US Patent 7243974 Locking devices for vehicle seats

A locking devices may include a striker and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include a base plate having a slot that can receive the striker, a latch rotatably attached to the base plate, a pawl rotatably attached to the base plate, and a cam member rotatably attached to the base plate. The locking mechanism includes a force transmitting path for transmitting a force that urges the locking mechanism in a locking condition to be disengaged from the striker. The force transmitting path passes through the cam member and includes a force interrupting portion positioned therein. The force interrupting portion is arranged and constructed to interrupt the force transmitting path when the force exceeds a predetermined value.