US3739763A - Starter and shift interlock - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an engine including means mounting a starter gear on a relatively fixed housing for rotary movement and for axial movement relative to a flywheel gear between a retracted position and a position engaging the flywheel gear, means causing axial movement of the starter gear toward the flywheel gear engaging position in response to rotation of the starter gear in one direction, and means for permitting movement of the starter gear from the retracted position to the flywheel gear engaging position in response to starter gear rotation in the one direction when a clutch actuating member is in a neutral position and for preventing movement of the starter gear from the retracted position toward the flywheel gear engaging position when the clutch actuating member is spaced from the neutral position.

Description

United States Patent 1 Berry et a1.

[ STARTER AND SHIFT INTERLOCK [75] Inventors: Robert J. Berry, Waukegan; Chester G. Dubois, Zion, both of ill.

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation,

Waukegan, lll.

|22| Filed: June 24,1971

|2l| Appl, No.: 156,227

Primary ExaminerLaurence M. Goodridge Atturney- Robert E. Clemency, John W. Michael, (ierrit 1). Poster at al.

[ June 19, 1973 [57} ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is an engine including means mounting a starter gear on a relatively fixed housing for rotary movement and for axial movement relative to a flywheel gear between a retracted position and a position engaging the flywheel gear, means causing axial movement of the starter gear toward the flywheel gear engaging position in response to rotation of the starter gear in one direction, and means for permitting movement of the starter gear from the retracted position to the flywheel gear engaging position in response to starter gear rotation in the one direction when a clutch actuating member is in a neutral position and for preventing movement of the starter gear from the retracted position toward the flywheel gear engaging position when the clutch actuating member is spaced from the neutral position.

14 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 STARTER AND SHIFT INTERLOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to starters for internal combustion engines and to engine starting arrangements. More particularly, the invention relates to starters and engine starting arrangements in which a starter gear or pinion is moved into meshing engagement with an engine starting gear or flywheel gear in response to rotation of a drive member. Such constructions can be pull rope or motor operated. Examples of such constructions are found in the pior Pike et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,938,511, issued May 31, 1960, and in the prior Meyer US. Pat. No. 3,449,964, issued June 17, 1969.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a starter and shift interlock which prevents starting of the engine by the starter whenever the engine is not in neutral drive condition. The invention also serves to prevent bounce-back of a starter pinion subsequent to rapid return from a position of meshing engagement with an engine starting gear.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an engine including a clutch actuating member movable relative to a neutral position and means connected to the clutch actuating member for preventing movement of the starter pinion to a position of driving engagement with the engine starting gear when the clutch actuating member is not in neutral.

In one embodiment of the invention, the starter pinion is mounted for both rotary movement and for movement along the axis of the rotary movement be tween a retracted position and an advance position engaging the engine starting gear. Axial movement of the starter pinion is provided in response to rotary movement and, in this regard, there is provided a drive member which includes a worm interfitting with a mating internal worm on the starter pinion. Such axial movement is also provided by reason of the imposition of frictional restraint on starter pinion rotary movement by a starter spring which is held against unlimited rotary movement.

