CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a U.S. National Phase application of International Application PCT/EP2009/000161 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2008 008 935.4 filed Feb. 8, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, comprising an adjustment fitting for the inclination adjustment of a backrest of the vehicle seat relative to a seat part of the vehicle seat. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A fitting of this type for a two-door motor vehicle is known from DE 102 06 303 A1, which is used to permit access to the rear by means of the backrest freely pivoting in the forward direction, and to provide different inclination adjustments of the backrest for use by a passenger. In order to prevent undesired pivoting-back of the backrest, for example when the cushioning in the transition region between the backrest and the seat part is too great, a securing of the backrest is provided in the freely-pivoted position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The object of the invention is to improve a fitting of the aforementioned type. 
         [0005]    The securing latch is preferably able to be opened automatically by means of the longitudinal adjuster of the vehicle seat, in particular when the longitudinal adjuster moves the vehicle seat into the previously set longitudinal seat position, which is recognized by a memory device. Moreover, the securing latch may be opened manually by means of the freely-pivoting operating element, in particular in specific situations when, for example, the previously set longitudinal seat position is no longer reached. The securing latch thus has two alternative possibilities for opening. A freely-pivoted position, independent of the set inclination of the backrest, results when the fitting upper part is secured to the fitting lower part. 
         [0006]    The adjustment fitting preferably has two fitting parts which are connected to one another in transmission, for example by means of a self-locking eccentric epicyclic gear, and which are rotatable relative to one another. For limiting the inclination adjustment, preferably a stop is provided on the fitting lower part and a detent element cooperating with the stop is provided on the adjustment fitting. The stop is preferably fixedly connected to the fitting lower part (and thus to the fitting part of the adjustment fitting fixed to the seat part), for example by being formed on the fitting lower part (or a component fastened thereto) (i.e. integrally formed) or separately formed and fastened thereto. The detent element is preferably fixedly connected to the fitting part of the adjustment fitting not fixed to the seat part, for example by being formed on the fitting part of the adjustment fitting not fixed to the seat part (or a component fastened thereto) (i.e. integrally formed) or separately formed and fastened thereto. 
         [0007]    The stop and detent element are preferably effective in both adjustment directions, for example by a corresponding number of stop surfaces. The stop may, for example, be arranged within a recess of the detent element. More specifically, the detent element may have on one part of its periphery a recess offset radially inwards, defined in each case by a step, within which the stop—preferably projecting axially from the fitting lower part—might be arranged. By the cooperation of the stop with the steps of the detent element, the angle for the inclination adjustment of the backrest is limited. 
         [0008]    The freely-pivoting unit preferably comprises a locking device with a latch for locking the fitting upper part in the position of use, a prestressed clamping element for securing the locked latch normally and a catch element for supporting the latch in the event of a crash. The latch is preferably pivotably articulated to the fitting upper part and locked to a detent element of the freely-pivoting unit. Preferably, said detent element at the same time is the detent element which cooperates with the stop for limiting the inclination adjustment. The dual function dispenses with a further component. Preferably, a cover is provided which is connected to the fitting upper part and covers the locking device. The adjustment fitting is connected with its two fitting parts which are rotatable relative to one another, on the one hand, preferably fixedly to the detent element and, on the other hand, fixedly to the fitting lower part. Thus the freely-pivoting unit may be produced and tested as a pre-assembled sub-assembly. If this is not important, the detent element may be formed on the fitting part of the adjustment fitting which is not fixed to the seat part. 
         [0009]    For unlocking the latch, a release element is preferably provided, the rotation thereof about its own axis preferably pivoting the catch element away from the latch. The clamping element is preferably coupled so that it may be carried along with free travel, for example by means of a slotted pin guide, so that it is ultimately also pivoted away from the latch by the rotating release element, thus unlocking said latch. A bearing bush is provided for mounting the release element and the clamping element. The preferred mounting of the release element inside the bearing bush and the clamping element on the outside on the bearing bush has the advantage that, at the start of the rotation of the release element, the clamping element is not already inadvertently carried along, for example due to friction, but only when the free travel has been passed. Moreover, if the clamping element were to be pivoted away in the event of a crash, the catch element would be able to remain unaffected in its position. 
