Patent Publication Number: US-2013247860-A1

Title: Recoil starter

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a recoil starter in which a recoil rope is pulled to rotate a rope reel so that the rotation of the rope reel is transmitted to a rotary member such as a drive pulley connected to a crankshaft of an engine through a ratchet mechanism so as to start the engine. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the background art, there has been known a recoil starter in which a recoil rope wound around a rope reel is pulled to rotate the rope reel so that the rotation of the rope reel is transmitted to a drive pulley or the like so as to rotate a crankshaft of an engine connected to the drive pulley to thereby start the engine. 
     In such a recoil starter, a ratchet mechanism for transmitting the torque of the rope reel to the drive pulley is provided. The ratchet mechanism is formed as follows. When the recoil rope is pulled to rotate the rope reel in an engine start direction, the ratchet mechanism engages with the drive pulley so as to transmit the torque to the drive pulley. However, once the engine starts, the ratchet mechanism is prevented from engaging with the drive pulley, so that the torque of the engine cannot be transmitted to the rope reel. 
     For example, Patent Literature 1 by the same applicant has given disclosure for a ratchet mechanism using a rod-like ratchet member consisting of an arm portion and a rotary shaft portion bent at one end of the arm portion substantially at a right angle therewith. In this ratchet mechanism, the ratchet member is formed as follows. That is, the ratchet member protrudes in an outer diameter direction when the rope reel rotates in the engine start direction. Thus, the protruding ratchet member engages with the drive pulley so as to transmit the torque. On the other hand, once the engine starts, the protruding ratchet member returns to a reception position so as to be prevented from engaging with the drive pulley. 
     In the ratchet mechanism described in Patent Literature 1, an inclined surface is formed at a distal end of the ratchet member which may abut against an inner peripheral surface of the drive pulley. In this manner, the distal end surface of the ratchet member is prevented from engaging with the edge of an opening of the drive pulley and locking therein. 
     In the aforementioned recoil starter described in Patent Literature 1, an opening window is provided in the drive pulley so that the ratchet member can engage with the opening window. In addition, another recoil starter of a type in which a ratchet member can engage with a recess portion provided in an inner peripheral wall of a drive pulley has been known, for example, as shown in Patent Literature 2. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 3902528 
         Patent Literature 2: JP-U-61-125671 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, in the aforementioned ratchet mechanism described in Patent Literature 1, the ratchet member having an inclined surface formed at the distal end thereof is used. Accordingly, not only processing for bending the ratchet member but also processing for forming the inclined surface are required. To this end, different processing steps are required to thereby result in the increase of the manufacturing cost correspondingly. 
     Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a recoil starter in which the aforementioned ratchet mechanism described in Patent Literature 1 is further improved so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced without impairing the function and the performance. 
     Solution to Problem 
     The invention has been accomplished in order to achieve the foregoing object. The invention is characterized as follows. 
     (Claim 1) 
     The invention stated in Claim 1 is characterized in the following point. 
     That is, a recoil starter according to Claim 1 includes a rope reel in which a ratchet attachment portion is provided at the center thereof, a drive pulley which is disposed to cover the ratchet attachment portion, a ratchet member which is attached to the ratchet attachment portion and disposed on an inner side of the drive pulley, and a control member which is attached coaxially with the rope reel so that the control member can rotate with friction resistance given thereto, and which has an engagement portion capable of engaging with the ratchet member; characterized in that: a shaft hole is formed in the ratchet attachment portion and in parallel with the rotation axis of the rope reel; the ratchet member is a wire-like member having a circular shape in section and rotatably attached to the shaft hole, and includes a rotary shaft portion which is inserted into the shaft hole, an arm portion which is extended from the rotary shaft portion and bent substantially at a right angle therewith, and a distal end portion which is extended from the arm portion and bent in parallel with the rotary shaft portion; and the ratchet member is further arranged so that, when the rope reel rotates in an engine start direction, the arm portion is thrust against the engagement portion of the control member so that the distal end portion is rotated to protrude in an outer diameter direction and the rotated distal end portion engages with the drive pulley so as to transmit torque of the rope reel to the drive pulley. 
     (Claim 2) 
     The invention stated in Claim 2 is characterized in the following point as well as the aforementioned characterized point of the invention stated in Claim 1. 
     That is, the invention stated in Claim 2 is characterized in that: an opening is formed in the drive pulley so that the distal end portion of the ratchet member rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction can penetrate the opening. 
     (Claim 3) 
     The invention stated in Claim 3 is characterized in the following point as well as the aforementioned characterized point of the invention stated in Claim 1. 
     That is, the invention stated in Claim 3 is characterized in that: a recess portion for receiving the distal end portion of the ratchet member rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction is formed in the drive pulley. 
     (Claim 4) 
     The invention stated in Claim 4 is characterized in the following point as well as the aforementioned characterized point of the invention stated in Claim 2 or 3. 
     The invention stated in Claim 4 is characterized in that: when the distal end portion of the ratchet member is rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction to thereby engage with the drive pulley, the distal end portion is supported by a reception portion formed in the rope pulley. 
     (Claim 5) 
     The invention stated in Claim 5 is characterized in the following point as well as the aforementioned characterized point of the invention stated in any one of Claims 1 through 4. 
     That is, the invention stated in Claim 5 is characterized by further comprising: an urging unit for urging the ratchet member in a direction to prevent the distal end portion from protruding in the outer diameter direction. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the invention stated in Claim 1, as described above, the ratchet member is a wire-like member having a circular shape in section and rotatably attached to the shaft hole formed in the ratchet attachment portion, and the ratchet member includes a rotary shaft portion which is inserted into the shaft hole, an arm portion which is extended from the rotary shaft portion and bent substantially at a right angle therewith, and a distal end portion which is extended from the arm portion and bent in parallel with the rotary shaft portion. Accordingly, it is not necessary to form an inclined surface at the distal end, so it is possible to manufacture the ratchet member only by a bending process and it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost. 
     In addition, the distal end portion of the ratchet member is a wire-like member having a circular shape in section and provided in parallel with the rotation axis. Since the curved surface in the axially side surface of the distal end surface abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the drive pulley, the sliding resistance when the ratchet member slides on the drive pulley can be formed to be small. That is, when the ratchet member is rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction, the distal end portion can slide on the inner peripheral surface of the drive pulley smoothly. Thus, the ratchet member can be prevented from being locked on the drive pulley. 
     In addition, in the invention stated in Claim 2, as described above, an opening is formed in the drive pulley so that the distal end portion of the ratchet member rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction can penetrate the opening. Accordingly, when the rope reel rotates in the engine start direction, the ratchet member which has one end supported in the shaft hole and the other end supported on the reception portion rotates together with the rope reel. At this time, the ratchet member penetrates the opening of the drive pulley, so that the torque of the rope pulley is transmitted to the drive pulley through the opening. 
     In addition, in the invention stated in Claim 3, as described above, a recess portion for receiving the distal end portion of the ratchet member rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction is formed in the drive pulley. Accordingly, when the rope reel rotates in the engine start direction, the distal end portion of the ratchet member engages with the recess portion of the drive pulley. Thus, the torque of the rope reel is transmitted to the drive pulley through the recess portion. 
     According to the invention stated in this claim, both the rotary shaft portion and the distal end portion of the ratchet member suffering a load are provided in parallel with the rotation axis. There is therefore no fear that the load is applied in a direction to tilt the ratchet member or in a direction to make the ratchet member drop out. Thus, the ratchet member can be prevented from dropping out, for example, as compared with the ratchet member described in Patent Literature 2 etc. 
     In addition, in the invention stated in Claim 4, as described above, when the distal end portion of the ratchet member is rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction so as to engage with the drive pulley, the distal end portion is supported on the reception portion formed in the rope reel. Accordingly, even if a load on the engine side is applied to the ratchet member when the ratchet member engages with the drive pulley so as to start the engine, the ratchet member can be effectively prevented from tilting because the opposite end portions of the ratchet member on the rotary shaft portion side and the distal end portion side are supported on the rope reel. 
     In addition, the distal end portion supported on the reception portion is provided as a shaft parallel with the rotation axis. Accordingly, even if the distal end portion is formed to be not large in the radial direction, the distal end portion and the reception portion can be brought into engagement in a wide range. Thus, the load at the time of start of the engine can be dispersed to enhance the load-bearing property, and reduction of the size in the radial direction can be achieved. 
