Patent attributes
An anti back drive device for releasably securing a seat back with respect to a seat cushion. This device includes an upper gear plate affixed to the seat back and defines gear teeth. A lower gear plate is secured to a seat bottom and defines gear teeth that cooperate with the upper plate gear teeth. The upper gear plate is able to rotate about an axis of rotation that is displaced from an axis associated with the lower gear plate. Wedges are mounted in relation to the upper gear plate. A clutch spring is located within the lower gear plate so that an outside surface of the clutch spring may engage the lower gear plate. A wedge spring engages the wedges that biases them to engage the clutch spring. A driver extends between the lower gear plate, the clutch spring, the wedge spring, and the upper gear plate. Upon rotation of the driver, the clutch spring and the one or more wedges are arcuately displaced and lock the seat back in position.
