Spring release starter
AssigneeMTD Products Inc
InventorsJeremy D. Leasure, Neil Greer Griffin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A starter mechanism for an internal combustion engine having a spring that is wound during the starting operation of the internal combustion engine. As the operator pulls the starter rope of the engine the starter spring begins to wind creating a force within the spring. Once the spring force overcomes the compression force of the piston the spring will unwind thereby turning the crankshaft of the engine and consequently starting the engine. The starter rope is returned to the housing of the starter mechanism by the use of a rope return spring.
Claims20
A starter mechanism adapted to be connected to the shaft of an internal combustion engine for starting said engine, said starter mechanism comprising:
- a starter housing;
- a first spring operatively connected to the starter housing;
- a pulley operatively connected to the first spring;
- a second spring operatively connected to the pulley;
- and
- an arbor comprising first and second hubs extending therefrom, wherein the first hub is operatively connected to the second spring and the second hub comprises at least a first cog adapted to operatively engage an associated engine crankshaft or flywheel of the internal combustion engine.
A starter mechanism adapted to be connected to an associated internal combustion engine for starting said engine, said starter mechanism comprising:
- a starter housing having a post that extends outwardly;
- an arbor adapted to receive an associated engine flywheel or crankshaft, the arbor having first and second hubs extending therefrom, the second hub comprising at least a first cog extending radially therefrom, wherein the first cog is adapted to operatively engage the associated internal combustion engine;
- a pulley having a first sleeve and a chamber;
- a first spring having first and second ends, the first end of the first spring being operatively connected to the starter housing, the second end of the first spring being operatively connected to the first sleeve of the pulley;
- and
- a second spring having first and second ends, the first end of the second spring being operatively connected to an outer portion of the chamber of the pulley, the second end of the second spring being operatively connected to the first hub of the arbor.
A method of starting an engine, comprising the steps of:
- providing an engine, a starter mechanism having a starter housing, a first spring, a pulley, a second spring, an arbor comprising a hub having at least one cog extending radially therefrom, and a handle operatively connected to a pull rope;
- grasping the handle;
- pulling the rope in a direction extending in an outward direction from the housing;
- winding the second spring to facilitate in starting the engine, wherein winding the second spring facilitates starting the engine and comprises rotating the arbor to permit the at least one cog to engage the engine thereby turning the crankshaft and starting the engine;
- and
- releasing the handle to allow the rope to retreat into the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.