Thermwood / eCabinet Systems

Dan,
I think you are looking for a "pawl and ratchet mechanism".
Here is one for a Morris chair: http://www.hardwaretree.com/products.php?cat=149
and here is a bracket: http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=50303&cat=3,50659&ap=1

I hope that helps, or at least narrows ypur search.
Ted