GB861920A - Improvements in and relating to vehicular apparatus, such as power lawnmowers, incorporating an internal combustion engine with a manually actuatable starter device - Google Patents

Abstract

861,920. Turning gear. MOTO-MOWER Inc. Nov. 6, 1959 [Nov. 19, 1958; July 22, 1959], No. 37685/59. Class 7(5). Vehicular apparatus, such as a power lawn mower, has an axle 28, Fig. 2, with ground engaging wheels and an engine 18 providing a source of motive power and having starting means comprising a spring 56 wound up on manual movement of the vehicle to cause rotation of the axle 28, the spring 56 being manually releasable to apply engine starting torque. As shown, the spring 56 is connected at one end to a housing 44 and at the other end to the shaft 40 of a pulley 108 driving by a belt 110 a pulley 112, which powers the engine crank-shaft 22 via a spring- loaded pawl 116 and ratchet 124. The shaft 40 has fast therewith a helical gear 66 meshing a like gear 74 rigid with a sprocket, which is connected by a chain 100 to a sprocket 96 fast with a gear 94, rotatable on a shaft 92 carried on two parallel arms 86, movable about the axis of the gear 74. When the carrier 86 is moved downwardly by operation of a Bowden cable 104 the gear 94 meshes a gear 34 on the axle 28 and the spring 86 is then tensioned by manual movement of the vehicle, subsequent raising of the carrier 86 allowing the spring 56 to unwind and drive the crank-shaft 22. A second embodiment is shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 9. A tapered drum 78<SP>1</SP> is rotatably mounted on wheel axle 181. A clutch mechanism consisting of four projections 821 in axle collar 801 fitted into four corresponding indentations in drum 781 connects the drum to axle 181. A helically coiled spring 881 tends to keep the drum to the left in engagement with collar 801 but by means of yoke 98<SP>1</SP> mounted on shaft 901, pivoted at 921, and handle 1001 the drum may be moved to the right and thus become free to rotate independently. A cord 66<SP>1</SP> connected to drum 781 and passing over pulley 1081 is coiled round and attached at its end to pulley 64<SP>1</SP> which is mounted on a shaft 361 coaxial with the engine crank-shaft 241, on which is mounted the cutting blade 261. A spring 34<SP>1</SP> is connected to the shaft 361 the other end being connected to cover 321. A pawl 521, spring 561, and ratchet teeth on cup 601 allow a one-way drive to the shaft 241. To start the engine the vehicle is pushed forwards with the drum 781 in engagement with collar 801, thus winding cord 661 on drum 78<SP>1</SP> and tensioning spring 341. Drum 78<SP>1</SP> is then made independent by movement to the right by handle 100<SP>1</SP> and the spring 34<SP>1</SP> winds the cord 661 back on pulley 641, at the same time providing a starting torque through ratchet 521 and the teeth in cup 601 to the shaft 241. A third embodiment, Fig. 13 (not shown), has the cord pulley, spring, pawl and ratchet toothed cup-shaped piece all mounted below the engine.