Abstract: A snow blower has an adaptive speed control, optionally an open carrier differential, which is optionally selectively lockable. The auger is preferably chain driven. The engine output shaft optionally has a first fixedly secured pulley and a second clutched pulley. The discharge chute can be guided in rotation by an idler wheel. The chute can be rotatably actuated by a cable assembly controlled by a rotatable handle.

Abstract: A snow blower has an adaptive speed control, optionally an open carrier differential, which is optionally selectively lockable. The auger is preferably chain driven. The engine output shaft optionally has a first fixedly secured pulley and a second clutched pulley. The discharge chute can be guided in rotation by an idler wheel. The chute can be rotatably actuated by a cable assembly controlled by a rotatable handle.

Abstract: A drive train includes a gearbox having an input shaft, and a belt-driven pulley for transmitting rotation to the input shaft. The drive pulley is mounted to the main shaft by a bearing so as to be rotatable relative thereto. A clutch disk is mounted for rotation with the input shaft and is slidable relative to the input shaft so as to be movable into and out of contact with the drive pulley. When the clutch disk is in contact with the drive pulley, the input shaft is rotated. An actuator enables an operator to disengage the clutch disk from the drive pulley.

Abstract: A fullness detector for the grass collector of a lawnmower includes a pressure actuated switch which is responsive to a pressure condition in an air flow passage for conveying grass cuttings between the lawnmower and the collector. Preferably the condition is the static pressure within the passage, which is sensed in a sensing zone shielded by a baffle. The baffle serves to increase the difference in static pressure measured in the zone between any two conditions of fullness of the collector, and to reduce grass build-up in the zone. The signal for the detector may be used to control a function of the lawnmower.

Abstract: An on-the-go gear shifter includes a control handle movable along a slot to change gear ratios. The control handle has an upper part and a lower part hinged to the upper part. Detent openings connect with the slot for retaining the control handle in a selected position. A shaft underlays the slot in parallel relationship to the detent openings. The lower part of the control handle is mounted from the shaft for rotation about its axis, with the hinge axis at right angles to the shaft axis. A thrust collar is disposed on the shaft for axial movement. A thrust surface is provided on the upper part of the control handle. Movement of the control handle to disengage it from a detent opening causes the thrust surface to urge the thrust collar along the shaft axis. A first link translates the movement of the thrust collar for the control of the clutch of the appliance. A second link connects the control handle to the gear box for changing the gear ratio as the control handle rotates about the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A one-bolt connecting rod for an internal combustion engine, compressor or other machine; a structure for aligning the shank and cap parts of a two-piece connecting rod; an aluminum fastener for aluminum connecting rods; an extrusion process for making connecting rods; and connecting rod parts made by a fine blanking process. In the one-bolt connecting rod, the unbolted junction of the shank and cap is of the hook-on-lug type, and the bolt runs longitudinally through the junction. The alignment structure is on one side a V-junction with contact only between slanting walls and on the other side a junction of two single-plane walls. The aluminum fastener is a threaded aluminum stud.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine which employs lubricating oil as part of the cooling system. A sleeve forms the cylinder wall and is completely surrounded by a jacket space formed by a wall exposed to the atmosphere, including air circulated by the engine's fan. An oil pump maintains the jacket space substantially full of oil which transfers heat from the sleeve to the outer wall. On its return, the oil passes through an intermeshed heat exchange which has a set of horizontal shelves formed on the inside of the crankcase wall and an opposing and intermeshed set of horizontal shelves located inside the crankcase. A series of fins are formed on the outside of engine walls opposite the oil jacket and the intermeshed heat exchanger.

Abstract: An engine has a carburetor that includes a bowl for fuel, a venturi in which the fuel is mixed with air, and a tube for carrying fuel from the bowl to the venturi. A solenoid valve is connected to the tube to control the flow of fuel to the venturi. An engine ignition system includes a coil assembly in which electricity is generated by a permanent magnet driven by the engine passing hear the coil assembly. A transformer includes a primary winding connected to the coil assembly, and a secondary winding. A storage capacitor and a diode are coupled in series across the secondary winding and a switch couples the solenoid valve to said storage capacitor. When an operator desires to stop the engine, the switch is closed which applies electricity from the capacitor to the solenoid valve to reduce an amount of fuel flowing through the tube.

Abstract: A cylinder head assembly is disclosed for an internal combustion engine which has a cylinder head with a reciprocal valve member. A rocker arm is pivotably positioned in the cylinder head in a low and compact manner for actuation of the valve member. Camming surfaces are located between a rotatable shaft and an interior surface of the rocker arm. In a preferred form, the rocker arm has a yoke shaped body formed by an elongated top bar and an enclosed loop hanging down from the bar to define an internal cavity for camming contact with a cam member at a lower portion of the loop to effect a dragging action of the rocker arm in a manner substantially parallel to the valve member.

Abstract: A flywheel magnet rotor assembly. The assembly comprises a core, a magnet, two pole shoes and a molded resin disk. The core is comprised of metallic nonferromagnetic material forming a general can shape with apertures through a first wall. The magnet is sandwiched between the pole shoes inside the can shape and portions of the pole shoes extend out the apertures. The molded resin disk substantially surrounds the core.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a single stage snowthrower wherein a flat rear wall section of an impeller housing, a rear wall of a chute opening and the central axis of an external chute are all aligned to more efficiently remove snow. A gate is also provided to control the recirculation of snow through the impeller housing. The gate may comprise a sliding dam movable along a straight line into the housing. In a further embodiment of the present invention a pivotable gate or reciprocable plate is disposed between sidewalls of the impeller housing to vary the throat area into the chute opening in accordance with the wet or dry conditions of the snow.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a single stage snowthrower wherein a flat rear wall section of an impeller housing, a rear wall of a chute opening and the central axis of an external chute are all aligned to more efficiently remove snow. A gate is also provided to control the recirculation of snow through the impeller housing. The gate may comprise a sliding dam movable along a straight line into the housing. In a further embodiment of the present invention a pivotable dam is disposed between sidewalls of the impeller housing to vary the throat area into the chute opening in accordance with the wet or dry conditions of the snow.

Abstract: The top sharpening saw chain includes a cutter link having a body portion, an integral cutting element and a depth gauge. The cutting element comprises a top plate having a bottom surface, a top surface face spaced therefrom and terminating rearward thereof and a leading connecting surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The juncture of the connecting surface and the bottom surface defines the only cutting edge of the cutting element.

Abstract: An improved, endless safety saw chain includes a pair of side links, one of the side links being a cutter link and the other of the side links being a noncutting link and having a depth gauge in substantial alignment with a depth gauge on the cutter link. A preceding center drive link may include an upward and rearward sloping surface positioned to extend between the depth gauges of the side links. The sloping surface is preferably dimensioned so as to be in substantial alignment with the depth gauges as the saw chain articulates about the nose of the chain saw bar.