a recliner mechanism includes a cylindrical element attached to a back portion and a conically shaped element attached to a seat portion . the cylindrical element has an axially extending central opening formed therein defined by a conically tapered inner surface , and the conically shaped element has an outer surface receivable within the central opening . the conically shaped element is movable in an axially inward direction to a locked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element engaging the outer surface of the conically shaped element to inhibiting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion . the conically shaped element is also movable in an axially outward direction to an unlocked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element disengaged from the outer surface of the conically shaped element to permitting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion .