US2857984A - Engine starter - Google Patents

Description

1958 J. L. SKINNER 2,857,984

ENGINE STARTER Filed March 18, 195"! INVENTOR, James L. Skinner I www nited States Patent fiiice 2,857,984 Patented Oct. 28, 1958 ENGINE STARTER James L. Skinner, Memphis, Tenn.

Application March 18, 1957, Serial No. 646,685

Claims. (Cl. 185-41) This invention relates to a spring powered engine starter, particularly adapted to be employed in conjunction with small gasoline motors.

The starter of the present invention makes enginestarting a much easier procedure by providing a means wherein energy may be stored and then released when desired by a simple manipulation of a lever. Thus, my invention offers a welcome replacement for the well-known and laborious method of starting a gasoline engine with the quick pull of a rope. This well-known prior method generally requires several attempts before the engine starts, frequently causing the operator to become exasperated, whereas in the present invention the engine may be quickly started without effort.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a spring powered engine starter including means for easily and conveniently storing energy and means for releasing that energy to give a sudden spin to the engine in order to start same.

A further object is to provide means for using the power of the engine after started to wind the spring of the energy storing means so that the starter is ready for subsequent use.

A further object is to provide in such a spring powered engine starter, means for automatically disengaging the source of energy from the engine motor after the motor starts.

A further object is to provide spring means, winding means, shift means for engaging and disengaging said winding means and said spring means, releasing means for said spring means, and clutch means which couples said spring means to the motor while being started and which automatically uncouples said spring means from said motor after being started.

A further object is generally to improve the design, construction and efficiency of engine starters.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational View on a reduced scale of a lawnmower with the starter of the present invention employed in conjunction therewith.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the starter per so with the winding crank removed and with the winding unit being shown in disengaged disposition.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line III-III of Fig. 2, with the winding crank being shown in place.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line lV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line VV of Fig. 3 with the winding unit being shown in engaged winding disposition.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the starter showingthe disposition of the upper portion of the windsleeve.

2 ing unit when in the engaged Winding disposition as of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view on a further enlarged scale, as on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3, illustrating details of the clutch means, shown latched in retracted position of disengagement.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, engine starter 11 includes a cylindrical casing 13 having a top 15, which may be removable. A pair of alined circular openings 17, 19 are respectively provided centrally of top 15 and bottom 20 of casing 13. A sleeve 21 is journalled in and extends through openings 17, 19 and projects substantially above top 15, terminating at its lower end substantially at the level of bottom 20.

An elongated adapter shaft 23 rotatably extends through inner sleeve 21. The lower end of shaft 23 extends below inner sleeve 21 and casing 13 and is provided with an enlarged portion 25 having a downwardly open socket 27 formed therein. Socket 27 may be bored to the correct diameter to fit on the upper end of a shaft 29 of the particular motor with which the starter 11 is used. Adapter shaft 23 is fixedly and removably attached to motor shaft 29 as by means of set screws 30.

Although in the present drawings, starter 11 is illustrated in use with a conventional power lawnmower 31 having a gasoline motor 23 of which shaft 29 is a part, it is not intended that the present invention be so limited but it may be employed in other environments, as for example with an outboard motor or other internal combustion engines. In fact, the starter 11 is readily detachable as a unit from the motor with which used, whereby the starter may be shifted from one motor to another. Thus casing 13 is detachably anchored against rotation to motor 33 by suitable brackets 34 and by releasing the brackets and shaft set screws detachment may be readily accomplished.

On the portion of inner sleeve 21 within casing 13 is provided a driven gear 35 integrally formed with inner sleeve 21 and extending radially outwardly from the For ease of operation a washer 37 may be provided on inner sleeve 21 between diiven gear 35 and top 15.

Interiorly of casing 13 a spirally coiled spring 39 is fixedly attached at its inner end as at 40 to inner sleeve 21 and fixedly attached at its outer end to the side wall 41 of casing 13, as at 42. Also interiorly of the casing, a driving gear 43 is disposed and adapted to be selectively engaged with or disengaged from driven gear 35. Driving "gear 43 is preferably provided with a greater number of teeth than driven gear 35 and is provided with an upwardly extending elongated hub 45 which rotatably extends through an oblong opening 47 provided in top 15.

