Patent Grant
7412769
The present invention relates to chain saws, and more particularly to a system and method for continuously adjustable tensioning of, and for applying braking to, a cutter providing chain thereof.
Chain saws are well know means for cutting wood and the like and used properly can greatly reduce work, however, if not used carefully user injury can occur. As a result, safety features are desirable. Critical to optimum operation is the capability of a chain saw system to maintain proper tension on a cutter blade containing chain, and critical to safety is the ability to stop a cutter blade containing chain from moving when the motor is running but the chain saw is not being applied to useful work. That is, efficient chain saw chain tensioning and braking systems provide utility. Further, it must be understood that chain saws are very low torque, but high speed systems that derive cutting ability by generating high chain speed. That is, at a given torque, the cutting power is directly proportional to chain speed. It is therefore common for a chain saw to stall in use due to minor chain pinching, taking too big a “bite” of, or causing too much down force on, an item being cut. Further, chain pinching and the like is more likely when chain tension is not proper, and it is noted, too high a tension in a chain saw chain can cause a chain motion stopping, (ie. braking), result.
In light of the foregoing it is generally disclosed at this point that the present invention is a new tensioning and braking system and method for application to chain saw chains.
With an eye to the present invention a Search of patents was performed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,835 to Ra is identified because it describes a chain saw chain tensioning system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,029 to Talberg is identified as it describes a chain saw chain tensioning system.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,491,899, 5,522,143 and 4,594,780 to Schliemann et al. are identified as describing chain saw chain motion braking systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,750 to Wolf et al. is identified as describing a chain saw chain braking system.
A U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,567 to Cool was identified and describes a braking mechanism (40) and brake lever (42).
U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,727 describes a system in which two handles must be engaged against the chain saw frame to allow the chain to move. If either is released the chains stops.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,924,577 and 4,611,401 are included to show that the Chain Guide can be split in a way that allows extending the length thereof by adding sections.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,365 to Forderer shows application of a “dumbbell” element, but it's applied as a connection element, rather than a means to line-up ends of a Slit Chain Saw Chain Guide.
Other patents identified and which are of general interest are:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,362 to Harding; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,334 to Reynolds.
Even in view of the prior art, need remains for additional systems and methods to enable proper tensioning and motion braking of chain saw chains.
The present invention system is primarily a continuously adjustable, (within limits of operation), means for tensioning Chain Saw Chains, said system being adaptable to application in braking the motion of chain saw chains. It is first noted that Chain Saw Blade containing Chains move in a Chain Saw Blade Guide Means in the periphery of an Elongated Support Means which projects from a Motor Housing of a Chain Saw System, and said Chain Saw Chains must have properly tensioned contact with the Guide Means to facilitate functional motion thereof. Various approaches to adjusting tension have been developed, but none are known that provide continuous adjustment over an allowed range. The present invention enables continuously adjustable tensioning by splitting the Elongated Support Means Longitudinally, as viewed in side elevation, such that upper and lower portions above and below a Longitudinal Slit can be separated from one another. Such separation in turn causes a “stretching” of the Chain Saw Chain. The present invention comprises means for fixing in place the upper and lower portions above and below the Longitudinal Slit with respect to one another once they are properly separated apart, hence allows setting of the tensioning of the chain saw chain.
A variation of the system allows for applying Motion Braking to a Chain saw Chain by separating the upper and lower portions of the elongated support to the point that resistance to the chain saw chain motion in said guide means is developed which is sufficient to stop the chain saw chain motion. That is, the present invention can be applied to develop resistance to Chain Saw chain motion by splitting the Elongated Support Means laterally, as viewed in side elevation, by causing upper and lower portions above and below the Longitudinal Slit to be separated from one another. Such separation in turn causes a “stretching” of the Chain Saw Blade, and when this effect is sufficient, it leads to stopping of the motion of the Chain Saw Blade through the Chain Saw Blade Guide Means in the periphery of an Elongated Support Means.
A preferred embodiment of the disclosed chain saw comprises a housing, a chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements and cutters, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, in the outer surface of said elongated support there being present a continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements are slideably inserted. During normal operation said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so, said elongated support being comprised of at least two elements which are interconnected by a pivot means for allowing rotation, said at least two elements providing at least one slit in a longitudinal direction, such that upper and lower portions above and below said longitudinal slit can be separated from one another at least at one location along the longitudinal extent thereof, said longitudinal slit enabling separation of the upper and lower portions of said elongated support, and thereby causing tensioning and/or braking of said chain. Said chain saw further comprises control means for applying force between said upper and lower portions of the elongated support.
A preferred control means provides that one of said at least two elements has a pin affixed thereto and wherein said control means comprises a control element having at least one guide therein, said pin being inserted into said guide and said guide being of a shape such that in use rotation of said control element about a central point thereof causes said pin, and hence at least one element to which it is affixed to move with respect to the other of said at least two elements.
Another preferred embodiment of the chain saw comprises a housing, a chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements and cutters, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, in the outer surface of said elongated support there being present a continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements are slideably inserted. During normal operation said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so. Said elongated support is comprised of a central element which distally comprises upper and lower sockets into which are rotatably inserted upper and lower elongated supports. Said upper and lower elongated supports provide slits in a longitudinal direction with respect to said central element, such that said upper and lower elongated supports above and below said longitudinal slits can be separated from said central element at least at one location along the longitudinal extent thereof. Said longitudinal slits enable separation of the upper and lower portions of said elongated support, and thereby causing tensioning and/or braking of said chain. Said chain saw further comprises control means for applying force between said upper and lower portions of the elongated support.
A preferred control means provides that said upper and lower elongated supports each have a pin affixed thereto and wherein said control means comprises a control element having at least two guides therein, said pins each being inserted into a separate guide, said guides being of a shape such that in use rotation of said control element about a central point thereof causes said pins, and hence said upper and lower elongated elements to which they are affixed to move with respect to the central element. Said controller also preferably comprises means for setting a resting bias rotation position for use in compensating wear which develops between the continuous chain channel guide and chain link mating elements which are slideably inserted thereinto during use.
Another description of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed chain saw provides that it comprise a housing and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, said elongated support having at least two longitudinally oriented slits therein, said at least two longitudinally oriented slits enabling upper and lower portions above and below said longitudinal slits to be separated from a central element at least at one location along the longitudinal extent thereof. Said chain saw further comprises means for applying force between said upper and lower portions of the elongated support.
Said elongated support can be comprised of a central element which distally comprises upper and lower sockets into which are rotatably inserted upper and lower elongated supports, said upper and lower elongated supports providing said at least two slits in a longitudinal direction with respect to said central element, said longitudinal slits enabling separation of the upper and lower portions of said elongated support, and thereby causing tensioning and/or braking of said chain.
Another description of a preferred embodiment of a disclosed chain saw provides that it comprise a housing, a chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements and cutters, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, in the outer surface of said elongated support there being present a continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements are slideably inserted. During normal operation said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so. Said elongated support has at least two slits in a longitudinal direction such that upper and lower portions above and below a central element be separated from said central element at least at one location along the longitudinal extent thereof, and thereby causing tensioning and/or braking of said chain. Said chain saw further comprises control means for applying force between said upper and lower portions of the elongated support.
The at least one longitudinal slit can comprise an effective projection on one of said upper and lower portions of the elongated support and an effective groove present in the other, said effective projection and effective groove being functionally oriented with respect to one another such that said effective projection inserts into said effective groove at locations along said longitudinal slit whereat said upper and lower portions of the elongated support contact one another, said effective projection being of a first color proximally and of a second color peripherally.
Where two longitudinal slits are present, said longitudinal slits can comprise effective projections on a selection from the group consisting of:
It is noted that it is preferred that the first effective projection first color is green and the second color is red.
For greater insight, as presented in prior Applications from which this application continues-in-part, a present invention generally is a chain saw comprising a motor inside a housing, a cutter providing chain saw chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, said motor and chain saw chain being functionally interconnected inside said motor housing such that operation of said motor applies motion producing force to said chain saw chain. In the outer surface of said elongated support there is present a continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements slideably insert, such that during normal operation said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so by operation of said motor, said elongated support being slit in a longitudinal direction as viewed in side elevation, such that the upper and lower portions above and below the Longitudinal Slit can be separated from one another, said Longitudinal Slit enabling separation of the upper and lower portions of said elongated support, thereby the causing of a “stretching” of the Chain Saw Chain, such that when said stretching is appropriate, the chain saw chain is properly tensioned to facilitate motion of said Chain Saw blade.
