US3696593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric start for mowers
Assignee: TORO Manufacturing CORP
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Filing: 1968-09-04
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Granted: 1972-10-10
•
Expires: 1988-09-04
Abstract
Abstract An electric start system for a lawn mower powered by an internal combustion engine. The engine is cranked by means of a Bendix type starter, the pinion of which engages the engine flywheel during the cranking operation, and then automatically disengages therefrom when the engine starts. The electric motor of the Bendix starter is powered by batteries carried on the handle of the mower and is energized by a key switch also on the handle within easy and convenient reach of the operator. A charger is also provided which enables the battery to be recharged on or off the mower. The battery also has a single receptacle connector for selective connection to the starter motor and charger, whereby the engine cannot be started when the battery is being recharged.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A Thorud
- 👤 James J Snegoski
- 👤 Kenneth N Hasenbank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:26
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D34/00; A01D34/01; A01D34/412; A01D34/63; A01D34/67; A01D34/68; A01D34/6806; A01D34/6818; F; F02; F02N; F02N15/00; F02N15/006; A01D2101/00; F02N11/00; F02N11/08; F02N11/087; F02N15/02; F02N15/022; F02N15/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
In a rotary mower which includes a housing, a vertical shaft internal combustion engine mounted on said housing, a cutting blade mounted on said shaft and located beneath said housing, and a drive gear drivingly attached to the upper end of said shaft, an electric starting system comprising: 1. an electric motor secured to said engine, said motor including an upstanding output shaft extending a substantial distance beyond said motor and terminating vertically adjacent to the gear teeth on said drive gear said shaft having external helical threads advancing away from said motor in a rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of said motor; 2. a pinion gear with a bore therethrough having internal helical threads therein matching the external threads of said output shaft for interconnection therewith, said pinion gear located on said output shaft and normally positioned in threaded engagement adjacent to said motor when said motor is not energized; 3. stop means on the extended end of said output shaft to prevent said gear from advancing off said shaft when said motor is energized, whereby upon energizing said motor said gear will advance along said shaft to engage said gear teeth and rotatably drive said drive gear; 4. a battery mounted on said mower for energizing said motor; and 4. a manually operable switch mounted on said mower in circuit with said motor and battery for starting and stopping said motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a rotary mower which includes a housing, a vertical shaft internal combustion engine mounted on said housing, a cutting blade mounted on said shaft and located beneath said housing, and a drive gear drivingly attached to the upper end of said shaft, an electric starting system comprising: 1. an electric motor secured to said engine, said motor including an upstanding output shaft extending a substantial distance beyond said motor and terminating vertically adjacent to the gear teeth on said drive gear said shaft having external helical threads advancing away from said motor in a rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of said motor; 2. a pinion gear with a bore therethrough having internal helical threads therein matching the external threads of said output shaft for interconnection therewith, said pinion gear located on said output shaft and normally positioned in threaded engagement adjacent to said motor when said motor is not energized; 3. stop means on the extended end of said output shaft to prevent said gear from advancing off said shaft when said motor is energized, whereby upon energizing said motor said gear will advance along said shaft to engage said gear teeth and rotatably drive said drive gear; 4. a battery mounted on said mower for energizing said motor; and 4. a manually operable switch mounted on said mower in circuit with said motor and battery for starting and stopping said motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
a pinion gear with a bore therethrough having internal helical threads therein matching the external threads of said output shaft for interconnection therewith, said pinion gear located on said output shaft and normally positioned in threaded engagement adjacent to said motor when said motor is not energized;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
a pinion gear with a bore therethrough having internal helical threads therein matching the external threads of said output shaft for interconnection therewith, said pinion gear located on said output shaft and normally positioned in threaded engagement adjacent to said motor when said motor is not energized;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
a pinion gear with a bore therethrough having internal helical threads therein matching the external threads of said output shaft for interconnection therewith said pinion gear located on said output shaft and normally positioned in threaded engagement with said external helical threads adjacent the terminating end of said output shaft and above said drive gear teeth when said motor is not energized;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
a pinion gear with a bore therethrough having internal helical threads therein matching the external threads of said output shaft for interconnection therewith said pinion gear located on said output shaft and normally positioned in threaded engagement with said external helical threads adjacent the terminating end of said output shaft and above said drive gear teeth when said motor is not energized;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mower of claim 1, including handle means for steering said mower, and wherein said battery is mounted on said handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mower of claim 2, wherein said handle includes a forwardly and upwardly facing panel, and wherein said battery is mounted on said panel on the underside thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
