Abstract: A section of the normal internal bore of a starter pinion gear drive mechanism which allows the drive mechanism to slide over the starter drive shaft is enlarged in diameter. When the pinion gear is shifted to engage the flywheel of an engine, the enlarged bore section slides over a snap ring stop on the drive shaft. The snap ring limits travel of the pinion gear drive mechanism over the drive shaft by engaging the inner end of the enlarged bore. The arrangement allows the use of a short starter drive shaft which reduces interference between the drive shaft and a flywheel or the like. In addition, when the pinion drive mechanism is at rest, the snap ring stop effectively seals the outer end of the enlarged bore thus helping to prevent dirt from reaching the starter drive shaft.

Abstract: An engine starter comprises an elongated pinion shifter unit 23 axially slidably mounted on an output rotary shaft 21 coupled to a d.c. motor for rotation therewith, and includes a pinion 8 mounted at a first end of the unit and a unidirectional clutch 6 disposed at a second end. A first sleeve bearing 24 is disposed between the first end of the pinion shifter unit and the output rotary shaft, and a second sleeve bearing 25 is disposed between the second end of the pinion shifter unit and the output rotary shaft. The first and the second sleeve bearings are spaced apart from each other, and the first sleeve bearing is made of a material wear resistant under a relatively large load, such as an iron-based material, and the second sleeve bearing is made of a material wear resistant under a high speed rotation condition, such as a copper-based material.

Abstract: A starter with a gear reduction mechanism including an internal ring gear formed of synthetic resin and a reinforcing member. The internal ring gear has a cylindrical portion and a toothed portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The reinforcing member is secured around an outer surface of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A planetary gear starter with a molded synthetic resin ring gear supported by a frame is disclosed. The ring gear has longitudinally-extending ribs formed in its outer surface which confront longitudinally-extending inward projections formed in the inner surface of the frame. A cylindrical elastic member has an annular portion which is press fit over the ring gear and longitudinally-extending projections which fit into the cavities formed between adjacent ribs and inward projections in the frame. The projections of the elastic member serve as shock absorbers and elastically transmit torque from the ring gear to the frame. The elastic member has an annular portion which reinforces the open end of the ring gear.

Abstract: In a waterproof device for an electric motor having a cylindrical motor frame body which is split into a discrete portions in the axial direction of the motor, an annular elastic member is attached onto the motor frame body in a manner to cover the joined portions of the split frame body, and a lead-out portion having an insertion port is formed in the elastic member to enable a power supply lead wire for the electric motor to be pushed into the insertion port.