Abstract: A device includes an internal combustion engine, an engine control device coupled to the internal combustion engine and manually operable to stop operation of the engine, a fuel tank coupled to the engine for providing fuel to the engine, and a fuel vent closure device communicating with the fuel tank. The fuel vent closure device is automatically operable in response pressure changes in the engine to substantially seal the fuel tank when the engine is stopped, thereby substantially preventing emissions from the fuel tank. The device also preferably includes a fuel shutoff device automatically operable in response to pressure changes in the engine to substantially block the supply of fuel to the engine when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A device including an internal combustion engine, an engine control device coupled to the internal combustion engine and manually operable to stop operation of the engine, a fuel tank for providing fuel to the engine, and a fuel vent closure device automatically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially seal the fuel tank when the engine is stopped, thereby substantially preventing emissions from the fuel tank. The device also preferably includes a fuel shutoff device automatically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially block the supply of fuel to the engine when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A retainer retains a release member for engine valves of an internal combustion engine. The release member causes an engine valve to be actuated depending on various operating conditions of the engine, such as engine speed or oil level. The retainer retains the release member to at least one of a cam lobe and a cam gear. The release member may be substantially L-shaped and centrifugally responsive. Alternatively, the release member may be a substantially U-shaped yoke that at least partially surrounds a cam shaft. The retainer includes a pin that is substantially transverse and non-intersecting to the cam shaft. The pin may be substantially straight and interconnect to bosses that project from the cam gear. Alternatively, the pin may be substantially C-shaped and extend into apertures in the cam gear that extend in the axial direction of the cam gear.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a centrifugally-responsive vacuum release mechanism that relieves a vacuum within a combustion chamber during the expansion stroke of an engine at engine starting speeds. The vacuum release mechanism is disposed adjacent the cam and engages a cam follower at engine starting speeds to unseat an engine valve while an engine piston is moving toward a crankcase and away from the combustion chamber. When the engine rotation speed reaches a desired kick-out speed, the centrifugal force transitions the vacuum release mechanism from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The vacuum release mechanism engages the cam follower to separate the cam follower from the cam when the vacuum release mechanism is in the engaged position. When the vacuum release mechanism is in the disengaged position during normal operating speeds, the cam follower is permitted to contact the cam throughout the entire rotation of the cam.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a centrifugally-responsive vacuum release mechanism that relieves a vacuum within a combustion chamber during the expansion stroke of an engine at engine starting speeds. The vacuum release mechanism is disposed adjacent the cam and engages a cam follower at engine starting speeds to unseat an engine valve while an engine piston is moving toward a crankcase and away from the combustion chamber. When the engine rotation speed reaches a desired kick-out speed, the centrifugal force transitions the vacuum release mechanism from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The vacuum release mechanism engages the cam follower to separate the cam follower from the cam when the vacuum release mechanism is in the engaged position. When the vacuum release mechanism is in the disengaged position during normal operating speeds, the cam follower is permitted to contact the cam throughout the entire rotation of the cam.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a centrifugally-responsive vacuum release mechanism that relieves a vacuum within a combustion chamber during the expansion stroke of an engine at engine starting speeds. The vacuum release mechanism is disposed adjacent the cam and engages a cam follower at engine starting speeds to unseat an engine valve while an engine piston is moving toward a crankcase and away from the combustion chamber. When the engine rotation speed reaches a desired kick-out speed, the centrifugal force transitions the vacuum release mechanism from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The vacuum release mechanism engages the cam follower to separate the cam follower from the cam when the vacuum release mechanism is in the engaged position. When the vacuum release mechanism is in the disengaged position during normal operating speeds, the cam follower is permitted to contact the cam throughout the entire rotation of the cam.

Abstract: A device including an internal combustion engine, an engine control device coupled to the internal combustion engine and manually operable to stop operation of the engine, a fuel tank coupled to the engine for providing fuel to the engine, and a fuel vent closure device communicating with the fuel tank. The fuel vent closure device is automatically and electrically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially seal the fuel tank when the engine is stopped, thereby substantially preventing emissions from the fuel tank. The device also preferably includes a fuel shutoff device automatically and electrically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially block the supply of fuel to the engine when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A device includes an internal combustion engine, an engine control device coupled to the internal combustion engine and manually operable to stop operation of the engine, a fuel tank coupled to the engine for providing fuel to the engine, and a fuel vent closure device communicating with the fuel tank. The fuel vent closure device is automatically operable in response pressure changes in the engine to substantially seal the fuel tank when the engine is stopped, thereby substantially preventing emissions from the fuel tank. The device also preferably includes a fuel shutoff device automatically operable in response to pressure changes in the engine to substantially block the supply of fuel to the engine when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A retainer retains a release member for engine valves of an internal combustion engine. The release member causes an engine valve to be actuated depending on various operating conditions of the engine, such as engine speed or oil level. The retainer retains the release member to at least one of a cam lobe and a cam gear. The release member may be substantially L-shaped and centrifugally responsive. Alternatively, the release member may be a substantially U-shaped yoke that at least partially surrounds a cam shaft. The retainer includes a pin that is substantially transverse and non-intersecting to the cam shaft. The pin may be substantially straight and interconnect to bosses that project from the cam gear. Alternatively, the pin may be substantially C-shaped and extend into apertures in the cam gear that extend in the axial direction of the cam gear.

