Patent Abstract:
The present invention is an apparatus and method for starting an engine. An apparatus comprises a frame and an internal combustion engine operatively mounted to the frame. A control member is operatively connected to the frame, wherein the control member has an activated position and a deactivated position. The control member adapted to complete an engine circuit when in the activated position. An energy storage medium is operatively associated with the engine such that release of energy stored in the energy storage medium turns the engine and facilitates its starting. A starting assembly is utilized to release the stored energy in the energy storage medium. As such, an operator must utilize two separate and distinct actions, activating the control member and activating the starting assembly, to restart the internal combustion engine.

Full Description:
[0001]    This patent application claims priority from a Provisional Patent Application filed on Oct. 20, 2000, having Ser. No. 60/241,951. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    This invention pertains to the art of internal combustion engines, and more particularly to the art of methods and apparatuses for easily starting such internal combustion engines, and most specifically, in the preferred embodiment, a method and apparatus for easily starting an internal combustion engine mounted on a lawn and garden apparatus, such as a lawn mower, a snow thrower, a chipper/shredder, a tiller, or other types of lawn and garden devices powered by internal combustion engines.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    It is well known to affix an internal combustion engine to a lawn and garden apparatus. It is also known to affix a handle to such apparatuses so that an operator can direct an apparatus over the desired portion of the lawn or garden. It is known to affix throttle mechanisms to the handle of such apparatuses. It is also known to affix a bail to such handles to provide an “operator present” safety feature.  
           [0006]    However, it has not heretofore been known to provide an apparatus and method for starting an internal combustion engine by means of a bail and, an optional throttle control, and a starting assembly mounted on a handle.  
           [0007]    Turning to FIG. 1, a typical walk-behind lawn mower  100  is shown. However, it is important to understand that the invention has equal applicability to a wide variety of products powered by internal combustion engines having power outputs ranging from  1  horsepower to  15  horsepower. The invention is most applicable and generally designed for lawn mowers with horsepower ranges small enough to be typically started by hand, i.e., without the benefit of an electric starter. In the typical application, the operator must pull on a string or cable, which is wrapped around the flywheel of the engine. As the operator pulls on the cable, the cable unwinds, perhaps a length of five feet. As it unwinds, the rope turns the engine, causing the spark plug to fire and, hopefully, creating enough compression, spark, fuel, etc. to start the engine. Sometimes, the operator must pull on the cable more than once, even several times, in order to start the engine.  
           [0008]    Because of the physical effort involved in starting an engine by way of a pull cable, some operators have difficulty starting the engine. Others are simply physically unable to generate the force necessary to pull hard enough on the pull cable to start the engine. Because of this problem, persons that are generally less strong, for example smaller people, females, elderly, or those suffering from shoulder and arm injuries, may not be able to operate the lawn and garden apparatus without assistance. For operators who generally have the strength and endurance to continually pull the pull cable, the present invention is convenient.  
           [0009]    The Briggs &amp; Stratton Corporation made an important development in this area when they developed an engine, which was introduced in the year  2000 . This engine utilized a spring within a canister to store energy generated by the engine flywheel. In essence, the engine needed to be started the first time by the pull cable. However, when the engine was stopped, for example by turning the engine off, the flywheel driven by the engine possessed a certain amount of momentum. The Briggs &amp; Stratton invention utilized this energy possessed by the flywheel to start the engine the next time. The brake was applied to the flywheel so that energy was transferred from the flywheel to a relaxed spring. The spring was mounted within a canister. As the braking mechanism slowed revolutions of the flywheel, the spring was coiled within the canister. By this mechanism, kinetic energy from the flywheel was stored as potential energy within the coiled spring. The next time the operator wanted to start the engine, the energy stored in the coiled spring was sufficient to cause the engine to turn and for the combustion process to begin.  
           [0010]    The applicant believed that improvements were desirable in the system designed by Briggs &amp; Stratton. The applicant then invented what is believed to be an improved method and apparatus for starting the Briggs &amp; Stratton engine. That improved method and apparatus would be discussed as follows.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    An apparatus and method for starting an engine is provided. An apparatus comprises a frame and an internal combustion engine operatively mounted to the frame. A control member is operatively connected to the frame, wherein the control member has an activated position and a deactivated position. The control member is adapted to complete an engine circuit when in the activated position. An energy storage medium is operatively associated with the engine such that release of energy stored in the energy storage medium turns the engine and facilitates its starting. A starting assembly is utilized to release the stored energy in the energy storage medium. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for starting an internal combustion engine, which requires an operator to utilize two separate and distinct actions, activating the control member and activating the starting assembly, to restart the internal combustion engine.  
           [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, wherein the control member is a bail.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein the energy storage medium is a canister assembly comprising a spring within a canister, the spring being adapted to absorb kinetic energy from a flywheel of the engine when the engine is disabled.  
           [0014]    Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein the starting assembly further comprises a cable operatively associated with the frame, the cable having a first end and a second end, the second end of the cable being connected to the energy storage medium, wherein stored energy is adapted to be released when a predetermined amount of force places tension on the cable.  
           [0015]    Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein the apparatus further comprises a handle operatively mounted to the frame, and the starting assembly further comprises a hook attached to the handle, the cable adapted to pass through the hook, and a cap attached to the first end of the cable, the cap adapted to maintain the cable within the hook.  
           [0016]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein the control member is a bail, the apparatus further comprising a handle operatively mounted to the frame, the starting assembly further comprising:  
           [0017]    a U-shaped rod having a first end and a second end, the second end attaching the bail to the handle;  
           [0018]    a button having a stem extending therefrom, the stem attaching to the rod; and, a bracket attached to the first end of the rod, the bracket extending upwardly and outwardly from the first end, the bracket having a receiving means, the cable connected to the bracket, the receiving means adapted to engage the stem.  
           [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein the control member is a bail, the apparatus further comprising a handle operatively mounted to the frame, the starting assembly further comprising:  
           [0020]    a U-shaped bracket having the cable attached thereto, the U-shaped bracket having legs extending therefrom, each of the legs having at least one hole defined therein for receiving the bail;  
           [0021]    first biasing means for biasing the U-shaped bracket in a substantially upright position;  
           [0022]    a second bracket fixedly attached to the bail, the bracket having a top and a bottom, the top and the bottom having an aperture defined therein;  
           [0023]    a button operatively connected to the second bracket, the button having a stem attached thereto, the apertures receiving the stem, the stem adapted to be positioned in an interfering relationship with the U-shaped bracket when the button is depressed; and,  
           [0024]    second biasing means disposed between the top and bottom of the second bracket, the biasing means biasing the button and the stem in a substantially upright position.  
           [0025]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, wherein the first biasing means is a spring, the second biasing means is a spring, and the second spring adapted to receive the stem of the button.  
           [0026]    Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and herein:  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a lawn care vehicle with a schematic representation of the canister assembly.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the starting assembly showing a bail lock out feature, a hook and a cap.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the starting assembly shown in FIG. 2 wherein the bail is in the activated position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the starting assembly shown in FIG. 2 wherein the bail is in the deactivated position.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the starting assembly illustrating a lock out trigger and a trigger lever in a first position such that fuel cannot flow to the engine.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the starting assembly showing the lock out trigger and the trigger lever in the second position to enable fuel flow.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the starting assembly in a deactivated position.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the starting assembly showing the button being slightly depressed.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9 is another perspective of the third embodiment of the starting assembly showing the receiving means engaging the first member of the button.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 10 is yet another perspective view of the third embodiment of the starting assembly showing the bail rotating the first receiving member of the starting assembly to release stored energy from the energy storage medium.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the starting assembly mounted to the frame of a lawn care vehicle.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the starting assembly showing the stem of the button in a non-interference position with the U-shaped bracket.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the starting assembly showing the stem of the button in an interference position with the U-shaped bracket.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 14 is enlarged perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the starting assembly shown in FIG. 12. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0042]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 14 .  
         [0043]    With reference to FIGS.  1 - 15 , the inventive method and apparatus will be disclosed in the context of a walk-behind lawn mower. However, as already stated earlier in this specification, the invention is not limited to lawn mowers or the specific embodiments shown in the FIGURES. The lawn mower  100  features an internal combustion engine  110 , a deck  120 , a handle  130 , and wheels  132 . Beneath the deck  120 , as shown in the cut away FIG. 1, is one or more blades  140  which are rotated by the engine  110 . Mounted onto the handle  130  is a bail  128 , which may be spring biased.  
         [0044]    In operation to start the engine  110 , the bail  128  performs two functions. First, the bail  128  completes the associated engine circuit and allows power to be transferred to the engine  128  and, secondly, the bail  128  unlocks the throttle to facilitate the transfer of fuel to the engine  110 . However, for the engine  110  to start, energy must be transferred to the spark plug to cause the spark plug to fire. This invention utilizes a spring within a canister system  150  designed by Briggs &amp; Stratton Corporation of Milwaukee, Wis. This canister system  150  provides the energy needed to turn a flywheel  112  of the engine  110 , and thus, start the engine  110 . The canister system  150  is operatively connected to both the engine  110  and a starting assembly  160 .  
         [0045]    In operation to start the engine  110 , both the starting assembly  160  and the bail  128  must be activated to start the engine  110 . Activation of the starting assembly  160  causes the energy stored in the canister system  150  to be released so that the spark plugs can be fired. While, activation of the bail  128  completes the associated engine circuit and opens the throttle so that fuel can flow to the engine  110 . Therefore, a user must use a first hand to activate the starting assembly  160  and a second hand to activate the bail  128 . Since both of the user&#39;s hands must be on the handle  130  to start the mower  100 , this increases the safety of the mower  100 .  
         [0046]    With reference to FIGS.  2 - 4 , the first embodiment of the starting assembly  160  features a bail  128  mounted onto a handle  130  with a lock out feature  102 . The method of operation is that the operator would first move the lock out feature  102  to a second position as shown in FIG. 3. This enables the bail  128  to be depressed. The bail  128  was then depressed and, by that mechanism, the energy in the spring was released and the engine would start.  
         [0047]    Still viewing FIGS.  2 - 4 , the starting assembly  160  includes cable  162 , such as a nylon cord, having first and second ends  166 ,  168 , a cap  170  attached to the first end  166  of the cable  162 , and a hook  172  attached to the handle  130 . The second end  168  of the cable  162  is connected to the canister system  150  and extends upwardly therefrom and through the hook  172 . The cap  170  prevents the cable  162  from slipping through the hook  172 . When the starting assembly  160  is in its inactivated state, there is no tension on the cable  162  and, thus, the canister system  150  is not activated. However, the starting assembly  160  can be activated by pulling on the cap  170  in an upward direction to place tension on the cable  162 , which causes the energy stored within the canister assembly  152  to be released.  
         [0048]    With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the starting assembly  160  is shown. In this embodiment, a starting assembly  160  is mounted to the handle  130 . The starting assembly  160  includes lock out trigger  114 . In normal operation, the bail  128  moves from a first position as shown in FIG. 5 to a second position as shown in FIG. 6. When the bail  128  is in the second position, it contacts the handle  130 ; however, the engine  110  does not start. The bail  128  moves the lock out trigger  114  from a first position, as shown in FIG. 5, to a second position as shown in FIG. 6. The lock out trigger  114  functions to enable the throttle to be opened. When the lock out trigger  114  is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 5, a mechanical lock (not shown) prevents a throttle lever  118  from being moved from a first position, as shown in FIG. 5, to a second position as in FIG. 6. The throttle lever  118  may be spring-loaded. When the throttle lever  118  is in the first position, no fuel flows to the engine  110 . However, when the throttle lever  118  is moved away from the handle  130  and into the second position, or positions between the first position and the second position, various amounts of fuel flow to the engine  110 . As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the throttle lever  118  is in the second position, the engine  110  is being provided the maximum prescribed amount of fuel. When the bail is released, the throttle lever  118  and the lock out trigger  114  return to their first positions as shown in FIG. 5, which stops the engine  110 .  
         [0049]    In operation to start the engine  110 , the bail  128  is rotated towards the handle  130  as shown in FIG. 6. The bail  128  contacts and pushes the lock out trigger  114  downward. The mechanical lock releases the throttle lever  118  such that the throttle lever  118  can be selectively rotated. Next, the throttle lever  118  is moved forward, meaning away from the handle  130 , which enables various amounts of fuel to flow to the engine  110 . Once the throttle lever  118  achieves a position to permit fuel to flow to the engine  110 , energy is released from the energy storage medium  150  to restart the engine  110 . Releasing the bail  128  causes the throttle lever  118  to return to its original position shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0050]    With reference to FIGS.  7 - 10 , a third embodiment of the starting assembly  160  is shown. In this embodiment, only the starting assembly  160  and the bail  128  are mounted onto the handle  130 . However, the starting assembly  160  and the bail  128  perform the same functions that they performed in the first embodiment, namely, the starting assembly  160  releases the energy stored in the canister system  150  and the bail  128  completes the associated engine circuit and unlocks the throttle to allow fuel to flow to the engine  110 .  
         [0051]    The primary difference between the first, second and third embodiments is the design of the starting assembly  160 . The starting assembly  160  is comprised of a U-shaped rod  180  having a first end  182 , a middle  184 , and a second end  186  that attaches the bail  128  to the handle  130 . The middle  184  of the rod  180  is attached to a first member  188  having a button  190 . The button  190  causes the first member  188  to extend in an outward direction toward the handle  130  when the button  190  is depressed. A bracket  192  having a first receiving means  194  is attached to the second end  186  of the rod  180  and extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The cable  162 , which attaches the canister system  150  to the starting assembly  160 , is connected to the bracket  192 .  
