NOVELTY - The apparatus has a locking apparatus body (5) including housing (13) that includes a recess (13B) for receiving a striker (9). A rocking shaft (21) is placed in the housing and includes an axis. A latch (15) is supported by the rocking shaft so as to be rotatable relative to the housing around the axis between a locking position in which the latch locks the striker in the recess and a releasing position in which the latch releases the striker in the recess. A pawl locks the latch. The locking apparatus body locks the striker when moving housing to the striker, and is operable in the housing.    USE - Locking apparatus for use in a battery unit mounting apparatus for a vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The pawl with a locking arm is placed in a position that is prevented from rotating by a lever such that the pawl is prevented from being unexpectedly rotated in direction when a striker shaft is locked to the locking apparatus body or when the battery unit is locked to the vehicle body and the locking arm is prevented from being rotated from the position to another position for preventing the latch in the locking state from being unexpectedly rotated to the releasing state effectively. The apparatus inserts a pin device into a hole from bottom of the locking apparatus body such that the lever and the pawl are rotated simultaneously for releasing striker shaft easily from the locking apparatus body, where the pin device is made simpler in structure. The lever is rotated in same manner as the latch and the pawl, so that the locking apparatus body is made simpler in structure. The locking apparatus has easy operation and improved reliability to offer easy and reliable locking and removing operation. The locking apparatus body has simple structure and reduced manufacturing cost.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of a locking apparatus.    Locking apparatus body (5)    Striker (9)    Housing (13)    Recess (13B)    Latch (15)    Rocking shafts (21, 23, 25)