Said chain saw can provide that said elongated support is caused to be in an offset normally open position, from one side of said Longitudinal Slit to the other, unless a user causes it to be closed by operation of an a control means. Alternatively, said elongated support can be caused to be in a normally closed position, from one side of said Longitudinal Slit to the other, unless a user causes it to be separated by operation of an a control means. Further, the control means can be external to the Longitudinal Slit, or internal to the Longitudinal Slit.
An alternative recitation of a present invention system provides for a chain saw comprising a motor inside a housing, a cutter providing chain saw chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, said motor and chain saw chain being functionally interconnected inside said housing such that operation of said motor applies motion producing force to said chain saw chain. In the outer surface of said elongated support there is present a continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements slideably insert, such that during normal operation said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so by operation of said motor. The continuous chain channel elongated support has a longitudinally oriented slit therein as viewed in side elevation, such that the upper and lower portions above and below the Longitudinal Slit can be separated from one another, said Longitudinal Slit enabling separation of the upper and lower portions of said elongated support, thereby the causing of a “stretching” of the Chain Saw Blade, such that when said stretching is sufficient, the chain saw chain has braking applied thereto, and is prevented from moving.
A method of operating a chain including causing motion of a chain saw chain and the stopping thereof, comprising the steps of:
a. providing a chain saw as described above;
b. causing said upper and lower portions of said elongated support to be appropriately separated from one another, such that slideability of said chain saw blade in said continuous chain channel guide is optimized, or so that its motion is prevented.
Said method can, in place of, or in addition to step b. include a step of:
c. causing adjusting the distance between the upper and lower portions above and below the Longitudinal Slit to brake the chain saw chain motion.
Continuing, for additional insight, it is again noted that it was related in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/853,942, that chain saws are very low torque, but high speed systems that derive cutting ability by generating high chain speed. That is, at a given torque, the cutting power is directly proportional to chain speed. It is therefore common for a chain saw to stall in use due to minor chain pinching, taking too big a “bite” of, or causing too much down force on, an item being cut. Further, chain pinching and the like is more likely when chain tension is not proper, and it is noted, too high a tension in a chain saw chain can cause a chain motion stopping, (ie. braking), result. It is such insight which initially led to the invention disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/853,942, which invention involves cutting a Lateral Slit into the Continuous Chain Channel Guide Upper or Lower surface, (typically the Upper surface near an oil entry port), so that the centrally located Channel region on one side of the resulting Lateral Slit can be, when desired, dislocated with respect to the centrally located Channel region on the other side of said Lateral Slit.
The purpose is that so, in use, when it is desired to stop the Chain Saw Chain from moving, causing the identified central Channel dislocation causes spread of adjacent Chain Saw Chain Links, elements of which adjacent Links then collide with edges of a dislocated central Channel region. This, in combination with other frictional interaction caused between the chain and offset channel regions, one side of said Lateral Slit to the other, provides effective “Braking”, thereby causing the chain saw chain to stop.
The preferred embodiments of the previously disclosed chain saw chain braking system provided for the natural positioning of the centrally located Channel region in one resulting side of the cut Upper or Lower surface of the Elongated Support to be dislocated, (ie. not aligned), with respect to the centrally located Channel region in the other side, such that a User must apply central Channel region aligning force to position the centrally located Channel regions on both sides of the Lateral Slit to be aligned, thereby allowing the Blade Containing Links in the Chain Saw Chain to slideably travel in an elongated “circle” around said Upper and Lower surfaces of said Elongated Support.
A preferred embodiment of the previously taught chain saw chain motion braking system provides for a Dumbbell shaped element to effect the alignment of centrally located Channel regions by a User applied force which causes said Dumbbell element to move from being positioned on one side of the Lateral Slit to a position where it straddles the Lateral Slit. One embodiment provides that the Elongated Support be cut in two places, thereby providing a segment thereof which can be positioned such that the centrally located Channel therein is caused to misaligned with centrally located Channel regions on either side of the two laterally oriented slits.