         [0010]    The securing latch preferably cooperates with a stop on the fitting lower part for securing the fitting upper part. This simplifies the coupling to the longitudinal adjuster. The stop is preferably said stop for limiting the inclination adjustment which, for example, is arranged within a recess of the detent element. The dual function dispenses with a further component. 
         [0011]    The securing latch in the position of use preferably bears against a component of the freely-pivoting unit, for example the detent element or a switching ring, which is advantageous for the freely-pivoting unit as a pre-assembled sub-assembly. During the free-pivoting of the backrest, when reaching the stop the securing latch may pivot slightly upwards with the further pivoting movement of the backrest and slide along the underside of the stop, until it engages behind the stop after passing the stop. However, other possibilities for the cooperation of the securing latch and the stop are also possible. The securing latch and the stop preferably cooperate outside the self-locking region. Prestressing may ensure a non-positive cooperation. Thus it is respectively ensured that the securing latch opens by a relative movement of the fitting upper part and stop and/or above a marginal force. 
         [0012]    The securing latch is preferably secured by an operating lever, which is preferably prestressed. The securing may take place positively or non-positively. The securing latch secured by the operating lever may be opened, by the cooperation of the securing latch and the operating lever being cancelled, for example by the operating lever being pivoted away from the securing latch. This may take place automatically in the presence of specific conditions, for example in a specific longitudinal seat position, so that the backrest may then be pivoted back into its initial position. 
         [0013]    By means of a rotatable switching ring which, during the actuation of the freely-pivoting operating element cancels the cooperation of the securing latch and the operating lever, the securing may be manually terminated. The rotation of the switching ring is, for example, effected by the catch element, for which said two components preferably have projections with suitably higher sides. The rotated switching ring preferably acts by means of a switching contour on the operating lever, in order to remove said operating lever from the securing latch. 
         [0014]    The invention may be used preferably in longitudinally adjustable vehicle seats of two-door motor vehicles with central free-pivoting of the backrest, but also may be used for other vehicle seats. With a use of the fitting according to the invention for activating the so-called “easy entry function”, in which apart from a free-pivoting of the backrest a movement of the vehicle seat takes place, the backrest may be pivoted back exactly when the previously set longitudinal seat position is reached. 
         [0015]    The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In the drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of the embodiment without control cables; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an unlocking ring; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a section through the embodiment along the line II-II in  FIG. 4 , in a position of use in a locked state; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a section through the upper part of the embodiment along the line III-III in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a lateral view of the embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a part of a section through the embodiment during unlocking, for free-pivoting of the backrest; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a part of a section through the embodiment during the free-pivoting of the backrest; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a section through the embodiment according to  FIG. 2  in a secured state in the freely pivoted position of the backrest; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a part of a section through the embodiment when automatically opening the securing by means of the longitudinal adjuster; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a part of a section through the embodiment when manually opening the securing by means of the freely-pivoting operating element, the detent element not being shown; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the embodiment according to  FIG. 7 , without the detent element in a secured state in the freely-pivoted position of the backrest, the adjustment fitting adopting an upper position in its wobble loop; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the embodiment according to  FIG. 11 , the adjustment fitting adopting a lower position in its wobble loop. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Referring to the drawings in particular, a vehicle seat  1  for a two-door motor vehicle for the inclination adjustment, i.e. the slow, small angular alteration between a plurality of positions of use and free-pivoting, i.e. the rapid, large angular alteration from a position of use into a freely-pivoted position as a specific position of non-use, of its backrest  2  relative to its seat part  3  has on both of its sides one respective fitting  5 . On the outside of the vehicle seat  1 , for the inclination adjustment function on one of the fittings  5 , a handwheel  7  is provided and between both fittings  5  a shaft connected to the handwheel  7 , whilst for the free-pivoting function a freely-pivoting operating element  8 , for example a hand lever, is movably attached to the backrest  2 . 
         [0031]    Each fitting  5  comprises a fitting lower part  9  which serves for fastening the fitting  5  to the structure of the seat part  3  (“fixed to the seat part”), a backrest inclination adjustment fitting, denoted in short hereinafter as an adjustment fitting  11 , and a freely-pivoting unit  12  which in turn has a fitting upper part  14 , which is used for fastening the fitting  5  to the structure of the backrest  2  (“fixed to the backrest”). 
         [0032]    The adjustment fitting  11  is formed in terms of structure as a disc-shaped unit, as is disclosed for example in DE 101 05 282 B4, the disclosure thereof being expressly included in the invention (corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,806 is incorporated by reference). The adjustment fitting  11  has two fitting parts which may be rotated relative to one another and are held together by means of a clamping ring in the axial direction. In the embodiment, the adjustment fitting  11  is configured as a geared fitting, i.e. the two fitting parts of the adjustment fitting  11  are connected to one another in transmission by means of an eccentric epicylic gear—which is self-locking here—and which in the present case permits a securing without clearance of the two fitting parts of the adjustment fitting  11 , and for the stepless adjustment forces a relative rotation of the two fitting parts of the adjustment fitting  11  with a superimposed wobble motion. The path of this wobble motion might be denoted as a wobble loop. Such a geared fitting is, for example, disclosed in DE 44 36 101 A1, the disclosure thereof being expressly included in the invention (corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,689 is incorporated by reference). The rotation of the handwheel  7  drives the geared fitting. However, other geared fittings and—in theory—also detent fittings may also be used as adjustment fittings  11 . In the latter case, a small rotation of the handwheel  7  or a lever provided as an alternative unlocks the detent fitting. The adjustment fitting  11  is connected by one of its two fitting parts and the clamping ring fixedly to the fitting lower part  9 , i.e. one of the two fitting parts of the adjustment fitting  11  is fixed to the seat part. To this end, the fitting lower part  9  has a fork-shaped receiver for the adjustment fitting  11 . 
         [0033]    The freely-pivoting unit  12  has an—approximately annular—detent element  16 , relative to which the fitting upper part  14  is rotatably mounted about an axis A. The axis A and its position within the vehicle seat  1  define the directional information used in the present case. As the axis A—possibly apart from the wobble motion, coincides with the central axis of the adjustment fitting  11 , in the present case central free-pivoting is present. A stop  17  is fastened to the fitting lower part  9  and projects therefrom axially. The detent element  16  has on one part of its periphery a recess  16   a  offset radially to the inside, defined in each case by a step, within which the stop  17  is arranged. By the cooperation of the stop  17  with the steps of the detent element  16 , the angle for the inclination adjustment of the backrest  2  is defined. The detent element  16  (and thus the freely-pivoting unit  12 ) is fixedly connected to that of the two fitting parts of the adjustment fitting  11 , which is not fixed to the seat part. The connection of the freely-pivoting unit  12  to the adjustment fitting  11  takes place, for example, by laser welding. 
         [0034]    For the mounting of the fitting upper part  14 , the detent element  16  in the present case has a collar projecting axially relative to the axis A, on which the fitting upper part  14  is rotatably mounted. The fitting upper part  14  also has a collar which projects towards the detent element  16 , so that between the detent element  16  and the fitting upper part  14  a constructional space is present. A retaining disc  18  serves as axial securing of the fitting upper part  14 . The retaining disc  18  configured as an annular disc is connected to the detent element  16  after positioning the fitting upper part  14  on the collar of the detent element  16 , said retaining disc engaging behind the fitting upper part  14 . A cover  20  connected to the fitting upper part  14  defines, on the one hand, a constructional space between itself and the fitting upper part  14  projecting upwards over the detent element  16 . On the other hand, the lower edge of the cover  20  is configured as a retaining clamp, and engages over the detent element  16 , possibly by the interposition of a slider, for example made of plastics. The cover  20  is thus used as further axial securing of the fitting upper part  14 . 
         [0035]    On the fitting upper part  14  by means of a bearing pin  22  a latch  24  is pivotably mounted, which may be locked to the detent element  16 . The bearing pin  22  parallel to the axis A defines at the same time the pivoting motion of the fitting upper part  14  to the rear, and namely both normally and also in the event of a (rear) crash, by bearing against a first detent stop  26  of the detent element  16 . For locking the latch  24  and for limiting the pivoting motion of the fitting upper part  14  to the front in the event of a (front) crash, a second detent stop  28  is provided in the radial extension of the latch  24  on the detent element  16 . The latch  24  is locked to the detent element  16 , on the one hand, by being supported by means of the bearing pin  22  on the first detent stop  26  and, on the other hand, by bearing with its free end on the second detent stop  28  without clearance. To this end, the bearing take place at an angle outside the self-locking region. An alternative support on the first detent stop  26  may be implemented by means of a shaping or the like of the fitting upper part  14 . Both detent stops  26  and  28  are formed in the present case on the detent element  16 , i.e. configured integrally therewith. The bearing pin  22  is configured as an eccentric pin, i.e. it is rotatably mounted in the fitting upper part  14  about an axis which is offset relative to the pivot axis of the latch  24 , relative to said fitting upper part. For compensating for production tolerances, the bearing pin  22  is adjusted and fixed such that the latch  24  bears with maximum latch engagement on the second detent stop  28 . 
