Abstract: A locking lever of a door latch can be operated either manually by operating a lock knob or electrically by applying a current to an electrically operating mechanism. The turning force of the mechanism is transmitted to the lever via a first oscillatory member and second one cooperative loosely with the first member. The second member operates to shift the lever to a lock or an unlock position after it has been turned by the first member by a prescribed angle. The first member energizes a return spring, the biasing force of which returns the first member to neutral position when the current to the mechanism is interrupted. The lock knob can be operated lightly since the mechanism with the first member at the neutral position does not obstructs the knob.

Abstract: A latch body is formed, at its recessed inner side, with a pair of integral tubular members made of plastics. A latch element adapted to catch a striker set in an automobile door and a paul are rotatably mounted on the tubular members for engagement with each other. A latch returning spring is stretched between the body and the latch element. An door opening lever and a door locking lever both linked to the pawl are rotatably mounted on another pair of plastic tubular members each of which is formed on the outer side of said body in the coaxial relation with corresponding one of the first pair of the tubular members. Each of a pair of pins is inserted through the tubular members in the coaxial relation and is swaged in a base plate coupled oppositely with the body.

Abstract: A latch includes a latch body, an opening rod and a structure to connect the opening rod to the latch body. The latch body includes a latching member, a ratchet and an opening lever. The connection structure includes a shaft member connected, at the root portion thereof, to the opening lever and provided, at the free end thereof, with an elongate slip-out prevention member, an elongate rest mounted rotatably on the shaft member and a biased push plate mounted on the shaft portion for movement in the axial direction of the shaft portion. In assembling, one end portion of the opening rod is mated, at an elongate hole formed therein, with the elongate rest and slip-out prevention member. The opening rod is pushed towards the opening lever, turned by about 90.degree. and returned away from the opening lever under the biasing force exerted on the push plate.

Abstract: A latching member is formed with a recess in which a striker is to be fitted. Each of opposite wall surfaces at the entrance of the recess comprises an elastic member to prevent the occurrence of a large noise upon hit of the striker against those wall surfaces. The recess has its deep part formed to have a width not larger than the diameter of the striker, thereby preventing swing movement of the latching member relative to the striker. Further, a fully locking tooth formed on the latching member has an engagement surface to be engaged with a pawl, the engagement surface being provided with a noiseles member to prevent the occurrence of a large noise upon abutment of the fully locking tooth with the pawl.