More precisely, the preferred embodiment of the previously disclosed invention is a chain saw comprising a motor inside a housing, a blade or cutter providing chain saw chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, said motor and chain saw chain being functionally interconnected such that operation of said motor applies motion producing force to said chain saw chain. While not of Patentable importance, it is noted that the motor and chain saw chain typically are functionally interconnected inside said housing by a sprocket means which is affixed to the motor and engages the chain. Continuing, the outer perimeter surface of said elongated support has present an essentially centrally positioned continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements slideably insert. As with any conventional chain saw, during normal operation wherein the chain saw is used to cut such as wood etc., said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so by operation of said motor. A distinguishing attribute of the preferred embodiment of the previously disclosed invention, however, is that in a present invention chain saw the continuous chain channel guide has at least one Lateral Slit present therein which allows effecting an offset of said continuous chain channel guide from one side thereof to the other, said offset, when caused to be present by an operator, serves to impede the free slideability of chain link mating elements across said Lateral Slit, and in combination with other caused friction based braking effects, prevents in the first place, or stops a chain saw chain's motion.
Preferred practice is to have the continuous chain channel guide be in an offset position, from one side of a Lateral Slit to the other, unless a user purposely, by definite positive action, causes it to be aligned by the operation of an a continuous chain channel guide alignment means, thereby providing a chain saw which impedes the slideability of chain link mating elements across said Lateral Slit until desired, and specifically effected by a user.
Further, the preferred continuous chain channel guide alignment means is a dumbbell shaped element slideably mounted in the elongated support, such that in use said dumbbell shaped element causes alignment of the continuous chain channel guide means from one side of the Lateral Slit to the other, when caused to be located so as to span said Lateral Slit.
In a modified embodiment the present invention provides that there be a second Lateral Slit said continuous chain channel guide which allows effecting an offset of said continuous chain channel guide from one side of said second Lateral Slit to the other.
Just as for the first Lateral Slit, preferred practice is to require that said continuous chain channel guide be in an offset position, from one side of said second Lateral Slit to the other, unless a user causes it to be aligned by operation of continuous chain channel guide alignment means, thereby providing a chain saw which impedes the slideability of chain link mating elements across said lateral slit until desired by a user. While an alignment means which applies to a first Lateral slit might be sufficient to align channel regions on either side of two Lateral Slits, just as for the first Lateral Slit, when present, the preferred continuous chain channel guide alignment means is a second dumbbell shaped element slideably mounted in the elongated support, such that in use said second dumbbell shaped element causes alignment of the continuous chain channel guide means from one side of the slit to the other, when caused to be located at and span said Lateral slit.
Another modified embodiment of the present invention provides that it is a chain saw comprising a motor inside a housing, a blade or cutter providing chain saw chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing. Again, said motor and chain saw chain are functionally interconnected inside said housing such that operation of said motor applies motion producing force to said chain saw chain. And as before, in the outer surface of said elongated support there being present a continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements slideably insert, such that during normal operation said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so by operation of said motor. Said modified embodiment, however, provides that said continuous chain channel guide has means present therein which allows effecting an impeded chain channel guide, said means which allows effecting an impeded chain channel guide, serving to, when operated, impede the slideability of chain saw chain therethrough. As before, said means which allows effecting an impeded chain channel guide can comprise at least one slit laterally thereacross, but in the modified embodiment comprises any means which allows effecting an impeded chain channel guide, such as at least one collapsible wall region comprised of, for instance, laminations which move when pressure is applied thereto, or perhaps at least one insertional element which is entered thereinto through a means for entering an insertional element, (which means can comprise a separate portion of said wall), or any functionally equivalent means which enables applying friction to a chain saw chain to slow and stop its motion.
It is to be understood that a lateral slit can be caused to offset from top to bottom, as viewed in side elevation instead or, or in addition to from side to side as viewed from the top.
The present invention includes chain saw systems with both the described braking related Lateral Slit(s), and the chain saw chain tensioning/braking related Longitudinal Slit in the elongated support.
The present invention will be better understood by reference to the Detailed Description, in conjunction with the Drawings.
It is therefore a primary objective and/or purpose of the present invention to provide a new continuously adjustable chain saw chain tensioning/braking system for application in chain saws.
It is another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach the entering of a longitudinally oriented slit into an elongated support in a chain saw, said longitudinally oriented slit being:
It is yet another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach rotational, guide containing control means for application in continuously controlling the separation of the longitudinal slit, one side thereof to the other.
It is another objective and/or purpose yet of the present invention to teach pivot mounting between two elements of an elongated support in a chain saw.
It is still yet another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach pivot mounting between two elements of an elongated support in a chain saw, wherein said sockets are present in a detachable nose element.