         [0036]    In the fitting upper part  14  a bearing bush  30  is preferably located fixedly in terms of rotation which, for example, is riveted or welded into an opening of the fitting upper part  14 . A release element  32  is rotatably mounted by means of this bearing bush  30 , parallel to the axis A and to the bearing pin  22 . On the release element  32  is located fixedly in terms of rotation or configured in one piece with the release element  32 , a catch element  34 , whilst a clamping element  36 —arranged axially adjacent to the catch element  34 —is mounted pivotably on the bearing bush  30 . Thus the release element  32  is mounted inside the bearing bush  30  and the clamping element  36  externally on the bearing bush  30 . The catch element  34  and the clamping element  36  are aligned with the latch  24  when the fitting upper part  14  is locked. The mode of operation of the catch element  34  and the clamping element  36  is disclosed in DE 44 39 644 A1, the disclosure thereof being expressly included in the invention (corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,947 is incorporated by reference). The clamping element  36  bears with a clamping surface curved eccentrically relative to the release element  32  at an angle outside the self-locking region on a bearing surface of the latch  24 . The clamping element  36  is acted upon by a tension spring  38  formed as a helical spring, so that the clamping element  36  bears with pretensioning against the latch  24 . As a result, the fitting upper part  14  is locked without clearance to the detent element  16 . The catch element  34  is acted upon by an arresting spring  40  configured as a helical-tension spring. The catch element  34  and the clamping element  36  are coupled to one another to be carried along with free travel by means of a slotted pin guide  44 . To this end, the clamping element  36  has a slot curved about the release element  32 , into which a pin of the catch element  34  engages. The cover  20  covers the latch  24 , the catch element  34 , the clamping element  36  and the springs  38  and  40  and protects said elements from soiling. 
         [0037]    In the positions of use normally, i.e. in normal use of the seat, the latch  24  is held (secured) by the clamping element  36  in its position and the catch element  34  is arranged at a short distance (relative to the dimensions of the latch  24 ) from the latch  24 , preferably bearing against a stop of the fitting upper part  14 . In the event of a crash, if crash forces act on the latch  24 , which for example exert a high torque on the fitting upper part  14 , the clamping element  36  may open due to the absence of self-locking. After a very slight pivoting motion of the latch  24 , said latch bears against the catch element  34 . The catch element  34  supports, therefore, the latch  24 , which bears within the self-locking region on the catch element  34 , preferably tangentially or concentrically and as flat as possible. Thus, the latch  24  is prevented from opening. Thus, the above-disclosed locking device (consisting of the latch  24 , the detent element  16  as a counter element and the catch element  34  and the clamping element  36  as securing elements) locks the fitting upper part  14  (and thus the freely-pivoting unit  12 ) both normally and in the event of a crash. 
         [0038]    On the side of the fitting upper part  14  remote from the cover  20 , an unlocking lever  46  is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to the release element  32 , to which a first control cable  48 , in operative connection with the freely-pivoting operating element  8 , is fastened. Alternatively, the release element  32  may also be actuated via an electrical actuator, for example a servomotor or the like. For unlocking the fitting upper part  14  by means of the freely-pivoting operating element  8 , by means of the first control cable  48  (and the unlocking lever  46 ) the release element  32  is rotated about its own axis. The release element  32  drives the catch element  34  connected fixedly in terms of rotation therewith, which drives and thus opens the clamping element  36 , by means of the slotted pin guide  44 —after passing the free travel, i.e. the clamping element  36  is separated from the latch  24  and moved away. The latch  24  is, as a result, released and may open automatically due to the absence of self-locking. In a modified embodiment, the catch element  34  may bear against an unlocking finger of the latch  24  and pull said latch with the further pivoting motion. 
