SE541495C2

SE541495C2 - Chainsaw service tool carrier

Info

Publication number: SE541495C2
Application number: SE1751668A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Carl Heinemark; Mikael Arvidsson
Original assignee: Husqvarna Ab
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2017-12-29
Publication date: 2019-10-15
Also published as: SE1751668A1

Abstract

A chainsaw service tool carrier (1) for a tool belt comprises a receptacle (3) configured to at least partly enclose at least one tool (23). The receptacle (3) being provided with at least one tool receiving interface (13) for connection of said tool (23) to the carrier (1), and at least one tool securing element (5) for securing said tool (23) in the receptacle (3). The tool securing element (5) is resiliently connected to the receptacle (3) and said tool securing element (5) is configured to slidingly engage with and press upon the tool (23) when the tool (23) is inserted in the tool receiving interface (13).

Description

CHAINSAW SERVICE TOOL CARRIER Field of the invention The present invention relates to a chainsaw service tool carrier for a tool belt.

Background of the invention Loggers and forestry workers using chainsaws must sharpen the chainsaw cutters on daily basis, and regularly adjust the tension of the chain, change chain, bar, and spark plug and so on. To perform these tasks, tools of different kinds are required. The tools, since they are bulky, fragile, and difficult to find if they are lost in the forest, are inconvenient to carry on the body.

Summary It is an object of to solve, or at least mitigate, parts or all the above-mentioned problems. To this end, there is provided a chainsaw service tool carrier for a tool belt, wherein the chainsaw service tool carrier comprises a receptacle configured to at least partly enclose at least one tool. The receptacle is provided with at least one tool receiving interface for connection of said tool to the carrier and at least one tool securing element for securing said tool in the receptacle. The tool securing element comprises a metal leaf spring comprising two portions, a first and a second end portions extending along its vertical length, when connected in the receptacle. The second end portion comprises a first bend, configured for sliding engagement with and pressing upon a work performing part of the tool in a direction transversal to an axis of insertion of the tool when the tool is inserted in the tool receiving interface thereby urging the work performance part against the receptacle, and a second bend, adapted to direct an edge of the second end portion away from the receptacle.

Hence, the tool securing element guides the tool in place during insertion of the tool into the receptacle, protects the tool and holds the inserted tool in place within in the receptacle.

The tool is thus protected as well by the receptacle and, the securing element ensures that the tool is held in place within the receptacle when the user is moving.

Since the tool securing element comprises a metal leaf spring, it is flexible, easy to handle, cheap to manufacture and durable, even if repeatedly engaging with e.g. the abrasive end of a file, and able to urge a tool that is inserted in the tool receiving interface against the receptacle.

The first bend of the tool securing element is an easy way to achieve a good sliding resistance with a minimum of hysteresis at both insertion and extraction of the tool. Due to the bend, only a lower part of the securing element will be in sliding engagement with the tool when the tool is inserted to the tool receiving interface. The first bend can both facilitate the insertion of the tool into the tool receiving interface and to keep the tool in place within the tool receiving interface.

The at least one tool receiving interface may comprise a guidance chamfer arranged at the entrance of the tool receiving interface. This makes it easier for the user to insert the tool into the tool receiving interface, especially if the user is wearing protective gloves.

At least one tool receiving interface may comprise a file interface shaped to mate with a round file. At least one tool receiving interface may comprise a file interface shaped to mate with a flat file. At least one tool receiving interface may comprise a combination tool interface shaped to mate with a combination tool adapted for chainsaw service. These three tools are crucial for a logger or a forest worker to have access to during their daily work. The files are used for retaining the cutting properties of the saw chain and the combination tool is used for adjusting the tension of the chain, changing chain, bar and spark plug. It is thus an advantage if these tools, either individually or in combination, can be attached in a carrier without risking that they unintentionally fall out, and such that they can be easily reached by the user.

A tool securing element may be arranged in each or a plurality of tool receiving interfaces. By arranging a tool securing element in each respective tool receiving interface, tools of different sizes and shapes may be held in place by the securing element. If one tool is pulled out from the tool carrier, the other tools will still be kept within their positions within the receptacle.

The receptacle may further comprise a proximal side, arranged to be closest to the user’s body, and a distal side, arranged to be furthest away from the user’s body. The combination tool interface may be positioned on the distal side of at least one file interface. This provides a receptacle with rather slim shape. If the combination tool is positioned outside at least one file, it will take less space along the sides of the receptacle. If the receptacle takes less place, it can be perceived as more comfortable for the user and does not prevent the user when working.

The tool securing element may be arranged at the proximal side of the/each respective receptacle, and may be configured to urge a tool inserted into the tool receiving interface towards the distal side of the receptacle. Thus, tools that are inserted into the tool receiving interfaces do not point towards the user but towards a distal wall of the receptacle.

