Abstract: The invention relates to a starting apparatus for an i.c. engine comprising a driving clutch member (21) journalled and axially movable on a shaft, a bushing or the like (22), and cooperating with a second driven clutch member (23) on the flywheel of the engine. The axial movement of the driving clutch member, effected by pulling a starting rope (15), is provided by screw surfaces (25), when exposed to a relative rotary movement on the shaft, the bushing or the like. This movement is caused by a Bendix spring (27) braking the rotation of said first clutch member as it is wound in the rotary direction of the engine and fixed to the body of the starting apparatus. The spring is pretensioned to provide an axial, resilient force actuating the driving clutch member to return to its initial position when disengaged from the driven clutch member.

Abstract: In an engine used for a portable working apparatus such as a brush cutter, there are arranged a drive gear rotated by a starter motor, and a driven gear engaging with the drive gear and connected to a crankshaft through a nonreturn clutch. The driven gear is fixed to the crankshaft until the starter motor starts the engine and released from the crankshaft after the start of the engine and after a rotational speed of the crankshaft exceeds that of the starter motor.

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: 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 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: 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 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 with a reduction mechanism provided between a motor and a pinion clutch includes a pinion shaft mechanically coupled to the inner portion periphery of a clutch inner of the pinion clutch in such a manner as to be movable in the axial direction thereof, and a pinion provided at one end of the pinion shaft. The starter further, includes first helical splines provided between the clutch inner portion of the pinion clutch and the pinion shaft, and second helical splines provided at one end of the pinion shaft such that the pinion shaft is mechanically coupled to the pinion therethrough.

Abstract: In a starter unit with an planetary gear speed reducer, the outer cylindrical surface of a cylindrical portion which is axially protruded from the carrier in the speed reducer, and the inner cylindrical surface of a radially extended wall portion of the clutch outer are engaged with each other in such a manner that they are slidable with each other with a predetermined rotation torque, and the end portion of the cylindrical portion is engaged with an axially extended cut formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the end portion of the clutch inner with a small clearance, whereby the engagement region of the carrier and the clutch outer can be increased in area, thus being able to positively and accurately cut the transmission of power attributing only to impact load.

Abstract: A starter motor is adapted to transmit through an overrunning clutch device a rotating force of an armature to a rotary output shaft to which a pinion is fitted by means of a linear spline structure so that the pinion is engageable with a ring gear connected to an engine. The rotary output shaft has a shoulder portion between a helical spline portion, which is engaged with a helical spline which in turn is formed at the inner circumference of the front part of a clutch inner member in the overrunning clutch device, and a linear spline portion to which the pinion is fitted, and a spring is disposed inside the inner diameter of the heical spline of the clutch inner member and between the helical spline of the rotary output shaft and the rear end of the pinion so that the pinion is pushed forwardly wherein the shoulder portion has a diamter smaller than the diameter of the root of the helical spline of the rotary output shaft.

Abstract: An engine starter pinion drive and method for assembly which comprises a starter motor with an armature shaft, a clutch subassembly, a pinion gear for engaging and disengaging an engine drive gear, an anti-drift spring and a retainer sleeve locking the clutch subassembly in position on the armature shaft. The retainer sleeve is configured for axial push-on mounting to the armature shaft with a plurality of tabs for snap lock engagement with a groove in the armature shaft.

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: 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: 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 rope starter working in such a way that a rope wheel (12) with a driver (25) rotates a fly-wheel by way of starting latches, and the fly-wheel being provided with support lugs as carriers (13,14) of the latches. When the engine starts the latches are swung out by the centrifugal force from the driver on the rope wheel. The support lugs are carriers of one of the latches as well as a stop for the other one.

Abstract: A centrifugally disengageable engine starter gear of the positive shift type that has a clutch to provide for driving and indexing of the starter gear, an internal mechanism keeps the clutch teeth in engagement during the indexing function, and a centrifugal separator separates the clutch teeth in an overrunning condition. The separator includes a plurality of flyweight members disposed in a like plurality of flyweight recesses provided in a driven member of the clutch. Radial displacement of the plurality of flyweight members axially displaces a thrust washer to separate the clutch teeth. A projection extending longitudinally from each web which separates the flyweight recesses prevents the flyweight members from disengaging from the flyweight recesses during an overrunning mode.

