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: An end cap for small electric motors using brushes, the end cap being molded of a synthetic plastic dielectric material. Brush-receiving guides are defined on the end cap by homogeneous cantilevered fingers which are deflectable to grip the brush therein during assembly of the end cap to a motor casing. Electric conductor and connector retainers are homogeneously defined on the end cap to provide conductor strain relief, a circuit breaker retainer is homogeneously included in the cap configuration, and tie bolt ears are of such configuration as to cooperate with the motor casing to resist deflection.

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.