Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for priming and starting a two-cycle engine. A spool is drivingly coupled to the engine crankshaft. The intermediate portion of a cord is wrapped at least once about the spool leaving opposite ends of the cord free. To prime the engine, the opposite ends of the cord are grasped and alternately pulled causing rotation of the spool and crankshaft in corresponding alternate angular directions. To start the engine, one cord end is released and the opposite cord end is pulled to impart unidirectional angular rotation to the engine crankshaft and remove the cord from the spool. In one form hereof, the spool is located in driving relation to the crankshaft between the power takeoff, i.e. a propeller, and engine. In another form, the spool is formed as an integral portion of the propeller on the side of the propeller remote from the crankshaft.

Abstract: The embodiment of the clothes dryer disclosed herein shows apparatus which operates on a vacuum principle to dry clothes or other material rapidly and economically. A rotary vane vacuum pump is incorporated into the dryer to efficiently exhaust the clothes holding compartment during rotation of a double drum assembly. The pump which is affixed to the stationary center shaft has a rotor which rotates with the double drum assembly. A radiant heating element can be mounted on the stationary horizontal center shaft directed into the clothes holding compartment to expedite the drying process.