Abstract: A starter drive for an internal combustion engine having a clutch to provide rotary torque from a starter motor to a pinion gear connectable to a gear associated with an engine. The clutch has means for indexing the pinion gear to engage the gear associated with the engine, means for maintaining the teeth of the clutch engaged during the indexing function, means for automatically separating the clutch teeth when the engine starts and for maintaining separation of the teeth as long as the rotational speed of the pinion gear is greater than a predetermined speed. The starter drive includes two serially arranged resilient members between a driven clutch member and the sleeve on which the starter drive is slidably mounted. The housing is resiliently suspended between the two resilient members.

Abstract: A coaxial starter comprising an electric motor which produces torque; a speed reduction planet gear mechanism which transmits the rotation of the armature shaft of the motor so that the rotational speed of the output portion of the mechanism is lower than that of the shaft; an overrunning clutch which transmits the output torque of the mechanism when the clutch is engaged; an output rotary shaft whose rear portion constitutes the inner member of the clutch; a pinion provided on the outside circumferential surface of the output rotary shaft so that the pinion is engaged with the ring gear of an engine as the torque of the output rotary shaft is received by the pinion; an electromagnetic switch provided around the pinion to move the pinion forward and energize the motor; and a spring provided between an actuator, which is moved forward when the switch is energized, and the pinion to push said pinion forward.

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: An inertia sliding type engine starter motor, wherein an inner member 24b of an over-running clutch rotatable with an armature rotary shaft is axially forwardly immovably supported by a bearing 28 mounted to a front housing 22. The clutch inner member has helical splines 29 formed in its inner circumference, the pinion 30 is axially slidably mounted on the rotary shaft, and a rotational force is transmitted from the clutch inner member to the pinion through the helical splines. The pinion has formed at its rear portion a flange 30d having an outer diameter larger than a diameter of an opening in the front end of the front housing. The front end of the clutch inner member and the rear end surface of the pinion abut with each other when the pinion is disengaged with an engine ring gear, and the armature rotary shaft in front of the pinion is covered by a cover 34.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a starter arrangement for an internal combustion engine wherein a manual starter device is combined with an electrical starter. Handheld portable tools such as motor-driven chain saws, brushcutters and the like are driven by two-stroke engines which can be started with a suitable manual starter device such as a pull-rope starter. Pull-rope starters require a forceful yank on the pull rope which is difficult for persons having inadequate physical strength. For this reason, electrical starters are provided to facilitate starting such handheld portable tools. The invention combines an electric starter and a manual starter device wherein the overrun clutch of the manual starter device includes a latching device and a drive member and is combined with a further latching device which coacts with a drive member driven by the electric starter.

Abstract: A coaxial type starter device comprises a motor having a dubular armature rotary shaft 22a, a rotary output shaft 3 partially inserted in the tubular armature shaft from its one side, the rotary output shaft being provided with a pinion 4 to be engaged with a ring gear of an engine, a driving force transmitting unit, disposed at one side of the motor and between the armature rotary shaft and the rotary output shaft, comprising a roller type overrunning clutch 30 and a planet gear wheel type speed reducing mechanism 10 for reducing a revolutional speed of the armature rotary shaft, and an electromagnetic switch, disposed at the other side of the motor, which causes the pinion of the rotary output shaft to engage with or disengage from the ring gear of the engine.

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 pawl for a recoil starters for internal combustion engines wherein the pawl radially extends into a driving relationship with the engine to be started during cranking and retracts during recoiling of the starter mechanism or upon engine starting. The invention utilizes a pawl having a non-linear configuration wherein an increased pawl angle is achieved with respect to the operating mechanism to rapidly position the pawl during the engine cranking operation, and the pawl outer end approaches a tangential relationship to the engine mounted abutment engaged by the pawl end to improve the pawl engagement with the abutment and limit concentric misalignment of the starter with the engine during cranking.

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: 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 comprises an electric motor having a tubular armature rotary shaft and an output rotary shaft disposed at the front end of the electric motor and having at one end a pinion capable of engaging and disengaging an engine ring gear and axially slidably inserted into an inner bore of the armature rotary shaft at the other end. A planetary speed reduction gear including a sun gear formed around the outer periphery of the front end of the armature rotary shaft and a plurality of planetary gears meshing with the sun gear for reducing rotational speed of the armature rotary shaft is provided and an over-running clutch fitted on the output rotary shaft for transmitting the rotation of the armature rotary shaft transmitted through the planetary speed reduction gear to the output rotary shaft, the over-running clutch having a clutch inner member including a front end surface which abuts against a rear end surface of the pinion when output rotary shaft is moved rearward.

Abstract: A starter comprising an electric motor which produces torque for staring an engine has a hollow outer member included in a one-way clutch and supported by a cover so as to be rotated together with the hollow armature shaft of the motor; a hollow inner member included in the clutch and surrounded by rollers is provided inside the outer member. A pinion shaft with a pinion capable of being engaged with the ring gear of the engine is engaged with the inside of the inner member by splines so that the pinion shaft is movable in the axial direction thereof; and an electromagnetic switch applies electricity to the motor and moves the pinion shaft in the axial direction thereof.

Abstract: A rewind or recoil starter for an internal combustion engine which is adapted to be coupled to the engine element to be started, and which is returned to its resting position by a rewind or recoil device after manual operation of its actuating structure and after the engine has started. A safety device in the starter is provided which, in the event of an unsuccessful starting operation and upon kick-back of the engine element against the starting direction, uncouples the actuating structure of the starter from the back-kicking engine element. The starter is equipped with a driven member rigidly seated on the engine element to be started, and with a driving member which, during starting, is driven by way of the actuating structure to drive the engine element in the starting direction.

Abstract: An air turbine starter for use in starting a turbine engine includes a pawl and ratchet clutch having a movable member which selectively prevents engagement of the clutch while providing a pawl raceway surface, or allows clutch engagement. No-load acceleration of the air turbine starter is scheduled to ensure that drop-in speed of the centrifugally responsive pawls is not reached by the ratchet member while clutch engagement is being permitted. The movable member is pneumatically controlled in timed coordination with acceleration of the air turbine starter to prevent crash engagement of the clutch. Clutch ratcheting is also substantially prevented.

Abstract: A starting system having: a recoil type starter disposed so as to be concentric with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and to face one end of the same, the recoil starter having a recoil drum having a hollow boss portion and an engaging portion formed at its one side facing the one end of the crankshaft; a motor starter; a rotary shaft inserted into the hollow boss portion of the rotary drum concentrically therewith and capable of being rotated by the motor starter; a shock absorbing spring disposed around the rotary shaft; and ratchet members disposed at the one end of the crankshaft, the ratchet members being capable of respectively engaging with the spring and the engaging portion.

Abstract: A coaxial type starter with an overrunning clutch device has a clutch inner member which is provided with a cylindrical portion formed integrally therewith and extended forwardly; is rotatably supported by first and second bearings spaced apart in the axial direction so that they bear the cylindrical portion; and has a helical spline at the inner circumferential surface so as to be engaged with a helical spline formed at the outer circumferential surface of an output rotary shaft inserted in the clutch inner member so that a rotating force by the armature rotary shaft is transmitted to the output shaft.

Abstract: A field core and an armature core are directly mounted on a cylinder block, and a clutch plate frictionally connected with a clutch disc is mounted through a cushioning material to a revolving-field poles mounted on the engine crankshaft, so that a space will be provided between the clutch plate at this frictionally connected area and the revolving-field poles, thereby insulating by the space the frictional heat at the clutch plate connection area caused by clutch connection and disconnection, thus restraining temperature rise of the revolving-field poles, and preventing deformation and damage of the revolving-field poles. The cushioning material has an effect to absorb various types of vibrations occurring with connection and disconnection between the clutch plate and the clutch disc.

Abstract: A plurality of planet pinions are carried on fixed shafts and mesh with a sun gear formed on an armature rotating shaft of a motor; and a cylindrical holder section of an outer clutch of an overrunning clutch device is so disposed as to cover the outer periphery of an internal gear which meshes with the planet pinions and is rotatably supported, such that the internal gear and the cylindrical holder are engaged through helical splines. Therefore, the overall length of the starting device can be decreased by the length of the helical splines formed on a conventional armature rotating shaft section or by a length exceeding it.

Abstract: An annular thrust ring for use in a mechanism that causes the confronting teeth of two clutch members to automatically separate when the driven clutch member has sufficient speed to overtake the drive clutch member. The annular thrust ring has a V-shaped cross-section formed by progressive dies to facilitate lower production cost.

Abstract: In an overhung type starting electric motor, a pinion part of a movable pinion cylinder is made smaller in inside diameter than a clutch inner part and a cylindrical part thereof, and a stepped part is provided between a helical spline part and the small diameter part of a rotary shaft in such a manner that a very small gap is formed between the stepped part and the inner cylindrical wall of the clutch inner part of the movable pinion cylinder, and a very small gap is formed also between the small diameter part of the rotary shaft and the inner cylindrical wall of the pinion part of the movable piston cylinder. A misalignment preventing ring is fitted in the clutch outer of an overrunning clutch to be slidable on the stepped part.

Abstract: An engine starter comprises a hollow armature rotary shaft having a plurality of cam surfaces of an over-running clutch mechanism and having at one end a reduced-diameter portion on which a sleeve member is press fit and at the other end a stopper. The sleeve member has a rolled portion on its outer circumference on which an armature core is secured by press fit so that the armature core is firmly held by the sleeve member and the stopper on the armature rotary shaft. The armature rotary shaft may have a polygonal cross-sectional outer configuration so that the armature core can be firmly press-fit onto polygonal armature rotary shaft. A method for concurrently brazing and magnetically annealing the armature core comprises heating the armature assembly between 780.degree. C. and 850.degree. C.

Abstract: A starter motor comprising a housing, an electric motor having an output rotary shaft and mounted within the housing, an over-running clutch axially slidably mounted on the output rotary shaft, a solenoid switch for shifting the over-running clutch, and a pinion shifter assembly. The pinion shifter assembly comprises a hollow cylindrical shifter main body placed between the output rotary shaft and the housing in a slidable and rotatable engagement therewith a pinion mounted on one end of the shifter main body for rotation therewith. The shifter main body is connected at the other end thereof to the over-running clutch, and the pinion is a member assembled on the one end of the shifter main body. The pinion may be connected to the shifter main body by splines and a compression spring may be disposed between the pinion and the shifter main body for allowing an axial movement of the pinion relative to the shifter main body.

Abstract: An air turbine starter for use in starting a turbine engine includes a pawl and ratchet clutch having a movable member which selectively prevents engagement of the clutch while providing a pawl raceway surface, or allows clutch engagement. No-load acceleration of the air turbine starter is scheduled to ensure that drop-in speed of the centrifugally responsive pawls is not reached by the ratchet member while clutch engagement is being permitted. The movable member is pneumatically controlled in timed coordination with acceleration of the air turbine starter to prevent crash engagement of the clutch. Clutch ratcheting is also substantially prevented.

Abstract: In the present invention, a clutch plate is attached to a crankshaft; revolving-field poles are fixed on this clutch plate; and a magnetic gap is provided between the outer peripheral section of a pair of field cores which hold field coils, and the inner peripheral section of the revolving-field poles. Since a clutch plate material suitable for the accomplishment of clutch function can be selected, it is possible to improve the reliability of the clutch and to avoid giving a heat effect to the revolving-field poles. Furthermore, decreasing the size and weight of the fixed magnetic field can reduce parts cost as well as assembly cost.

Abstract: A unidirectional rotary clutch in a starter motor has a clutch inner interlocking with a motor, a clutch outer interlocking with a pinion gear and an elastic member-fitted clutch roller accommodated in a roller groove chamber. The clutch functions to propagate power driving forward rotation of the motor, but to cut off the propagation of power in the case of reverse rotation. The chamber is filled with grease mainly composed of hydrocarbon fats and oils to which 5.0 to 15.0% by weight of a fluorocarbon resinous agent is added.

