US1912061A

US1912061A - Engine starter

Info

Publication number: US1912061A
Application number: US319696A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Raiph Bertsche
Original assignee: Delco Remy Corp
Current assignee: Delco Remy Corp
Priority date: 1928-11-15
Filing date: 1928-11-15
Publication date: 1933-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 1950-05-30

Description

y 1933- R. BERTSCHE, JR 1,912,061

ENGINE STARTER Filed Nov. 15, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 y 1933. R. BERT'SCHE, JR 1,912,061

ENGINE STARTER Filed Nov. 15, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ma 30,1933. R. BERTS4CHE', JR 1,912,061

ENGINE STARTER Filed Nov. 15, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 30, 3 R. BERTSCHE. JR 1,912,061

ENGINE STARTER Filed Nov. 15. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 7 v 75 I 76 M VIA- L 705 VII/IliZLIl/l. 5.3

Patented May 39, 1933 earns ATEN'E OFFICE BER-T561251, 3.3., GB ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO DELCO-R-EIEY CORPORA- TION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPOR'ATEON OF IDELAVVARE ENGINE STARTER Application filed November 15, 1928. Serial no. 319,696.

This invention relates to engine starters which comprise a motor driving a pinion which is manually movable endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started.

()ne object of the present invention is to minimize breakage of gear teeth resulting from attempting to mesh gears while the starting motor is operating. This aim is ac complished by an improved manually operable means for compelling the pinion to turn relative to the engine gear while being manually pressed against the engine gear in order to compel the pinion to mesh with the engine gear to a substantial degree before the starting motor is caused to operate. More particularly, the present invention provides for rotating the pinion normally in a certain direction in case of gear tooth abutment, and also in the opposite direction in case rotation in the normal direction is abnormally resisted.

The present invention is illustrated and described in connection with an engine starter which comprises a shaft operated by an electric motor and means for connecting the shaft with a gear of an engine to be started, said means including a pinion mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof into mesh with the engine gear and rotary movement therewith for driving the engine gear, said means including also provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts. In the preferred form of engine starting apparatus of this type the shaft is provided with helical splines with which the pinion is connetcted and along which the pinion is slidable.

This starter includes a mechanism which can be operated manually or by foot pressure to move the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and afterward to close a switch which will cause the motor to turn the shaft, said mechanism including provisions whereby the pinion will be rotated in the two direc.

tions mentioned to compel the pinion to move into meshing registration with the engine gear, in case the teeth of the pinion collide with the engine gear teeth. The mechanism is so arranged that the pinion will be automatically demeshed regardless of whether the operator fails to release the manually actuatable member which controls the gear shifting mechanism.

One form of engine starter to which the present invention may be applied is disclosed in the oopending application of John B. lfia yggr, Serial. No. 245,300, filed January 9,

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, side view, partly in longitudinal section, of a starting apparatus embodying the present invention, the sectional view being on the line 1-11 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional View on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrow 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4: is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrow e of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showingthe condition of the engine starting apparatus at the instant of bringing the pinion into meshing relation'with the engine gear, the sectional view of Fig. 5 being taken on the line 555 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectionalview on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow 7 of Fig. 6.

-Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the condition of the apparatus at the instant of closing the motor switch.

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8 showing the condition of the apparatus after the engine becomes self-operative and before the actuator has been released by the operator.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view on the line 1010 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow 11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrow 12 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the sleeve element of the apparatus.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a sheet metal blank used to form a part of the element shown in F i 18. Fig. 14 shows also diagrammatically the relative positions of certain parts with which the sleeve is operatively associated, these positions being taken relatively during the operation of the starter.

Figs. 15 to 19 are sectional views respectivcly on similarly marked section lines of Fig. 14.

Fig. 20 is a view similar to F1 9 and shows the positions of certain parts after the starter has been operated to compel rotation of the pinion in case rotation of the pinion by manual effect has been abnormally resisted.

Referring to the drawings, theiield frame 20 of the starting motor. is secured in any suitable way to a bracket and gear housing frame 21 which is adapted to be secured in the usual man er to that part of the engine frame which encloses the engine flywheel which is provided with a gear 22. The starting motor includes an armature shaft 23 journalied in a bearing provided by the frame 21 and at the opposite end, in a similar bearing, supported by the field frame in the usual manner. The shaft 23 is provided with helical splines 25 which, between

shoulder portions

25a and 25?), are less in external diameter than other portions of these splines for a purpose to be described. A pinion 26 is provided internally with spiral splines adapting the pinion to slide endwise along the'shaft splines 25 into mesh with the engine gear 22, and adapting the pinion to be driven by the shaft 28 for the purpose of cranking the engine. Vvhen the pinion 26 is in normal position out of mesh with the engine gear, its internal splines are supported upon that portion of the splines 25 between the shoulders 25a and 255- Since the pinion must be elevated in moving from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 5 in passing over the shoulder portions 25?), it is evident that the pinion will be yieldingly retained in normal position thus overcoming a tendency to drift into engagement with the engine gear due to vibration of the engine or vehicle propelled by it. As the pinion is moved into mesh with the engine gear by a mechanism to be described, an in ternal annular shoulder 2? provided by the pinion will engage a resilient wire split ring 28 and will cause it to be contracted within a groove 29 which the shaft 23 provides for receiving the ring. The internal diameter of the shoulder 2? is such that the shoulder will be permitted to move toward the right past the ring 28 while the ring is being squeezed into the groove. After the shoulder 2? has moved past the ring 28, the ring will expand within an internal annular groove 80 in the pinion and will therefore yieldingly retain the pinion in gear meshing position. lVhile the pinion is being 0perated by the motor to crank the engine, the conical surface 31 provided by it, will abut the ring 28 which delivers the end. thrust from the pinionto theshaft23. End thrust is delivered from the shaft 28 to the frame 21 througl-i a washer 32 received by a groove 32a in the shaft 23 and bearing against a machined surface provided by the frame 21.

The manually operable mechanism for moving the pinion into mesh with the en gine gear and for causing the motor thereafter to operate comprises a pedal rod which slides through a floorboard 41 of an automobile and is connected at 42 with a lever 43 pivoted upon a screw 44 attached to the frame 21. The lever 48 is arranged to contact with a switch actuating plunger 45 supported by a case 46 which is attached by screws 47 to the field frame 20 and which encloses the switch contacts. When the switch actuator 45 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the switch is open and when in the positions shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the switch is closed. A spring 48 moves the actuator 45 from the switch closed to switch open position. The lever 43 carries at its lower end a pin or stud 50 adapted to be received by the oblique slot 51 provided in the sleeve 52 which is formed by bending the sheet metal blank 53 shown in Fig. 14 into cylindrical form. A. tubular rivet 54, which is slidab-le along the shaft 23, cooperates with apertured discs 55 as shown in 1 in order to hold the sleeve 52 in concentric spaced relation to the tubular rivet 54. The blank 53 used to formv the sleeve 52 is provided with notches 57 and 58, which after the sleeve 52 has been formed into a cylinder and assembled with the

parts

54, 55 and 56, receive respectively lugs 59 and 60 which are struck from the discs 55 respectively as shown in Figs. 4 and 13 respectively. By the conventional staking operations, the discs 55 are connected with the rivet 54.

Rotation in either direction is imparted from the sleeve 52 to the pinion 26 by aX- ially engageable clutches, the driving clutch 56 being provided by a sleeve having clutch teeth 62 adapted to engage clutch teeth 68 provided by shaping the adjacent ends of the teeth of the pinion 26. The sleeve 52 and its clutch 56 are connected for limited linear and rotary movement by providing the clutch 56 with inwardly extending tangs 156 received by notches 157 provided by the sleeve 52 and including oblique portions. Relative linear motion between the sleeve 52 and its clutch 56 is resisted by a spring 158 surrounding the sleeve hub 54 and hearing at one end against the tangs 156 and at its other end against a spacer sleeve 159 abutting the left end disc 55.

Obviously the force applied by the pin 50 to the sleeve 52 tends not only to move the sleeve endwise but also to rotate it. Since it is desirable to begin the operation of gear meshing by simply pushing the sleeve 52 endwise in order to move the pinion 26 into engagement with the engine gear 22 and to reserve the operation of rotating the sleeve until the time it is needed in order to bring the pinion into meshing registration with the engine gear, the apparatus provides for resisting rotation of the sleeve so that the relation of the slot 51 and the pin 50 will be maintained at least during that portion of the movement of the sleeve which is required to push the pinion into contact with the engine gear. The means which resists rotation of the sleeve under these conditions is provided by a plunger which is slidably supported 'adially of the shaft 28 by a recess 71 provided by the frame 21, and which is pressed by a spring 72 against a projecting portion 7 3 of the sleeve which defines a longitudinally extending ridge 74 relatively gradual. The projection 7 3 is formed by partially shearing away the metal of the blank 58 along the line ab and c-(Z shown in Fi 14; and in shaping this portion as shown in perspective in 13. The projection 73 therefore provides a surface 7 5 against which the plunger 7 O normally rests, the ridge 74 which is at a greater distance radially from the center of the shaft 23 than the surface 75, and a surface 76 which extends from the ridge 74 to the main cylindrical portion of the sleeve 52. Movement of the pin 50 toward the right in the drawings for the purpose of pushing the pin ion 26 into engagement with the engine gear 22, will tend to rotate the sleeve 52 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. It is obvious that due to the engagement of the plunger 70 with the ridge 7% rotation of the sleeve 52 will be yieldingly resisted.

