US3640148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retainer cap for a starter pinion
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-12
•
Granted: 1972-02-08
•
Expires: 1990-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A retainer cap for retaining a rotatable pinion, the lockable roller bearings and associated springs, of an automobile starter shaft and pinion mechanism, the top of the cap having centrally located therein an aperture defined by the cap''s aperture inside perimeter in a shape corresponding to a transverse cross section across the automobile starter pinion such that the aperture inside perimeter includes between radially outwardly extending cutout spaces, radially inwardly directed projections corresponding to the shape of spaces between teeth of the starter pinion, whereby the retainer cap is placeable into a retaining position by snug insertion of the teeth through the scalloped spaces, thereby eliminating the need for the prior art retainer annular washer and two half moon retainer rings.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald Fischbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H55/00; F16H55/02; F16H55/17; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7018; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/13; Y10T74/138; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/1987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A gear retainer comprising a substantially rigid retainer member having a lower surface of a predetermined shape, shaped to receive and press against a pinion base''s shoulder of a predetermined pinion shaft which pinion shaft includes a pinion mounted fixedly at a terminal end of a pinion base mountable revolvably within a second shaft, and said retainer member having extending through said member an aperture, said member''s perimeter of said aperture defining a predetermined diameter and size of aperture shape adapted for said aperture to receive an insertable member shaped as substantially a transverse cross section of said pinion of said predetermined diameter and size, said perimeter defining projections extending radially inwardly from opposite edges of said aperture, extendable between teeth of said pinion and defining depressions between said projections sufficiently spacious for receiving said teeth, said diameter and size being sufficiently larger than said pinion''s cross section for said pinion to be substantially snugly axially insertable through said aperture between terminal ends of said projections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A gear retainer comprising a substantially rigid retainer member having a lower surface of a predetermined shape, shaped to receive and press against a pinion base''s shoulder of a predetermined pinion shaft which pinion shaft includes a pinion mounted fixedly at a terminal end of a pinion base mountable revolvably within a second shaft, and said retainer member having extending through said member an aperture, said member''s perimeter of said aperture defining a predetermined diameter and size of aperture shape adapted for said aperture to receive an insertable member shaped as substantially a transverse cross section of said pinion of said predetermined diameter and size, said perimeter defining projections extending radially inwardly from opposite edges of said aperture, extendable between teeth of said pinion and defining depressions between said projections sufficiently spacious for receiving said teeth, said diameter and size being sufficiently larger than said pinion''s cross section for said pinion to be substantially snugly axially insertable through said aperture between terminal ends of said projections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A gear-retainer according to claim 1, in which said retainer member is substantially a cap-shaped annulus with an inner lower surface about adjacent said aperture being substantially flat and having a rim-ledge extending about downwardly from an outer perimeter of said flat surface when said flat surface is positioned about horizontally.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A gear-retainer according to claim 1, in which said aperture''s perimeter is substantially circular with said depressions being spaced cutouts substantially corresponding to teeth of said pinion with remaining portions between said cutouts comprising said projections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gear retainer according to claim 3, in which said cutouts are substantially semicircular in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A gear retainer according to claim 4, in which said retainer member is substantially a cap-shaped annulus with said lower surface about adjacent said aperture being substantially flat and having a rim ledge extending about downwardly from an outer perimeter of said flat surface when said flat surface is positioned about horizontally.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gear retainer according to claim 5, including in combination, said pinion shaft and said second shaft, said second shaft having an open terminal end for inserting said pinion base, said second shaft having an outer diameter at least slightly lesser than said annular retainer member''s lower surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A gear retainer according to claim 6, in which said retainer member is a metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gear retainer according to claim 1, including in combination, said pinion shaft and said second shaft, said second shaft having an open terminal end for inserting said pinion base, said second shaft having an outer diameter at least slightly lesser than said annular retainer member''s lower surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gear retainer according to claim 1, including in combination, said pinion shaft and said second shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A gear retainer according to claim 1, in which said retainer member is a metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1589459A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |