Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed that separately delivers air and fuel to an engine carburetor while minimizing the number of components. The fuel tank is integrally formed with the air box and the air filter housing so that the air passageway from the air filter to the carburetor intake is at least partially defined by a common wall between the fuel tank and the air filter housing. The opposite air passageway wall is in part defined by the air filter itself. A flexible, substantially tubular elbow is used to connect the air box outlet to the carburetor intake.

Abstract: A brake mechanism wherein a bracket is attached to a small engine. The bracket comprises two rotating arms, a spring, a brake pad and cable attachments. When an operator of a small engine releases a cable attached to the brake assembly, the spring rotates an arm which further engages a brake pad for slowing the engine and stopping it. The cable may be attached to either arm for releasing and engaging the brake pad, which allows the small engine to be mounted on an apparatus in more than one orientation.

Abstract: A balancing system for both horizontal and vertical shaft engines has a drive gear attached to the crankshaft, a driven gear disposed on and freely rotatable from the camshaft, and a counterbalance weight attached to the driven gear. The rotation of the crankshaft and the drive gear causes the driven gear and the counterbalance weight to rotate at crankshaft speed and in the opposite direction from the crankshaft. Substantial cost savings are achieved since the balancing system does not require any additional shafts and minimizes the number of gears needed to achieve balancing.

Abstract: A limited angle torque actuator produces a substantially constant torque over an excursion angle of 90 degrees or more. The actuator uses a core made from a highly permeable magnetic material such as soft iron. In a preferred embodiment, one or more permanent magnets are attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical core. In another embodiment, the permanent magnets are spaced apart from a stationary core to create an air gap therebetween. When current flows through a coil wound on the stator, first and second stator poles are created which interact with the permanent magnets to rotate the rotor assembly.

Abstract: An alternator assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a regulator whose individual circuit components are mounted directly on the stator of the alternator assembly. The regulator may be in the form of discrete components or integrated circuit chips. The components of the regulator circuit may be mounted to the stator by fasteners or by an adhesive resin such as epoxy.

Abstract: A continuously advancing capacitive discharge ignition system for small internal combustion engines is disclosed in which both the negative and the positive half-cycles of the control winding output signal may be used for the continuous timing advance. Gating of the ignition SCR is controlled by applying a voltage divided first control signal to the SCR gate and a phase shifted second control signal to the SCR cathode. The predetermined voltage differential between the first control signal and the second control signal, which is reached progressively earlier with increased engine speed, is used to gate on the SCR earlier as speed increases to achieve continuous timing advance.

Abstract: An oil fill tube assembly for an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a tube having a lower end communicating with the crankcase of the engine and an open upper end that is enclosed by a cap. The undersurface of the cap carries a dipstick which extends downwardly within the tube. The upper end of the tube has a pair of locking elements which are spaced circumferentially with the spaces between the elements being of different circumferential dimension. The lower edge of a peripheral flange on the cap has a pair of locking lugs of different circumferential dimension that are constructed and arranged to be received within the spaces between the locking elements of the tube as the cap is inserted on the tube. The locking elements and the locking lugs are provided with mating cam surfaces so that when the cap is rotated one quarter of a turn, a seal on the under surface of the cap will be forced against the upper end of the tube to tightly seal the cap to the tube.

Abstract: A fuel ignition products adhesive coating is disposed on the surface of an internal combustion engine piston. The coating protects the surface from corrosion and wear caused by the combustion of fuel in the cylinder.

Abstract: A tool for applying fasteners to a workpiece includes a housing, a fastener driving mechanism for driving a fastener through a driveway, a fastener guide assembly containing the driveway, a fastener magazine for holding and sequentially feeding fasteners to the guide assembly, and an arrangement for properly positioning the driveway relative to the workpiece. The fastener guide assembly includes a head through which the fasteners are driven, and the positioning arrangement includes a pair of opposite beveled surfaces on the sides of the head for longitudinally aligning the driveway relative to the workpiece, and a substantially U-shaped channel in the bottom face of the head for longitudinally aligning the driveway relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: An engine speed limiter includes a computing means for computing a value that is functionally related to the time between successive ignition pulses and for outputting a speed signal representative thereof. The speed limiter also includes generating means for generating a reference signal that is functionally related to the desired maximum limit speed. A comparison means compares the speed signal with the reference signal and generates a limit signal if the result of the comparison indicates that the actual engine speed is about equal to or greater than the desired maximum limit speed. The limit signal is used to interrupt engine ignition to thereby limit engine speed.