The blank 53 is out out along the curved lines cZ-g and g/-]z(Z to form an opening and the metal is sheared along the lines and f@ in order to permit the formation of a lug 77 which may be described as starting from the ridge 74+ and so shaped as to provide a portion 78 which as shown in Fig. 2, extends away from the sleeve 52 and which as shown in Fig. 4, slopes from a portion 78a most remote from the sleeve 52 over to the portion 7 8b which merges with the sleeve. The edge portion 79 of the lug 77 provides a stop for engagement with the plunger 70 for a purpose to be described. From the portion 78b to the free end of the lug 77 the lug diminishes in width as shown particularly in Figs. 11 and 3 in order to provide clearance for the motion of the lug 77 relative to the plunger 70 without the lug touching the plunger.

In order that there may be a tendency for the sleeve to rotate with the shaft, the sleeve is provided with a hole 80 (see Fig. 14) for receiving the shank 81 of a plunger 82 extending through a hole 83 in the tube 54 and pressed by a spring 84 against the shaft 23 as shown in Fig. 2. By connecting the shaft and sleeve with a friction coupling the shaft causes the sleeve to be automatically retracted from the pinion in a manner and for a purpose which will be apparent hereafter.

he pedal 40 is yieldingly retained in normal position as shown in Fig. 1 by a spring 90 retained by a recess 91in the frame 21 and pressing the head 92 of a plunger 93 surrounded by the spring into engagement with the lever 43 tending to rotate the lever clockwise.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

To start the engine, the operator will press the pedal 40 causing the lever 43 to move clockwise and the sleeve 52 to move into engageinent with the pinion 26 and the pinion to moveinto engagement with the gear 22 as shown in Fig. 5. During this motion of the sleeve endwise the plunger 7 0 remains in engagement with the surface and the ridge 74 and thereby yieldingly resists rotation of the sleeve 52 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, although, during the endwise movement of the sleeve 52, the pin 50 coasts with the sleeve in such manner as to tend to rotate the sleeve in this direction. By the time the pinion has been pushed by the sleeve against the gear 22 the relative motion between the plunger 70 and sleeve will be such that the plunger WJll occuDV the position indicated by the dash and dot line circle 70a in Fig. Assuming" that the ends of the pinion teeth abut the ends of the gear teeth 22 before meshing, endwise motion of the sleeve 52 will be arrested. If the operator continues to press the pedal 40, the sleeve will be rotated due to the cooperation of the pin 50 and the walls defining the oblique slot 51. By reason of the

clutch teeth

62 and 63, rotation is transmittcd from the sleeve 52 to the pinion 26. The lug 77 will therefore rotate relative to the plunger 70 in order to bring the plunger 7 O in new relation to the sleeve. At the instant the pinion has been located in meshing registration with the gear, the plunger will be located relative to the lug 77 as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. It will be seen that the plunger is located upon substantially the highest part of the surface 78 or that part most remote from the shaft. Relative to the sleeve 52, the plunger has moved from the position 70a in the direction of the arrow 95 into the position represented by the dash and dot line circle 70?).

As the operator continues to press the pedal 40, the sleeve and pinion will move from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in in Fig. 8, and during this movement, the lug 77 will slide from contact with the plunger 70. The relative motion of the plunger and sleeve is indicated by the arrow 96 in Fig. 3, and when the plunger is locates. relative to the sleeve as shown in Fig. 8, the plunger will be located as represented by the dash and dot line circle 700 in Fig. 3. During the movement of the sleeve from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 8, the inclined surface between the parts 78a and 78b of the lug 77 will be engaged by the plunger. T herefore as the sleeve moves toward the right in the drawings; the plunger will be permitted to approach the shaft. When the surface 78 is well lubricated the plunger will actually assist to move the pinion into engagement with the gear.

The sleeve is now free of the pinion and is prepared to be automatically retracted from the pinion so that when the pinion is thrown out of mesh with the engine gear it will not be hindered by the sleeve.

By the time the lever 43 has been moved sufficiently to locate the sleeve and pinion as shown in Fig. 8, the motor switch will be closed to cause the shaft 23 to rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the arrow 8a in Fig. 8. Due to the helical splined connection between the pinion 26 and the shaft 23, tile motor will automatically move the pinion the position shown in full lines in Fig. 8 to the dot and dash line position 26a, thereby moving the pinion into engagement with the stop ring 28 and connecting the pinion for rotation with the shaft. The pin 50 of the lever l3 being stationary during the engine cranking operation, the sleeve 52 will be automatically moved from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 due to the cooperation between the pin 50 and the sleeve walls defining the spiral slot 51. The sleeve 52 tends to follow the shaft since it is frictionally connected with it by the spring pressed plunger 82. l'Vhen the sleeve is in the position shown in Fig. 9 and before the pedal is released, the relation of the sleeve and plunger is as shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12. During the movement of the sleeve 52 from the position shown. in 8 to that shown in Fig. 9, the relative motion between the plunger and sleeve is indicated by the arrow 97 in Fig. 3. The location of the plunger 70 relative to the sleeve as shown in 9 to 12 inclusive is represented by the end portion 70d of the plunger indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 3. Since the path of relative movement of the plunger as indicated by the arrow 97 is necessarily parallel to the oblique slot 51 in the sleeve 52, it is apparent that the lug 77 must be tapered as shown in order to avoid contact between the plunger 70 and lug 77 while the lug moves relative to the plunger.

l Vhen the engine becomes self-operative, the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear due to the fact that there is a reversal of torque transmission between the gear 22 and pinion 26 since the gear is driving the pinion faster than it can be driven by the motor. The pinion will therefore be automatically moved into the position shown in Fig. 9 after the engine be,- comes self-operative. However, before this occurs the sleeve will have been moved into the position shown in Fig. 9 so that the pinion may be automatically demeshed without colliding with tne sleeve. When the operator releases the pedal 40, the spring 90 will be released to move the lever 4:3 clockwise and to restore the normal relation between the pin 50 and sleeve 52 as shown in Fig. 1. While the pin 50 moves from the position shown in Fig. 9 to that position shown in ig. 1, the sleeve 52, being resiliently urged against a stop member 100, will be rotated from the position, shown in Fig. 9 to that shown in Fig. 1 or in a clockwise direction as viewed in. Fig. 2. During this motion of the sleeve relative to the plunger 70 the inclined surface 76 will first engage the plunger and then the ridge 74; and, when the rotation of the. sleeve ceases, the plunger 70 will be located in normal position against the surface 75 and the ridge 7%. The relative motion between the plunger 70 and sleeve 52, as the sleeve 52 returns to normal is represented by the arrow 98 in Fig. 3. Relative to the sleeve 52, the plunger moves from the position represented at 70d in Fig. 3 to the normal position 70. All of the parts of the apparatus have been restored to normal position after the pedal has been released.

Provided the pin 50 and sleeve 52 are in normal relation before the pedal -10 is pressed, the motor switch cannot be closed until after the pinion 26 has been substantially meshed with the engine gear 22. This feature is due to the fact that the lever 43 is not permitted to engage the motor switch actuator e5 un til after the sleeve 52 has pushed the pinion 26 against the gear 22, has rotated the pinion into meshing registration with the gear and has pushed the pinion into substantial mesh with the gear as shown in Fig. 8. This feature insures a substantial en agement of the gear before the motor switch is closed and thereby avoids the breakage of gear teeth which would be likely to occur if the area of tooth contact pressure were but very slight at the time the full power of the motor comes on. Provided that the pin 50 and sleeve 52 are at normal relation when the starting operation is initiated, the plunger 70 will cooperate with the sleeve in such manner as to cause the sleeve to perform the functions described. One of the features of the type of starter to which the present invention may be applied is the means for compelling the operator to restore to normal the relation between the pin and the sleeve before the operation of starting can be repeated. It will be noted that if the operator releases the pedal at least suficiently to effect the rotation of the lug 77 from the position shown in full lines to the position 77a in dot and dash lines in Fig. 10, depressing the pedal again in order to move the sleeve endwise toward the pinion will cause the lug 77 to engage the plunger 70, thereby preventing further movement of the sleeve toward the pinion. Therefore if the lever has been re- 7 leased to this extent the operator cannot repeat the starting operation unless he first releases the pedal to permit the normal relation of the sleeve and plunger and pin and sleeve to be restored or in other words, to remove the obstruction provided by the side edge 79 of the lug 77. If, however, the pedal is released only slightly, for example, sufficiently to open the motor switch but not enough to locate the lug 77 in longitudinal alignment with the end of the plunger 70, depressing the pedal again will not move the sleeve sufficiently to move the pinion into contact with the engine gear, although, the closing of the motor switch will be permitted.

The sum of the clearances between the sleeve and the pinion and the pinion and gear shown in Fig. 9 is such that counterclockwise rotation of the lever 43 is stopped by the motor switch before the pinion can be moved into contact with the gear. Therefore, under no condition can a trick manipulation of the pedal be performed in order to bring about the closing of the motor switch while the ends of the pinion teeth are only pressed into engagement with the ends of the gear teeth. The lug 77 is therefore effective in preventing the re-engagement of the pinion with the engine gear unless the sleeve 52 has first been returned to a posit-ion permitting the re-engagenient of the plunger 7 O with the portions 7 5 and 74; of the sleeve extension 73, orunless the pin and oblique slot 51 have been restored to the normal relation which is necessary before the sleeve can be caused to perform its usual functions, namely, moving the pinion endwise into engagement with the engine gear, rotating the pinion into gear meshing registration with the engine gear and then pushing the pinion part way into mesh with the engine gear before closing the motor switch.