The means for preventing starter pinion axial movement to the advance position includes means on the starter pinion and on the starter spring for preventing relative axial movement therebetween, i.e., for insuring common axial movement, while affording frictionally restrained relative rotary movement, together with provision on the starter housing of a notch or slot which receives a part of the starter spring in response either to return starter pinion movement from the advanced to the retracted positions or to movement of the clutch actuating member from neutral. Thus, when the starter spring is in the slot, axial movement of the starter pinion to engage the engine starting gear is prevented. In regard to operation in response to the clutch actuating member, there is provided a spring restraining link which is connected to the clutch actuating member and urged by a biasing spring into engagement with a pair of posts or supports such that, when the clutch actuating member is in neutral position, restricted rotary movement of the starter spring is permitted so as to facilitate movement of the starter spring out of the slot upon initial rotary movement of the starter pinion. However, movement of the clutch actuating member from the neutral position causes the restraining link to pivot relative to the support or posts and to move to a position which either displaces the spring into the slot or blocks movement of the spring from the slot.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an engine starting arrangement in which engine starting action is permitted only when an associated clutch is in neutral.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an engine starting arrangement which prevents bounce-back of a starter pinion toward the engine starting gear after rapid movement of the starter pinion from a position of engagement with the engine starting gear.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an outboard motor including an engine starting arrangement embodying the features described in the two preceding paragraphs.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an engine starter which is adapted to provide the features described in the second and third preceding paragraphs.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an engine starter which is operable, whenever an associated clutch is not in neutral, to permit rotary movement of a starter pinion but to prevent starter pinion movement toward a position of engagement with an engine starting gear.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an engine starter and engine starting arrangement which are relatively economical to manufacture and which will provide reliable service over a long and useful life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a starter and shift interlock arrangement embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating the interlocking activity of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic view taken at a right angle to FIG. 2.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Shown schematically in FIG. 1 is a starter and shift interlock arrangement 11 for an engine 13 including a rotatable starting gear 17 which can be on a flywheel 19, together with a clutch actuating member 21 which is movably mounted relative to the engine 13 by any suitable means (not shown) between a neutral position and forward and reverse positions spaced from the neutral position. In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, the engine 13 is a part of an outboard motor (not shown) which includes a clutch o r reversing transmission (not shown) and the clutch actuating member 19 is rotatably mounted on the outboard motor and connected through a bell crank lever 23 to a link or element 27 which, in turn, is connected to the clutch for operation thereof between forward, neutral and reverse conditions in response to movement of the clutch actuating member 21.

Fixed relative to the engine 13 is an engine starter 29 including a starter gear or pinion 31 which is both movable into engagement with the flywheel or starting gear 17 and rotatable to start the engine 13. More particularly, while other detailed constructions could be employed, the disclosed engine starter 29 includes a cylindrical housing or frame 33 fixed relative to the engine 13, together with means for rotating the starter pinion 31 and for axially displacing the starter pinion 31 in response to rotation thereof between a retracted position axially spaced from the starting or flywheel gear 17 and an advanced position of driving engagement with the flywheel gear 17. The means for rotating the starter pinion 31 and for axially displacing the starter pinion 31, i.e., for advancing and retracting the starter pinion 31, includes a combined pulley and worm gear drive assembly which is rotatable relative to the housing 33 and which includes a drive worm 37 on which the starter pinion 31 is carried.

Still more particularly, the combined pulley and worm gear drive assembly comprises a drive member 39 including the before mentioned drive worm 37, a pulley flange 41 and a pulley hub 43 which form portions of a pull rope pulley. The combined drive assembly also includes a pulley member 47 which is connected to the drive member 39 and which includes a flange 49 and a rewind or recoil spring hub 51 extending into a suitable counterbore or opening 53 in the housing 33. The drive member 39 and the pulley member 47 are respectively axially bored at 57 and 59 to facilitate assembly of the drive member 39 and pulley member 47 to the housing 33 for common rotation relative to the housing 33 by a headed bolt 61 which extends through the respective bores 57 and 59 in the drive member 39 and pulley member 47 and through the opening 53 in the housing 33 and which accepts a nut (not shown) to retain the components in assembled relation. A washer 63 is employed between the top of the drive worm 37 of the drive member 39 and the head of the bolt 61 to facilitate relative rotation therebetween and to limit axial advance of the starter pinion 31 toward the flywheel gear engaging position.

Fixed to the drive member hub 43 is a pull rope 67 which includes a handle 69 and which is normally wound up in the area between the pulley flanges 41 and 49 by a rewind or recoil spring 71 which is located in the housing 33 beneath the pulley member 47 and which has an inner end connected to a pin 73 on the pulley member 47 for rotation with the pulley member 47 and which has an outer end anchored in an axial slot 77 in the circular wall of the housing 33.

As a consequence of the foregoing construction, when the rope 67 is pulled away from the starter 29, the combined pulley and worm gear drive assembly is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1. such rotation also serves to coil or tension the rewind spring 71 so that, upon release of the pull rope 67, the

rewind spring 71 will rotate the combined drive assembly in the opposite or clockwise direction to wind up the pull rope 67 between the flanges 41 and 49.

In addition to the drive worm 37 and a cooperating driven worm 79 on the bore of the starter pinion 31, the means for rotating the starter pinion 31 and for axially displacing the starter pinion 31 also includes formation on the starter pinion 31 of a hub or collar 81 and the engagement of the hub or collar with a starter spring 83 which is held against unlimited rotation with the starter pinion 31 and which releasably frictionally restrains rotation of the starter pinion 31, thereby to cause axial starter pinion travel from the retracted position to the advanced or flywheel gear engaging position in response to counterclockwise rotation of the drive worm 37 and which causes axial starter pinion travel from the flywheel gear engaging position to the retracted position in response to clockwise rotation of the drive worm 37. Upon completion of axial starter pinion travel, the starter pinion 31 will rotate with the drive worm 37 and relative to the starter spring 83, thereby driving the flywheel gear 17 when the starter pinion 31 is in the advanced position.

As thus far explained, the construction is generally conventional. The invention also applied to electrically driven starters, as well as to starters which operate so that the starter pinion is displaced to the starting gear engaging position in response to rotation accompanying uncoiling of a recoil spring which has been previously tensioned by a pull rope or other recoil spring tensioning device.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for controlling axial displacement of the starter pinion 31. In the disclosed construction, such axial starter pinion displacement control means serves to permit starter pinion advancement toward the starting gear 17 only when the clutch actuating member 21 is in the neutral position and for preventing such advancement when the clutch actuating member 21 is moved from the neutral position. The means just mentioned also serves to prevent unwanted or accidental advancement of the starter pinion 31 from the retracted position in response to rapid return of the starter pinion 31 from the advanced to the retracted position. In this regard, in the absence of the disclosed invention, the inertia associated with such rapid starter pinion return can cause the starter pinion 31 to bounce upwardly from the flange 41 toward the flywheel for unwanted engagement with the flywheel after the engine has started.

More particularly, in accordance with the invention, such means includes means on the starter spring 83 and on the starter pinion 31 for affording relative rotation therebetween while affording common axial displacement or movement of the starter spring 83 with the starter pinion 31 between the retracted and advanced positions. While other constructions can be employed, in the disclosed construction, such means includes formation of the starter spring 83 in a U-shape with a central bite 87 including two opposing legs 89 and 91 with respective portions and 92 resiliently biased into engagement in an annular groove 93 which is provided in the starter pinion 31 to thereby afford frictionally restrained relative rotary movement therebetween while affording common axial movement.

The means for permitting starter pinion axial movement only when the clutch actuating member 21 is in the neutral position and for preventing such movement when the clutch actuating member 21 is moved from the neutral position also includes provision on the housing 33 of a member or bracket 97 extending in the direction of axial movement of the starter pinion 31 and including a notch or slot 99 located for receipt of a part of the starter spring leg 89 when the starter pinion 31 is in the retracted position, thereby to prevent axial movement of the starter spring 83 and the starter pinion 31 from the retracted position to the advanced position.

Still further, the means for permitting and preventing axial movement or displacement of the starter pinion 31, depending upon the position of the clutch actuating member 21, also includes disposition of the starter spring 83 in encircling relation to the upstanding bracket 97 so as to generally prevent unlimited rotation of the starter spring 83 in the clockwise direction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, while permitting rotative entry of the starter spring leg 89 into the slot 99.

In operation, when the starter pinion 31 is returned toward the retracted position in response to clockwise rotation of the drive member 39, the starter pinion 31 will bottom against the flange 41 and will then rotate in common with the drive member 39 in the clockwise direction to cause the leg 89 of the starter spring 83 to move into the slot 99. Continued clockwise movement of the starter pinion 31 with the drive member 39 causes relative rotation between the starter spring 83 and the starter pinion 31.

Upon subsequent pulling of the rope 67 to start the engine 13, initial counterclockwise rotation of the drive member 39 will be ineffective to initially cause axial displacement of the starter pinion 31 (because of the location of the spring leg 89 in the slot 99) but will cause the starter pinion 31 to rotate in common with the drive member 39 and to cause such rotation of the starter spring 83 in common with the starter pinion 31 as is effective to displace the spring leg 89 from the slot 99. Thereafter, the frictional restraint to relative rotative movement between the starter spring 83 and the starter pinion 31 will cause axial movement of the starter pinion 31 from the retracted position to the advanced position of engagement with the flywheel gear 17. Such engagement occurs when the starter pinion 31 approaches the end of its advancing movement which is limited .by engagement of the starter pinion 31 with the before mentioned washer 63. After the starter pinion 31 reaches its advanced position, continued rotation of the drive member 39 causes rotation of the starter pinion 31 relative to the starter spring 83 and thereby also drivingly rotates the flywheel gear 17 to start the engine 13. In the absence of counterclockwise rotary movement of the drive member 39 occasioned by withdrawal of the pull rope 67 or otherwise, bounceback of the starter pinion 31 from the retracted position and toward the advanced flywheel gear engaging position is prevented.

Means are also provided for preventing disengagement of the leg 89 of the starter spring 83 from the slot 99 so as to prevent starter pinion advancement in response to pull rope withdrawal when the clutch actuating member 21 is not in the neutral position. While other arrangements can be employed, in the disclosed construction, there is provided a spring restraining link or interlock element 121 which is operatively connected to the clutch actuating member 21 and to the starter spring 83 to prevent starter spring displacement from the slot 99 when the clutch actuating member 21 is not in the neutral position.

In this last regard, means are provided for displacing the restraining link 121 so as to prevent displacement of the starter spring 83 from the slot 99 whenever the clutch actuating member 21 is shifted from neutral. While other constructions can be employed, in the disclosed construction such means includes provision of upper and lower posts 123 and 127 respectively, which posts extend from the housing 33 and which are spaced in the direction of the starter pinion axial movement on opposite sides of the slot 99. Preferably, the posts 123 and 127 include notches 129 adapted to be engaged by the restraining link 121.

The restraining link 121 is pivotally connected to the bell crank lever 23 fixed to the clutch actuating member 21 and extends within the bite 87 of the starter spring 83 so as to limit counterclockwise movement of the starter spring 83. It is preferred to urge the restraining link 121 into engagement with the posts 123 and 127 and, in this regard, there is provided a biasing spring 131 which is connected to the restraining link 121 intermediate of the points of engagement with the posts 123 and 127 and to an ear 133 extending from the housing 33. While other constructions can be employed, in the specifically disclosed construction, the bracket 97, the posts 123 and 127, and the ear 133 are all portions of a unitary part or stamping which is fixed to the housing 33.

The notches 129 are located in the posts 123 and 127 and the restraining link 121 is connected to the clutch actuating member 21 so that, in the neutral or full line position shown in FIG. 2, the restraining link 121 is engaged in both notches 129 by the biasing spring 131, with the restraining link 121 extending in generally parallel and adjacent relation to the bracket 97 and being spaced from the starter spring leg 91 such that the starter spring 83 is free for limited rotation in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 to clear the starter spring leg 89 from the slot 99. However, when the clutch actuating member 21 is shifted to the forward position, shown in dotted outline in FIG. 2, such movement causes the restraining link 121 to pivot about its engagement with the lower post 127 so as to be displaced from engagement with the upper post 123 and to a position blocking movement of the starter spring leg 89 out of the slot 99. When the clutch actuating member 21 is moved to the rearward drive position, also shown in dotted outline in FIG. 2, the restraining link 121 is caused to pivot about the upper post 123 so as to be displaced from the lower post 127 and so as to move to another position blocking movement of the starter spring leg 89 from the slot 99.

Upon return of the clutch actuating member 21 to the neutral position from either of the forward or reverse drive positions, the biasing spring 131 causes the restraining link 121 to engage both posts 123 and 127 in the position affording or permitting starter spring movement out of the slot 99.

