plate having first and second lower surface parts and front and rear faces,
• wherein said first hinge member has spaced guide walls for guiding said bearing plate in reciprocal directions relative to said guide walls, said guide walls slidably cooperating with said front and rear faces of said bearing plate;
• control members for controlling the motion of said bearing plate into and out of engagement with said internal teeth, said control members including a lever pivotally connected to said first hinge member and a cam in unitary motion with said lever for camming said upper teeth of said bearing plate into engagement with said internal teeth of said second hinge member;
• a motion transmitting pipe having a lug projecting therefrom in a radial direction;
• a second axle projecting from said first hinge member at a location distant from said first axle, said motion transmitting pipe being rotatably fitted about said second axle;
• and
• a motion transmitting pin disposed in said slot, said motion transmitting pin being fixed to said lever and having an opposite end drivingly engaging said lug,
• wherein said cam has a first elevated portion cooperating with said first lower surface part for pushing said bearing plate into locking engagement with said internal teeth, and a second elevated portion cooperating with said second lower surface part for engaging said second lower surface part to prevent said bearing plate from moving out of locking engagement with said internal teeth when, with said bearing plate in locking engagement with said internal teeth, said second hinge member is pivotally biased.