Single-piece spring-steel seat adjuster latch

Abstract

A seat track assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first or lower track assembly comprising a lower track, a second or upper track assembly operably connected to the lower track assembly and comprising an upper track movable relative to the first track, and a latch selectively movable from a latching position wherein the upper track is secured with respect to the lower track and an unlatching position wherein the upper track is movable with respect to the lower track. The upper track has a generally vertical side wall and the latch extends laterally adjacent the side wall. The latch includes an attachment portion secured to the upper track, a latch portion adapted to cooperate with the lower track to form an interlock therebetween and substantially prevent movement of the upper track relative to the lower track, and an intermediate portion connecting the attachment portion and the latch portion. The latch is preferably a unitary member formed of spring steel. The attachment portion preferably forms a snap-fit connection with the upper track. The intermediate portion preferably includes a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel and vertically spaced apart legs which form a double leaf spring to bias the latch portion toward the latching position. The latch portion preferably has a plurality of windows which cooperate with locking teeth of the lower track to form the interlock or a plurality of locking teeth which cooperate with the windows of the lower track to form the interlock.