In summary with respect to operation, assuming the clutch actuating member 21 to be in neutral, withdrawal of the pull rope 67 from the pulley formed by the flanges 41 and 49 causes the rewind spring 71 be tensioned and additionally causes the drive member 39 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in the drive member 39 so as to thereby rotate the starter spring 83 until the spring leg 89 moves out of the slot 99 and until the starter spring 83 is restrained from further rotary movement by engagement of the spring leg 91 with the restraining link 121. Thereafter, continued rotation in the counterclockwise direction of the drive member 39 causes, in response to the rotary restraint imposed on the starter spring 83 by the restraining link 121 and the frictional engagement of the starter spring 83 with the starter pinion 31, axial travel of the starter pinion 31 relative to the drive member 39 and flywheel gear 17 from the retracted position to the advanced position in engagement with the flywheel gear. Upon arrival of the starter pinion 31 in the advanced position, continued axial movement is prevented by the washer 63 and thereafter the starter pinion 31 rotates with the drive member 39 and relative to the starter spring 83 to drivingly rotate the flywheel gear 17 and thereby start the engine 13.

Thereafter when the pull rope 67 is released, the rewind spring 71 will rotate the drive member 39 in the opposite direction. i.e., in the clockwise direction. Such rotation of the drive member 39 causes rewinding of the pull rope 67 and, due to the frictional engagement of the starter spring 83 with the starter pinion 31 and the rotational restraint imposed on the starter spring 83 by reason of engagement of the spring leg 89 with the bracket 97, also causes axial travel of the starter pinion 31 from the advanced to the retracted position. When the starter pinion 31 reaches the retracted position, the frictional engagement of the starter pinion 31 with the starter spring 83 causes rotation of the starter spring 83 to that the spring leg 89 enters into the slot 99 to thereby prevent subsequent advancing axial movement in the absence of counterclockwise drive member movement. In the absence of automatic displacement of the spring leg 89 into the slot 99 in response to return movement of the starter pinion 31, subsequent movement of the clutch actuating member 21 to either of the forward or reverse drive positions will result in engagement of the starter spring leg 91 by the restraining link 121 and displacement of the starter spring 83 so that the spring leg 89 is moved into the slot 99 to prevent advancement of the starter pinion 31 toward the starting gear engaging position.

When the clutch actuating member 21 is in either of the forward or reverse drive positions, the restraining link 121 is located to prevent movement of the starter spring leg 89 out of the slot 99 and thereby to prevent axial travel of the starter pinion 31 from the retracted position. As a consequence, pull rope withdrawal will be effective only to rotate the drive member 39 and thereby also to rotate the starter pinion 31 in common with the drive member 39 in its retracted position and relative to the starter spring 83. Such drive member rotation also tensions the rewind spring 71 so that, upon release of the pull rope 67, the rewind spring 71 causes drive member rotation in the clockwise direction, thereby winding up the pull rope 67 and thereby also causing rotation, in common with the drive'member 39, of the starter pinion 31 in its retracted position and relative to the starter spring 83. Thus, it will be seen that the interlock of the invention does not prevent the operator from withdrawing the pull rope 67 from the starter 29 or the operation of the rewind spring 71 to rewind the pull rope 67. However, the interlock of the invention does prevent such action from causing advancement of the starter pinion 31 toward the starting gear 17 on the engine 13.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An engine including a rotary starting gear, a clutch actuating member movable relative to a neutral position, a starter housing fixed relative to the engine, a starter pinion, means rotatably mounting said starter pinion on said housing for axial movement between an engine starting position in engagement with said starting gear and a retracted position axially spaced from said engine starting position, an element connected to said starter pinion for common axial movement therewith, a catch mounted on said engine in position to receive said element when said pinion is in said retracted position and to block common axial movement of said element and said pinion from said retracted position when said element is received by said catch, and means connected with said clutch actuating member and operably connected to said element for preventing movement of said element from said catch in response to movement of said clutch actuating member from said neutral position.

2. An engine including a rotary starting gear, a clutch actuating member movable relative to a neutral position, a starter housing fixed relative to the engine, a starter pinion, means mounting said starter pinion on said housing for rotary movement and for axial movement relative to said starter gear between a retracted position and a position engaging said starter gear, means for rotating said starter pinion in one direction, means causing axial movement of said starter pinion toward said starting gear engaging position in response to operation of said stater pinion rotating means and including a spring engaged with said starter pinion for frictionally restrained relative rotary movement therebetween, and means on said engine for restraining said spring against unlimited rotative movement, and means connected to said starter pinion and operable for preventing axial movement of said starter pinion from said retracted position toward said starter gear engaging position when said clutch actuating member is moved from said neutral position, said starter pinion axial movement preventing means including said spring, means connecting said spring and said starter pinion for common axial movement, and a bracket extending from said housing and having therein a slot for receiving said spring when said starter pinion is in the retracted position, said slot having a part engageable with said spring to block spring movement from the retracted position.

