US3791685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Starter pinion with molded base and drive
Assignee: Von Weise USA Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-24
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A starter pinion assembly for use with electric starters for internal combustion engines wherein a starter pinion gear is axially displaced upon a drive shaft during initial rotation of the shaft to engage the pinion gear with an engine flywheel in order to crank the flywheel. The starter pinion includes a hub portion upon which the pinion gear teeth are mounted, the pinion gear teeth being capable of rotation relative to the hub portion, and resilient frictional drive means are interposed between the hub and toothed gear portion through which torsional forces are transmitted. Axial forces imposed upon the hub maintain an effective frictional drive connection with the toothed gear portion, and impact and shock forces are absorbed. A stop mounted upon the drive shaft limits axial movement of the starter pinion assembly, and a compression spring maintains the starter assembly in the ''''retracted'''' position when the drive shaft is not being rotated. The resilient drive means prevents binding of the pinion assembly with the stop. A resilient bumper mounted upon the starter assembly, formed of the friction material, absorbs axial movement of the starter assembly toward the noncranking position, brakes the pinion assembly against rotation and also functions as a dust seal.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hamman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:15
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02N; F02N11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An electric starter for starting an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, an electric motor having a housing and a rotatable output shaft extending from said housing having an axis, said shaft having an outer end and an inner portion disposed adjacent said housing, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft, intermeshing cam means formed on said shaft and said hub rotating said hub and producing axial movement of said hub upon said shaft during relative rotation between said hub and said shaft, a pinion gear concentrically mounted on said shaft for rotational and axial movement thereon, stop means mounted on said shaft limiting axial movement of said gear toward said outer end, radially extending axially spaced opposed surfaces defined on said hub and said gear, and resilient friction means interposed between said hub and gear surfaces transmitting torque from said hub to said gear to rotate said gear, said hub surface facing in the direction of axial movement of said gear to engage said gear with engine starter structure whereby said resilient means is compressed between said surfaces during engine cranking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An electric starter for starting an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, an electric motor having a housing and a rotatable output shaft extending from said housing having an axis, said shaft having an outer end and an inner portion disposed adjacent said housing, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft, intermeshing cam means formed on said shaft and said hub rotating said hub and producing axial movement of said hub upon said shaft during relative rotation between said hub and said shaft, a pinion gear concentrically mounted on said shaft for rotational and axial movement thereon, stop means mounted on said shaft limiting axial movement of said gear toward said outer end, radially extending axially spaced opposed surfaces defined on said hub and said gear, and resilient friction means interposed between said hub and gear surfaces transmitting torque from said hub to said gear to rotate said gear, said hub surface facing in the direction of axial movement of said gear to engage said gear with engine starter structure whereby said resilient means is compressed between said surfaces during engine cranking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
In an electric starter as in claim 1 wherein said stop means is mounted on said shaft adjacent said outer end, and a compression spring interposed between said stop means and said gear biasing said gear toward said motor housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
In an electric starter as in claim 1, a resilient shock absorber mounted on said gear engagable with said motor housing limiting axial movement of said gear on said shaft toward said housing and braking rotation of said gear with respect to said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
In an electric starter as in claim 1 whererin said resilient means is molded upon said gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an electric starter as in claim 4 wherein said resilient means and said shock absorber are defined by a homogeneous resilient element mounted upon said gear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
In an electric starter as in claim 1 wherein said hub includes a radially extending flange and an axially extending cylindrical portion, said gear having a cylindrical bore engaging said axially extending portion wherein said hub concentrically supports said gear on said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
In an electric starter as in claim 6 wherein said radially extending hub surface is defined on said flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
In an electric starter as in claim 1 wherein said cam means comprises a screw thread defined on said shaft inner portion and a mating screw thread defined on said hub.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A pinion gear assembly for an electric starter for internal combustion engines comprising, in combination, an annular hub having an axis, a bore and a first radially extending surface, a gear mounted upon said hub for relative rotational and axial movement thereon, a second radially extending surface defined upon said gear in opposed relation to said first surface, and resilient material interposed between said surfaces for transmitting torque forces between said hub and said gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A pinion gear assembly for an electric starter for internal combustion engines comprising, in combination, an annular hub having an axis, a bore and a first radially extending surface, a gear mounted upon said hub for relative rotational and axial movement thereon, a second radially extending surface defined upon said gear in opposed relation to said first surface, and resilient material interposed between said surfaces for transmitting torque forces between said hub and said gear.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a pinion gear assembly as in claim 9 wherein said resilient material is bonded to said gear.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a pinion gear assembly as in claim 9, a screw thread defined in said hub bore.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electric starter assembly, in combination, a rotatable drive shaft having an axis and first and second axially spaced portions, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft first portion, engaging threads formed on said shaft first portion and said hub for rotating said hub and producing axial movement of said hub upon said shaft during relative rotation between said hub and said shaft, a pinion gear rotatably mounted upon said hub and axially movable thereon, stop means mounted on said shaft second portion limiting axial movement of said hub and gear on said shaft, radially extending, axially spaced opposed surfaces defined on said hub and said gear, and resilient friction material interposed between said hub and gear surfaces for transmItting torque from said hub to said gear, said hub surface facing in the axial direction of movement of said hub and gear to operatively engage said gear with engine starter structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electric starter assembly, in combination, a rotatable drive shaft having an axis and first and second axially spaced portions, a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft first portion, engaging threads formed on said shaft first portion and said hub for rotating said hub and producing axial movement of said hub upon said shaft during relative rotation between said hub and said shaft, a pinion gear rotatably mounted upon said hub and axially movable thereon, stop means mounted on said shaft second portion limiting axial movement of said hub and gear on said shaft, radially extending, axially spaced opposed surfaces defined on said hub and said gear, and resilient friction material interposed between said hub and gear surfaces for transmItting torque from said hub to said gear, said hub surface facing in the axial direction of movement of said hub and gear to operatively engage said gear with engine starter structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
In an electric starter assembly as in claim 12 wherein said resilient material is bonded to said gear.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
In an electric starter assembly as in claim 12, a compression spring mounted on said shaft interposed between said stops means and said gear biasing said gear toward said hub surface and said first shaft portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
In an electric starter assembly as in claim 14, an annular cover mounted on said gear encompassing said stop means and said spring.
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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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |