Device for starting internal combustion engines

A device for transmitting power from a power driving unit to a driven member of an internal combustion engine comprising:

• (a) a first shaft-like power transmitting member having one end adapted to be detachably connected to said power driving unit,
• (b) a second shaft-like power transmitting member in axial alignment with said first shaft-like power transmitting member with one end thereof adapted to be detachably connected to said driven member with the other ends of said first and second power transmitting members defining adjacent end portions,
• (c) a reduced diameter externally threaded end portion on one of said adjacent end portions in threaded engagement with a threaded opening in the other of said adjacent end portions and defining a shoulder in position to move toward and abut the end of said other of said adjacent end portions and transfer power from said driving unit to said driven member in response to relative rotation of said adjacent end portions in one direction and to move away from the end of said other of said adjacent end portions in response to relative rotation of said adjacent end portions in the opposite direction, and
• (d) resilient means operatively connecting said first and said second power transmitting members to each other to define a shock absorber between said power driving unit and said driven member.