Blount, Inc.

Mike Goettel

Christopher David Seigneur

Arlan Way

Michael D Harfst

Chris Seigneur

David Scott Penrose

Michael J Patterson

Scott Ferguson

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

Embodiments herein provide a drive link having a conditioning portion to be used in conjunction with one or more dresser links of a saw chain to condition a sharpening element. The dresser links may include left and right dresser links configured to contact the sharpening element in first and second contact regions which may not overlap, leaving a gap. The conditioning portion of the drive link may contact the sharpening element in a third contact region that includes at least a portion of the gap between the first and second contact regions.

Dresser drive link for saw chain

Embodiments herein provide a dresser link for a saw chain that is configured to condition a sharpening element. The dresser link may include a conditioning element with an outer edge that is offset from an outer side of the dresser link. The conditioning element may include a horizontal relief angle and/or a vertical relief angle. The saw chain may further include a cutter link having a cutting element. The horizontal and/or vertical relief angle may facilitate maintenance of a clearance between the cutting element and the conditioning element after wear of the cutting element and conditioning element.

Dresser link for saw chain

Embodiments provide various components of a chain saw, including saw chain elements, sprockets, and other fixtures, that may facilitate sharpening of cutter links during operation. In various embodiments, the components may increase stability during sharpening, provide nose mounted sharpening fixtures, and/or facilitate the resizing and/or reshaping of a sharpening element.

Chain link sharpening method and apparatus

Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a drive link for a saw chain including a body portion adapted to couple to adjacent side links and a tang extending from the body and  sized to engage a guide bar groove. The tang may include a through hole extending from a first tang side to a second tang side and including a through hole center. In various embodiments, a material directing feature may be disposed adjacent to the through hole on at least one of the first side and second side of the tang. The material directing feature may include a recession in the tang which encourages oil and/or wood chips to pass through the through hole.

Drive link with improved lubrication feature

A saw chain for a chain saw is disclosed. Embodiments include a drive link that may be used in a saw chain, wherein the drive link includes a tail and a concavity that complements a depth gauge of a trailing cutting link, reducing and/or minimizing the drive link's protrusion into a gullet space of the cutting link. Embodiments of the invention may help improve cutting performance and further help reduce kickback potential.

Saw chain drive link with tail

A saw chain rivet is provided including a flange, and a hub extending from a side of the flange. A shoulder defined by a junction between the hub and the flange has properties optimized to resist shear forces. The hub may be optimized for ease of rivet head formation.

Shear resistant rivet and saw chain

A saw chain for a saw is disclosed. Embodiments include a drive link that may be used in a saw chain, wherein the drive link includes a tail and a concavity that complements a depth gauge of a trailing cutting link, reducing and/or minimizing the drive link's protrusion into a gullet space of the cutting link. Embodiments of the invention may help improve cutting performance and further help reduce kickback potential.

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Canby, OR, United States of America

Mike Goettel