A seat back structure includes, a seat back frame which includes a panel material and a frame material joined with the panel material; a side frame which is included in the frame material and which is positioned in at least one edge side in a width direction of the panel material; and a first vulnerable portion which is formed in the side frame and which deforms when a load from an impact is applied. The first vulnerable portion is a slit formed by cutting out the side frame in a horizontal direction.

A seat back structure includes, a seat back frame which includes a panel material and a frame material joined with the panel material; a side frame which is included in the frame material and which is positioned in at least one edge side in a width direction of the panel material; and a first vulnerable portion which is formed in the side frame and which deforms when a load from an impact is applied. The first vulnerable portion is a slit formed by cutting out the side frame in a horizontal direction.

A device to support the back and/or head of a wheelchair user in a vehicle, the device comprising the steps of: a support arrangement; and a back/headrest which presents a substantially planar support surface, the back/headrest being moveable with respect to the support arrangement between a stowed position, in which the back/headrest is relatively close to the support arrangement, and a deployed position, in which the back/headrest is supported at a second, greater distance from the support arrangement, wherein when the back/headrest is in the stowed position the support surface lies in a first plane, and when the back/headrest moves to the deployed position, the support surface thereof is in the first plane, or in a further plane which is substantially parallel with the first plane.

A device to support the back and/or head of a wheelchair user in a vehicle, the device comprising the steps of: a support arrangement; and a back/headrest which presents a substantially planar support surface, the back/headrest being moveable with respect to the support arrangement between a stowed position, in which the back/headrest is relatively close to the support arrangement, and a deployed position, in which the back/headrest is supported at a second, greater distance from the support arrangement, wherein when the back/headrest is in the stowed position the support surface lies in a first plane, and when the back/headrest moves to the deployed position, the support surface thereof is in the first plane, or in a further plane which is substantially parallel with the first plane.

A seatback recliner system for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom and a seatback is provided. The system includes a latch mechanism movable between a latched state where the latch mechanism holds the seatback in a fixed angular position relative to the seat bottom and an unlatched state where the seatback is angularly movable relative to the seat bottom. A handle is movable between a rest position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the latched state and an actuated position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the unlatched state, in response to the handle receiving an actuation load from a user. A handle extension member is releasably mounted to the handle by a coupler that disengages the handle extension member from the handle such that the handle remains disposed in the rest position relative to the latch mechanism.

A seatback recliner system for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom and a seatback is provided. The system includes a latch mechanism movable between a latched state where the latch mechanism holds the seatback in a fixed angular position relative to the seat bottom and an unlatched state where the seatback is angularly movable relative to the seat bottom. A handle is movable between a rest position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the latched state and an actuated position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the unlatched state, in response to the handle receiving an actuation load from a user. A handle extension member is releasably mounted to the handle by a coupler that disengages the handle extension member from the handle such that the handle remains disposed in the rest position relative to the latch mechanism.

A recliner heart includes a housing member, a locking plate and a pawl. The housing member includes a plate surface having a first recess and a second recess. The locking plate includes a surface having teeth formed thereon. The pawl is movable in the first recess between a secure position in which the pawl is engaged with the teeth of the locking plate and a release position in which the pawl is disengaged from the teeth of the locking plate. The pawl includes a boss slidably received in the second recess. A first lateral side of the boss abuts against a sidewall of the second recess upon an impact event.

A recliner heart includes a housing member, a locking plate and a pawl. The housing member includes a plate surface having a first recess and a second recess. The locking plate includes a surface having teeth formed thereon. The pawl is movable in the first recess between a secure position in which the pawl is engaged with the teeth of the locking plate and a release position in which the pawl is disengaged from the teeth of the locking plate. The pawl includes a boss slidably received in the second recess. A first lateral side of the boss abuts against a sidewall of the second recess upon an impact event.

A seatback recliner system for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom and a seatback is provided. The system includes a latch mechanism movable between a latched state where the latch mechanism holds the seatback in a fixed angular position relative to the seat bottom and an unlatched state where the seatback is angularly movable relative to the seat bottom. A handle is movable between a rest position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the latched state and an actuated position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the unlatched state, in response to the handle receiving an actuation load from a user. A handle extension member is releasably mounted to the handle by a coupler that disengages the handle extension member from the handle such that the handle remains disposed in the rest position relative to the latch mechanism.

A seatback recliner system for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom and a seatback is provided. The system includes a latch mechanism movable between a latched state where the latch mechanism holds the seatback in a fixed angular position relative to the seat bottom and an unlatched state where the seatback is angularly movable relative to the seat bottom. A handle is movable between a rest position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the latched state and an actuated position where the latch mechanism is disposed in the unlatched state, in response to the handle receiving an actuation load from a user. A handle extension member is releasably mounted to the handle by a coupler that disengages the handle extension member from the handle such that the handle remains disposed in the rest position relative to the latch mechanism.