Energy storing starting device

An energy-storing starting device for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, the starting device including:

• a starter pulley including an engagement structure;
• a starter spring adapted to accumulate energy to rotate the crankshaft in an engine starting direction;
• a spring housing operatively connected to the starter pulley and at least partially housing the starter spring, wherein a portion of the starter spring is attached to the spring housing;
• a toothed housing including a plurality of ratchet teeth, wherein a portion of the starter spring is attached to the toothed housing;
• a pawl member adapted to provide a locking engagement with at least one of the ratchet teeth of the toothed housing to thereby prevent rotation of the toothed housing in an engine starting direction;
• and
• an actuator adapted to disengage the pawl member from the toothed housing to thereby permit the toothed housing to rotate in an engine starting direction,
• wherein the engagement structure is adapted to bias a portion of the pawl towards at least one of the ratchet teeth of the toothed housing automatically when the starter pulley is rotated.