Safety lock-out mechanism for use in a sliding vehicle seat

Abstract

A safety lock-out mechanism for use in a vehicle seat comprises a drive pin mounted on the seatback for movement between a initial free position and a retained position. A latch pawl is pivotally mounted on the baseplate for pivotal movement from a first position whereat the latch pawl is permitted to move from its latching position to its unlatching position under the urging by the drive pin, upon coincident respective movement of the drive pin from its initial free position to its retained position, at which retained position the drive pin is releasably latched. A blocking cam is pivotally mounted on the baseplate in progressive frictional contact with the latch pawl, for movement from a first position whereat the latch pawl is permitted to move from its latching position to its unlatching position under urging by the drive pin, to a blocking position whereat the latch pawl is retained in its latching position. A spring biases the blocking cam to its blocking position. A first cable member is interconnected between the blocking cam and a stationary portion of the vehicle seat track. Rearward sliding movement of the vehicle seat from its entry position to its design position causes the blocking cam to move to its first position under the urging of the first cable, thereby permitting the latch pawl to move from its latching position to its unlatching position, upon return movement of the drive pin from its retained position to its initial free position.