         [0052]    In operation to start the engine  110 , the bail  128  is depressed towards the handle  130  to complete the associated engine circuit and unlock the throttle. However, the engine cannot be started by just depressing the bail  128 . When the bail  128  is depressed, the starting assembly  160  is also rotated in the direction of the handle  130 . However, the housing  161  surrounding the starting assembly  160  is sufficiently large enough so that rotation of the bail  128  will not cause the bracket  192  to rotate. It is the rotation of the bracket  192 , which is attached to the cable  162  that applies tension to the cable  162  and thereby causes the canister system  150  to release its stored energy. The bracket  192  is only rotated when the button  190  is depressed. When the button  190  is depressed, the first member  188  extends outwardly which engages the first receiving member  194  of the bracket  192 . Once the first member  188  engages the first receiving member  194  of the bracket  192 , rotation of the bail  128  will also cause rotation of the bracket  192 . This rotation causes tension to be applied to the cable  162 , which also causes the canister system  150  to release its energy.  
         [0053]    In operation to start the engine  110 , the button  190  must be depressed before the bail  128  is activated. If the bail  128  is activated first, the first member  188  will have been rotated away from the first receiving member  194  and, thus, the first member  188  cannot engage the first receiving member  194  to activate the canister system  150 .  
         [0054]    Accordingly, in this embodiment, a user must also have both hands positioned on the handle  130  to start the mower  100 . The user must use a first hand to depress the button  190  of the starting assembly  160 . In addition, the user must use a second hand to depress the bail  128 .  
         [0055]    With reference to FIGS.  11 - 14 , a fourth embodiment of the starting assembly  160  is shown. Except for the design of the starting assembly  160 , this embodiment is very similar to the third embodiment since it also requires a two-step process of pressing the button  190  and then pulling a bail  128  back, in order to start the engine  110 . The starting assembly  160  also includes a housing (not shown), which is very similar to the housing shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0056]    Still viewing FIGS.  11 - 14 , the starting assembly  160  is comprised of a first U-shaped bracket  200  having a first end  202 , a middle  204 , and a second end  206 . The cable  162  is attached to the U-shaped bracket  200 . The cable  162  is operatively associated with the handle  130 . As shown in the FIGURES, the cable  162  runs down the length of the handle  130  and connects to the engine  110 . At the lower end of the first and second ends  202 ,  206  of the U-shaped bracket  200 , holes are defined therein and receive the bail  128 . A first biasing means  208  fits around the bail  128  between the first and second ends  202 ,  206  of the bracket  200 . As shown in FIGS.  11 - 14 , the first biasing means  208  may be a spring  209 , which biases the bail  128 , including the button  190  to the bracket  200 . The cable  162  exerts attention on this bracket  200  biasing it toward a substantially upright position.  
         [0057]    Above the U-shaped bracket  200 , the button  190  with a stem  191  is positioned onto the bail  128 . This button  190  and stem  191  are received within a second bracket  210  that is fixedly attached to the bail  128 . This second bracket  210  has a top  212  and a bottom  214 , each with an opening  216  that receives the button stem  191 . Between the top  212  and the bottom  214  of the second bracket  210 , a second biasing means  216 , which could also be a spring  218 , receives the button stem  191 . This spring  218  biases the button  190  and stem  191  toward a substantially upright position. When the button  190  is pressed, the lower end of the stem  191  extends into an interference position with the U-shaped bracket  200 .  
         [0058]    In operation to start the engine  110 , both the bail  128  and the starting assembly  160  must be activated to start the mower  100 . The bail  128  can be depressed without depressing the button  190 , but this will not supply tension to the cable  162  and, thus, the energy in the canister system  152  will not be released. The engine  110  can only be started by first activating the starting assembly  160  and then depressing the bail  128 . To start the engine  110 , the operator first presses the button  190 . This causes the button stem  191  to extend in front of the U-shaped bracket  200 . While holding the button  191  down, and, therefore, holding the interference between the button  190  and the U-shaped bracket  200 , the operator pulls the bail  128  backwards towards the handle  130 . This increases the tension in the cable  162 , permitting the mower engine  1   10  to start. It should be noted that, once the bail  128  is pulled back to the running condition, the biasing of the first spring  209  maintains the button stem  191  into its extended position. It should be noted that, if the operator does not press the button  190 , the bail  128  can still be moved backwards towards the handle  130 . However, the U-shaped bracket  200 , in this condition, does not move back and, therefore, the engine  1   10  is not started. If the engine  110  has been started and is running, with the bail  128  in the forward back position, and the operator lets go of the bail  128 , both the bail  128  and the U-shaped bracket  200  are pulled forward and the engine  110  is stopped. Accordingly, a user must use both hands to start the engine  110 , which allows for safe starting of the engine  110 .  
         [0059]    The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alternations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.  
         [0060]    Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

Technology Classification (CPC): 5