{{Short description|Simple clockwork motor used in toy cars}} [[File:Darda model car powered by a pullback motor.jpg|thumb|A Darda model car powered by a pullback motor]]
A '''pullback motor''' (also ''pull back'', ''pull back and go'' or ''pull-back'') is a simple clockwork motor used in toy cars. A patent for them was granted to Bertrand 'Fred' Francis in 1952 as a keyless clockwork motor.<ref>{{cite book|last1=May|first1=James|authorlink=James May|title=Toy Stories|year=2009|publisher=Conway|location=London|isbn=9781844861071|page=[https://archive.org/details/jamesmaystoystor0000mayj/page/175 175]|url=https://archive.org/details/jamesmaystoystor0000mayj/page/175}}</ref><ref>{{Cite patent|country=US|number=2795294|title=Keyless device for winding up clockwork mechanism|pubdate=1957-06-11|inventor1-last=Francis|inventor1-first=Bertram F.}}</ref>
Pulling the car backward winds up an internal spiral spring; a flat spiral rather than a helical coil spring. When released, the toy car is propelled forward by the spring. When the spring has unwound and the car is moving, the motor is disengaged by a clutch or ratchet and the car then rolls freely onward.<ref name="Darda, standard motor">{{Cite web |title = Darda standard Mega-motor |url = http://www.onlytoys.com/toystore.taf?do=skudetail&sku=D11713 |publisher = onlytoys.com |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20030423011846/http://www.onlytoys.com/toystore.taf?do=skudetail&sku=D11713 |archivedate = 2003-04-23 }}</ref> Most of these cars are otherwise free-rolling. Winding them up requires them to be pushed downwards, engaging the clutch.<ref name="Darda, standard motor" /> As the motor is only engaged for winding while held down, the complete winding must be completed in one pass, unlike the flywheel motor. Some motors have an internal one-way clutch that allows winding with a back-and-forth motion.<ref name="Darda, standard motor" />
Some pullback motors, usually intended for racing in pairs, have used a catch and release mechanism to retain their springs. These may be wound separately, then launched together by releasing their spring triggers. Darda toys use such a mechanism for their ''Stop'n'Go'' motor.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Darda Stop'n'Go replacement motor |url = http://www.onlytoys.com/toystore.taf?do=skudetail&sku=D11714 |publisher = onlytoys.com |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100829180913/http://www.onlytoys.com/toystore.taf?do=skudetail&sku=D11714 |archivedate = 2010-08-29 }}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Toy cars and trucks Category:Mechanical toys