3. An engine in accordance with claim 2 and further including an interlock element which is connected to said clutch actuating member, which is operatively connected to said spring, and which is movable, in response to movement of said clutch actuating member from neutral position, to a position preventing movement of said spring from said slot.

4. An engine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said housing has extending therefrom two spaced posts and including means biasing said interlock element toward another position in engagement with said posts.

5. An engine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for preventing axial starter pinion movement includes a bracket extending from said housing and wherein said spring is U-shape including a bite portion which encircles said bracket and said interlock element and wherein said interlock element extends, when said clutch actuating member is in the neutral position, in generally parallel relation to said bracket.

6. An engine starter comprising a starter housing fixable relative to an engine and including a bracket extending from said housing and having therein a slot, a drive member rotatably mounted on said housing and including a drive worm, a starter pinion having an interior worm engaged on said drive worm, a U-shaped spring frictionally engaging said starter pinion and including a bite extending in encircling relation to said bracket to limit rotary starter spring movement, means on said starter pinion in engagement with said starter spring for preventing relative movement therebetween axially of the axis of starter pinion rotation and for permitting frictionally restrained relative rotary movement therebetween, thereby to cause axial movement of said starter pinion between a retracted position and an advanced position enabling engagement of said starter pinion with en engine flywheel gear in response to rotation of said drive member, said starter spring being receivable in said slot when said starter pinion is in said retracted position and said slot including an edge extending transversely of the direction of the rotary axis of said starter pinion to prevent starter spring axial movement when said starter spring is received in said slot and whereby starter spring axial movement is permitted upon rotation of said starter spring out of said slot.

7. An engine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for preventing movement of said element from said catch comprises a link connected to said clutch actuating member and movable relative to a position preventing displacement of said element from said catch.

8. An engine in accordance with claim 7 and further including means biasing said link toward said position.

9. An engine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said element comprises a spring and means connecting said spring to said starter pinion for common axial movement and for frictionally restrained relative rotary movement therebetween.

10. An engine starter in accordance with claim 9 and further including means for rotating said starter pinion in opposite directions including a drive member rotatably mounted on said housing and including a drive worm, a worm mating with said drive worm and formed interiorly of said starter pinion, and means for rotating said drive member.

11. An engine in accordance with claim 10 and further including means for causing axial movement of said starter pinion in response to starter pinion rotation and including a bracket extending from said housing for engagement with said spring to limit rotary movement thereof.

12. An engine starter in accordance with claim 11 wherein said spring is U-shaped and includes a bite encircling said bracket and wherein said bracket includes said catch.

13. An engine in accordance with claim 9 wherein said starter pinion rotates during axial movement of said pinion and said element to said retracted position in the direction to effect entry of said element into said catch.

14. An engine in accordance with claim 9 wherein said starter pinion rotates during axial movement of said pinion and said element from said retracted position in the direction to effect displacement of said element from said catch.

PO-I050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 569 @ERTWICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 39739363 Dated Junel9, 973 Inventor) Robert J. Berry et al I It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

(101mm 4- line 6; "or element" should be added before "83" Column 5, line 3; "or catch" should be; added before "99" Colum 8 lihe 30; "starter" should be ---starting--- Column 8, line 31; "starter" should be --startin'g--- Colman 8, line 35; "stater" should be ---starter--- Column 8, line 42; "starter" should be ---s'tart'ing--'-' Column 9, line 21; "en" should be ---an--- Signed and sealed this 22nd day of January 19714.a

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MOEEETCHEEJE. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents

Claims (14)

1. An engine including a rotary starting gear, a clutch actuating member movable relative to a neutral position, a starter housing fixed relative to the engine, a starter pinion, means rotatably mounting said starter pinion on said housing for axial movement between an engine starting position in engagement with said starting gear and a retracted position axially spaced from said engine starting position, an element connected to said starter pinion for common axial movement therewith, a catch mounted on said engine in position to receive said element when said pinion is in said retracted position and to block common axial movement of said element and said pinion from said retracted position when said element is received by said catch, and means connected with said clutch actuating member and operably connected to said element for preventing movement of said element from said catch in response to movement of said clutch actuating member from said neutral position.

