Patent ID: 7810853

Claim:
A vehicle door lock ( 1 ) comprising a lock mechanism ( 3 ) cooperating with a striker ( 5 ), said lock mechanism ( 3 ) comprising: a fork ( 11 ) having a seat ( 15 ), said fork ( 11 ) can be set to a release position, in which said fork permits engagement and release of the seat ( 15 ) by the striker ( 5 ), and a full-lock position, in which the fork retains the striker ( 5 ) in, and prevents release of, the respective seat ( 15 ), said fork ( 11 ) including a cam projection ( 45 ) defining a surface having a first end and an opposed second end; a latch ( 12 ) which engages said fork ( 11 ) to lock it releasably in said full-lock position; and a release member ( 6 ) movable between a first rest position and a second rest position, said release member ( 6 ) operated selectively to release said latch ( 12 ) from said fork ( 11 ) and allow the fork ( 11 ) to move into said release position, said release member ( 6 ) including an arm ( 44 ) projecting therefrom having a free end; when said fork ( 11 ) is in said release position, said free end of said arm ( 44 ) contacts said cam projection ( 45 ) proximate said first end thereof to maintain said release member ( 6 ) in said second rest position, and when said fork ( 11 ) is in said full-lock position, said free end of said arm ( 44 ) does not contact said cam projection ( 45 ) and said release member ( 6 ) moves into said second rest position which indicates that said fork ( 11 ) is in said full-lock position.