stop means on the extended end of said output shaft to prevent said gear from advancing off said shaft when said motor is energized, whereby upon energizing said motor said gear will advance along said shaft to engage said gear teeth and rotatably drive said drive gear;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
stop means on the extended end of said output shaft to prevent said gear from advancing off said shaft when said motor is energized, whereby upon energizing said motor said gear will advance along said shaft to engage said gear teeth and rotatably drive said drive gear;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
stop means adjacent the terminating end of said output shaft to maintain said pinion gear on said output shaft;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
stop means adjacent the terminating end of said output shaft to maintain said pinion gear on said output shaft;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
spring means for urging said pinion gear toward said stop means, whereby upon energizing said motor said gear will advance down along said shaft to engage said gear teeth and rotatably drive said drive gear;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
spring means for urging said pinion gear toward said stop means, whereby upon energizing said motor said gear will advance down along said shaft to engage said gear teeth and rotatably drive said drive gear;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
a battery mounted on said mower for energizing said motor; and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
a battery mounted on said mower for energizing said motor; and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
a manually operable switch mounted on said mower in circuit with said motor and battery for starting and stopping said motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
a manually operable switch mounted on said mower in circuit with said motor and battery for starting and stopping said motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The mower of claim 3, wherein said battery includes a casing, said casing having a forwardly extending tAb, an opening in said panel for receiving said tab and thereby supporting the front portion of said casing, and spring clip means carried by the rear portion of said casing and releasably attachable to said panel for supporting the rear portion of said casing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mower of claim 1, wherein said switch automatically moves from closed to open position when released.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
a battery mounted on said mower for energizing said motor; and
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
a battery mounted on said mower for energizing said motor; and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
a manually operable switch mounted on said mower in circuit with said motor and battery for starting and stopping said motor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
a manually operable switch mounted on said mower in circuit with said motor and battery for starting and stopping said motor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mower of claim 1, wherein said switch is operated by a removable key.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mower of claim 1, wherein said switch is operated by a removable key and automatically moves from closed to open position when said key is released.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mower of claim 1, including handle means for steering said mower, and wherein said switch is mounted on said handle within reach of an operator standing behind said handle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mower of claim 8, wherein said handle includes a forwardly and upwardly facing panel, and wherein said switch is mounted on the underside of said panel and extends upwardly through an opening in said panel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mower of claim 9, wherein said switch is housed in a common casing with said battery, said casing being mounted on the underside of and supported by said panel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mower of claim 2, including a casing, said casing housing therewithin said battery and said switch, said casing being mounted on the upper end portion of said handle means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mower according to claim 11, wherein said switch is operated by a removable key.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mower according to claim 1, including spring means for downwardly biasing said pinion gear.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mower according to claim 13, wherein said switch is normally electrically open and biased towards the open position, and wherein said switch is inoperable without a key.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
The mower according to claim 14, including a casing for containing said battery, wherein said casing includes only one receptacle connector for connecting said battery with said motor or alternatively with a battery charging device, said receptacle connector being capable of engaging only one plug connector at a time from said motor or said charging device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a rotary mower which includes a housing, a vertical shaft internal combustion engine mounted on said housing, a cutting blade mounted on said shaft and located beneath said housing, and a drive gear drivingly attached to the upper end of said shaft, an electric starting system comprising:
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a rotary mower which includes a housing, a vertical shaft internal combustion engine mounted on said housing, a cutting blade mounted on said shaft and located beneath said housing, and a drive gear drivingly attached to the upper end of said shaft, an electric starting system comprising:
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |