Abstract: The present invention extends to apparatuses and methods directed to a modular and adjustable swim fin. Some aspects of the invention include a swim fin having one or more interchangeable fin ribs that facilitate adjustment of flexibility characteristics of the swim fin. For example, interchangeable fin ribs having different flexibility characteristics (e.g., durometer, stiffness, rigidity, or hardness) provide desirable performance when attached to a fin blade of a swim fin. In addition, some aspects of the invention include a fin blade with an adjustable fin split that facilitates use of either a solid fin blade when the adjustable fin split is closed or a split fin blade when the adjustable fin split is open.

Abstract: A power module is connected to the starter, alternator, and battery for an internal combustion engine. The power module includes one or more capacitors and delay timer. When the ignition switch closes, the battery of the starting system provides current to the starter motor, causing the starter solenoid to close the starter contacts, and bring a starter pinion gear into engagement with a flywheel ring gear. The delay timer does not allow the capacitor to immediately deliver current to the starter motor, but implements a short delay before the capacitor's current is released to the starter motor. This short delay increases the chance for full engagement between the starter pinion and the flywheel ring gear, thereby reducing the likelihood of milling when the starter motor provides torque to the starter pinion.

Abstract: A power module is connected to the starter, alternator, and battery for an internal combustion engine. The power module includes one or more capacitors and delay timer. When the ignition switch closes, the battery of the starting system provides current to the starter motor, causing the starter solenoid to close the starter contacts, and bring a starter pinion gear into engagement with a flywheel ring gear. The delay timer does not allow the capacitor to immediately deliver current to the starter motor, but implements a short delay before the capacitor's current is released to the starter motor. This short delay increases the chance for full engagement between the starter pinion and the flywheel ring gear, thereby reducing the likelihood of milling when the starter motor provides torque to the starter pinion.

Abstract: An electric engine starter that has a motor frame and a planetary gear mechanism is provided with an internal shield that is operative to prevent brush dust from entering the planetary gear mechanism. The shield is formed of steel and has an outer annular flange that, prior to assembly to the starter, is located at an angle to a plane that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the shield. When the shield is assembled to the starter, it is compressed between the motor frame and a support for the ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism. During this compression, the flange is deflected to develop a spring force. This spring force causes a gasket interposed between the flange and the motor frame to tightly seal against the motor frame. This spring force further causes the shield to tightly engage the ring gear support.

Abstract: An electric engine starter for cranking an internal combustion engine. The starter has a drive housing which is shaped to define a solenoid compartment and a starter drive compartment. The drive housing has a pair of spaced walls connecting the solenoid compartment to the starter drive compartment. A starter drive that includes a pinion gear and an overrunning clutch is located in the starter drive compartment. A shift lever retainer is located between the spaced walls of the drive housing and pivotally supports a shift lever. The retainer has outwardly projecting ribs and the spaced walls have inwardly projecting spaced ribs. These ribs impede the passage of water from the starter drive compartment to the solenoid compartment. The shift lever has a plate or flap which, in an at-rest position of the shift lever, forms a barrier for the passage of water from the starter drive compartment toward the retainer.

Abstract: A shift lever mechanism for an engine starter for translating axial movement of the plunger of a starter solenoid into axial movement of a starter drive pinion. The shift lever mechanism has a retainer that has two axially extending spaced arms. Each arm has an opening that is defined by a circular portion and a radially extending slot. A shut lever is pivotally supported by the retainer. The shift lever has opposed bosses that are respectively located in the openings in the arms. The bosses have radially extending ribs that are located in the slots. The slots and ribs allow the shift lever to be assembled to the retainer in only one proper orientation of the shift lever relative to the retainer.

Abstract: A brush holder assembly for a dynamoelectric machine. The assembly comprises an annular metallic support plate that carries a plurality of metallic brush holders. Each brush holder slidably supports a brush. Two of the brush holders have tangs that extend from a respective brush holder. A bus bar formed of copper is welded to the tangs to thereby support the bus bar from the brush holders. The brushes that are associated with the two brush holders are each connected to a brush conductor. The brush conductors are welded to the bus bar. Another conductor or lead is welded to the bus bar to feed current to the bus bar.