Abstract: A self-aligning bearing having a generally cylindrical body including an outer cylindrical surface and circumferentially spaced projections formed on the body having an outer diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the socket in which the bearing is received. The bearing is provided with a bore to rotatably receive the shaft of a rotational component and is pressed into a generally cylindrical socket wherein the projections shave at least some axial length of the inside wall of the socket to a precise fit preventing rotation of the bearing therein. The precise fit extends a relatively short axial distance, resulting in clearance features between the outer surface of the assembled bearing and the socket wall which permit limited angular displacement of the bearing and allow the bearing to self align relative to the socket and yet maintain sufficient alignment to permit easy assembly of a shaft within the bearing.

Abstract: A rope-operated recoil starter particularly suitable for use with lawn mowers having the starter rope handle mounted upon the mower handle. The starter structure is the Bendix type having an engine flywheel engagable gear axially translatable upon the rope pulley. A friction brake member associated with the gear produces the gear axial translation. Lost motion means automatically operate the friction brake for producing a delay in gear translation with respect to pulley rotation preventing inadvertent gear-flywheel engagement due to mower handle movement. Additionally, a positive lockout associated with the friction brake member prevents engagement of the gear with the flywheel except during rotation of the rope pulley in an engine cranking direction. The rope pulley is provided with a rope storage ledge for accommodating the extra rope necessary to permit the rope handle to be mounted on the mower handle, and to provide extra rope for cranking, if desired.

Abstract: A recoil starter for internal combustion engines utilizing a rope rotated cranking pulley wherein pulley mounted dogs engage on engine cranking cup when extended. Dog positioning is controlled by an operator, and the dogs are spring biased and shaped to function as detents to maintain the operator in the dog retracting position preventing inadvertent dog extension due to vibration. Additionally, the starter incorporates a skirt for retaining the rope within the pulley rope groove, and the configuration of the starter reduces resistance to engine cooling air flow.

Abstract: An electric starter apparatus for small internal combustion engines wherein engagement of a starter pinion gear with engine flywheel gear teeth is produced by the axial translation of a nut member mating with helices formed on the motor shaft. An elastomer drive and cushion member is interposed between the nut and pinion gear wherein axial displacement of the pinion gear is through the elastomer, as is the transmission of torque to the gear. The elastomer includes an annular axially extending projection received within an annular recess defined in the pinion gear whereby the recess partially confines the elastomer during torque transmission and engine cranking, and concentrically locates the elastomer relative to the motor shaft.

Abstract: The invention pertains to electric starter motors for internal combustion engines, particularly motors used with smaller engines such as employed to power lawn mowers, snow blowers, lawn tractors and similar equipment. The motor housing is formed of a dielectric material as to be doubly electrically insulated for protection against electrical shock, the motor casing features simplify assembly of the field coil within the casing, and the motor armature shaft portion and starter pinion shaft portion are formed as two components, rather than the usual one piece, permitting separate heat treatment and eliminating the need for shaft straightening after hardening as required when the armature and pinion shaft are homogeneously formed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to electric starters for internal combustion engines, and in particular, to electric starters for small engines such as used with yard equipment, for instance, lawn tractors, snow blowers lawnmowers, and the like wherein the starter includes a pinion gear having cushioning means associated therewith which is of a variable characteristic such that soft cushioning is initially produced to protect the initial engagement of the pinion gear with the engine flywheel teeth, and stiffer cushioning occurs during high torque transmission during engine cranking. Preferably, the resiliency of cushioning achieved is proportional to the radius of contact between the cushioning means and the starter pinion gear.