Abstract: A retainer retains a release member for engine valves of an internal combustion engine. The release member causes an engine valve to be actuated depending on various operating conditions of the engine, such as engine speed or oil level. The retainer retains the release member to at least one of a cam lobe and a cam gear. The release member may be substantially L-shaped and centrifugally responsive. Alternatively, the release member may be a substantially U-shaped yoke that at least partially surrounds a cam shaft. The retainer includes a pin that is substantially transverse and non-intersecting to the cam shaft. The pin may be substantially straight and interconnect to bosses that project from the cam gear. Alternatively, the pin may be substantially C-shaped and extend into apertures in the cam gear that extend in the axial direction of the cam gear.

Abstract: A device including an internal combustion engine, an engine control device coupled to the internal combustion engine and manually operable to stop operation of the engine, a fuel tank coupled to the engine for providing fuel to the engine, and a fuel vent closure device communicating with the fuel tank. The fuel vent closure device is automatically and electrically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially seal the fuel tank when the engine is stopped, thereby substantially preventing emissions from the fuel tank. The device also preferably includes a fuel shutoff device automatically and electrically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially block the supply of fuel to the engine when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A device including an internal combustion engine, an engine control device coupled to the internal combustion engine and manually operable to stop operation of the engine, a fuel tank for providing fuel to the engine, and a fuel vent closure device automatically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially seal the fuel tank when the engine is stopped, thereby substantially preventing emissions from the fuel tank. The device also preferably includes a fuel shutoff device automatically operable in response to the manual operation of the engine control device to substantially block the supply of fuel to the engine when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a centrifugally-responsive vacuum release mechanism that relieves a vacuum within a combustion chamber during the expansion stroke of an engine at engine starting speeds. The vacuum release mechanism is disposed adjacent the cam and engages a cam follower at engine starting speeds to unseat an engine valve while an engine piston is moving toward a crankcase and away from the combustion chamber. When the engine rotation speed reaches a desired kick-out speed, the centrifugal force transitions the vacuum release mechanism from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The vacuum release mechanism engages the cam follower to separate the cam follower from the cam when the vacuum release mechanism is in the engaged position. When the vacuum release mechanism is in the disengaged position during normal operating speeds, the cam follower is permitted to contact the cam throughout the entire rotation of the cam.

Abstract: An engine counterbalancing system has a counterbalance weight that reciprocates in a linear manner in opposition to piston movement. The counterbalance weight is preferably coupled to the crankshaft via two spaced link arms that engage two respective eccentrics of the crankshaft. The counterbalance weight is guided by one or more rails that are formed integrally on the inner surface of the crankcase housing.

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: A pour spout for conducting a liquid, such as fuel, from a portable ventless container to a tank which includes a mechanism for enabling a user to readily determine when the tank is full and when fluid flow from the portable container into the tank has stopped. The mechanism includes a window in a wall of the container and a deflector connected to the pour spout which extends into the interior of the container for directing air bubbles entering the container through the pour spout toward the window. The window permits a user to visually determine when the displaced air bubbles stop flowing which is an indication that the tank is full and flow of the liquid has stopped. The window may be in the form of a translucent thin wall section, a transparent pane mounted in the wall, or the container itself may be translucent throughout so that the displaced air bubbles may be seen when directed to a location adjacent a wall.

Abstract: A pour spout for pouring a fluid, such as fuel, by gravity from a container to a tank. The spout includes a conduit having one end connected to the fuel container and having a second end to be positioned within the neck of the tank. A sleeve is mounted for sliding movement within the conduit and the outer end of the sleeve carries a closure which closes off the discharge end of the conduit. A vent tube is disposed within the conduit and has an inlet end which is adapted to communicate with the fuel tank when the closure is in the open position. A check valve is mounted within the vent tube and permits the flow of fuel vapor and air from the tank through the tube to the container, but prevents flow of fuel in the opposite direction. An annular collar is mounted on the conduit and with the collar engaged with the neck of the fuel tank, a downward force applied through the container on the sleeve will open the closure to admit fuel through the conduit to the tank.

Abstract: A pour spout for pouring a fluid, such as fuel, by gravity from a container to a tank. The spout includes a conduit having one end connected to the fuel container and having a second end to be positioned within the neck of the tank. A sleeve is mounted for sliding movement within the conduit and the outer end of the sleeve carries a closure which closes off the discharge end of the conduit. A seal is incorporated to prevent the entry of foreign particulate material into the sliding interface formed between the conduit and sleeve. The seal is provided by an annular skirt which overlaps with an annular flange together with an annular jacket of resilient foam material surrounding the sleeve and conduit at the location of the sliding interface.