     In addition, in the invention stated in Claim 5, as described above, an urging unit for urging the ratchet member in a direction to prevent the distal end portion from protruding in the outer diameter direction is provided. Accordingly, when the recoil rope is returned, the ratchet is urged in a reception direction. Thus, the ratchet member can be surely retracted to a non-engagement position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  A sectional view of a recoil starter according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  A side view (a) and a bottom view (b) of a ratchet member according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  A view showing the recoil starter according to the first embodiment so as to show a state where the ratchet member is in a reception position. The view is a sectional view of the recoil starter according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  A view showing a state where the ratchet member according to the first embodiment is pushed out from the reception position to an engagement position. 
         FIG. 5  A view showing the recoil starter according to the first embodiment so as to show a state where the ratchet member is in the engagement position. 
         FIG. 6  A sectional view of a recoil starter according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  A view showing the recoil starter according to the second embodiment so as to show a state where a ratchet member is in a reception position. The view is a sectional view of the recoil starter according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  A view showing a state where the ratchet member according to the second embodiment is pushed out from the reception position to an engagement position. 
         FIG. 9  A view showing the recoil starter according to the second embodiment so as to show a state where the ratchet member is in the engagement position. 
         FIG. 10  A side view (a) and a bottom view (b) of a ratchet member according to a first modification. 
         FIG. 11  A sectional view of a recoil starter according to a second modification. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     In a recoil starter according to this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a reel support shaft  11  is formed on an inner side surface of a starter case  10  formed to receive main constituents of the recoil starter and cover a side surface portion of an engine, so that the reel support shaft  11  can face a crankshaft of the engine. A rope reel  14  on which a recoil rope  12  is wound is rotatably attached to an outer periphery of the reel support shaft  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , the recoil rope  12  is wound around a reel portion  14   d  formed in an outer periphery of the rope reel  14 , and has one end fixed to the rope reel  14  and the other end extracted to the outside of the starter case  10  from an opening (not shown) formed in the starter case  10 . The rope reel  14  is formed so as to be driven and rotated around the reel support shaft  11  as a rotation axis when the extracted recoil rope  12  is pulled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a recoil spring  13  for rotating the rope reel  14  rotated by the pull of the recoil rope  12  in an opposite direction so as to rewind the extracted recoil rope  12  on the rope reel  14  is disposed between the rope reel  14  and the reel support shaft  11 . The recoil spring  13  has one end fixed to the rope reel  14  and the other end fixed to the reel support shaft  11 . The recoil spring  13  operates as follows. That is, when the recoil rope  12  is operated and pulled to rotate the rope reel  14 , torque is accumulated in the recoil spring  13 . As soon as the recoil rope  12  is released, the rope reel  14  is rotated in the opposite direction due to the torque accumulated in the recoil spring  13  so that the recoil rope  12  extracted to the outside of the starter case  10  is rewound on the rope reel  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a columnar ratchet attachment portion  14   a  is formed at the center of the rope reel  14  so as to protrude in a direction to leave the starter case  10 . A substantially bottomed cylindrical drive pulley  15  is disposed to cover the ratchet attachment portion  14   a . The drive pulley  15  is to transmit the torque of the rope reel  14  to the engine when the drive pulley  15  is attached to the crankshaft of the engine. As shown in  FIG. 3  and so on, four openings  15   b  are formed circumferentially at an equal interval in a peripheral wall of the drive pulley  15  so that the opening  15   b  can engage with ratchet members  16  which will be described later. 
     In addition, two shaft holes  14   b  whose axes are parallel to the axis of the aforementioned reel support shaft  11  (the rotation axis of the rope reel  14 ) are formed in eccentric positions in the ratchet attachment portion  14   a  of the rope reel  14 . The ratchet members  16  are rotatably supported in the two shaft holes  14   b  respectively. Thus, the ratchet members  16  are disposed on an inner side of the drive pulley  15 . The ratchet members  16  are formed so that, when the ratchet members  16  engage with the drive pulley  15 , the rotation of the rope reel  14  in an engine start direction can be transmitted to the drive pulley  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each ratchet member  16  is a wire-like member having a circular shape in section and made of a raw material such as steel. The ratchet member  16  consists of a rotary shaft portion  16   a  which is inserted into the aforementioned shaft hole  14   b , an arm portion  16   b  in which an open-end portion side of the rotary shaft portion  16   a  is bent substantially at a right angle, and a distal end portion  16   c  in which a distal end of the arm portion  16   b  is bent in parallel with the rotary shaft portion  16   a . The ratchet member  16  is a substantially U-shaped member in which the distal end portion  16   c  is formed to be slightly shorter than the rotary shaft portion  16   a.    
