Patent ID: 7360803

Claim:
In combination with a vehicle sliding door movable between a fully closed and an open position and having a locking element secured thereto and outwardly extending therefrom, a lock mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking such door, said lock mechanism comprising: (a) a first locking means having a notch formed therein for slideably engaging and receiving such locking element, said first locking means movable in a first direction into a locked position when such door is moved toward such fully closed position and such locking element engages said notch and movable in a second direction into an unlocked position for enabling movement of such door and such locking element in a direction toward such open position, said first locking means further having a first lock portion formed on an outer edge thereof; (b) a second locking means movably disposed about said first locking means and having a second lock portion for engaging said first lock portion and for positively retaining said first locking means and such locking element in said locked position, said second lock portion continuously engaging a portion of said outer edge of said first locking means during movement thereof between said locked and said unlocked position; (c) an actuating means which has a linearly movable member being directly connected to said second locking means and which is momentarily actuated for moving said second locking means in a third direction to disengage said second lock portion from said first lock portion and enable movement of said first locking means in said second direction; (d) a base member (e) a first pivot means for pivotally attaching said first locking means to said base member; and (f) a second pivot means for pivotally attaching said second locking means to said base member.