2. An engine including a rotary starting gear, a clutch actuating member movable relative to a neutral position, a starter housing fixed relative to the engine, a starter pinion, means mounting said starter pinion on said housing for rotary movement and for axial movement relative to said starter gear between a retracted position and a position engaging said starter gear, means for rotating said starter pinion in one direction, means causing axial movement of said starter pinion toward said starting gear engaging position in response to operation of said stater pinion rotating means and including a spring engaged with said starter pinion for frictionally restrained relative rotary movement therebetween, and means on said engine for restraining said spring against unlimited rotative movement, and means connected to said starter pinion and operable for preventing axial movement of said starter pinion from said retracted position toward said starter gear engaging position when said clutch actuating member is moved from said neutral position, said starter pinion axial movement preventing means including said spring, means connecting said spring and said starter pinion for common axial movement, and a bracket extending from said housing and having therein a slot for receiving said spring when said starter pinion is in the retracted position, said slot having a part engageable with said spring to block spring movement from the retracted position.

3. An engine in accordance with claim 2 and further including an interlock element which is connected to said clutch actuating member, which is operatively connected to said spring, and which is movable, in response to movement of said clutch actuating member from neutral position, to a position preventing movement of said spring from said slot.

4. An engine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said housing has extending therefrom two spaced posts and including means biasing said interlock element toward another position in engagement with said posts.

5. An engine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for preventing axial starter pinion movement includes a bracket extending from said housing and wherein said spring is U-shape including a bite portion which encircles said bracket and said interlock element and wherein said interlock element extends, when said clutch actuating member is in the neutral position, in generally parallel relation to said bracket.

6. An engine starter comprising a starter housing fixable relative to an engine and including a bracket extending from said housing and having therein a slot, a drive member rotatably mounted on said housing and including a drive worm, a starter pinion having an interior worm engaged on said drive worm, a U-shaped spring frictionally engaging said starter pinion and including a bite extending in encircling relation to said bracket to limit rotary starter spring movement, means on said starter pinion in engagement with said starter spring for preventing relative movement therebetween axially of the axis of starter pinion rotation and for permitting frictionally restrained relative rotary movement therebetween, thereby to cause axial movement of said starter pinion between a retracted position and an advanced position enabling engagement of said starter pinion with en engine flywheel gear in response to rotation of said drive member, said starter spring being receivable in said slot when said starter pinion is in said retracted position and said slot including an edge extending transversely of the direction of the rotary axis of said starter pinion to prevent starter spring axial movement when said starter spring is received in said slot and whereby starter spring axial movement is permitted upon rotation of said starter spring out of said slot.

7. An engine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for preventing movement of said element from said catch comprises a link connected to said clutch actuating member and movable relative to a position preventing displacement of said element from said catch.

8. An engine in accordance with claim 7 and further including means biasing said link toward said position.

9. An engine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said element comprises a spring and means connecting said spring to said starter pinion for common axial movement and for frictionally restrained relative rotary movement therebetween.

10. An engine starter in accordance with claim 9 and further including means for rotating said starter pinion in opposite directions including a drive member rotatably mounted on said housing and including a drive worm, a worm mating with said drive worm and formed interiorly of said starter pinion, and means for rotating said drive member.

11. An engine in accordance with claim 10 and further including means for causing axial movement of said starter pinion in response to starter pinion rotation and including a bracket extending from said housing for engagement with said spring to limit rotary movement thereof.

12. An engine starter in accordance with claim 11 wherein said spring is U-shaped and includes a bite encircling said bracket and wherein said bracket includes said catch.

13. An engine in accordance with claim 9 wherein said starter pinion rotates during axial movement of said pinion and said element to said retracted position in the direction to effect entry of said element into said catch.

14. An engine in accordance with claim 9 wherein said starter pinion rotates during axial movement of said pinion and said element from said retracted poSition in the direction to effect displacement of said element from said catch.

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