Engine starting and stopping device

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• an engine housing;
• a crankshaft mounted for rotation within said engine housing;
• a flywheel mounted to said crankshaft for rotation therewith in a starting direction during startup and operation of said engine;
• a spring housing mounted to said engine housing such that there is substantially no relative rotation between said engine housing and said spring housing;
• an energy storing mechanism including at least one elastic member housed within said spring housing, said elastic member having a portion fixed to said spring housing;
• an arbor extending into said spring housing and interconnected with a portion of said elastic member such that rotation of said arbor in a loading direction causes said elastic member to become loaded, said arbor rotating in an unloading direction in response to unloading of said elastic member;
• a spring loading mechanism including a first roller interconnected with said arbor for rotation therewith, and a second roller selectively engageable with both said crankshaft and said first roller to cause rotation of said arbor in said loading direction in response to rotation of said crankshaft in said starting direction such that said elastic member is loaded in response to rotation of said crankshaft in said starting direction;
• and
• a starting mechanism movable in response to unloading of said elastic member to cause engine startup.