Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing and a crankshaft supported for rotation within the engine housing and rotatable in a starting direction to start said engine. At least one cup is fixedly mounted to the crankshaft for rotation therewith. A starter shaft is supported by the engine housing for rotation. A spring housing includes a circumferential flange that defines an annular track with the at least one cup, and a spring is housed within the spring housing. The spring has a first end interconnected with the spring housing and a second end interconnected with the engine housing. A friction roller is movable into the annular track and into engagement with both of the circumferential flange and the at least one cup to cause rotation of the spring housing and loading of the spring in response to rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: An engine starting device for an internal combustion engine, includes an energy storing mechanism including at least one elastic member, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable into contact with a rotatable engine member of an engine to load the elastic member, an output element that is movable in response to unloading of the elastic member, at least one manual actuator to enable unloading of the elastic member, a locking mechanism engageable with the energy storing mechanism to prevent the elastic member from unloading from a loaded state, a sliding member, a cam member mounted to the sliding member, a pivot link pivotably mounted to the sliding member, and a key device coupled to the pivot link. In operation, rotation of the key device in a locking direction causes the pivot link to move the sliding member, thereby causing the cam member to engage the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is positioned in engagement with the energy storing mechanism.

Abstract: An engine starting device for an internal combustion engine, includes an energy storing mechanism including at least one elastic member, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable into contact with a rotatable engine member of an engine to load the elastic member, an output element that is movable in response to unloading of the elastic member, at least one manual actuator to enable unloading of the elastic member, a locking mechanism engageable with the energy storing mechanism to prevent the elastic member from unloading from a loaded state, a sliding member, a cam member mounted to the sliding member, a pivot link pivotably mounted to the sliding member, and a key device coupled to the pivot link. In operation, rotation of the key device in a locking direction causes the pivot link to move the sliding member, thereby causing the cam member to engage the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is positioned in engagement with the energy storing mechanism.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing, a crankshaft supported within the engine housing for rotation with respect to the engine housing, and a flywheel fixedly mounted to the crankshaft and rotatable with the crankshaft in a starting direction to start the engine. A coil spring has an outer end fixedly interconnected with respect to the engine housing, and an inner end. A unidirectional clutch has a portion connected to the inner end of the spring. The unidirectional clutch is characterized by an interference condition in which the unidirectional clutch couples the inner end of the spring to the flywheel such that the flywheel and crankshaft may be rotated in the starting direction in response to unloading of the spring. The unidirectional clutch is also characterized by a non-interference condition in which the inner end of the spring is uncoupled from the flywheel.

Abstract: A spark prevention apparatus during the exhaust stroke of a four-stroke-cycle internal combustion engine is claimed. A valve operating assembly operates an intake or an exhaust valve. A switch is electrically connected to a primary winding of the engine and actuated by the valve operating assembly such that either the primary winding is electrically connected to ground during the exhaust stroke or the primary winding is electrically connected to an energy storage device during the exhaust stroke.

Abstract: An engine starting and stopping device for an internal combustion engine includes an energy storing mechanism having at least one elastic member such as a spring, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable during engine coast down to load the elastic member, and an output element that is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism. The output element is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism as the elastic member unloads from the loaded state, to thereby move a rotatable member (i.e., a crankshaft and/or flywheel) of the engine during starting of the engine. An input control device is also provided for positioning the input element into engagement with the rotatable member of the engine such that rotation of the rotatable member moves the input element to load the elastic member during engine coast down and also to brake the engine.

Abstract: The present invention is a valve seal assembly used to prevent the lubricating fluid used to lubricate a valve stem and valve guide from entering the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The valve seal assembly has an outer side surface that sealingly engages the engine housing of the internal combustion engine. The valve seal assembly is also preferably located near the end of the valve guide that is closest to the combustion chamber. The valve seal assembly also includes a resilient sealing element that has an improved sealing lip for preventing the lubricating fluid from traveling past the sealing lip. The sealing lip is also positioned in order to extend the operating life and effectiveness of the valve seal assembly.

Abstract: The automatic enrichment mechanism for an internal combustion engine is thermally-responsive and may also be centrifugally-responsive. The invention increases engine startability and minimizes stumbling and stalling of the engine during engine warmup. The thermally-responsive mechanism allows an additional reverse gas flow through the intake manifold to thereby increase the fuel discharged by the carburetor fuel nozzle. In several embodiments, the thermally-responsive mechanism, at low engine temperatures, causes a blocking or retaining member to keep an auxiliary cam member engaged with the cam follower of the valve assembly. As a result, the intake valve is partially unseated at low engine temperatures and a portion of the air/fuel mixture is fed back to the intake manifold. In these embodiments, when the engine temperature reaches a predetermined level, the thermally-responsive mechanism allows the auxiliary cam member to disengage from the cam follower in response to centrifugal force on the flyweights.

Abstract: A centrifugally-responsive compression release apparatus relieves compression in more than one cylinder of an internal combustion engine during starting. The compression release apparatus utilizes a centrifugally-responsive flyweight, a single shaft operable by the flyweight, and one or more lift members movable by the shaft and engageable with one or more valve operating devices. The compression release apparatus may employ a single lift member that is engageable with two valve operating devices upon rotation of the shaft, or alternatively, a pair of lift members each engageable with a distinct valve operating device. Thus, the compression release apparatus is particularly adaptable to reducing compression in two cylinders of a V-twin engine, but may be adapted to reducing compression in an engine having more than two cylinders.

Abstract: A multi-pass catalytic converter/muffler uses a single catalytic support bed without increasing the overall size of the catalytic converter/muffler. The outer surface area of the catalytic support bed is disposed adjacent to the outer wall of the catalytic converter housing, with only the mat in between. Secondary air may be provided upstream before the exhaust gases make their first pass through the catalytic support bed, or after the first pass but before the second pass or even after the second pass.

Abstract: A pour spout for conducting fluid from a container to a receptacle. The pour spout includes a conduit member having a first end interconnectable with the container and a second end having a discharge opening and a vent opening, and a closure member positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The closure member is movable relative to the conduit member between a first position where the discharge and vent openings are closed, a second position where the vent opening is open, and a third position where the discharge opening is open. A closure locking device prevents bypassing the second position during movement of the closure member from the first position to the third position. A vent locking device prevents movement of the closure member from the first position to the second position when the container is tipped beyond a predetermined angle. Another device retains sub-ambient pressure within the container when closure member is in the second position.

Abstract: An improved centrifugally responsive compression release mechanism transmits the valve loads from the valve operating means through the auxiliary cam member to a plurality of shoulders on the camshaft. The compression release member has a curved saddle to which is attached the auxiliary cam member as well as opposed, downwardly extending flyweights that are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the camshaft. The compression release member is pivotally connected to the camshaft by pair of pins extending from the camshaft outer surface and by pair of opposed pin retainers on the compression release member. Valve loads are transmitted through the compression release member to surfaces on the pin retainers which in turn abut the camshaft shoulders.

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 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.