It is another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach pivot mounting between two elements of an elongated support in a chain saw, said pivot being via either non-interlocking or interlocking means.
It is yet another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach the entering of a laterally oriented slit into a chain saw elongated support, in perimeter surfaces of which is located a continuous chain channel guide into which chain link mating elements are slideably inserted.
It is another objective and/or purpose yet of the present invention to teach that a continuous chain channel guide on one side of a laterally oriented slit should be offset from that on the opposite side thereof, and/or from top to bottom, when chain braking is to be effected.
It is still yet another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach the entering of any means which allows effecting an impeded chain channel guide, for use in effecting braking to a chain saw chain which is slideably mounted in said continuous chain channel guide into which chain link mating elements are slideably inserted.
Other objectives and/or purposes of the present invention will be disclosed by a reading of the Specification and Claims.
a shows a perspective view representation of a typical chain saw (CS) including a Motor in a housing (H), Pull Starter (PS), Gas Cap (GC) and Grips (G) and (G′), Elongated Support (ES) and the Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG).
b shows the chain saw of
c shows an enlarged view of a typical chain saw chain, showing blades or cutters (BL) and chain saw sprocket engaging link mating elements (CLM).
a shows a perspective partial view of the Elongated Support (ES) and Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG) in
b shows a Dumbbell Shaped Element (DB) which is a preferred Continuous Chain Channel Guide Alignment Means.
a shows an enlarged view of a scenario similar to that in
b shows an enlarged view of a scenario similar to that in
c and 5d demonstrate a Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG′) which contains a collapsible region (COL) situated in non-collapsed and collapsed configurations respectively.
e and 5f show alternative means for impeding a chain saw chain slideability in a Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG″), comprising an insertion element (IE).
g shows a side view of a variation of a lateral slit arrangement wherein the two sides of the Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG) are caused to change vertically with respect to one another.
a-8d show a longitudinally oriented slit (S′) in an elongated member of a chain saw, for various Longitudinal Slit widths, from that to effect normal tension in a new system, to that which would effect braking of a chain saw chain motion.
e shows an expanded scale, partial side cross-sectional view taken at “a-a” in
f shows a Nose Region (ESN) of an alternative embodiment of an elongated member. Note the presence of Upper (US) and Lower (LS) Sockets.
g shows the Nose Region (ESN) of
ha and 8hb show Lower Elongated Support (LES) rotatably mounted into the Lower (LS) Socket and in the process of being rotated into position to be removed therefrom.
i shows an Elongated Support comprised of the Region (ESN) of
j shows an Elongated Support comprised of these Region (ESN) of
k shows a partial view of the Elongated Support (ES) at the left side in
l-8o show the Control Mechanism (CM) of
p-8s show variations on
t shows an interlocked version of
a and 9b show a control means (CME) which is external to the Longitudinal Slit (S′), for two setting of Longitudinal Slit (S′) width.
a and 10b show a control means (CMI) which is internal to the Longitudinal Slit (S′), for two setting of Longitudinal Slit (S′) width.
The approach to Disclosure of the invention in this Section is to first focus on the primary aspect of the present invention, namely the presence of a Longitudinal Slit (S′) in an Elongated Support (ES) of a Chain Saw (CS) System, (see
Turning first then to
a-8d show a longitudinally oriented Slit (S′) in an Elongated Support (ES) of a chain saw, for various Longitudinal Slit (S′) widths, from that to effect normal chain saw chain tension in a new system, (see
e shows an expanded scale partial side cross-sectional view taken at “a-a” in
f shows a Removable Nose Region (ESN) of an alternative embodiment of an elongated member. Note the presence of Upper (US) and Lower (LS) Sockets. Further, said Nose Region (ESN) can be a member of a family of Nose Elements which are of different lengths. This allows easily changing the length of an elongated member by simply substituting one thereof with another. (Note (UES) and (LES) can be removed from (ESN) as demonstrated in
g shows the Nose Region (ESN) of
ha and 8hb show Lower Elongated Support (LES) rotatably mounted into the Lower (LS) Socket and in the process of being rotated into position to be removed therefrom. When the Flat (LESF) portion is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction, note that the Lower Elongated Support (LES) can be slid out of and removed from the Lower Socket (LS) as the Flat (LESF) portion will clear. A similar arrangement presents regrading the Upper Elongated Support (UES) and Upper (US) Sockets.
