Automotive slide door lock

An automotive slide door lock for use with a striker, comprising:

• a latch plate which pivots about a first shaft between a latch position wherein said latch plate is adapted to engage said striker, and an open position wherein said latch plate is adapted to release said striker, said latch plate being biased to pivot in a direction from said latch position toward said open position;
• a pawl member which pivots about a second shaft between an engaging position wherein said pawl member engages with said latch plate to restrain said latch plate in said latch position, and a releasing position wherein said pawl member disengages from said latch plate, said pawl member being biased to pivot in a direction from said releasing position toward said engaging position;
• a holding lever which pivots about a third shaft, said holding lever including a holding portion which is engageable with said pawl member to restrain said pawl member in said releasing position and an arm portion against which a part of said latch plate abuts to pivot said holding lever in a direction to disengage said holding portion from said pawl member when said latch plate is pivoted from said latch position toward said open position, said holding lever being biased to pivot in a direction to achieve the engagement between said holding portion and said pawl member;
• an open lever which pivots about a fourth shaft between an operative position wherein said open lever pushes said pawl member to pivot the same from said engaging position toward said releasing position, and an inoperative position wherein said open lever disengages from said pawl member;
• and
• a link member for transmitting movement of an external actuating device to said open lever.