Abstract: An electric engine starter that has a motor frame and a planetary gear mechanism is provided with an internal shield that is operative to prevent brush dust from entering the planetary gear mechanism. The shield is formed of steel and has an outer annular flange that, prior to assembly to the starter, is located at an angle to a plane that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the shield. When the shield is assembled to the starter, it is compressed between the motor frame and a support for the ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism. During this compression, the flange is deflected to develop a spring force. This spring force causes a gasket interposed between the flange and the motor frame to tightly seal against the motor frame. This spring force further causes the shield to tightly engage the ring gear support.

Abstract: An electric engine starter for cranking an internal combustion engine. The starter has a drive housing which is shaped to define a solenoid compartment and a starter drive compartment. The drive housing has a pair of spaced walls connecting the solenoid compartment to the starter drive compartment. A starter drive that includes a pinion gear and an overrunning clutch is located in the starter drive compartment. A shift lever retainer is located between the spaced walls of the drive housing and pivotally supports a shift lever. The retainer has outwardly projecting ribs and the spaced walls have inwardly projecting spaced ribs. These ribs impede the passage of water from the starter drive compartment to the solenoid compartment. The shift lever has a plate or flap which, in an at-rest position of the shift lever, forms a barrier for the passage of water from the starter drive compartment toward the retainer.

Abstract: A shift lever mechanism for an engine starter for translating axial movement of the plunger of a starter solenoid into axial movement of a starter drive pinion. The shift lever mechanism has a retainer that has two axially extending spaced arms. Each arm has an opening that is defined by a circular portion and a radially extending slot. A shut lever is pivotally supported by the retainer. The shift lever has opposed bosses that are respectively located in the openings in the arms. The bosses have radially extending ribs that are located in the slots. The slots and ribs allow the shift lever to be assembled to the retainer in only one proper orientation of the shift lever relative to the retainer.

Abstract: A starting motor with an intermediate gear wherein rotation of a rotating shaft of a DC motor is transmitted to a pinion in a one-way rotational direction by an overrunning clutch, and an intermediate gear supported rotatably and forward-and-backward slidably by an intermediate shaft retained by insertion holes in a front end portion and a first back end portion of a front bracket and in mesh with the pinion, meshes with a ring-gear of an internal combustion engine by a forward movement thereof thereby starting the internal combustion engine, characterized by that; a polygonal hole is provided at a second back end portion of the front bracket communicating to the insertion hole in the first back end portion thereof; a spacer composed of a metallic material or a synthetic resin material, a section of which is a polygon, is inserted into the polygonal hole and fixed thereto blocking rotation thereof; a back end of the spacer is received by a front end of a yoke of the starting motor contacting the front end of

Abstract: A starter motor with an intermediate gear wheel. The starter motor includes an interposition member interposed between the front end of a clutch cover fitted onto an overrunning clutch and the rear end of an intermediate gear wheel, a movable connecting member including a boss portion which is loosely fitted onto the outer circumference of an extended boss portion projecting backwardly from the rear end portion of the intermediate gear wheel, and a circular-arc-shaped fitting portion which is formed integrally with the rear end portion of the boss portion to extend upwardly and which is fitted to a lower half portion of a fitting groove formed at the rear end portion of the overrunning clutch so as to be movable in the axial direction of the clutch.

Abstract: In order to provide a starter motor with an intermediate gear which can secure a good engaging performance for a pinion, an intermediate gear and a ring gear to thereby eliminate the strange sound of the intermediate gear and to reduce the wear of a bearing of the intermediate gear as well as the wear of the teeth of the pinion and intermediate gear, according to the invention, there is provided a starter motor with an intermediate gear in which the shift coefficient of a pinion is set smaller than the shift coefficient of the intermediate gear to thereby reduce a difference between two kinds of engagement pressure angles respectively obtained between the pinion and intermediate gear as well as between the intermediate gear and a ring gear.