     The ratchet member  16  can rotate in a predetermined range around the rotary shaft portion  16   a  as shown in  FIG. 4 . To describe in detail, the ratchet member  16  can rotate between a reception position shown in  FIG. 4(   a ) and an engagement position shown in  FIG. 4(   c ). 
     In the reception position shown in  FIG. 4(   a ), the rotation of the ratchet member  16  is limited because the distal end portion  16   c  abuts against an inner side of a notch  14   e  provided in the ratchet attachment portion  14   a  (see  FIG. 3) . On the other hand, in the engagement position shown in  FIG. 4(   c ), the rotation of the ratchet member  16  is limited because the distal end portion  16   c  abuts against a reception portion  14   c  provided farther in an outer diameter direction than the ratchet attachment portion  14   a  of the rope reel  14 . 
     A spring seat is formed near the shaft hole  14   b . A torsion coil spring  20  retained in the spring seat acts on the ratchet member  16  so as to urge the ratchet member  16  in a direction to prevent the distal end portion  16   c  from protruding in the outer diameter direction of the rope reel  14 . Thus, the ratchet member  16  is urged to the aforementioned reception position in the state where the rope reel  14  is not rotating in the engine start direction. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a control member  18  is attached to an end surface of the aforementioned reel support shaft  11  by a set screw  17 . By the control member  18 , the rope reel  14  is prevented from dropping out from the reel support shaft  11 . In the control member  18 , a screw hole  18   b  which is penetrated by the set screw  17  is formed in a cylindrical portion  18   a  at the center of the control member  18 . A friction spring  19  is attached to the periphery of the cylindrical portion  18   a . The friction spring  19  fastens the cylindrical portion  18   a  of the control member  18  from its outer periphery, so that a predetermined frictional force (at least a frictional force which can act against the urging force of the torsion coil spring  20 ) can be generated between the cylindrical portion  18   a  and the set screw  17 . Thus, friction resistance is given to the control member  18  against the reel support shaft  11  so that the control member  18  can be rotatably attached to the reel support shaft  11 . 
     An engagement portion  18   c  which can engage with the ratchet member  16  is formed to protrude in the surface of the control member  18  on the ratchet member  16  side, as shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  and so on. The engagement portion  18   c  is to engage with the ratchet member  16  so as to rotate the ratchet member  16  in a direction (engagement position) to abut against the reception portion  14   c  when the ratchet member  16  is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the rope reel  14 . As will be described later, the rotated ratchet member  16  penetrates the opening  15   b  of the drive pulley  15  to engage with the edge of the opening  15   b , with the result that the torque of the rope reel  14  can be transmitted to the drive pulley  15 . 
     Next, description will be made on the operation of the recoil starter according to this embodiment. 
     Before the operation of starting the engine, each ratchet member  16  is urged to the reception position by the action of the torsion coil spring  20 , and the distal end portion  16   c  is disposed to leave the drive pulley  15 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     When the recoil rope  12  is pulled in this state, the rope reel  14  rotates so that each ratchet member  16  rotates together with the rope reel  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4(   a ). On this occasion, because the control member  18  is attached to the reel support shaft  11  with a predetermined rotation resistance, the control member  18  does not rotate, but the arm portion  16   b  of the ratchet member  16  abuts against the engagement portion  18   c  of the control member  18 , as shown in  FIG. 4(   b ). Then, the ratchet member  16  further rotates together with the rope reel  14 . Thus, the arm portion  16   b  is thrust against the engagement portion  18   c , and the distal end portion  16   c  rotates to protrude in the outer diameter direction. When an inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  is located on an outer peripheral side of the ratchet member  16  at this time, the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  is rotated to reach the opening  15   b  of the drive pulley  15  while sliding on the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15 . 
     When the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  rotates to reach the opening  15   b  of the drive pulley  15 , the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  penetrates the opening  15   b  of the drive pulley  15 , and the distal end portion  16   c  abuts against the reception portion  14   c  formed in the outer diameter direction of the rope reel  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4(   c ). Thus, the rotation of the ratchet member  16  is stopped so that the engagement position shown in  FIG. 5  is kept. Then, the ratchet member  16  also rotates together with the rope reel  14  while keeping the engagement position. On this occasion, due to the engagement between the edge of the opening  15   b  of the drive pulley  15  and the arm portion  16   b  of the ratchet member  16 , the drive pulley  15  also rotates together with the rope reel  14 . Thus, the engine can be started. 
     When the rope reel  14  rotates in the state shown in FIG.  4 ( c ), the control member  18  is pressed onto the ratchet member  16  through the engagement portion  18   c . Thus, the control member  18  is rotated in the engine start direction together with the rope reel  14  against the rotation resistance generated by the friction spring  19 . 
     After the start of the engine, the drive pulley  15  rotates in concert with the rotation of the crankshaft so that the rope reel  14  rotates reversely relatively. Thus, the ratchet member  16  is pushed back to the edge of the opening  15   b  of the drive pulley  15 , so that the ratchet member  16  rotates toward the reception position. As a result, the ratchet member  16  leaves the drive pulley  15 . Accordingly, the ratchet member  16  is formed to prevent the rotation of the engine from being transmitted to the rope reel  14 . 
     Even if the engine is not started, the rope reel  14  can be rotated in the opposite direction so as to rewind the recoil rope  12  on the rope reel  14  due to the torque accumulated in the recoil spring  13  when the recoil rope  12  is loosened. On this occasion, the ratchet member  16  also rotates in the opposite direction together with the rope reel  14  so that the arm portion  16   b  of the ratchet member  16  can be pushed back by the engagement portion  18   c  of the control member  18 . Thus, the ratchet member  16  further rotates to the reception position by the action of the torsion coil spring  20 . 
     In this manner, according to this embodiment, processing on the end surface of each ratchet member  16  and so on is not required. Therefore, the ratchet member  16  can be manufactured only by a bending process so that the ratchet member  16  can be manufactured at a low cost. 
     In addition, since the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  is a wire-like member having a circular shape in section and provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the rope reel  14  (the reel support shaft  11 ), the curved surface in the axially side surface of the distal end portion  16   c  abuts against the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  so that the sliding resistance when the distal end portion  16   c  slides on the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  can be formed to be small. That is, when the ratchet member  16  rotates to protrude in the outer diameter direction, the distal end portion  16   c  can slide on the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  smoothly. Thus, the ratchet member  16  and the drive pulley  15  can be prevented from locking on each other. 
     In addition, the opening  15   b  which can be penetrated by the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction is formed in the drive pulley  15 , and the distal end portion  16   c  penetrating the opening  15   b  is supported on the reception portion  14   c  formed in the rope reel  14 . Thus, when the rope reel  14  rotates in the engine start direction, the ratchet member  16  which has one end (the rotary shaft portion  16   a ) supported in the shaft hole  14   b  and the other end (the distal end portion  16   c ) supported on the reception portion  14   c  rotates together with the rope reel  14 . On this occasion, since the ratchet member  16  penetrates the opening  15   b  of the drive pulley  15 , the torque of the rope reel  14  is transmitted to the drive pulley  15  through the opening  15   b.    
     According to this embodiment, the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  supported on the reception portion  14   c  is provided as a shaft parallel with the rotation axis of the rope reel  14  (the reel support shaft  11 ). Thus, even if the distal end portion  16   c  is formed to be not large in the radial direction, the distal end portion  16   c  and the reception portion  14   c  can be brought into engagement in a wide range. Thus, the load at the time of start of the engine can be dispersed to enhance the load-bearing property, and reduction of the size in the radial direction can be achieved. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, description will be made about a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is characterized in the point that the drive pulley  15  is formed into a different shape. That is, the drive pulley  15  allows the ratchet member  16  to engage with the opening  15   b  in the first embodiment whereas the drive pulley  15  allows the ratchet member  16  to engage with a recess portion  15   c  provided in an inner peripheral wall in the second embodiment. 
