A positive engagement latching mechanism (22) for a seat assembly (10) of
a vehicle includes a track member (28) having a multiple apertures (30),
each of which having nonuniform width. Multiple engageable devices (42),
each having a tapered engagement portion (52), positively engage in the
apertures (30). A latching mechanism engagement-maintaining system (24)
for a seat track assembly (12) of the seat assembly (10) includes an
engageable device housing (40) having a tapered sides (46) that
corresponds with a contour of an adjacent track member edge (48). A shear
load resistive device (88) is coupled to the housing (40) and a track
member (26) and resists vertical travel of the track member (26) in
relation to the housing (40). A load guide (90) is coupled to the housing
(40) and to the track member (26) and guides direction of travel of the
track member (26) under loading conditions.