A shift lever 49 having a pair of angularly extending arms, a handle arm 51 and an arm 53 of shorter length, is pivotally mounted on top 15 as by a pin 54 fixedly mounted on the top and extending through a socket in lever 49 adjacent the intersection of arms 51, 53. The distal end of arm 53 is provided with an opening through which rotatably extends hub 45. A collar 55' is fixedly mounted on hub 45 above lever 49 for holding the assembly together. Additionally, a washer 57 may be provided on hub 45 between driving gear 43 and top 15.

The upper end 59 of hub 45 is preferably polygonal in cross section and has fitted thereon for rotation there with a roller 61. End 59 may extend above roller 61 to provide a stem for receiving a socket provided in the end of a removable winding crank 63.

An idler wheel 65 is rotatably supported on the upper end of an upstanding spindle 67 mounted on top 15. Idler wheel 65 frictionally engages the cylindrical lower portion 69 of a wheel 71, which as shown in preferably in the form of a pulley having a V-groove 73 around the periphery thereof. Pulley wheel 71 is keyed to adapter shaft 23 adjacent the upper end thereof.

An outer sleeve 75 is fixedly mounted as by means of set screws 77 on the upper end of inner sleeve21 which extends through amajon portion ofthe bore of the outer sleeve. Thus, outersleeve ,75 ,is disposed intermediate casing 13 and pulley 71. Outer sleeve 75 with inner sleeve 21 forms a rigid assemblywhich rotates as a unit. Around the periphery adjacent the lower end thereof outer sleeve'75 is provided with ratchet, teeth 79 which are engaged by a pawl lever 81 having a pawl, arm 83 and a handle 85 angularly extending from arm 83. Pawl lever 81 is pivotally mounted on top ,15 by an upstanding stud 87 fixedly mounted on the top and extending through a socket in pawl lever .31 adjacent the intersection of pawl arm $3 and handle 85. A spring-39 mounted from top 15 engages pawl lever-81 tourge the lever into engagement with ratchet teeth 79. An additional spring 91 mounted from top 15 engages handle arm 51 to urge the handle arm inwardly toward the center of starter 11 whereby the arm 53 is urged away from the center of the starter to the-position best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, wherein it will be seen, driving gear 43 is out of engagement with driven gear 35. Aipull outwardly on handle arm 51 against spring 91 will move driving gear 33 into engagement with driven gear 35, as best shown in Fig. 5, and willsirnnltaneously move roller 61 into frictional engagement with idler wheel 65, as best illustrated in Fig. 6. it will be understood that the above movement is possible since hub 45 is free to shift in oblong opening 47, under the action of lever 49 An enlarged portion 93 of the bore of outer sleeve 75 is provided, with enlarged portion 93 extending from adjacent the upper end of inner sleeve 21 to the upper end of outer sleeve 75'. Enlargedportion 93 houses a cam 95 which is keyed to adapter shaft 23. A cam follower pin 97 mountedin, a socket in outer sleeve 75 is held ,in engagement with cam 95 by a spring :99 which is interposed between the head of the cam follower and a threaded insert 101. A notch 1433 is provided in the body of pin 9'7 and is adaptedto receive a plunger 1% which is urged by a springrltl'i against the side of pin 97.

Cam 95 is provided with projections 109 and recesses 111, and at the juncture of the projections and recesses is provided with shoulders 112 for engagement with the side of pin 97. Referring now, in particular to Fig. 4, it will be understood the cam action is as follows: Rotation of cam 95 relative to outer sleeve 75 in a clockwise direction will cause cam follower pin 97 to move outwardly as projection 199 moves towards the cam follower pin. At its position of maximum outward travel pin 97 will be in a position forplunger 105 to engage notch 1413 and hold the pin outwardly, as shown in Fig. 7.

Rotation of outer sleeve '75 relative to cam 95 ina clockwise direction, as viewed inFig. 4, and without cam follower pin 97 being held by plunger 105 will cause on gagernent of the side of pin 97 with one of steps 112 and thereby effect rotation of adapter shaft23 with outer sleeve '75, thus effectively furnishing clutch means, coupling the sleeve with, the shaft.

To manually wind the springengine starter 11, handle arm 51 isrnoved outwardly to engage driving gear '43 with driven gear35. Crank- 63. is then. turned by hand in a clockwise direction as viewed from above the starter, which turns driving gear 43 in a clockwise direction to drive gear 35 in a counter clockwise direction, similarly turning sleeve 21 and the inner end of spring 39, and thus winding spring -59. The tension in spring 39 is retained by pawl armflb' engaging ratchet teeth 79,

which as above described are carried by sleeve 75.

Tostart the engine, cam follower pin 97 must be in the inward; position shownin Fig. '4. 'If the cam follower pin is not in this position it may be released to this position by pulling outwardly on a knob 113 provided on the outer end of plunger 105 which will remove the plunger from notch 103 and allow the cam follower pin to move inwardly. The handle of pawl lever 81 is pushed inwardly, which will disengage pawl arm 83 from ratchet teeth 79 and release the energy from spring 39 causing inner sleeve 21 and outer sleeve 75 connected thereto to rotate clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4. This clockwise rotation will be transmitted to adapter shaft 23 through the clutch comprising the cam follower pin 97 and cam 95, as heretofore explained. Adapter shaft 23, being fixedly attached to motor shaft 29, will cause the rotation of the latter and start the motor.

When motor 33 picks up suificient speed to a point at which the motor shaft 29 is rotating faster than outer sleeve 75, cam will be rotating in a clockwise direction relative. to outersleeve 75 and cam follower. pin 97 which will cause the cam follower pin to move outwardly under cam action, as heretofore-explained, until plunger enters notch 103and holds the cam follower pin outwardly (Pig. 7). Thus, the starting mechanism is automatically disconnected from the rotating motor shaft 29 .andadapter 23- by the overriding action of cam 95 e" if desired, the power of the running motor 33 may be utilized to rewind spring 39 making it ready for the next start. This rewinding may be accomplished by moving the handle arm .51 outwardly to engage roller 61 frictionally with idler wheel 65. Since idler wheel 65 is rotating due to its contactwith pulley 71, the idler wheel will cause rotation of roller 61 and consequently driving gear 43. Gear 35 will be driven by driving gear 43 since the twoare in mesh due to the fact'that handle arm 51 is being held outwardly. In turn rotation of driven gear :35will cause spring 39 to .be wound-as previously explained.

If for any reason it; is necessary to crank motor 33 by hand it may be done in the conventional manner using a rope wound around V-pulley 71.

From the foregoing it is apparent that a convenient and efficient engine starter is provided which offers many advantages heretobefore not possible. Thus, the starter of the present inventionis operable with very little effort on the part of the operator, and the starter may bewound easily. by hand or using the power of the motor. The stored energy may then be released suddenly to spin the engine shaft to provide a quick start of the motor. Additionally, it is apparent that many advantageous features are provided in the present invention including an efiective and unique clutch means which automatically disengages the starter from the motor at the proper time.

I claim:

1. The combination with a motor having a rotatable motor shaft of a starter for the motor comprising a casing, an inner sleeve extending through said casing, an outer sleeve fixedly mounted on said inner sleeve exterior to said casing to form a unitary sleeve assembly, said sleeve assembly being rotatably mounted relative to said casing, a wound spring having one end attached to said casing and the other end attached to said sleeve assembly to urge sleeve rotation, an adapter shaft rotatably extending throughsaid sleeve assembly and fixedly attached to the shaft of said motor for conjoint rotation therewith, a driven gear carried by said sleeve assembly, a driving gear rotatably mounted in said casing and shiftable into and out of engagement with said driven gear, crank means engaging said driving gear for manual rotation thereof to wind said spring; ratchet means carried-by said sleeve assembly, casing-carried pawl means engaging said ratchet centrically from said shaft, cam follower means carried by and rotated with said sleeve assembly removably engaging a lobe of said cam, spring means urging said follower means toward cam engagement, said cam being rotatable by said sleeve assembly through said cam follower means upon rotation of said sleeve assembly in said one direction relative to said cam whereby said clutch means operably connects said starter to said motor during start thereof, said cam follower means being removable from said cam by the action'of the cam lobes upon rotation of said cam in said one direction relative to said sleeve assembly whereby said clutch means operably disconnects said motor from said starter after the start of the motor.

2. The combination with a motor having a rotatable motor shaft of a starter for the motor comprising a casing, an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve fixedly mounted thereon to form a unitary sleeve assembly, said sleeve assembly being rotatably mounted in said casing, a wound spring having one end attached to said casing and the other end attached to said sleeve assembly to urge sleeve rotation, an adapter shaft rotatably extending through said sleeve assembly and fixedly attached to the shaft of said motor for conjoint rotation therewith, a driven gear carried by said sleeve assembly, a driving gear rotatably mounted in said casing and shiftable into and out of engagement with said driven gear, means engaging said driving gear for rotation thereof to wind said spring; ratchet means carried by said sleeve assembly, casing-carried pawl means engaging said ratchet means restraining said spring against unwinding, means for shifting said pawl means away from said ratchet means to release restraint on said spring whereby said spring rotates said sleeve assembly in one direction; and clutch means interposed between said sleeve assembly and said adapter shaft for connecting and disconnecting said sleeve assembly and said adapter shaft, said clutch means comprising an eccentric cam fixed to said adapter shaft, a pin-like follower slidably mounted in and extending through said outer sleeve into engagement with said cam, and spring means urging said follower toward cam engagement.

3. The combination with a motor having a rotatable motor shaft of a starter for the motor comprising a casing, an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve fixedly mounted thereon to form a unitary sleeve assembly, said sleeve assembly being rotatably mounted in said casing; a wound spring having one end attached to said casing and the other end attached to said sleeve assembly, an adapter shaft rotatably extending through said sleeve assembly and fixedly attached to the shaft of said motor for conjoint rotation therewith, a pulley fixedly mounted on said adapter shaft, an idler wheel rotatably mounted from said casing and being in frictional contact with said pulley for rotation thereby, a driven gear carried by said sleeve assembly, a driving gear rotatably mounted in said casing and shiftable into and out of engagement with said driven gear, said driving gear including an elongated hub, a roller fixed to said driving gear hub, said roller being shiftable into and out of frictional contact with said idler wheel conjointly upon shift of said driving gear into and out of engagement with said driven gear whereby said spring may be wound from the power of said motor; ratchet means for keeping tension on said spring upon the winding thereof including ratchet teeth formed on said sleeve assembly and a pawl lever pivotally mounted from said casing in engagement with said ratchet teeth, said pawl lever being disengageable from said ratchet teeth whereby the tension in said spring is releasable to rotate said sleeve assembly in one direction by said spring; clutch means including an eccentric cam carried by and keyed to said adapter shaft, pin-like cam follower means carried by said sleeve assembly and removably engaging said cam, follower spring means urging said follower toward cam engagement, said cam being rotatable by said sleeve assembly through said cam follower means upon rotation of said sleeve assembly in said one direction relative to said cam whereby said clutch means operably connects said starter to said motor during start thereof, said cam follower means being retractable against the urging of said follower spring means from said cam by the action of the cam upon rotation of said cam in said one direction relative to said sleeve assembly whereby said clutch means operably disconnects said motor from said starter after the start of the motor.

4. A motor starter comprising a casing, an inner sleeve extending through said casing, an outer sleeve fixedly mounted on said inner sleeve to form a rigid sleeve assembly, said sleeve assembly being rotatably mounted in said casing, a wound spring having one end attached to said casing and the other end attached to said sleeve assembly, an adapter shaft rotatably extending through said sleeve assembly and adapted to be fixedly attached to the shaft of a motor for conjoint rotation therewith, a driven gear carried by said sleeve assembly, a driving gear rotatably mounted in said casing and shiftable into and out of engagement with said driven gear, means ongaging said driving gear for rotation thereof to Wind said spring; ratchet means engaging said sleeve assembly for keeping tension on said spring upon the winding thereof, said ratchet means being releasable from said sleeve assembly whereby the tension in said spring is releasable to rotate said sleeve assembly in. one direction by said spring; and clutch means interposed between said sleeve assembly and said adapter shaft for alternately connecting and disconnecting said sleeve assembly and said adapter shaft, said clutch means comprising an eccentric cam fixed to said adapter shaft, a pin-like follower carried by said outer sleeve, and spring means urging said follower into engagement with said cam.

5. A motor starter in accordance with claim 4, which includes means for detachably mounting said starter on a motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,064,132 Curtis Tune 10, 1913

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