PARK LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

A parking lock for motor vehicles includes an activation device with a shaft for coupling to an actuator. The shaft is pivotable about an activation axis between an activation position and a release position. A latching system is coupled to the activation device and has a latch pivotable about the activation axis between a latching position and an unlatching position. A pawl is pivotable about a pawl bearing axis between a locking position and a release position, and a parking lock gearwheel is rotatable about a parking lock axis and coupled to a motor vehicle wheel. The parking lock additionally has at least one of the following features: an axial end of the shaft is designed as a multi-toothed or polygonal element for form-fittingly engaging the actuator; a leaf spring and a ratchet element secured to the shaft for conjoint rotation therewith are provided, the leaf spring and the ratchet element forming a ratchet connection both in the actuation position and in the release position of the shaft; the parking lock gearwheel has teeth and tooth spaces that alternate in the circumferential direction, the teeth having a saddleback-shaped head contour; the latch and/or the pawl have at least one recess, in order to reduce the moment of inertia; and the latch and the pawl co-operate in the latching position of the latch such that a self-locking effect is created between the latch and the pawl.