Abstract: A starting device has a pinion for a drive of a toothed rim of an internal combustion engine, an engaging relay having an armature which axially displaces the pinion, a free wheel device and a stator rotor in which the pinion cooperates, a locking device which prevents a pre-engagement of the pinion in an unexcited state of the engaging relay. The locking device has a stationary locking element which engages behind a part actuated by the armature for securing a rest position of the pinion. The armature has a tappet on which a control sleeve is arranged. The locking element is formed as a first spring provided with at least one undercut step and deflectable in a release position by the control sleeve arranged on the tappet of the armature.

Abstract: The starting device includes a starting pinion mounted on a thrust rod and movable between a disengaged and engaged position with an internal combustion engine; a movable switching bolt located in a solenoid; a sphere mounted at an end face of the switching bolt closest to the thrust rod; a disc and a spring device arranged between the sphere and the end face of the switching bolt, the spring device being located between the disc and the end face, and a holding device for retaining the sphere on the end face of the switching bolt.

Abstract: Centrifugally disengageable engine starter gearing for selectively starting an engine having a starting gear. The engine starter gearing includes a power shaft, a sleeve slidably secured to the power shaft, a pinion gear slidably mounted to the power shaft and movable into engagement with the starting gear, a driven clutch member secured to the pinion gear and having a circular recess therein, a driving clutch member mounted to the sleeve, and mutually engageable clutch teeth on the driving and driven clutch members. A housing having an open end and a closed end is fitted over the driving and driven clutch members. An abutment confines the driving and driven clutch members within the housing. A radially inwardly extending shoulder is located on the driving clutch member adjacent the circular recess. An annular thrust washer having an inner conical surface abuts a loose washer which abuts the radially inwardly extending shoulder.

Abstract: The starter includes a movable pinion and a control electromagnet. A transmission between the core of the electromagnet and the pinion includes a rocker lever. The lever has a shaped profile so that the initial loadless travel of the core is shorter than would be the case with a substantially straight lever, if other geometrical conditions remain the same.

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: In a starter system for an internal combustion engine using a planetary reduction gear unit, the internal gear of the planetary reduction gear unit, the center bracket accommodating the internal gear and the pinion cover are joined together so as not to rotate relative to one another by using radial projections provided in the outer circumferential surface of the internal gear which are passed through openings provided in the center bracket and received by associated recesses provided in the pinion cover. The three members are thus prevented from rotating relative to one another with a simple structure which is also easy to assemble. The projection of the internal gear may also be used for securing an annular seal member interposed between an axial end surface of the internal gear and the corresponding shoulder surface of the center bracket.

Abstract: A contaminant proof structure for a starter for an engine, with the starter including a sliding portion between a sliding member and a support member supporting the sliding member disposed in a housing so that the sliding member can project into the outside of the housing through an opening formed in a wall of the housing. An atmospheric gas reservoir disposed in the housing between the support member and the wall of the housing around the opening, and a communication passage bypasses the sliding portion and communicates the atmospheric gas reservoir with an external atmospheric gas through a space at an opposite side of the support member to the atmospheric gas reservoir side. The sliding member is dimensioned such that a gap between the opening and the sliding member inserted in the opening is small.

Abstract: In a starter system for an internal combustion engine, an input member of an overrunning clutch is provided with an annular shoulder surface abutting an annular end surface of a cylindrical boss portion of a reduction gear unit casing when the overrunning clutch is at a rest position, and a cylindrical sleeve portion extends from the annular shoulder surface towards the reduction gear unit so as to be closely fitted on the cylindrical boss portion of the reduction gear unit casing. Thus, water and other foreign matters are not only shut off by these mutually abutting annular surfaces, but also prevented from reaching this region by the cylindrical sleeve portion closely fitted on the cylindrical boss portion of the reduction gear unit. Also, the centrifugal force prevents water and other foreign matters from reaching this area when the starter is actuated and the two annular surfaces are not in contact.

Abstract: An intermediate gear type starter comprises a movable coupling body which is mounted on the intermediate shaft in such a manner as to slide together with the intermediate gear. The movable coupling body comprises: a locking portion which is engaged with the over-running clutch: and a cover portion for closing the opening formed on the internal combustion engine side. The over-running clutch is axially coupled to the intermediate gear through the movable coupling body.

Abstract: In an overhang type starter, an output shaft having a pinion for rotating a ring gear of an engine is arranged so as to move forwardly through an interlocking member by a shift lever which is turned by an electromagnetic switch. Accordingly, it is not necessary to move an over-running clutch large in weight by the shift lever, so that the electromagnetic switch can be made compact in size.

Abstract: A coaxial starter including: an electric motor, an output shaft having a pinion mounted to the front end thereof and engaging the pinion with a ring gear in an engine when it is advanced and to disengaging the pinion from the ring gear when it returns. An electromagnetic switch is provided for advancing the output shaft when an excitation coil is energized and for closing a contact in a circuit electric motor. A planetary gear reduction device reduces the rotation of an armature shaft of the motor and an over-running clutch transmits the reduced rotation to the output shaft.

Abstract: In a coaxial type starter, the rear end portion of the clutch inner of its overrunning clutch is supported through a bearing on the front end portion of the armature rotary shaft, and the front end portion is supported through a bearing on the front bracket. Both end portions of the clutch outer are supported through bearings on the clutch inner, and the clutch outer is fitted into the cylindrical portion of the planetary gear frame in such a manner that the clutch outer and the cylindrical portion slide relative to each other when torque larger than a predetermined value is applied thereto. The clutch inner and the clutch outer are maintained coaxial at all times, and the clutch inner and the bearings or rollers are prevented from being abnormally worn out.

Abstract: A starter system for an internal combustion engine having a casing provided with a mounting circumferential surface adapted to be substantially closely fitted into an associated mounting bore provided in the engine or a transmission housing associated therewith, and a mounting flange extending radially from the casing and provided with a mounting end surface perpendicular to a longitudinal line of the output shaft of the starter system and spaced from the mounting circumferential surface along the longitudinal line. Because of the presence of the distance between the mounting end surface of the mounting flange and the mounting circumferential surface of the starter casing closely fitted into the mounting bore, the reaction force acting on the pinion is prevented from being amplified and transmitted to the mounting surfaces by means of an undesirable lever action.

Abstract: The housing has a bell-shaped end portion with an axial aperture in which the output pinion of the starter motor unit is supported for rotation and a side aperture through which the pinion can mate with a rotary member of the internal combustion engine. The side wall of the bell-shaped portion opposite the side aperture has a recess with a flat wall portion extending in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the bell-shaped portion.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-operated starter motor has a movable electrical contact constituted by a metal plate having, in one of its flat faces, a notch adapted to define an apical region which is subject to stresses within its plastic range. A vibration damper is thus created within the movable contact and eliminates problems resulting from resilient impacts between the contacts.

Abstract: The space between a pinion and starter case in an electric starter is sealed by a flexible disk. This disk rotates on the pinion. The pinion contains a circular slot for the disk, which has a central cut-out portion in the profile of the pinion teeth, which hold the disk in place in the slot once the disk is installed. The disk is installed by lightly forcing it over the teeth on the pinion. This seal blocks path for particulate and contaminants into the interior of the starter through the space between the pinion and the starter case.

Abstract: An engine starter for an internal combustion engine having an engine ring gear, comprising a pinion gear (8) axially slidable on the rotary shaft (3) between an actuated position in which the pinion gear (8) engages the engine ring gear through the housing opening (6) and an inactuated position in which the pinion disengages from the ring gear. The starter conventionally also comprises a unidirectional clutch (14) for unidirectionally transmitting a rotation of the rotary shaft (3) to the pinion gear (8), and a solenoid switch (18) for energizing the motor (2) and driving the pinion (8) between the actuated and the inactuated positions. A first dust seal ring (22) having a forwardly extending lip (24) between the rotary shaft (3) and the pinion (8) seals therebetween against ingress of any foreign matter. To receive the seal ring (22), the pinion (8) may have an annular cavity (25) or groove so that the lip's inner edge slidably contacts the rotary shaft (3).

Abstract: An engine starter comprising an electric motor having a hollow armature rotary shaft, a solenoid switch for energizing the electric motor and having a push rod extending into the hollow armature rotary shaft, an output rotary shaft having a pinion disposed on a front end thereof, the output rotary shaft being axially slidable relative to the armature rotary shaft to move the pinion into and out of engagement with an engine ring gear. A clutch outer member of an over-running clutch unit is mounted on the output rotary shaft and is connected to the electric motor for being rotated thereby, and a clutch inner member driven by the clutch outer member through a plurality of rollers is provided with helical splines on its inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A starter motor for an engine which does not readily admit water into a casing thereof and which allows water to be discharged promptly from the housing. The starter motor comprises a seal member for closing a gap between an outer periphery of a pinion moving member on an output rotary shaft or of an overrunning clutch and the casing, and the casing has two communicating holes formed therein for the communication with the atmospheric air outside the casing. One of the communicating holes is formed at a lower portion of the casing so that water may be discharged outwardly from within the casing therethrough. The other communicating hole is formed at a higher location of the casing and may be a communicating groove formed in an end face of a front bracket of the casing along which the front bracket is coupled to a yoke of an electric motor which is mounted in the casing and operatively coupled to the pinion moving member by way of the overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A coaxial engine starter comprising a d.c. electric motor (11), a planetary speed reduction gear unit (20), a unidirectional clutch and a pinion. The planetary gear unit (20) includes a large-diameter inner gear member (17) mounted to the front end of the motor housing (11a). The clutch and the pinion are housed within a front machine frame (21) attached to the inner gear member. The inner gear member (17) is securely held in place between the motor housing (11a) and the front machine frame (21) by U-shaped connectors (22) and through bolts (23) fastening the front machine frame (21), the inner gear member (17) and the motor housing (11a) together. Alternatively, the inner gear member (27; 37) including gear teeth (27a; 38a) may be directly thread-engaged by the through bolts (32) positioned radially inward of the inner gear teeth (27a; 38a) and the front machine frame (29) may be attached to the inner gear member (27; 37).

Abstract: Engine starting apparatus for cranking an internal combustion engine. The engine is connected to a ring gear and the starting apparatus has a pinion that is meshed with the ring gear during engine cranking. The pinion is driven by an electric cranking motor. A speed responsive clutch is connected between the cranking motor and the pinion. The clutch is engaged during engine cranking to drive the pinion from the cranking motor. When the engine starts, the speed responsive clutch is disengaged to disconnect the cranking motor from the pinion. Clutch disengagement occurs in response to an increase in the speed of rotation of the clutch which occurs after the engine starts.

Abstract: An engine starter is equipped with a motor having a cylindrical armature rotating shaft (3), a clutch mechanism (15) which transmits the rotational force of the motor, an output rotating shaft (17) which is disposed so as to mesh with the clutch mechanism (15) and be movable in the axial direction, and a solenoid switch (25) which has a moving member (32) which pushes the output rotating shaft (17) in the axial direction by electromagnetic force, the switch also causing a movable contact to contact a stationary contact and supply current to the motor. The output rotating shaft and the front portion of the moving body (32) of the solenoid switch (25) are both inserted into the cylindrical bore of the armature rotating shaft (3) from opposite ends, a sleeve bearing (23) is fit into the cylindrical bore and journals the output rotating shaft (17), whereby a cylindrical engine starter is obtained having a short overall length.

Abstract: A starter motor comprising a pinion (3) which engages at an inner circumference of a gear portion thereof with an outer circumference of an output rotary shaft (4), and a cylindrical member (15) integrally disposed behind the pinion. A front end portion of a clutch inner member (9b) of an over-running clutch unit (9) is in sliding abutment with an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member, and the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder member is in splined engagement with the output rotary shaft.

