RECLINER HANDLE WITH OVERLOAD PROTECTION DEVICE

A recliner handle with an overload protection device is provided for a vehicle seat having a recliner attached to a recliner B-bracket. The recliner handle is attached to a handle spline having a disc shaft aperture configured to engage with a disc shaft of the recliner. A stop flange attached to the handle spline is configured to frictionally engage with an overload stop attached to the recliner B-bracket. The handle spline is rotatable in a first rotational direction between a first position wherein the stop flange is frictionally engaged with the overload stop and the disc shaft aperture is disengaged from the disc shaft and a second position wherein the disc shaft aperture engages the disc shaft. Rotation of the handle spline in a second rotational direction from the first position is restricted by the stop flange frictionally engaged with the overload stop.