Abstract: A device for winding a spiral spring to start an engine of a construction such that a pedal shaft and a driving sprocket which is supported on the pedal shaft are connected each other in a freely rotatable manner through a clutch which is engaged and disengaged in accordance with forward and reverse rotations of the pedal shaft, that a ratchet pawl which permits the forward rotation of the pedal shaft and prevents the reverse rotation thereof is caused to be engaged with the outer peripheral teeth of the driving sprocket, and further that the driving sprocket and a driven sprocket which is provided on a starter shaft to be connected with a spiral spring are interlinked by a power transmission chain so as to cause the spiral spring to be wound around the starter shaft at the time of the forward rotation of the driving sprocket.

Abstract: An improved engine starting device for a motorcycle of the kick pedal type is provided which is easy to operate, does not require any large force of operation and is thus particularly suitable for an unskilled and powerless person such as a woman or girl to operate. To this end, the device includes a spiral spring which is operatively associated with an engine crankshaft and with a pedal arm so that it can rotate the crankshaft for engine cranking by releasing its spring force or energy previously accumulated by several repetitive swing motions of the pedal arm due to the rider's foot operation. The device also provides improved safety in engine starting operation by preventing the motorcycle from starting to run unintendedly even where the engine is started with the engine throttle valve being opened excessively.

Abstract: A spring loading system achieves substantially zero-rate by winding an unstressed, say flat, spring strip onto a former of constant curvature so as to pass from the unstressed state through a region of predetermined shape to conform with the former. The net energy expended/released in winding/unwinding the strip is directly related to the amount of strip wound onto/off the former, whatever the total length of strip wound. The system is coupled to a driven member by an inextensible string wound on the former in opposition to the spring which is held in tension by the torque exerted on the former by the wound spring.

Abstract: A spring drive mechanism which is particularly suitable for mobile toys, for example, such as small toy autos. In a spring drive mechanism of the above-mentioned type, in that the axle of the reversing pinion is a portion of a spring wire which is retained in spring drive mechanism plates, whereby a spring portion which is located on the side of the elongate aperture is constructed as an abutment for displacing the axle of the reversing pinion to thereby form the drive connection. The inner hook-shaped constructed end of the drive spring engages behind a projection on the spring core shaft. When the spring is unloaded, this construction allows for the spring core shaft to further rotate, since the now stationary or more slowly rotating inner end of the spring will not hinder the further rotational movement of the spring core shaft.

Abstract: A starter for a rope pull outboard motor that may be quickly and readily attached to the top of the motor housing. The device includes an outboard motor rope pulling member that can be spring-loaded by a manually operable means after which the handle of the outboard motor rope may be connected to the rope pulling member. Novel guiding means is used for the rapid movement of the rope pulling member to quickly pull the rope to start the motor when the spring biased rope pulling member is freed. A shock absorber brings the rope pulling member to a resilient stop at the end of the movement of the member.

Abstract: A spring drive means for toys comprising a spiral spring, a winding shaft for winding the spiral spring, a driven shaft, and a clutch mechanism for coupling and decoupling the winding shaft and driven shaft and including a plate spring and a gear, said plate spring and gear being provided with respective engagement sections engageable with one another by the spring force of the plate spring and detachable from one another against the spring force of the plate spring by torque applied to the two shafts.

Abstract: A spring prime mover unit comprising a spring prime mover, a transmission gear and a plurality of connectors. Among the connectors, there are rotatable connectors and non-rotary connectors. The rotatable connectors are the ends of some shafts of the transmission gear and the non-rotary connectors are the attachments of a covering frame. The spring prime mover unit may be exchangeably equipped with auxiliary toy parts or toys which have not prime movers and form various movable toys to one prime mover unit. Therefore, children themselves can assemble various interesting movable toys and enjoy various motion of the toys.

Abstract: An improved override and hold-down mechanism for use with a reflex camera of the type incorporating a four bar linkage for effecting movement of a reflex member between viewing and exposure positions. The override mechanism includes a ramp surface configured to multiply the hold-down torque generated by a pair of override springs and secures the reflex member in the viewing position against inadvertent movement.CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 355,685 filed on Apr. 30, 1973 and entitled, "Reflex Member Hold-Down Mechanism"now U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,545.

Abstract: A variable retracting device comprising a collapsible elongated tubular element providing a cavity therealong for receiving fluid therein and having first and second ends. A fluid reservoir means communicates with the cavity of the tubular element at its first end and has control means for regulating the flow of fluid between the cavity of the tubular element and the reservoir means. A restricting means engages and collapses the tubular element at locations between its first and second ends and is movable along the collapsed portion of the tubular element up to the uncollapsed portion containing fluid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clockwork motor, particularly but not exclusively, for toys, wherein an escapement consisting of a friction memeber that is pressed resiliently against a sliding surface moving with a part of the clockwork motor running down under the action of a mainspring, and wherein the pressure force for the friction member is arranged to be approximately proportional at any given moment to the driving force of the mainspring at the moment. The friction member is mounted on a carrier spaced from and movable relative to the sliding surface, and a stationary end of the mainspring engages with the carrier.

Abstract: A self-powered scrub brush intended for use by individuals in the cleansing of portions of their bodies, the scrub brush including a housing having a brush rotatively supported therein and projecting thereoutof, a hollow handle including a soap dispenser associated with the housing for dispensing soap thereinto, a valve for controlling the dispensing of the soap from the handle into the housing, a helical spring disposed between the brush and the housing in a manner to be wound and tightened upon rotation of the brush in a first direction with the spring then powering the rotation of the brush in the opposite direction, and a cord wrapped about the brush and extending outwardly of the housing for manual rotation of the brush in a direction to wind the spring. Holes are provided in the base of the brush for discharging the soap dispensed from the handle directly into the bristles of the brush for application to the skin of an individual for cleansing the same.