         [0039]    In the present embodiment, the two fittings  5  are configured slightly differently on the two vehicle seat sides. The freely-pivoting unit  12  of the fitting  5  of the one vehicle seat side is also described further hereinafter. 
         [0040]    In said fitting  5 , on the fitting upper part  14 , in particular on the collar thereof (or other projection) (or possibly on the detent element  16 ) a switching ring  50  is rotatably mounted concentrically to the axis A. The switching ring  50  is arranged in the axial direction between the detent element  16  and the fitting upper part  14  (i.e. within the above-mentioned constructional space). The switching ring  50  has a switching contour  52 , in the present case a radially projecting step, which is arranged in the lower region of the fitting upper part  14 . The switching ring  50  further comprises a radially projecting switching finger  54  and a spring mounting  56 , also radially projecting, which are both arranged in the upper region of the fitting upper part  14 . The other end of the arresting spring  40  is suspended on the spring mounting  56 . The switching finger  54  is located in the pivoting region of the catch element  34  which preferably has a radially projecting actuating arm  34   a  for cooperating with the switching finger  54 . On the fitting upper part  14 , a securing latch  64  is pivotably mounted by means of a securing pin  62 . The securing latch  64  is prestressed by means of a securing spring  66  against the switching ring  50  and bears with its free end within the recess  16   a  on the switching ring  50  or on the stop  17 . The last-mentioned possibility for bearing is available depending on the inclination of the backrest  2  set by the adjustment fitting  11  and possibly the wobble motion between the fitting parts of the adjustment fitting  11 . 
         [0041]    On the fitting lower part  9  provided on this vehicle seat side, an operating lever  73  is pivotably mounted in the vicinity of the stop  17  by means of a switching pin  71  parallel to the axis A. A locking washer  75  secures the operating lever  73  on the switching pin  71 . A switching spring  77  configured as a helical-tension spring is, on the one hand, suspended on the operating lever  73  and, on the other hand, fastened to the fitting lower part  9 , for example suspended on a spring bolt  79 , which projects from the fitting lower part  9  parallel to the switching pin  71 . The switching spring  77  prestresses the operating lever  73  against the stop  17 , the free end of the operating lever  73  being arranged in the immediate vicinity of the switching ring  50 . 
         [0042]    The vehicle seat  1  is able to be longitudinally adjusted by means of a longitudinal adjuster  81 , i.e. adjustable in the longitudinal seat position. To this end, the longitudinal adjuster  81  comprising two seat rail pairs may be unlocked by means of a handle  83  and automatically locks after releasing the handle  83 . The longitudinal adjuster  81  is, however, also unlocked when freely pivoting the backrest  2 , so that the vehicle seat  1  (by means of the longitudinal adjuster  81 ) may be moved to the front, in order to facilitate access to the rear, in addition to the free-pivoting of the backrest  2 . The unlocking of the longitudinal adjuster  81  takes place, therefore, directly by means of the freely-pivoting operating element  8  or indirectly, as on the vehicle seat side without a switching ring  50  an unlocking ring  84  is provided in the fitting  5 , instead of said switching ring, which is driven in a manner known per se when pivoting forward the backrest  2  and thus by means of a Bowden cable or the like controls the locking of the longitudinal adjuster  81 . 
         [0043]    A memory device of the longitudinal adjuster  81 , by means of which the longitudinal seat position (memory position) set before the free-pivoting may be located, is operatively connected by means of a second control cable  89 , preferably a Bowden cable, with the fitting  5  which has the switching ring  50 . The second control cable  89  is fastened to an arm of the operating lever  73 , i.e. the memory device of the longitudinal adjuster  81  controls the operating lever  73 , in order to be able to release the securing latch  64 . 
         [0044]    The free-pivoting of the backrest  2  which is caused by means of the freely-pivoting operating element  8 , starts with the unlocking of the fitting upper part  14  on both vehicle seat sides. The latch  24  is lifted in the manner described above radially from the second detent stop  28  of the detent element  16 . With the pivoting motion of the backrest  2  to the front, the securing latch  64  slides with its free end along the switching ring  50  and thus reaches the stop  17 . An oblique contour on the securing latch  64  ensures that the securing latch  64  which is brought to bear against the stop  17  slightly pivots up with the further pivoting motion of the backrest  2  and slides along the underside of the stop  17 . 
