Mechanically locked recliners

Problems resulting from weld failures in the assembly of vehicle seats are reduced by providing a mechanical lock between a seat frame component and a recliner component. Because impact or impulse forced movement of the components is limited by the mechanical lock, reliance on welding alone is eliminated and the amount of welding done during assembly is reduced. The combined seat and recliner components can accordingly be assembled at reduced cost, and increased torsion moment in the side member resulting from the mechanical lock can further result in the mass (weight) of the system being reduced.