In case that rotation of the pinion while being pressed against the engine gear is not abnormally resisted, the operation of the starter will be as described heretofore. It occasionally happens that, due to various causes, the abutting surfaces of the pinion and gear may engage endto-end in such manner as to interlock and prevent rotating the pinion relative to gear in the normal direction in order to overcome gear tooth abutment. Vhen this interlocking occurs, there was heretofore no way of relieving the interlock by continuing to press the starter pedal. The present invention however, provides that, in case of interlock (offering abnormal resistance to rotation of the pinion in the direction of rotation which manual operation of the sleeve tends to produce), continuing the endwise movement of the sleeve 52 will effect rotation of the sleeve clutch 56 in the opposite direction in order to relieve the interlock and to rotate the pinion into meshing registration with the engine gear. This is accomplished by the tang-and-oblique-

slot connections

156, 157 between the sleeve 52 and its clutch 56. Normally the spring 158 will not give way sufficiently to permit the tang 156 to move into the oblique portion of the slot 157. Under abnormal conditions each,

tang will be moved by further operation of the pedal from the tang position 156a to the tang position 1566 indicated in Fig. 14. In order that the clutch 56 will be rotated relative to the sleeve, the sleeve should be prevented from rotating. This is accomplished by providing the sleeve with the relatively abrupt shoulder 74a located between the portions 7 5a and 74 of the sleeve part 73 as shown particularly in Fig. 15. This shoulder 74a is engaged by the plunger while the sleeve 52 is being moved endwise relative to the clutch 56 to relieve the interlocking effect. More specifically while each tang 156 is moving, relatively from the position 156a to the position 1565 indicated in Fig. 14, the plunger 70 is moving from the position 706 toward the position 7 Of. The shoulder 74a is made so abrupt that, due to its engagement with the plunger 70, the sleeve cannot turn counterclockwise as viewed from the left in Fig. 20. Hence the sleeve 52 will not rotate but will cause the clutch 56 and pinion 26' to rotate clockwise asviewed from the left of Fig. 20 in order to relieve the abnormal condition of gear tooth abutment.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

gear of an engine to be started, axially engag able clutch members, the driven member being provided by the pinion, movable endwise upon the shaft, a sleeve movable along the shaft and connected with the driving clutch member, a manually operable part movable alongside the shaft, means so connecting the part and sleeve that movement of said part tends to produce endwise and rotary movement of the sleeve normally in a certain direction, means yieldingly resisting rotation of the sleeve while the pinion is being moved against the engine gear and thereafter permitting the sleeve to be rotated, connections between the sleeve and driving clutch providing for rotation of the latter by the former and providing a limited amount of longitudinal movement of one part relative to the other, a spring for urging the driving clutch member away from the sleeve and toward the driven clutch, the connections between the clutch and sleeve providing for rotating the clutch member in a direction opposite to that normally produced by the sleeve in case the sleeve is moved an abnormal amount endwise before the pinion rotates, and means for preventing rotation of the sleeve While it is being moved endwise the abnormal amount relative to the pinion.

2. Engine starting-apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, a sleeve movable along said shaft, connections between said sleeve and member such that the member tends to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, means for imparting rotation in either directionfrom the sleeve to the pinion, and means operative in case rotation of the pinion in said certain direction is abnormally resisted and operative in response to further linear movement of the sleeve, for rotating the pinion in the opposite direction.

3. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, a sleeve movable along said shaft, connections between said sleeve and member such that the memberv tends'to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear whilepermitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said means comprising a spring urged plunger p'art'extending transversely with respect to said sleeve and a longitudinally extending relatively gradual shoulder part engaged by said plunger, one of said parts being movable with said sleeve, clutch members for imparting rotation in either direction from the sleeve to the pinion, one of said clutch members being connected with the sleeve and the other with the pinion, means connecting the sleeve with its clutch member so as to provide for rotating the clutch in the opposite direction to normal in response to endwise movement of the sleeve relative to its clutch, a spring normally preventing rotation of the clutch relatively to the sleeve but yieldable to permit such rotation in case rotation of the sleeve by the manually operable member is abnormally resisted, and means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while moving endwise relative to the clutch, said means including the beforementioned plunger and a relatively abrupt longitudinally extending shoulder engageable therewith.

4. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a piniondrivcn by the shaft and movable endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, a sleeve movable along said shaft, connections between said sleeve and member such that the member tends to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said means comprising a spring urged plunger movable radially relative to the sleeve and a relatively gradual, longitudinally extending shoulder provided by the sleeve, a stationary guide for the plunger, clutch members for imparting rotation in either direction from the sleeve to the pinion, one member being provided by the pinion and the other connected with the sleeve, an oblique spline connection between the sleeve and its clutch providing for limited linear and rotary movement of the clutch and its sleeve, one relative to the other, a spring resisting relative movement between the clutch and its sleeve, said spring yielding to permit rotation of the clutch by the sleeve in case rotation of the sleeve by the manually operable member is abnormally resisted, and means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while moving endwise relative to the clutch, said means including the beforementioned plunger and a relatively abrupt longitudinally extending shoulder engageable therewith and provided by the sleeve substantially injlongitudinal alignment with theaforementioned less abrupt shoulder.