i shows an Elongated Support comprised of the Region (ESN) of
i shows an Elongated Support comprised of the Region (ESN) of
k shows a partial view of the Elongated Support (ES) at the left side in
l-8o show the Control Mechanism (CM) of
It is to be understood that a lamination mating approach, such as demonstrated in
It is to be understood that the present invention system offers a new vertical degree of freedom unlike the traditional (horizontal tension adjust) rigidly bolted bar design which locks in an initial tension setting. This freedom permits novel controller features to provide single lever control (SLC) of all functions which are enhancements to the two controllers of
k indicates no tool bar removal and chain servicing features by including Central Element Stud (CES) Control Means Recess (CMR′, CMR″). Note that at least two studs (CES) would be used for bar location in place of the groove (LG) of
Turning now to
a and 9b show an External Control Means (CME) which is functionally affixed “externally” on both sides of the Longitudinal Slit (S′) in the Elongated Support (ES), for use in setting of Longitudinal Slit (S′) width to adjust chain tensioning and/or chain braking. The two rotational positions of the External Control Means (CME) around Pivot (PV) in the Lower Portion (LP) of the Elongated Support (ES), shown in
a and 10b show an Internal Control Means (CMI) which is “internal” to the Longitudinal Slit (S′), for use in setting of Longitudinal Slit (S′) width. It should be appreciated that sliding the Internal Control Means (CMI) between the positions shown in
It is emphasized that
In the following discussing, it should throughout be appreciated that, while not discussed, for orientation the location the present invention Longitudinal Slit (S′) is generally shown in
a shows a perspective partial view of the Elongated Support (ES) and Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG) in
It is noted at this point that a present invention will typically provide a Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG) manufactured to be as shown in
Continuing,
a and 5b show another variation of the Lateral Slit (S) aspects of the present invention wherein two Lateral slits (S) and (Sx) are present in the Elongated Support (ES) in the region of the upper Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG), and two Dumbbell Shaped Elements (DB) and (DB′) are present. It is to be understood that additional linkage, (not shown, but can be internal so as not to interfere with the kerf or it could be out of the kerf inside the motor housing), which can be similar to that shown for the single Dumbbell Shaped Element (DB) case in
As additional insight,
e and 5f show yet another alternative means for impeding a chain saw chain slideability in a Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG″), comprising an Insertion Element (IE) which can be entered and removed to the Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG″) via a means for entering said insertional element, (eg. a hole in the wall of the Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG″)), by any functional linkage. Note that the Insertion Element (IE) can simply comprise a small part of the wall of the Continuous Chain Channel Guide (CG″), which wall is laterally movable.
It is noted that the Lateral Slit (S) in
The present invention then is primarily found in the Chain Saw Chain (CG) tension and braking utility enabled by the presence of a Longitudinal Slit (S′) in the Elongated Support (ES) of a chain saw (CS). The present invention is enhanced by braking utility enabled by the presence of a Lateral Slit (S) in the Elongated Support (ES).
Having hereby disclosed the subject matter of the present invention, it should be obvious that many modifications, substitutions, and variations of the present invention are possible in view of the teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described, and should be limited in its breadth and scope only by the Claims.
This application is a CIP of Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/245,939, filed Nov. 6, 2000, 60/290,226 filed May 11, 2001; and of Utility patent application Ser. No. 09/853,942 filed May 11, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,187.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1260702 | Olson | Mar 1918 | A |
| 3390710 | Cookson et al. | Jul 1968 | A |
| 3793727 | Moore | Feb 1974 | A |
| 4361960 | Halverson | Dec 1982 | A |
| 4373265 | van Halderen | Feb 1983 | A |
| 4382334 | Reynolds | May 1983 | A |
| 4594780 | Schliemann et al. | Jun 1986 | A |
| 4611401 | Piller | Sep 1986 | A |
| 4677746 | Raiski | Jul 1987 | A |
| 4924577 | Leini | May 1990 | A |
| 5101567 | Cool | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5174029 | Talberg | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5233750 | Wolf et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5249362 | Harding | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5445365 | Förderer | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5491899 | Schliemann et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
| 5522143 | Schliemann et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5528835 | Ra | Jun 1996 | A |
| 6148524 | Nitschmann | Nov 2000 | A |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60245939 | Nov 2000 | US | |
| 60290226 | May 2001 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09853942 | May 2001 | US |
| Child | 10984652 | US |
