Patent ID: 7475923

Claim:
A vehicle door lock ( 1 ) releasably connectable to a striker ( 15 ) and comprising a fork ( 2 ) which rotates about a first axis (A) between a release position and at least one lock position engaging the striker ( 15 ), and a latch ( 3 ) which rotates about a second axis (B), is loaded elastically towards said fork ( 2 ), and has a catch portion ( 25 ) which clicks onto a tooth ( 11 ) of said fork ( 2 ) to releasably lock said fork ( 2 ) in said lock position; said fork ( 2 ) comprising a main body ( 6 ) made of rigid material, and an outer coating ( 7 ) made of relatively yielding material and having, adjacent to said tooth ( 11 ), an enclosed slot ( 33 ) defining a peripheral edge ( 34 ) which flexes inwards of said slot ( 33 ) when struck by said catch portion ( 25 ) of said latch ( 3 ) engaging said tooth ( 11 ) of said fork ( 2 ); characterized in that said main body ( 6 ) comprises a recessed surface ( 14 ) adjacent to said tooth ( 11 ) having a generally U-shaped recess ( 36 ) at the root of said tooth ( 11 ), said recess ( 36 ) extending into said tooth ( 11 ); wherein said enclosed slot ( 33 ) is disposed along said recessed surface ( 14 ) and extends at least partly into said recess ( 36 ) to allow said edge ( 34 ) to flex inwards of said enclosed slot ( 33 ) wherever said catch portion ( 25 ) of said latch ( 3 ) strikes said fork ( 2 ).