AUTOMATIC LOCKING DEVICE FOR AN AUXILIARY SEAT

摘要

An automatic locking device is disclosed which may be used to secure a rear-facing auxiliary seat in a raised position in a station wagon. The locking device includes an elongate engagement member which is arranged to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis between a normal position and a release position. The engagement member is provided with notches which are adapted to cooperate with teeth on a pair of jaws in a receiving arrangement. The notches and the teeth are so shaped that when the engagement member is in its normal position, the engagement member can be inserted into the receiving element and withdrawal is prevented by interaction between the notches and the teeth. When it is desired to remove the engagement member from the receiving arrangement, the engagement member is rotated to its release position in which smooth surfaces on the engagement member displace the jaws of the receiving element apart so as to disengage the teeth from the notches, thereby allowing the engagement member to be withdrawn.