Low-chuck inertial latching mechanism for seat assemblies

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An inertial backrest latching mechanism for use in a vehicle seat assembly having a backrest member pivotally tiltable over a seat member. The mechanism has a first latch means fixed relative to the seat member and a second latch means pivotally mounted on the backrest member for pivotal movement about an exceptionally low pivot pin between an unlatched and a latched configuration, in which latched configuration tilting movement of the backrest member over the seat member is restrained. A terminal ramped camming portion of the first latch means is steeply profiled to tilt the second latch means into a latchable configuration when the backrest member is in the normal upright position.