Abstract: The improved battery-powered lawnmower includes a safety key that is automatically removed when the removable battery is removed, while at the same time blocking the battery recharger receptacle. The lawnmower also includes a control circuit that shuts off the lawnmower upon the occurrence of one or more of several predetermined conditions, including low battery voltage, the encountering of heavy grass for a period of 3 seconds or more, and high motor current that may occur when the cutting blade is jammed. The cutting blade is designed to move through any debris accumulated between the blade ends and the housing sidewall without sacrificing the lift for needed cutting and mulching. The invention also includes a unique height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the chassis, a handle attachment that allows the handle to be positively tightened to the lawnmower chassis, and a telescoping groove for the battery's quick connect/disconnect terminals.

Abstract: The improved battery-powered lawnmower includes a safety key that is automatically removed when the removable battery is removed, while at the same time blocking the battery recharger receptacle. The lawnmower also includes a control circuit that shuts off the lawnmower upon the occurrence of one or more of several predetermined conditions, including low battery voltage, the encountering of heavy grass for a period of 3 seconds or more, and high motor current that may occur when the cutting blade is jammed. The cutting blade is designed to move through any debris accumulated between the blade ends and the housing sidewall without sacrificing the lift for needed cutting and mulching. The invention also includes a unique height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the chassis, a handle attachment that allows the handle to be positively tightened to the lawnmower chassis, and a telescoping groove for the battery's quick connect/disconnect terminals.

Abstract: An adjustable ignition shut-off switch for lawnmower engines is disclosed in which a tab attached to the bale lever moves a resilient switch contact away from a ground terminal when the lawnmower is in its run position. When the bale lever is released, the tab disengages the switch contact, permitting the resilient switch contact to make an electrical connection with the ground terminal. Since the switch contact is also electrically connected to the engine ignition system, ignition pulses are grounded to stop the engine when the switch contact is electrically connected to the ground terminal. The height of the tab is adjustable so that the shut-off switch may be adapted to different lawnmower applications.

Abstract: An alternator assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a regulator whose individual circuit components are mounted directly on the stator of the alternator assembly. The regulator may be in the form of discrete components or integrated circuit chips. The components of the regulator circuit may be mounted to the stator by fasteners or by an adhesive resin such as epoxy.

Abstract: An ignition-powered engine shut-off circuit is provided for power-driven apparatus such as lawn mowers, pumps, generators, tractors and the like. The shut-off circuit preferably includes a first switch, such as a low oil or toggle switch, which is activated when a particular condition exists. The circuit also includes an electronic switch that is subject to the control of a switch control means. When the first switch senses that a particular condition exists, the switch control means gates on the electronic switch, grounding the ignition pulses and shutting off the engine. The first switch is preferably a reed switch used to sense low oil levels, and the electronic switch is preferably a high-power SCR or other thyristor. An indicator means consisting of an LED and a shunt resistor indicates that the ignition pulses are being grounded.

Abstract: An ignition-powered interlock switch is provided for disabling a low oil pressure switch in power-driven apparatus such as lawn mowers, pumps, generators, tractors and the like. The interlock switch disables the low oil pressure switch when the engine is not running to permit the engine to be easily started. The interlock switch preferably comprises a diode, a relay, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the relay solenoid. The capacitor discharges through the relay solenoid after the engine stops running to operate the relay. The interlock switch may also include either a manual or an electronic switch.

Abstract: A starter-powered interlock switch means is provided for disabling a low oil pressure switch in power-driven apparatus such as lawn mowers, pumps, generators, tractors and the like. The interlock switch means disables the low oil pressure switch when the engine is not running to permit the engine to be easily started. Several embodiments of the interlock switch means are disclosed. The embodiments include a capacitor that is charged by the starter motor during cranking of the engine, and a relay switch that interrupts the circuit between the ignition primary and the low oil pressure switch to disable the low oil pressure switch. When the engine has started, the capacitor discharges to control one or more other switches that in turn close the circuit between the ignition primary and the low oil pressure switch. The closing of the latter circuit enables the low oil pressure switch to be activated when a low oil pressure condition is sensed.

Abstract: An improved engine shut-off system is provided in which the likelihood of a safe failure is maximized and the likehood of an unsafe failure is minimized. Both terminals of the engine's first safety stop switch are connected in the ignition circuit so that if either wire leading to a stop switch terminal is grounded or breaks, a fail-safe condition exists. A first terminal of the first stop switch is connected in circuit to the main coil's primary winding, and the second terminal is connected in circuit to either the control switch means or the trigger coil. An optional second stop switch may be used in conjection with the first stop switch. The optional second stop switch may be a seat switch.

Abstract: An alternator assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a regulator whose individual circuit components are mounted directly on the stator of the alternator assembly. The regulator may be in the form of discrete components or integrated circuit chips. The components of the regulator circuit may be mounted to the stator by fasteners or by an adhesive resin such as epoxy.

Abstract: An ignition powered indicator system for detecting and audibly alerting an operator of a low oil condition associated with an internal combustion engine for apparatus such as a lawn mower, pump, generator, tractor and the like. The indicator system includes a low oil switch mounted on the engine crankcase housing and connected in circuit with a buzzer, diode, and capacitor with the ignition primary. When the oil level is too low, the switch closes shorting the ignition primary to shut off the engine and produce an intermittent beeping sound, namely, one beep per ignition pulse, alerting the operator of the low oil condition.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a transistor device and trigger coil of a breakerless ignition system between the induction coil and one of the leg portions of an A-shaped armature core. The bracket includes a hollow housing for receiving the transistor and trigger coil which are secured therein by means of an epoxy potting material. A pair of spaced guide surfaces integrally formed in the housing provide a guideway for slidably receiving the armature leg. A resilient arm member projects from the housing and includes a hooked portion which snaps into a locked position when the bracket is slid onto the armature leg to hold the bracket in place. A pair of resilient, spaced apart wing members also project from the housing to engage the induction coil to prevent vibration of the bracket between the induction coil and armature, and a third resilient wing member projects from one of the guide surfaces to engage the armature leg and prevent vibration of the bracket between the guide surfaces.

Abstract: Conventional breaker points in an engine ignition system are replaced by switching means comprising a transistor device and a biasing coil that is coupled with a core and cooperates with a magnet assembly rotating in timed relation to the engine cycle. The magnet assembly has poles with substantial extension in the orbital direction, spaced a small distance apart. The core has one pole face with substantial extension in the orbital direction and another spaced therefrom by a small distance in said direction and substantially narrower. As applied to a flywheel magneto system, the biasing coil is wound on a straight core element mounted adjacent to the armature core leg first approached by the magnet assembly, at the departure side of that core leg.

Abstract: A small engine alternator having a stator with one or a pair of windings which are lead to an unsupported plug element that is engageable with another plug element. A diode rectifier is connected between a lead from the winding and a terminal of the plug element to provide direct current at the plug element. A second winding may be connected to the plug element to provide a.c. current. A piece of heat shrunken plastic tubing extends from the plug element to snugly embrace the lead or leads thereto, and two pieces of heat shrunken plastic tubing may be concentrically arranged to snugly embrace leads to the plug element and a portion thereof. Input leads to battery charging or accessory circuits are connected to terminal members of the cooperating plug element.

Abstract: A plurality of stator core rings are produced, each having circumferentially spaced pole teeth arranged symmetrically to a diametral plane. Certain of the rings are wound with two like sets of windings of wire of one gage, each set confined to its own side of said plane. The remaining rings are similarly wound, but with wire of a different gage. Every ring is then severed on its said diametral plane, thus forming stator elements of two kinds that can be assembled to engines singly or in pairs, as needed.