     In the recoil starter according to this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a reel support shaft  11  is formed on an inner side surface of a starter case  10  formed to receive main constituents of the recoil starter and cover a side surface portion of an engine, so that the reel support shaft  11  can face a crankshaft of the engine. A rope reel  14  on which a recoil rope  12  is wound is rotatably attached to an outer periphery of the reel support shaft  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the recoil rope  12  is wound around a reel portion  14   d  formed in an outer periphery of the rope reel  14 , and has one end fixed to the rope reel  14  and the other end extracted to the outside of the starter case  10  from an opening (not shown) formed in the starter case  10 . The rope reel  14  is formed so as to be driven and rotated around the reel support shaft  11  as a rotation axis when the extracted recoil rope  12  is pulled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a recoil spring  13  for rotating the rope reel  14  rotated by the pull of the recoil rope  12  in an opposite direction so as to rewind the extracted recoil rope  12  on the rope reel  14  is disposed between the rope reel  14  and the reel support shaft  11 . The recoil spring  13  has one end fixed to the rope reel  14  and the other end fixed to the reel support shaft  11 . The recoil spring  13  operates as follows. That is, when the recoil rope  12  is operated and pulled to rotate the rope reel  14 , torque is accumulated in the recoil spring  13 . As soon as the recoil rope  12  is released, the rope reel  14  is rotated in the opposite direction due to the torque accumulated in the recoil spring  13  so that the recoil rope  12  extracted to the outside of the starter case  10  is rewound on the rope reel  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a columnar ratchet attachment portion  14   a  is formed at the center of the rope reel  14  so as to protrude in a direction to leave the starter case  10 . A substantially bottomed cylindrical drive pulley  15  is disposed to cover the ratchet attachment portion  14   a . The drive pulley  15  is to transmit the torque of the rope reel  14  to the engine when the drive pulley  15  is attached to the crankshaft of the engine. As shown in  FIG. 7  and so on, four recess portions  15   c  are formed circumferentially at an equal interval in the peripheral wall of the drive pulley  15 . When ratchet members  16  which will be described later rotate to protrude in the outer diameter direction, the recess portions  15   c  can receive distal end portions  16   c  of the ratchet members  16 . 
     In addition, two shaft holes  14   b  whose axes are parallel to the axis of the aforementioned reel support shaft  11  (the rotation axis of the rope reel  14 ) are formed in eccentric positions on the ratchet attachment portion  14   a  of the rope reel  14 . The ratchet members  16  are rotatably supported in the two shaft holes  14   b  respectively. Thus, the ratchet members  16  are disposed on an inner side of the drive pulley  15 . The ratchet members  16  are formed so that, when the ratchet members  16  engage with the drive pulley  15 , the rotation of the rope reel  14  in an engine start direction can be transmitted to the drive pulley  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each ratchet member  16  is a wire-like member having a circular shape in section and made of a raw material such as steel. The ratchet member  16  consists of a rotary shaft portion  16   a  which is inserted into the aforementioned shaft hole  14   b , an arm portion  16   b  in which an open-end portion side of the rotary shaft portion  16   a  is bent substantially at a right angle, and a distal end portion  16   c  in which a distal end of the arm portion  16   b  is bent in parallel with the rotary shaft portion  16   a . The ratchet member  16  is a substantially U-shaped member in which the distal end portion  16   c  is formed to be slightly shorter than the rotary shaft portion  16   a.    
     The ratchet member  16  can rotate in a predetermined range around the rotary shaft portion  16   a , as shown in  FIG. 8 . To describe in detail, the ratchet member  16  can rotate between a reception position shown in  FIG. 8(   a ) and an engagement position shown in  FIG. 8(   c ). 
     In the reception position shown in  FIG. 8(   a ), the rotation of the ratchet member  16  is limited because the distal end portion  16   c  abuts against an inner side of a notch  14   e  provided in the ratchet attachment portion  14   a  (see  FIG. 7) . On the other hand, in the engagement position shown in  FIG. 8(   c ), the rotation of the ratchet member  16  is limited because the distal end portion  16   c  abuts against the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15 . 
     A spring seat is formed near the shaft hole  14   b . A torsion coil spring  20  retained in the spring seat acts on the ratchet member  16  so as to urge the ratchet member  16  in a direction to prevent the distal end portion  16   c  from protruding in the outer diameter direction of the rope reel  14 : Thus, the ratchet member  16  is urged to the aforementioned reception position in the state where the rope reel  14  is not rotating in the engine start direction. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a control member  18  is attached to an end surface of the aforementioned reel support shaft  11  by a set screw  17 . By the control member  18 , the rope reel  14  can be prevented from dropping out from the reel support shaft  11 . In the control member  18 , a screw hole  18   b  which is penetrated by the set screw  17  is formed in a cylindrical portion  18   a  at the center of the control member  18 . A friction spring  19  is attached to the periphery of the cylindrical portion  18   a . The friction spring  19  fastens the cylindrical portion  18   a  of the control member  18  from its outer periphery, so that a predetermined frictional force (at least a frictional force which can act against the urging force of the torsion coil spring  20 ) can be generated between the cylindrical portion  18   a  and the set screw  17 . Thus, friction resistance is given to the control member  18  against the reel support shaft  11  so that the control member  18  can be rotatably attached to the reel support shaft  11 . 
     An engagement portion  18   c  which can engage with the ratchet member  16  is formed to protrude in the surface of the control member  18  on the ratchet member  16  side, as shown in  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  and so on. The engagement portion  18   c  is to engage with the ratchet member  16  so as to rotate the ratchet member  16  in a direction (engagement position) to abut against the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15  when the ratchet member  16  is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the rope reel  14 . As will be described later, the rotated ratchet member  16  engages with the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15 , with the result that the torque of the rope reel  14  can be transmitted to the drive pulley  15 . 
     Next, description will be made on the operation of the recoil starter according to this embodiment. 
     Before the operation of starting the engine, each ratchet member  16  is urged to the reception position by the action of the torsion coil spring  20 , and the distal end portion  16   c  is disposed to leave the drive pulley  15 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     When the recoil rope  12  is pulled in this state, the rope reel  14  rotates and each ratchet member  16  rotates together with the rope reel  14 , as shown in  FIG. 8(   a ). On this occasion, since the control member  18  is attached to the reel support shaft  11  with a predetermined rotation resistance, the control member  18  does not rotate, but the arm portion  16   b  of the ratchet member  16  abuts against the engagement portion  18   c  of the control member  18 , as shown in  FIG. 8(   b ). Then, the ratchet member  16  further rotates together with the rope reel  14 . Thus, the arm portion  16   b  is thrust against the engagement portion  18   c , and the distal end portion  16   c  rotates to protrude in the outer diameter direction. When the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  other than the recess portions  15   c  is located on an outer peripheral side of the ratchet member  16  at this time, the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  is rotated to reach the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15  while sliding on the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15 . 
     When the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  rotates to reach the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15 , the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  engages with the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15 , as shown in  FIG. 8(   c ). As a result, the rotation of the ratchet member  16  is stopped so that the engagement position shown in  FIG. 9  is kept. Then, the ratchet member  16  and the drive pulley  15  rotate together with the rope reel  14  while the engagement position is kept. Thus, the engine can be started. 
     When the rope reel  14  rotates in the state shown in  FIG. 8(   c ), the control member  18  is pressed onto the ratchet member  16  through the engagement portion  18   c . Thus, the control member  18  is rotated in the engine start direction together with the rope reel  14  against the rotation resistance generated by the friction spring  19 . 
     After the start of the engine, the drive pulley  15  rotates in concert with the rotation of the crankshaft so that the rope reel  14  rotates reversely relatively. Thus, the ratchet member  16  is pushed back to the edge of the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15 , so that the ratchet member  16  rotates toward the reception position. As a result, the ratchet member  16  leaves the drive pulley  15 . Accordingly, the ratchet member  16  is formed to prevent the rotation of the engine from being transmitted to the rope reel  14 . 
     Even if the engine is not started, the rope reel  14  is rotated in the opposite direction so as to rewind the recoil rope  12  on the rope reel  14  due to the torque accumulated in the recoil spring  13  when the recoil rope  12  is loosened. On this occasion, the ratchet member  16  also rotates in the opposite direction together with the rope reel  14  so that the arm portion  16   b  of the ratchet member  16  is pushed back by the engagement portion  18   c  of the control member  18  and the ratchet member  16  further rotates to the reception position by the action of the torsion coil spring  20 . 
     In this manner, according to this embodiment, processing on the end surface of each ratchet member  16  and so on is not required. Therefore, the ratchet member  16  can be manufactured only by a bending process so that the ratchet member  16  can be manufactured at a low cost. 
     In addition, since the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  is a wire-like member having a circular shape in section and provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the rope reel  14  (the reel support shaft  11 ), the curved surface in the axially side surface of the distal end portion  16   c  abuts against the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  so that the sliding resistance when the distal end portion  16   c  slides on the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  can be formed to be small. That is, when the ratchet member  16  rotates to protrude in the outer diameter direction, the distal end portion  16   c  can slide on the inner peripheral surface  15   a  of the drive pulley  15  smoothly so that the ratchet member  16  and the drive pulley  15  are prevented from locking on each other in any position except the recess portions  15   c.    
     In addition, each recess portion  15   c  for receiving the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  rotated to protrude in the outer diameter direction is formed in the drive pulley  15 . Thus, when the rope reel  14  rotates in the engine start direction, the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  engages with the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15  so that the torque of the rope reel  14  is transmitted to the drive pulley  15  through the recess portion  15   c.    
     According to this embodiment, both the rotary shaft portion  16   a  and the distal end portion  16   c  of each ratchet member  16  suffering a load are provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the rope reel  14  (the reel support shaft  11 ). There is therefore no fear that the load is applied in a direction to tilt the ratchet member  16  or in a direction to make the ratchet member  16  drop out. Thus, the ratchet member  16  can be prevented from dropping out. 
     (First Modification) 
     Ratchet members  16  in each of which an arm portion  16   b  is bent at an obtuse angle (e.g. 120 degrees) as shown in  FIG. 10  may be used in place of the aforementioned ratchet members  16  according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. 
     When such ratchet members  16  are used, each ratchet member  16  can be moved from the reception position to the engagement position with a small operating angle. Thus, the rotation angle of a backlash becomes small so that the rotation of the rope reel  14  can be transmitted to the drive pulley  15  efficiently. 
     (Second Modification) 
     Ratchet members  16  and a rope reel  14  as shown in  FIG. 11  may be used in place of the aforementioned ratchet members  16  and the rope reel  14  according to the second embodiment. 
     The rope reel  14  according to this second modification is provided with reception portions  14   c  for receiving distal end portions  16   c  of the ratchet members  16 . In addition, in the ratchet members  16  according to the second modification, the distal end portions  16   c  are provided to be slightly long enough to be able to touch the reception portions  14   c  respectively. 
     Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 11 , each ratchet member  16  is formed as follows. That is, when the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  rotates to protrude in the outer diameter direction and engages with the drive pulley  15 , a part of the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  is supported on the reception portion  14   c  formed in the rope reel  14 . Thus, when the rope reel  14  rotates in the engine start direction, the ratchet member  16  which has one end (the rotary shaft portion  16   a ) supported in the shaft hole  14   b  and the other end (the distal end portion  16   c ) supported on the reception portion  14   c  rotates together with the rope reel  14 . On this occasion, the torque of the rope reel  14  is transmitted to the drive pulley  15  through the recess portion  15   c  because the distal end portion  16   c  of the ratchet member  16  engages with the recess portion  15   c  of the drive pulley  15 . 
     As long as such ratchet members  16  and such rope reel  14  are used, even if a load on the engine side is applied to each ratchet member  16  when the ratchet member  16  engages with the drive pulley  15  so as to start the engine, the ratchet member  16  can be effectively prevented from tilting because the opposite end portions (the rotary shaft portion  16   a  and the distal end portion  16   c ) of the ratchet member  16  are supported on the rope reel  14 . 
     In the ratchet member  16  according to the second modification, the arm portion  16   b  may be bent in an obtuse angle in the same manner as in the ratchet member  16  according to the first modification. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           10  starter case 
           11  reel support shaft 
           12  recoil rope 
           13  recoil spring 
           14  rope reel 
           14   a  ratchet attachment portion 
           14   b  shaft hole 
           14   c  reception portion 
           14   d  reel portion 
           14   e  notch 
           15  drive pulley 
           15   a  inner peripheral surface 
           15   b  opening 
           15   c  recess portion 
           16  ratchet member 
           16   a  rotary shaft portion 
           16   b  arm portion 
           16   c  distal end portion 
           17  set screw 
           18  control member 
           18   a  cylindrical portion 
           18   b  screw hole 
           18   c  engagement portion 
           19  friction spring 
           20  torsion coil spring (urging unit)