Patent ID: 7300382

Claim:
A starter apparatus for an all-terrain vehicle comprising an engine having a crankshaft and a transmission, wherein the vehicle also comprises an ignition switch operatively connected to the engine, said starter apparatus comprising: a centrifugal clutch capable of engaging when the rotary speed of the crankshaft reaches a predetermined threshold value, wherein the centrifugal clutch operatively connects the crankshaft to the transmission when engaged, to transmit a rotary force of the crankshaft to the transmission; a gear position sensor connected to the transmission for detecting a gear position thereof; a starter operatively connected to the crankshaft; and a controller which is operable to enable starting of the engine, according to a start command operation, when the centrifugal clutch is disengaged and the detected gear position is a neutral or a forward gear position; wherein the centrifugal clutch comprises: an inner clutch member which is attached to the crankshaft for concurrent rotation therewith, and an outer clutch drum which is operatively connected to the transmission, wherein the centrifugal clutch is disengaged when the crankshaft turns at a speed below the predetermined threshold value; whereby, when the engine is started with the transmission engaged in a forward gear, the initial rotary speed of the crankshaft will be below the threshold value, resulting in the centrifugal clutch being disengaged.