Abstract: A bracket support assembly connected to the lower end of the head of a staple gun. The support assembly includes a U-shaped plate member having a web portion that functions to longitudinally align the driveway of the gun with a fastener-receiving opening in the mounting bracket and a pair of opposite spaced apart leg portions which function to laterally align the driveway with respect to the fastener-receiving openings of the mounting bracket. A flat support plate extending across the lower end of the U-shaped plate member acts to support the mounting bracket during a fastener driving operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter is disclosed which does not require a source of pressurized lubricating fluid, and is particularly suitable for engines using a splash lubrication system. The engine crankcase oil is transferred from the cam surface through a check valve into the pressure chamber of the lifter. The check valve is operated by the pressure differential between the chamber pressure and the pressure at the cam surface. The check valve may also be operated by the cam itself.

Abstract: Breather apparatus is disclosed for relieving engine crankcase pressure when the engine is tipped or rotated. The breather apparatus consists of a duct intake connected to the crankcase, an elongated duct, and a drain hole for draining oil back into the crankcase. The duct intake should be positioned in an area of low oil splash. The drain hole should be positioned so that it is not submerged in oil while being tipped 90.degree. in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction about the engine's vertical centerline. The breather assembly is particularly suitable for lawnmowers that are tipped during cleaning.

Abstract: An ignition-powered engine shut-off circuit is provided for power-driven apparatus such as lawn mowers, pumps, generators, tractors and the like. The shut-off circuit preferably includes a first switch, such as a low oil or toggle switch, which is activated when a particular condition exists. The circuit also includes an electronic switch that is subject to the control of a switch control means. When the first switch senses that a particular condition exists, the switch control means gates on the electronic switch, grounding the ignition pulses and shutting off the engine. The first switch is preferably a reed switch used to sense low oil levels, and the electronic switch is preferably a high-power SCR or other thyristor. An indicator means consisting of an LED and a shunt resistor indicates that the ignition pulses are being grounded.

Abstract: An ignition-powered interlock switch is provided for disabling a low oil pressure switch in power-driven apparatus such as lawn mowers, pumps, generators, tractors and the like. The interlock switch disables the low oil pressure switch when the engine is not running to permit the engine to be easily started. The interlock switch preferably comprises a diode, a relay, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the relay solenoid. The capacitor discharges through the relay solenoid after the engine stops running to operate the relay. The interlock switch may also include either a manual or an electronic switch.

Abstract: A starter-powered interlock switch means is provided for disabling a low oil pressure switch in power-driven apparatus such as lawn mowers, pumps, generators, tractors and the like. The interlock switch means disables the low oil pressure switch when the engine is not running to permit the engine to be easily started. Several embodiments of the interlock switch means are disclosed. The embodiments include a capacitor that is charged by the starter motor during cranking of the engine, and a relay switch that interrupts the circuit between the ignition primary and the low oil pressure switch to disable the low oil pressure switch. When the engine has started, the capacitor discharges to control one or more other switches that in turn close the circuit between the ignition primary and the low oil pressure switch. The closing of the latter circuit enables the low oil pressure switch to be activated when a low oil pressure condition is sensed.

Abstract: An engine speed limiter is disclosed in which the ignition primary winding is shorted to limit engine speed whenever an ignition pulse is received by a switch at the same time that a switch is gated on by a positive output pulse from a timing circuit. A signal conditioning circuit receives a positive-going pulse from the ignition primary winding and outputs a conditioned signal to the timer to begin the timer's positive output signal. The speed limiter is suitable to be retrofit onto existing ignition systems.

Abstract: A mechanical speed governor for internal combustion engines includes a centrifugal weight carrier and an arm means that extends through the top side of the upper engine housing. The arm means moves in response to movement by the centrifugal weight carrier to control the amount of fuel delivered for engine combustion. The governor arrangement avoids the oil seal and bell crank levers required in prior art devices.

Abstract: A removable cap for closing the filler neck of a fuel tank for an internal combustion engine. The cap includes a one piece gasket and baffle member which not only provides a fluid seal between the cap and the filler neck, but also permits venting of the fuel tank through the gasket. The one piece member includes an annular flat gasket portion integrally formed on the outer periphery of a dome-shaped baffle member projecting downwardly from the inner surface of the cap. Venting is accomplished by means of at least one vent opening extending through the dome-shaped baffle member which in turn communicates via a vent chamber to a passageway formed through the gasket. The passageway in turn communicates with a non-sealing threaded interconnection between the cap and filler neck. A splash guard is also located beneath the baffle member to aid in preventing fuel from splashing through the vent openings in the baffle member.

Abstract: An improved engine shut-off system is provided in which the likelihood of a safe failure is maximized and the likehood of an unsafe failure is minimized. Both terminals of the engine's first safety stop switch are connected in the ignition circuit so that if either wire leading to a stop switch terminal is grounded or breaks, a fail-safe condition exists. A first terminal of the first stop switch is connected in circuit to the main coil's primary winding, and the second terminal is connected in circuit to either the control switch means or the trigger coil. An optional second stop switch may be used in conjection with the first stop switch. The optional second stop switch may be a seat switch.