Abstract: A starter motor which is improved in waterproof performance. The starter motor comprises an output rotary shaft, a stationary frame, a ball bearing secured to the frame, and a clutch pinion moving member mounted in a coaxial relationship to the rotary shaft between an outer periphery of the rotary shaft and the ball bearing for sliding movement over a predetermined distance in an axial direction thereof. The clutch pinion moving member has a pinion at a front end thereof, and an oil seal is mounted at a location on the frame forwardly of the ball bearing and extending toward the clutch pinion moving member to seal a location between the frame and the clutch pinion moving member. The oil seal has a radial section of an L-shape having an axial side and a radial side extending from a front end of the axial side. It may have a plurality of axially extending drain slots or drain holes formed in a circumferentially spaced relationship on an inner periphery of the axial side thereof.

Abstract: A starter for an automotive engine wherein the front bracket 9 forming part of the housing of the starter is provided with first and second drainage port 12, 16. An electromagnetic switch a of the starter is situated substantially horizontally, alongside of the motor portion. The first drainage port is formed at the bottom of the switch box portion 10 of the front bracket accommodating the front end portion of the plunger 8a of the electromagnetic switch, to communicate the interior of the switch box portion to the exterior. The second drainage port communicates with to the first drainage port from the interior of the lever box portion 11 which accommodates the fulcrum portion 7a of the lever transmitting the movement of the plunger of the electromagnetic switch to the pinion assembly of the starter axially slidably supported on the output shaft coupled to the rotor shaft of the motor of the starter.

Abstract: An engine starter comprising an electric motor having a hollow armature rotary shaft, a solenoid switch for energizing the electric motor and having a push rod extending into the hollow armatur rotary shaft, an output rotary shaft having a pinion disposed on a front end thereof, the output rotary shaft being axially slidable relative to the armature rotary shaft to move the pinion into and out of engagement with an engine ring gear. A clutch outer member of an over-running clutch unit is mounted on the output rotary shaft and is connected to the electric motor for being rotated thereby, and a clutch inner member driven by the clutch outer member through a plurality of rollers is provided with helical splines on its inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A starter motor wherein a rear bracket 7 can be commonly used for another starter motor having a different position for a through bolt 8 and a planar seat for a through bolt can be assured readily. The starter motor comprises a retaining member 10 which retains an armature rotary shaft in position, a cover 20a mounted on the rear bracket for covering over the retaining member, a plurality of headed through bolts for fastening the rear bracket and a machine frame 4 together to a front bracket 6, and a plurality of supports 20b for engaging with the heads of the through bolts. The cover and the supports are formed in an integral relationship with each other.

Abstract: A starter pinion shifting arrangement comprising a solenoid switch having a hook which can be pulled by a plunger which can be electromagnetically actuated through a compression spring, and a shift lever connected between the hook and a sliding thrust and a pinion movement unit slidably mounted on a support shaft and including a pinion engageable with a driven gear. A clearance is provided through which the hook can be pulled by the plunger when the hook is in a stopped position when the pinion is in a stopper abutting position in which the pinion moved by the attraction toward a stationary core of the plunger is in engagement with the driven gear. An elastic member, which is flexed through said shift lever by the compression force of the compression spring when it is flexed as the pinion movement unit is in the stopper abutting position in which the pinion is in engagement with the driven gear, may be disposed in an engagement portion between the shift lever and the pinion movement unit.

Abstract: A starter motor having a pinion engageable with a ring gear of an engine to start the engine by the motor. The pinion of the starter motor is the over-hang type which is over-hanging relative to a front housing, and the number of teeth of the pinion is seven.

