Blount, Inc.

Oregon Tool, Inc.

Blout, Inc.

Michael D Harfst

Christopher David Seigneur

James Matthew Cunnington

Sam Hutsell

Roberto De Jesus Torres Delgado

Mike Goettel

Evan Pickett

Robin A Plumbley

Eric M Burmester

Paul W Pink

Patrick Sellars

Jonah Smith Sedaghaty

Genesis McDermott

James B Sinclair

Embodiments herein provide apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with a saw chain link having one or more oversized rivet holes. A rivet may be disposed in the oversized rivet hole and provide a clearance between the rivet and the edge of the oversized rivet hole that is about 0.010 inches or more. The clearance may permit the saw chain to move between two or more stable positions. The saw chain link may be a drive link, such as a cutter drive link or a bumper drive link. In some embodiments, the saw chain link may be a bi-directional saw chain link. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Saw chain link with one or more oversized rivet holes

Embodiments include a bar for a chain saw that is equipped with one or more oil channels that run along the length of the bar. Each oil channel receives oil at a first end, which exits the oil channel at an oil exit aperture at a second end of the channel. The oil exit aperture of one of the channels is positioned along the side of a bar groove, through which runs the saw chain, proximate to the cutting area of the bar to lubricate the saw chain just prior to the cutting area. A second channel may have an oil exit aperture proximate to the nose of the bar, to lubricate a sprocket wheel in the nose of the bar.

Targeted oil delivery for chain saw bars

Embodiments herein describe presets for saw chains comprised of one or more rivets that are coupled to a tiestrap. Each rivet may further comprise a central flange and a hub protruding from opposed sides from the flange. In some embodiments, the hub may be non-concentric from the flange, and the flange may be non-circular, such as ovoid or cam-shaped. In some embodiments, various portions of the flange, rivet, and tiestrap may be selectively hardened to various degrees of hardness, depending upon their location and usage. In some embodiments, the rivets may be prevented from rotating with respect to the tiestrap using a brazing process, and may be configured to facilitate such processes. Other embodiments may employ a non-circular hub. Still other embodiments may use a low-temperature process for soldering that does not affect the hardness of the tiestrap or rivet.

Saw chain presets

A high efficiency saw chain for a saw including a cutting link and a drive link, the cutting link and a drive link selected to provide a high efficiency saw chain for a specified power range, based on ratios of components of the chain, such as the ratio of the height of the cutter to the pitch of the chain.

High efficiency saw chain

Embodiments provide a tie rivet with a body that is configured to ride on a rail of a guide bar, and an integrated rivet extending from an inner surface of the body. The integrated rivet may include a draft angle that varies over a circumference of the integrated rivet. Additionally, or alternatively, the tie rivet may include an undercut portion around at least a portion of the integrated rivet. The undercut portion may be recessed from the inner surface of the body. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Tie rivet for saw chain

Bumper drive link

Cutter for saw chain

Tie strap

Embodiments herein describe a tie strap with a hardened integrated rivet for a saw chain. The tie strap has a body with an integrated rivet extending therefrom and having a shoulder extending from the body and configured to engage a rivet hole of a connector link and a hub extending from the shoulder and configured to engage a rivet hole of an opposing tie strap. The shoulder has a high wear region and a low wear region disposed opposite from the high wear region, wherein the low wear region has a first hardness that is less than a second hardness of the high wear region. Generally, the high wear region extends circumferentially around the shoulder and is between about 90 degrees counter clockwise to about 90 degrees clockwise measured from a center point on the shoulder facing inward toward a center part of the body.

Tie strap with hardened integrated rivet for a saw chain

Embodiments herein provide formed wire tie strap for a saw chain. Embodiments also provide a saw chain including one or more formed wire tie straps. The formed wire tie strap may include a body with one or more integrated rivets extending from the body. In some embodiments, the body may be substantially flat. The rivet may include a rivet head configured to engage a rivet hole of an opposing tie strap and a shoulder configured to engage a rivet hole of a connecting link, such as a drive link. Some embodiments of the formed wire tie strap may include a pair of integrated rivets extending from the body. Some embodiments may include a rivet hole disposed in the body of the formed wire tie strap.

Formed wire tie strap with integrated rivet for a saw chain

Embodiments herein provide a modified pitch sprocket to provide an orientation of a saw chain link, such as a cutter link or drive link, with respect to the direction of travel of the link, as it traverses the sprocket that is different than the orientation of the link as it traverses a straight portion of the guide bar. In some embodiments, the modified pitch sprocket may orient the cutter link to provide radial extension for a depth gauge of the cutter link relative to a cutting element of the cutter link. This may facilitate shaping of the depth gauge and/or cutting element, such as by a sharpening element, as the cutter link traverses the sprocket.

Apparatus, method, and system for orienting a saw chain link on a sprocket

A saw chain for a chain saw including alternating center and side link pairs with certain of said side links being cutting links and certain of said center links preceding said cutting links having guard portions to inhibit kick back. Said guard portions including a forward and rearward guard portion, the rearward guard portion in overlapping relation with a depth guide of the cutting link. A relief spacing between the guard portions facilitates chip carriage and the guard portions cooperatively form a ramp to guide wood being cut over and onto the depth gauge for controlling the depth of cut taken by the cutting link.

Saw chain having drive link with guard feature

A cutter device has a cutter portion which is led by a depth gauge. The depth gauge is mounted on and extends upwardly from a substantially planar main body section. The depth gauge has a forward, or first section which extends upwardly from the main body, and when viewed from above is disposed at an angle relative to the central plane of the main body diverging therefrom on progressing rearwardly. The rear end of the first section is connected at a juncture section to a second section which progresses rearwardly and is disposed at an angle converging toward the central plane. The second section may extend across the plane of the body and diverge from the opposite side thereof on progressing rearwardly. The upper surface of the depth gauge presents a sweeping curve as viewed from the front of the cutter which is a multiple of the thickness of the body to which it is attached to provide effective cut control for the following cutter.

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukie, OR, United States of America

Michael D Harfst