5. Engine starting apparatus cor-uprising, in combination, a motor, means for connecting the motor with gear of an engine to be started, said means comprising a pinion driven by the motor and movable endwise into mesh with the engine gear and provision whereby the pinion will be automatically disconnected from the engine gear when the engine starts, axially engageable clutch members movable longitudinally of the pinion, the driven member being provided by the pinion, a sleeve connected with the driving clutch member, a manually operable part movable alongside the sleeve, means so connecting the part and sleeve tiat movement of said part tends to produce endwise and rotary movement of the sleeve normally in a certain direction, means yieldingly resisting rotation of the sleeve while the pinion isv being moved against the engine gear and thereafter permitting the sleeve to be rotated, connections oetween the sleeve and driving clutch providing for rotation of the latter by the former and providing a limited amount of longitudinal movement of one part relative to the other, a spring for urging the driving clutch member away from the sleeve and toward the driven clutch, the connections between the clutch and sleeve providing for rotating the clutch member in a direction opposite to that normally produced by the sleeve in case the sleeve is moved an abnormal amount endwise before the pinion rotates, and means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while it is being moved endwise the abnormal amount relative to the pinion.

6. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, means for connect ing the motor with a gear of an engine to be started, said means comprising a pinion driven by the motor and movable endwise into mesh with the engine gear and provision whereby the pinion will be automatically disconnected from the engine gear when the engine starts, a manually operable member movable longitudinally of the axis of the pinion for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, and mechanism actuated by the member and operable to move the pinion against the gear and 0p erable normally to rotate the pinion in a certain direction into meshing registration with the engine gear in case-a gear tooth abutment occurs which resists rotation of the pinion with at most a normal amount of resistance, said mechanism includin provisions operable, in case rotation of the pinion in said certain direction is opposed by an abnormal amount of resistance, to rotate the pinion in the opposite direction in response to further linear movement of said member in the di-,

" gine gear.

7. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, axially engageable clutch members, the driven nember being provided by the pinion, movable endwise upon the shaft, a sleeve movable along the shaft and connected with the driving clutch member, a manually operable part movable alongside the shaft, means so connecting the part and sleeve that movement of said part tends to produce endwise and rotary movement of the sleeve normally in a certain direction, means yieldingly resisting rotation of the sleeve while the pinion is being moved against the engine gear and thereafter permitting the sleeve to be rotated, connections between the sleeve and driving clutch providing for rotation of the latter by the former and providing a limited amount of longitudinal movement of one part relative to the other, a spring for urging the driving clutch memberaway from the sleeve and toward the driven clutch, the connections between the clutch and sleeve providing for rotating the clutch member in a direction opposite to that normally produced by the sleeve in case the sleeve is moved an abnormal amount endwise before the pinion rotates, and means ior preventing rotation of the sleeve While it is being moved endwise the abnormal amount relative to the pinion.

8. Engine starting apparatus comprising. in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, and mechanism actuated by the member and operable to move the pinion against the gear and operable normally to rotate the pinion in a certain direction into meshing registration with the engine gear in case a gear tooth abutment occurs which resists rotation of the pinion with at most a normal amount of resistance, said mechanism including provisions operable, in case rotation of the pinion in said certain direction is opposedby an abnormal amount of resistance, to rotate the pinion in the opposite direction in response to further linear movement of said member in t is direction for meshing the pinion with the engine gear.

9. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connectedwith the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesn with the engine gear, a sleeve movable along said shaft, connections between said sleeve and member such that the member tends to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary move ment of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, means for imparting rotation in either oirection from the sleeve to the pinion, and means operative in case rotation of the pinion in said certain direction is abnormally resisted and operative in response to further linear movement of the sleeve, for rotating the pinion in the opposite direction.

10. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pin ion into mesh with the engine gear, a sleeve movable along said shaft, connect-ions between said sleeve and member such that the member tends to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary move ment of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said means comprising a spring urged plungor part extending transversely with respect to said sleeve and a longitudinally extending relatively gradual shoulder part ongaged by said plunger, one of said parts be-- ing movable with said sleeve, clutch mem bers for imparting rotation in either direction from the sleeve to the pinion, one of said clutch members being connected with the sleeve and the other with the pinion, means connecting the sleeve with its clutch member so as to provide for rotating the clutch in the opposite direction to normal in response to endwise movement of the sleeve relative to its clutch, a spring normally preventing rotation of the clutch relatively to the sleeve but yieldable to permit such rotation in case rotation of the sleeve by the manually operable member is abnormally resisted, and means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while moving endwise relative to the clutch, said means including the beforementioned plunger and a relatively abrupt longitudinally extending shoulder ongageable therewith.

11. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, .ashaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by said splines and movable there along endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, a sleeve movable along said shaft, connections between said sleeve and member such that the member tends to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said means comprising a spring urged plunger movable radially relative to the sleeve and a relatively gradual, longitudinally extending shoulder provided bv the sleeve. a stationary guide for the plunger, clutch members for imparting r0- tati on in either direction from the sleeve to the pinion, one member being provided by the pinion and the other connected with the sleeve, an oblique spline connection between the sleeve and its clut h providing for limited linear and rot: movement of the clutch and its sleeve, one relative to the other, a spring resisting relative movement between the clutch and its sleeve, said spring yielding "-0 permit rotation of the clutch by the sleeve case rotation of the sleeve by the manually operable member is abnormally resisted, and means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while moving endwise relative to the clutch, said means including the beforementioned plunger and a relatively abrupt longitudinally extending shoulder engageable therewith and provided by the sleeve substantially in longitudinal alignment with the aforementioned less abrupt shoulder.

12. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, axially engageable clutch members, the driven member being provided by the pinion, movable endwise upon the shaft, a sleeve movable along the shaft and connected with the driving clutch member, a manually operable part movable alongside the shaft, means so connecting the part and sleeve that movement of said part tends to produce endwise and rotary movement of the sleeve normally in a certain direction, means yieldingly resisting rotation of the sleeve while V the inion is being moved a ainst the on he gear and thereafter permitting the sleeve to be rotated, connections between the sleeve and driving clutch providing for rotation of the latter by the former and providing a limited amount of longitudinal movement of one part relative to the other, a spring for urging the driving clutch member away from the sleeve and toward the driven clutch, the connections between the clutch and sleeve providing for rotating the clutch member in a direction opposite to that normally produced by the sleeve in case the sleeve is moved an abnormal amount endwise before the pinion rotates, means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while it is being moved endwise the abnormal amount relative to the pinion, and provisions whereby the sleeve will automatically be retracted from the engine gear before the engine starts, regardless of whether the manually operable part has been released.

13. Engine starting apparatus .compris' ing, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, mechanism-actuated by the member and operable to move the pinion. against the gear and operable normally to rotate the pinion in a certain direction into meshing registration with the engine gear in case a gear tooth abutment occurs which resists rotation of the pinion with at most a normal amount of resistance, said mechanism including provisions operable, in case rotation of the pinion in said certain directionis opposed by an abnormal amount of resistance, to rot-ate the pinion in the opposite direction in response to further linear movement of said member in the direction for meshing the pinion with he engine gear, and provisions whereby said pinion moving mechanism will automatically be retracted from the pinion before the engine starts, regardless of whether the manually operable part has been released.

14. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a pinion driven by saidsplines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine to be started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, a sleeve movable along said shaft, connections be tween said sleeve and member such that the member tends to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, means for imparting rotation in either direction from the sleeve to the pinion, means operative in case rotation of the pinion in said certain direction is abnormally resisted and operative in response to further linear movement of the sleeve, for rotating the pinion in the opposite direction, and provisions whereby the sleeve will be automatically retracted from the pinion before the engine starts regardless of whether the manually operable member has been released.

15. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor,-a pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the-sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said. means comprises a spring urged plungerpartextending transversely with respect to said sleeve and a longitudinally extending relatively gradual shoulder part engaged by said plunger, one of said parts being movable with said sleeve,clutch members for imparting rotation in either direction from the sleeve tothe pinion, oneof'saicl clutch 'members being connected with the sleeve and the other with the pinion, means connecting the sleeve with its clutch'member so as to provide for rotating the clutch in the opposite direction to normal in response to endwise movement of the sleeve relative to its clutch, a spring normally preventing rotation of the clutch relatively to the sleeve but yieldable to permit such rotation in case rotation of the sleeve by the manually operable member is abnormally resisted, means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while moving endwise relative to the clutch, said means including the beforementioned plunger and a relatively abrupt longitudinally extending shoulder engageable therewith, and provisions whereby the sleeve will be automatically retracted from the pinion before the engine starts, regardless of whether the manually operabl member has been released. 1 s

16. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft provided with helical splines driven by the motor, a

pinion driven by said splines and movable therealong endwise into mesh with a gear connected with the engine'tobe started, a manually operable member movable along the shaft for the purpose of moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, asleeve movable along said shaft, connections between said sleeve and member such that the member tends to impart linear and rotary movement in a certain direction to the sleeve, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said means comprising a spring urged plunger movable radially relative to the sleeve and a relatively gradual, longitudinally extending shoulder provided by the sleeve, a stationary guide for the plunger, clutch members for imparting rotation in either direction from the sleeve to the pinion, one'member being provided by the pinion and the other connected with the sleeve, an oblique spline connection between the sleeve and its clutch pro viding for limited linear and rotary movement of the clutch and its sleeve, one relative to the other, a spring resisting relative movement between the clutch and its sleeve, said spring yielding to permit rotation of the clutch by the sleeve in case rotation of the sleeve by the manually operable member is abnormally resisted, means for preventing rotation of the sleeve while moving endwise relative to the clutch, said means including the beforementioned plunger and a relatively abrupt longitudinally extending shoulder engageable therewith and provided by the sleeve substantially in longitudinal alignment with the aforementioned less abrupt shoulder, and provisions whereby the sleeve will be automaticallyretracted from the pinion before the engine starts, regardless of whether the manually-operable member has been released. v

17. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, means for connecting the motor with an engine to be started and including a pinion movable endwise along the shaft driven by the motor and into mesh with a gear connected with the engine, and including provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically disconnected from the engine gear when the engine starts, a pinion pushing and turning member movable along said shaft, and manually operable means for axially moving and rotating said member and comprising a sleeve movable along said shaft and having an oblique slot receiving an actuating pin, means for connecting the sleeve and the pinion pushing and turning member, said means providing for relative longitudinal movement between the sleeve and member and for relative rotary movement accompanying said relative longitudinal-movement, said member tending to rotate relative to the sleeve in a direction opposite to that in which the sleeve tends to rotate when actuated by the pin, yielding means for holding the sleeve and pinion pushing and rotating member in extended relation, and means for resisting rotation of the sleeve.

18. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, means for connectingthe motor with an engine to be started and including a pinion movable endwise along the shaft driven by the motor and into mesh with a gear connected with the engine, and including provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically disconnectedfrom the engine gear when the engine starts, axially engageable clutch members movable along the shaft, the driven member being provided by the pinion, manually operable means for axially moving and rotating said driving clutch member and comprising a sleeve movable along said shaft and having an oblique slot receiving an actuating pin, means for connecting the sleeve and driving clutch member and providing for relative longitudinal movement between the sleeve and driving clutch member and for relative rotary movement accompanying. said relative longitudinal movement, said driving clutch member tending to rotate relative to said sleeve ina direction opposite to that in which the sleeve tends to rotate when actuated by the pin, yielding means for holding the sleeve and driving clutch member in extended relation and means for resisting rotation of the sleeve;

19. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, means for connecting the motor with an engine to be started and including a pinion movable endwise along the shaft driven by the motor and into mesh with a gear connected with the engine, and including provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically disconnected from the engine gear when the engine starts, axially engageable clutch members movable along the shaft, the driven member being provided by the pinion, manually operable means for axially moving and rotating said driving clutch member and comprising a sleeve movable along said shaft and having an oblique slot receiving an actuating pin, an oblique slot provided by said sleeve for receiving a lug connected with the driving clutch member, said last mentioned oblique slot extending in a. direction transverse to the first mentioned oblique slot of the sleeve,"yielding means for holding the sleeve and driving clutch member in extended relation and means for resisting rotation of the sleeve.

20. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a helically splined shaft driven by the motor, a pinion drivingly connected with said splines and movable therealong into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, said pinion being provided with a clutch member, a driving clutch member axially engageable with the pinion clutch member and movable along said shaft, manually operable means for axially moving and rotating said driving clutch member and comp-rising a sleeve movable along said shaft and having an oblique slot receiving an actuating pin, an oblique slot provided by said sleeve for receiving a lug connected with the driving clutch memher, said last mentionedoblique slot extencling in a direction transverse to the first mentioned oblique slot of the sleeve, yielding means for holding the sleeve and driving clutch member in extended relation and means for resisting rotation of the sleeve.

21. Engine starting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a motor, a helically splined shaft driven by the motor, a pinion drivingly connected with said splines and movable therealong into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, said pinion being provided with a clutch member, a driving clutch member axially engageable with the pinion clutch member and movable along said shaft, manually operable means for axially moving and rotating said driving clutch member and comprising a sleeve movable along said shaft, and having an oblique slot receiving an actuating pin; an oblique slot provided by said sleeve for receiving a lug connected with the driving clutch member, said last mentioned oblique slot'extending in a direction transverse to the iirst mentioned oblique slot of the sleeve, a spring encircling the shaft for holding the sleeve and driving clutch in extended relation, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear while permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said means comprising a spring urged plunger part extending transversely with respect to said sleeve and a longitudinally extending rela tively gradual shoulder part engaged by said plunger, one of said parts being movable with said sleeve, and means for preventing rotation of the sleeve While moving endwise relative to the clutch, said means including the beforementioned plunger and a relative ly abrupt longitudinally extending shoulder engageable therewith.

22. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a helically splined shaft driven by the motor, a pinion drivingly connected with said splines and movable therealong into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, said pinion being provided with a clutch member, a driving clutch member axially engageable With the pinion clutch member and movable along said shaft, manually operable means for axially moving and rotating said driving clutch member and comprising a sleeve movable along said shaft and having an oblique slot receiving an actuating pin; an oblique slot provided by said sleeve for receiving a lug connected with the driving clutch member, said last mentioned oblique slot extending in a direction transverse to the first mentioned oblique slot of the sleeve, a spring encircling the shaft for holding the sleeve and driving clutch in extended relation, means for yieldingly resisting rotary movement of the sleeve until the pinion engages the gear While permitting rotation of the sleeve in case gear tooth abutment occurs, said means comprising a spring urged plunger movable radially relative to the sleeve and a relatively gradual, longitudinally extending shoulder provided by the sleeve, a stationary guide signature.

RALPH BERTSCHE, JR.