GB2410486A

GB2410486A - Maintaining a powered machine at a remote location

Info

Publication number: GB2410486A
Application number: GB0401966A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Fraser Mckendry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-30
Filing date: 2004-01-30
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Also published as: GB0401966D0

Abstract

Apparatus for maintaining operation of a chainsaw powered by an internal combustion engine comprises a first container 10 and a second container 12 releasably attached thereto by straps 14, 16, in the manner of a saddle. The first container 10 has a compartment 18 for petrol and a compartment 20 for engine oil. The second container 12 is made of canvas and formed with various compartments to hold items such as tools, lubricating oil and a first aid kit. The first container 10 is formed with a handle 26 whereby it (and the attached container 12) may be carried in one hand, for convenient carriage to any remote location where the chainsaw may be required. The invention may be used for remote maintenance of other machines such as brushwood cutters, disk cutters and outboard motors.

Description

241 0486

MAINTAINING A POWERED MACHINE AT A REMOTE LOCATION

I his invention is concerned with maintaining operation at a remote location of a machine powered by an internal combustion engine.

The invention is particularly but not exclusively applicable to the maintenance of chainsaws by foresters and the like. Foresters routinely need to work with chainsaws at locations which are remote in that they are distant from any vehicular track, are surrounded by dense plant growth and can be reached only on foot. lt follows that the forester must be able to carry to his workplace, not just his chainsaw, but also all the fuel and tools necessary to maintain its operation.

Hitherto this has required the forester to carry (on what may well be a journey of several kilometres over hazardous terrain) his chainsaw, a fuel can and a toolbox.

Apart from the evident difficulty of carrying three such substantial items in two ..

hands, it win be understood by those skilled in the art that there will be an increased risk of snagging on branches or undergrowth and also an increased ' likelihood that something will become misplaced on the journey.

It is an object of the invention to combine the fuel can and the toolbox in . .

. apparatus which can be carried in one hand.

l bus according to the invention there is provided apparatus for maintaining operation at a remote location of a machine (such as a chainsaw) powered by an internal combustion engine, which apparatus comprises a first container for fuel to power the machine at the remote location, a second container for tools to service - 2 the machine at the remote location, the second container being attached to the first container, and a handle whereby said apparatus may be manually carried by a user to said remote location.

The second container may be releasably attached to the first container, possibly by a strap or straps.

Preferably the first container is relatively rigid and the second container is relative flexible so that in use the second container conforms to the first container.

The second container may extend across and to each side of the first container in the form of a saddle. The first container may be formed of moulded material such as synthetic plastics material and the second container may be formed of woven material such as canvas.

The first container may comprise two compartments respectively for engine fuel and engine oil. The second container may comprise a plurality of compartments variously for machine servicing requisites. To facilitate compliance with health and safety requirements, the second container may aLso comprise a :. compartment for a first aid kit, said compartment being marked accordingly.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following . description, which is made by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing in which Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of apparatus embodying the invention, respectively from opposite sides thereof The apparatus shown in the drawing is designed for maintaining operation of a chainsaw powered by an internal combustion engine and used by a forester at - 3 a remote location. Referring then to the drawing, this shows a first container indicated generally at 10 and a second container indicated generally at 12. The second container 12 sits on the first container 10 and hangs down each side thereof in the manner of a saddle. The second container 12 is releasably attached to the first container 10 by straps 14 and 16 of nylon webbing. The first container 10 is moulded from synthetic plastics material, and is substantially rigid. The second container 12 is formed of canvas and thereby, being relatively flexible, conforms to the first container 10.

The first container 10 has a compartment 18 for fuel (typically petrol) to run the engine of the chainsaw and a compartment 20 for engine oil (typically 2-stroke oh and the compartments 18 and 20 are in well-known fashion formed with spouts 22 and 24 whereby their contents may be put into the engine. The first container 10 is also formed with a handle 26 whereby it - and the attached ë container 12 - may be carried in one hand.

For the avoidance of doubt it may be pointed out here that the first : container 10 is made in accordance with regulations applying to fuel containers.

The second container 12 has a pocket 28 on one side and a pocket 30 on the . other side. Mach of the pockets 28 and 30 has a fold-down top cover held in place by hook-and-loop fastenings, and in use hold they various requisites such as lubricating oil for the chainsaw and a first aid kit (which may be indicated by an appropriate marking on the corresponding pocket). The canvas from which the second container 12 is formed is moisture-resistant and thus the second container - 4 12 protects its contents from rain, fuel and oil etc. As can be seen from the drawing, the second container 12 is also provided with a further compartment 32 configured and arranged to hold a combination tool (plug spanner + screwdriver + chain tensioner) for the chainsaw and a compartment (formed by straps) to hold a sharpening file 34.

It will be noted that the attachment strap 14 extends over the top of the fuel compartment 18, but below the handle 26. The attachment strap 16 extends around the fuel compartment 18 and between this and the oil compartment 20. In this way the straps 14 and 16 hold the first and second containers 10 and 12 securely together to facilitate their being carried as one unit by the forester. Also the second container 12, including its straps 14 and 16, is clear of the ground if the apparatus is put down.

Whilst the foregoing description refers particularly to maintaining operation of a chainsaw to be used by a forester, it will be understood that the invention may be used by other persons to maintain operation of other machines powered at :. remote locations by internal combustion engines. For instance it may be used to maintain a brushwood cutter, an abrasive disk cutter or an outboard motor.

Modifications of the invention for these and other purposes will be apparent to those skilled in the science.

Claims

1 Apparatus for maintaining operation at a remote location of a machine powered by an internal combustion engine, which apparatus comprises a first container for fuel to power the machine at the remote location, a second container for tools to service the machine at the remote location, the second container being attached to the first container, and a handle whereby said apparatus may be manually carried by a user to said remote location.

2 Apparatus as chimed in Claim 1 wherein the second container is releasably attached to the first container.

103 Apparatus as chimed in Claim 2 wherein the second container is releasably attached to the first container by a strap or straps.

4 Apparatus as claimed in any preceding chim wherein the first : I. container is rebtively rigid and the second container is rebtive flexible so that in use . .e

. the second container conforms to the first container.

. 15

5 Apparatus as chimed in Chim 4 wherein the second conminer . extends across and to each side of the first container in the form of a saddle.

:

6 Apparatus as claimed in Chim 4 or Chim 5 wherein the first container ë is formed of moulded material and the second container is formed of woven material.

7 Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first container comprises two compartments respectively for engine fuel and engine oil. 6

8 Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second container comprises a plurality of compartments variously for machine servicing requisites.

9 Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second container comprises a compartment for a first aid kit, which compartment is marked accordingly.

Apparatus for maintaining operation at a remote location of a machine powered by an internal combustion engine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. . -

. ë ... :' ma * . -..MC: CL_B65D02102