Engine mounting frame

Abstract

An engine and frame assembly that supports the engine in one or more orientations for specific tasks. For example, it can orient the engine in a first orientation for operation and orient the engine in a second orientation for maintenance. The frame can be coupled to the engine via receipt of a cantilevered projection within a recess of the engine housing. The frame can also connect one or more rotary driven devices to the engine to allow the engine to be used in a wide variety of applications. The frame can provide an adapter for coupling the engine to the rotary driven device. The adapter allowing axial tolerance between the engine and device while transmitting torque to the device.

1 . An engine and frame assembly comprising: 
 an engine having a reservoir adapted to contain lubricant and having a dipstick adapted to measure the level of the lubricant within the reservoir, the engine having an operating orientation and a maintenance orientation that is different from the operating orientation, the dipstick operable to measure a recommended level of lubricant within the reservoir when the engine is in the maintenance orientation; and    a frame coupled to the engine and adapted to support the engine on a support surface in the operating orientation and in the maintenance orientation.    
   
   
       2 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises: 
 a base for holding the engine in the operating orientation; and    a support coupled to the base at an angle with respect to the base, the support and base define a support plane for holding the engine in the maintenance orientation.    
   
   
       3 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the support includes a handle.  
   
   
       4 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 3 , wherein an end of the handle partially defines the support plane.  
   
   
       5 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises a plate coupled to the engine, an edge portion of the plate partially defining the support plane.  
   
   
       6 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the support includes a handle having an end partially defining the support plane.  
   
   
       7 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the base and the support are integrally formed.  
   
   
       8 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the support is oriented at an angle of about ninety degrees relative to the base.  
   
   
       9 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the operating orientation is about ninety degrees different than the maintenance orientation.  
   
   
       10 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the operating orientation is about ninety degrees different than the maintenance orientation.  
   
   
       11 . An engine and frame assembly comprising: 
 an engine;    a housing coupled to the engine and having an aperture; and    a frame having a cantilevered projection received within the aperture for engaging and at least partially securing the engine to the frame to support the engine in a specific orientation relative to a support surface during operation of the engine.    
   
   
       12 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the aperture is a first aperture, and wherein the engine and frame assembly further comprises a fastener engaging and at least partially securing a second aperture of the housing to the frame.  
   
   
       13 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the frame further comprises: 
 a base; and    a support coupled to the base at an angle with respect to the base;    wherein the cantilevered projection extends from the base and the fastener extends through the support.    
   
   
       14 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the cantilevered projection has a first portion that extends upward with respect to the base and a second portion connected to the first portion that extends substantially parallel to the base.  
   
   
       15 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a vibration attenuation device coupled to the second portion of the cantilevered projection.  
   
   
       16 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the base and the first and second portions of the cantilevered projection define an opening for receiving a portion of the housing defining the first aperture.  
   
   
       17 . An engine and frame assembly comprising: 
 an engine having a rotatable drive shaft;    a frame coupled to the engine and adapted to support the engine in a specific orientation on a support surface during operation of the engine;    an adapter coupled to the frame and adapted to be coupled to a rotatably driven device; and    a driven shaft supported by the adapter and axially aligned with the drive shaft, the driven shaft having a first end engaging the drive shaft and a second end adapted to engage and drive the rotatably driven device, the engagement between the drive shaft and the first end of the driven shaft transferring torque from the drive shaft to the driven shaft while allowing relative axial movement between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, wherein the engine has a housing portion that supports a bearing, the bearing supports a portion of the driven shaft.    
   
   
       18 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the adapter includes a bearing surface for supporting a portion of the driven shaft.  
   
   
       19 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the housing portion is coupled to the frame.  
   
   
       20 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the frame further comprises: 
 a base; and    a support coupled to the base at an angle with respect to the base;    wherein the driven shaft extends through the support in a direction that is substantially parallel to the base.    
   
   
       21 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the adapter includes a circular flange extending through an aperture in the support.  
   
   
       22 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a male-female engagement between the drive shaft and the driven shaft.  
   
   
       23 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first end of the driven shaft comprises a male member adapted to be received in a rotatably driving engagement with a female member on the drive shaft.  
   
   
       24 . The engine and frame assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first end of the driven shaft has a generally polygonal radial cross-section.