Abstract: In an engine starting and charging device mounted between an engine body and a clutch, major parts of the clutch 16 are disposed in a recess 25 formed in the axial direction in the end of the revolving-field pole 102a on the clutch side, to decrease the axial length from the engine to the clutch.

Abstract: A drive sleeve of the present invention includes a peripheral collar seated with an operational clearance, in a recess defined in a housing. The outside of the sleeve includes ribbing extending in the notches of a driving plate pressing a friction lining against the housing under the effect of a "Belleville" washer to which a load is appropriately applied by a flange.

Abstract: A torque limiting decoupler shaft transmits driving torque in a first sense without torque limiting action. However, torque applied to the shaft in a reverse sense opposite the driving torque results in an axial separating force between two portions of the decoupler shaft. When the reverse torque reaches a certain level a frangible tensile bar member fractures to permit decoupling of the shaft portions. A component of the shaft prevents undesirable recoupling of the shaft portions while also insuring that the relatively rotating portions of the shaft do not flail. An air turbine starter includes such a decoupler shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively coupling a ring gear to the drive train of a race car to effectuate engine start; generally comprising a geared flywheel retaining hub slidably mounted along a slideway between an adapter assembly bolted to the transmission and a geared drive hub bolted to the crankshaft. An intermediate shift actuator pivotally coupled to the adapter assembly and flywheel retaining hub selectively engages/disengages the flywheel from the starter drive and drive train.

Abstract: A coaxial starter motor comprising a d.c. motor having a hollow rotary shaft extended forward and a planetary speed reduction gear having a sun gear disposed on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft. The starter motor comprises an over-runing clutch of which inner sleeve rotates in one direction and is provided at the inner circumference with helical splines, the over-runing clutch being disposed on the front side of the rotary shaft and rotated at a reduced speed by the planetary gear speed reduction gear. Also provided is an output sleeve mounted on the front end portion of the rotary shaft and having a pinion at its front end portion and axially movably and relatively rotatably supported by a bearing, in which helical splines formed close to the rear portion of the outer periphery is in mesh with helical splines of the inner sleeve. A solenoid switch is disposed on the rear end portion of the d. c.

Abstract: A starter having an epicyclic reduction gear which may be used to start an engine of a vehicle is disclosed. The center bracket and the bearing fitted thereto which have heretofore been employed are eliminated, and instead the armature rotary shaft of a motor is extended forwardly so that a primary output shaft which is integral with a carrier of the epicyclic reduction gear is supported by the extended shaft portion, and the primary output shaft and an outer race of an overrunning clutch are spline-engaged with each other. Thus, it is possible to reduce the overall length of the starter by a large margin as compared with the prior art. Since it becomes unnecessary to employ the driving shaft and other elements which have heretofore been needed, the number of required parts is reduced and it becomes easy to center the carrier of the epicyclic reduction gear and the overrunning clutch. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reliability of the starter.

Abstract: A coaxial type starter used to start an engine of a vehicle is disclosed. The starter includes a d.c. motor having a hollow armature rotary shaft incorporating an overrunning clutch, an epicyclic reduction gear having a carrier for supporting a plurality of planet gears which revolve while in engagement with a sun gear formed on a tubular clutch inner member received and supported inside the armature rotary shaft, and an output rotary shaft extending through a tubular member which is formed integral with the carrier, the tubular member being in spline-engagement with the output rotary shaft. Thus, it is possible to reduce the overall length of the starter by a large margin.

Abstract: A small metal shield is disclosed which lengthens the life of the rectangular springs in starter drives for internal combustion engines. The shield has a rectangular face which slightly overlaps the edges of the spring and a projection which seats the shield in the spring between the end of the spring and the cylindrical roller. The projection may be perpendicular to the face or at a slight angle from the perpendicular.

Abstract: In order to reduce the space requirements of an internal combustion engine the starter apparatus therefor includes an axially elongated intermediate gear shaft containing gears at each end, one of which meshes with the starter motor pinion and the other of which meshes with the ring gear on the crankshaft.