Abstract: An intermediate gear type starter motor of the present invention comprises an electric motor with an armature rotary shaft, an overrunning clutch to which rotation of the rotary shaft is transmitted directly or through a speed reducing mechanism, an intermediate gear and a shift coupler. The overrunning clutch rotating a pinion in one way is provided at the front end of the overrunning clutch and is moved axially by a shift lever which is operated by an electromagnetic switch. The intermediate gear is rotatably and axially movably mounted on a supporting shaft arranged in parallel with the axis of the rotary shaft. The intermediate gear is in engagement with the pinion and is moved forwardly to engage with the ring gear of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A moisture drain bush for use in a moisture drain hole in an engine starter motor housing wall comprises a stem having an inner and an outer end and an axial length equal to a housing wall thickness and having an axial groove extending between the inner and the outer ends of the stem. An inner flange has a flat inner surface radially extending from the inner end of the stem and larger than the drain hole is provided. The inner flange also has an inner radial groove connected at its inner end to the inner end of the axial groove in the stem and radially extending therefrom to open at the outer periphery of the inner flange. An outer flange having a flat inner surface radially extends from the outer end of the stem and larger than the drain hole is provided. The outer flange has an outer radial groove extending across the outer flange to open at the outer periphery of the outer flange at substantially diametrically opposite positions, the outer radial groove being connected to the outer end of the axial groove.

Abstract: A rod having a movable contact is prepared separately from a plunger and inserted relatively movably thereinto for a limited distance so that the movable contact is kept stationary until the plunger moves by a considerable distance. Therefore, a contact gap between the movable contact and a stationary contact can be made much smaller than that required in the conventional switch and hence the overall length of the solenoid switch can be made smaller.