Abstract: An override speed control mechanism for an internal combustion engine. The override speed control system comprises a speed control lever that is movable by an operator within an actuation range having a lower control limit and an upper control limit. A throttle control mechanism is connectable to the carburetor to actuate the throttle plate of the carburetor. A coupling lever is detachably coupled to the speed control lever and the throttle control mechanism. The throttle control mechanism is caused to move through its entire operating range in response to movement of the speed control lever through a predetermined partial portion of its actuation range. The effective range of the speed control lever corresponds to the operating range of the throttle control mechanism, and movement of the speed control lever between the lower override limit and the lower control limit, and between the upper override limit and the upper control limit is ineffective to further move the throttle control mechanism.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering the cooling air entering the starter housing of a small air-cooled internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a plurality of upstanding brackets attached to the perforated face of the starter housing. The brackets include hook-shaped upstanding ends. A foam filter medium includes a plurality of slits formed therein, which correspond to the brackets. The filter is placed over the brackets and against the face of the housing such that the brackets receive the respective slits. A retaining ring is snapped into the hook-shaped ends for retaining the filter and for biasing the filter against the face of the starter housing to form a tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A top mounting pull-rope recoil starter as might be employed on a vertical crankshaft small internal combustion engine for rotary lawnmower or similar applications. The pull-rope pulley connects to a ratchet wheel through a twist-lock coupling and the spring chamber formed within the ratchet wheel and pulley is sealed against dust by a rotating seal formed between the pulley and starter housing. The ratchet wheel is selectively engaged by engine flywheel supported pawls, which have integral leaf springs normally biasing them into engagement with the ratchet wheel. When the engine is running, however, the centrifugal force generated by the rotating flywheel on the pawls moves the pawls against the bias of the integral leaf springs out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. The blower housing and starter housing are coupled together by a twist lock arrangement, and securely fastened together by a fastener, such as a threaded screw or a rivet passing through the starter housing into the blower housing.

Abstract: The invention provides an air cleaner assembly in combination with an engine having a blower housing with airflow circulating therethrough and a carburetor having an intake. The assembly comprises a duct having an inlet and an outlet with the inlet angularly disposed through the blower housing, an air cleaner housing having side walls and a bottom wall, and an outlet chamber having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the carburetor inlet. Within the air cleaner housing, a first interior wall is upstanding from the bottom wall and defines with certain side walls an intake chamber having an inlet communicating with the duct outlet, and a second interior wall upstanding from the bottom wall so that a filter chamber is formed between the interior walls having an outlet in its bottom wall so that the filter chamber and outlet chamber communicate through the filter chamber outlet and the outlet chamber inlet.

Abstract: The invention provides an air cleaner assembly in combination with an engine having a blower housing with airflow circulating therethrough and a carburetor having an intake. The assembly comprises a duct having an inlet and an outlet with the inlet angularly disposed through the blower housing, an air cleaner housing having side walls and a bottom wall, and an outlet chamber having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the carburetor inlet. Within the air cleaner housing, a first interior wall is upstanding from the bottom wall and defines with certain side walls an intake chamber having an inlet communicating with the duct outlet, and a second interior wall upstanding from the bottom wall so that a filter chamber is formed between the interior walls having an outlet in its bottom wall so that the filter chamber and outlet chamber communicate through the filter chamber outlet and the outlet chamber inlet.

Abstract: A side-mounted pull-rope recoil starter for low horsepower, vertical crankshaft internal combustion engines in which a starter gear moves vertically in a pair of journalled slots in the starter mounting bracket into engagement with a ring gear carried by the engine flywheel. The starter includes a starter brake spring which is released when the starter gear engages the flywheel, an operator handle which is specifically contoured to be comfortably held by the operator during pulling of the starter rope and a mechanical interlock between the engine and a drive transmission to prevent engagement of the starter mechanism when the transmission is in other than the neutral position. A safety lock mechanism which is operable by means of a removable key and which prevents unauthorized activation of the starter mechanism is also disclosed. A top-mounted pull-rope recoil starter is disclosed which incorporates many features of the basic side-mounted starter embodiment.

Abstract: A side-mounted pull-rope recoil starter for low horsepower, vertical crankshaft internal combustion engines in which a starter gear moves vertically in a pair of journalled slots in the starter mounting bracket into engagement with a ring gear carried by the engine flywheel. The starter includes a starter brake spring which is released when the starter gear engages the flywheel, an operator handle which is specifically contoured to be comfortably held by the operator during pulling of the starter rope and a mechanical interlock between the engine and a drive transmission to prevent engagement of the starter mechanism when the transmission is in other than the neutral position. A safety lock mechanism which is operable by means of a removable key and which prevents unauthorized activation of the starter mechanism is also disclosed. A top-mounted pull-rope recoil starter is disclosed which incorporates many features of the basic side-mounted starter embodiment.