         [0045]    After passing the stop  17 , the stop contour is set back radially for the securing latch  64 . By means of its prestressing, the securing latch  64  now falls behind the stop  17  (radially inside) and engages behind said stop with a securing latch contour  64 , and namely outside the self-locking region. Thus it displaces the operating lever  73  which again engages behind the securing latch  64  and preferably positively secures said securing latch with a corresponding operating lever contour  73   a.  The pivoting motion of the backrest  2  is completed and the fitting upper part  14  (and thus the backrest  2 ) secured. The pivoted-forward backrest  2  is now located in the freely-pivoted position which permits unhindered access to the rear. At the same time, the vehicle seat  1  is in a forward longitudinal seat position. 
         [0046]    In order to return to the previously adopted position of use, firstly the vehicle seat  1  is again moved to the rear, for example by pulling on the backrest  2 . When the memory position is reached, the longitudinal adjuster  81  is locked and thus pulls on the second control cable  89 . The second control cable  89  now pivots the operating lever  73 , which releases the securing latch  64 . The backrest  2  opens the securing latch  64  by the commencement of its rearward pivoting motion and may then be pivoted back unhindered. The latch  24  thus reaches the second detent stop  28  again and when reaching the previously adopted position of use again falls behind the second detent stop  28  (radially inside) so that the fitting upper part  14  and thus the fitting  5  are again locked. The operating lever  73 , which is not further acted upon by the second control cable  89 , is pulled back by the associated switching spring  77  again into its initial position. 
         [0047]    If the memory position is not reached, for example due to objects in the foot well—instead of the previously described automatic opening—the securing of the backrest  2  may be manually opened by means of the freely-pivoting operating element  8 . As a result, by means of the first control cable  48  the release element  32  is rotated, which pivots the catch element  34 . The catch element  34  presses by means of its actuating arm  34   a  onto the switching finger  54  of the switching ring  50 . Due to an oblique portion provided there the switching ring  50  is rotated, whereby the switching contour  52  comes to bear against the operating lever  73 , and opens said operating lever. The operating lever  73 , as a result, releases the securing latch  64 . As described above, the backrest  2  may now be pivoted back. 
         [0048]    The securing of the fitting upper part  14  by means of the securing latch  64  in the freely-pivoted position of the backrest  2  is, in the present case, designed so that the wobble loop of the adjustment fitting  11  has no influence. As is visible from  FIGS. 11 and 12 , due to the wobble loop the securing pin  62  adopts different positions relative to the stop  17 . However, this only has an effect on the support of the securing latch  64  on the stop  17  and on the support of the locking lever  73  on the securing latch  64  at an angle which is compensated by a suitable shape of the securing latch contour  64   a  and the locking lever contour  73   a.  Ultimately, the same degree of closing m is always produced, i.e. the spacing between the two bearing points (securing latch—stop, locking lever—securing latch) is constant. 
         [0049]    While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
A fitting ( 5) for a vehicle seat ( 1), in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes an adjustment fitting ( 11) for adjusting the inclination of the backrest ( 2) of the vehicle seat ( 1) in relation to a seat part ( 3) of said vehicle seat. A free-pivoting unit ( 12) is provided for freely pivoting the backrest ( 2) centrally ( 2) from at least one operating position into a free-pivoting position, that can be released by means of a free-pivoting operational element ( 8). A fitting lower part ( 9) is provided that is to be connected to the seat part ( 3) and that supports the adjustment fitting ( 11) and a fitting upper part ( 14) is associated with the free-pivoting unit ( 12) that is to be connected to the backrest ( 2) and that is locked in the operating position. A fastening catch ( 64) is coupled in a pivotable manner to the fitting upper part ( 14); and which fastens the fitting upper part ( 14) in the free-pivoting position of the backrest ( 2). The fastening catch ( 64) is then opened by at least the free-pivoting operating element ( 8), the fastening catch ( 64) fastening the fitting upper part ( 14) to the fastening lower part ( 9) and is then opened by a longitudinal adjusting element ( 81) of the vehicle seat ( 1).