Abstract: A starter motor with a planetary speed reduction gear in which a bolt for securing an electric motor unit to a front bracket passes at an outer circumference of an internal gear constituting a planetary speed reduction gear. The internal gear is provided in its outer circumference with a recessed groove with its bottom located on a radial axis passing through the center of one of the teeth of the internal gear and extending in the axial direction, and that a stem of the bolt is partly engaged by the recessed groove.

Abstract: A starter motor comprising; a solenoid switch having an attracting movable part; an electric motor arranged at one side in the axial direction; an output shaft driven by the electric motor; a one-way clutch unit carried on and around the output shaft so as to be slidable thereon; a shift lever having an upper end engaged with the attracting movable part, and a lower end engaged in a peripheral groove in the one-way clutch unit, the shift lever being arranged to be capable of rocking about a rocking fulcrum part which is positioned between the upper end and the lower end of the lever, and which is in touch with the inner surface of a front housing wall; wherein the lever has the upper end and the rocking fulcrum part positioned at the one side in the axial direction with respect to the lower end.

Abstract: A pinion shifting mechanism of an automotive engine starter is disclosed in which the pivot support 5c of the shift lever 5 on which it turns is supported at its rear side by a resilient support means 32 instead of a rigid support surface. The shift lever operatively coupling the plunger 7 of the electromagnetic switch 4 with the pinion assembly is coupled to the plunger via an engager member 15 slidably disposed in the cylindrical bore formed in the plunger. The engager member is urged backward with respect to the plunger by a helical spring 17 disposed around the engager within the bore of the plunger. When the plunger is attracted from the initial front position toward the stationary core 8 of the electromagnetic switch, the resilient support means yields first to allow a backward translation of the pivot support of the shift lever; the spring urging the engager yields only afterwards.

Abstract: A coaxial type starter comprises a motor having a tubular armature rotary shaft, an electromagnetic switch located at the rear part of the motor and having an operating shaft arranged in the same axial line as the armature shaft, an overrunning clutch for transmitting a rotating force only in one direction, and a pinion shaft which is disposed in the armature shaft to receive the rotating force thereof through the overrunning clutch. The front end portion of a clutch inner member in the overrunning clutch device is supported by a bearing which is fitted to a front bracket; the pinion shaft is so arranged that it is engaged with the inner circumference of the clutch inner member through a spline, and pinion teeth formed at the front end of the pinion shaft are radially overlapped by the bearing.

Abstract: A starter of magnetic pinion shift type wherein a waterproofing boot 21 is provided on a shift lever 8 for shifting a pinion slidably fitted into an output rotary shaft of a motor provided for an engine of a vehicle to waterproof an electro-magnetic switch 5 disposed below the motor.

Abstract: A device for supporting an overhang type slidable pinion shaft of an electric motor for starting an engine comprises a bearing for supporting the pinion shaft, the bearing including an inner ring having a groove provided in its inner peripheral surface. Accordingly, it is possible to secure grease or oil in the groove provided in the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring of the bearing and it is therefore possible to minimize the boundary friction occurring between the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring of the bearing and the sliding surface of the pinion shaft and, at the same time, enable the pinion shaft to slide even more smoothly.

Abstract: An output rotary shaft 12 of a coaxial engine starter has at one end thereof a pinion 19 engageable with an engine ring gear and is inserted at the other end into a tubular armature rotary shaft 11a of a motor. A clutch inner member 15b of a unidirectional clutch having helical splines formed in its inner circumference is engaged with a helical spline portion 12a formed on the armature rotary shaft. The engine starter further comprises a bearing surface 21a; 26 on the clutch inner member and a bearing 13 fitted within the inner circumferential surface of the tublar armature rotary shaft, and the output rotary shaft is supported by the bearing surface of the clutch inner member and the bearing.

Abstract: An engine starter motor comprising an electric motor, a unidirectional clutch connected to the motor and having an output shaft, the unidirectional clutch exhibiting a drag torque appearing when the unidirectional clutch is being rotated in an idle direction, a speed reduction unit connected to the unidirectional clutch, and a pinion shaft having a pinion gear for engaging and driving an engine ring gear and connected to the speed reduction unit through helical splines. The drag torque T of the unidirectional clutch is determined to be equal to or smaller than a drag torque To, at which a return force F on the pinion shaft with an over-running clutch mounted thereon does not exceed an operating force on the pinion shaft by a solenoid, divided by a speed reduction ratio g between the over-running clutch and the pinion shaft.

Abstract: A starter motor for use with an internal combustion engine, which incorporates an idler gear that is constantly engaged with a translatable pinion gear to provide starting engagement and rotation to a driven gear on the engine.

Abstract: Starter motor for use with an internal combustion engine which includes a seal between the housing and the translatable clutch/pinion gear assembly so as to prevent contaminants from entering the motor/solenoid portion of the housing. The seal is temporarily broken whenever the clutch/pinion gear is translated to be engaged with the driven gear of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A starter motor, for use with an internal combustion engine, comprising an electric motor, a shaft rotated by the motor and carrying a pinion assembly, a solenoid spaced from said shaft and including an armature movable from a rest position towards an operative position by energization of an electromagnet winding of the solenoid, and, a lever assembly mounted for pivotal movement about an axis passing between the solenoid and said shaft. The lever assembly links the armature of said solenoid and said pinion assembly such that movement of the armature is transmitted to the pinion assembly to move the pinion assembly axially on said shaft from a rest position towards an operative position, and comprises a rigid element supported for pivotal movement about said axis and a resilient element carried by said rigid element and coupled at one end to said armature.

Abstract: A coaxial starter for starting an engine comprises an electric motor having an armature shaft which is hollow; an output rotary shaft which is disposed at the front end of the motor and inserted in the internal opening of the armature shaft at one end of the output rotary shaft so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the output rotary shaft, and has a pinion at the other end thereof so that the pinion is engaged with or disengaged from the ring gear of an engine; an overrunning clutch for transmitting the rotatory power of the armature shaft to the output rotary shaft; and an electromagnetic switch disposed at the rear end of the motor so as to energize the motor and slide the output rotary shaft, wherein a housing nearly shaped as a cup and having a through hole in the rear portion of the housing is provided between the yoke of the motor and the switch; a bearing for supporting the armature shaft is provided in the housing; the brush holder of the motor is supported in such a manner that the holder is

Abstract: An overhang-type starter comprising a ball bearing fixedly fitted in a front bracket; a pinion drive shaft supported by the bearing; and a pinion formed on the shaft at the front end thereof so that the pinion is located in front of the bearing at least when the pinion is moved forward, wherein a water drain hole is provided in the ball bearing support portion of said bracket at the lowermost point of the portion and communicates with the interior of the bracket.

Abstract: In a starter having a planet gear speed reducer, an impact stress receiving mechanism is made up of components suitable in configuration for mass production including a ring gear having an internal gear engaged with a plurality of planet gears and axially extended ratchet-shaped teeth on the outer wall. A movable cylinder has teeth formed in the inner wall which are engaged with the ratchet-shaped teeth, and a straight spline gear on the outer wall which is engaged with the starter frame. The movable cylinder is axially slidably mounted on the ring gear. A rubber ring is arranged adjacent to the movable cylinder to absorb the force of moving the movable cylinder axially which is formed when impact stress is produced in the power transmission of the starter.

Abstract: A coaxial engine starter comprising an electric motor having a hollow armature rotary shaft, an axially slidable output rotary shaft rotatably supported in a housing and having at its front end a pinion engageable with an engine ring gear, a solenoid switch disposed behind the electric motor for supplying current to the electric motor and causing sliding movement of the output rotary shaft, a planetary speed reduction gear, disposed in front of the electric motor and having a planetary bracket, for speed reducing the rotation of the armature rotary shaft, an over-running clutch, disposed in front of the planetary speed reduction gear and having a clutch outer member and a clutch inner member, for transmitting the speed-reduced rotation of the planetary speed reduction gear to the output rotary shaft.