The tool carrier may further comprise a flexible carrier sheet provided with a belt suspension interface adapted for connection of the chainsaw service tool carrier to the tool belt. The receptacle may comprise a carrier sheet connection interface configured for sliding engagement along a plane of the carrier with the carrier sheet when connecting the carrier sheet to the carrier sheet connection interface. By being attached to a flexible carrier sheet, the tool carrier follows the user's movements and does not end up in the way of the user. The carrier sheet may be lightweight and thereby add only little extra weight to the receptacle. The carrier sheet may define a proximal wall of the receptacle. The securing elements can be kept in their positions within the receptacle by the carrier sheet. Thanks to the sliding engagement, the carrier sheet may easily be connected to and disconnected from the receptacle and may be fastened further to the receptacle by screws.

The receptacle may further comprise a tool handle supporting interface, configured for support of the handle when the tool is connected to the tool receiving interface. The tool handle support interface may be rigid, and/or it may enclose at least a portion of the handle. By providing the handles of the tools with a support, breakage of, for example, fragile files inserted in the tool receiving interface can be prevented. Especially at the transition between the handle and the work performance part of a file.

Brief description of the drawings The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and nonlimiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: Fig. 1A illustrates a schematic front view of a chainsaw service tool carrier. Fig. 1B illustrates a schematic rear view of a chainsaw service tool carrier. Fig. 2A illustrates a schematic front view of the chainsaw service tool carrier with connected tools.

Fig. 2B illustrates a schematic rear view of the chainsaw service tool carrier with connected tools.

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the chainsaw service tool carrier for attachment to a tool belt.

Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic rear view of the chainsaw service tool carrier for attachment to a tool belt.

Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic front view of another embodiment of a chainsaw service tool carrier.

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments Figs. 1 A and 1B shows a chainsaw service tool carrier 1 for a tool belt (not shown) comprising a receptacle 3 and at least one tool securing element 5.

The receptacle 3 may be integrally formed. By way of example, it may be moulded as a single piece of plastic, but it may also be made of a single piece of metal. Plastic material gives a lighter receptacle 3 with higher comfort for the user and, while metal gives a more robust receptacle 3 that could resist rough handling.

The receptacle 3 may comprise two long side faces 7a, b, two short side faces 8 a, b, a proximal side face 9, and a distal side face 11. The proximal side face 9 is arranged closest to the user’s body and the distal side face 11 is arranged to be furthest away from the user’s body when the tool carrier 1 is attached to the tool belt (not shown). The receptacle 3 can also be provided with at least one tool receiving interface. In the shown embodiment, the receptacle 3 is provided with three tool receiving interfaces 13a-c, but other designs are possible. To facilitate the insertion of a tool into the tool receiving interface 13, the tool receiving interface 13 can be provided with a guidance chamfer 17, arranged at the entrance of the tool receiving interface 13. The receptacle 3 may be divided into separate socket 14a-c, one for each respective tool receiving interface 13 a-c, separated by partitions 19 arranged along the vertical length of the receptacle 3. The receptacle 3 may be provided with bevelled edges 45 at the long side faces 7a, b of the distal part 11. These bevelled edges 45 can provide a firm grip of the receptacle 3 even when the user is wearing gloves.

The tool securing element 5, according to Fig. 1B, may be a leaf spring. By way of example, it may be made of a rigid material such as metal, but other materials are possible. The securing element 5 can be provided with a first and a second end portion 5a, 5b along its vertically length when connected in the receptacle 3. An edge of first end portion 5a can be suspended in a groove 21 arranged adjacent to the upper short side face 8a. The second end portion 5b can have a free end which is freely suspended inside the respective socket 14a-c on the proximal side of the respective tool to be carried, whereas the first end portion 5a is attached in the groove 21. The second end portion 5b may be provided with a first bend 20, adapted to direct the second end portion 5b towards a distal wall 12 of the receptacle 3. The second end portion 5b may also be provided with a second bend 22, adapted to direct an edge of the second end portion away from the distal wall 12 of the receptacle 3, thereby preventing the edge from scratching a tool inserted in the respective socket 14a-14c.

Turning now to Figs 2A-B, the chainsaw tool carrier 1 is configured to carry a plurality of tools 23, each of which may comprise a respective handle 25a-b and a respective work performing part 27a-c. Figs. 2A and 2B shows the chainsaw tool carrier 1 with tools 23 inserted in the tool receiving interfaces 13a-c.

One tool receiving interface 13a may be a file interface, shaped to mate with a flat file 23a. A second tool receiving interface 13b may also a file interface, shaped to mate with a round file 23b. These files are used for retaining the cutting properties of the saw chain. This process will be necessary if the chain of the chainsaw hits sand or stone and becomes dull. The tool receiving interface 13a for the flat file 23a may be shaped to mate a flat file 23a with a rectangular cross-section, which may have a size of up to about 5-30 width and 2-6 mm thickness, such as about 20 mm width and 4 mm thickness. The tool receiving interface for the round file 13b may be shaped to mate a round file, having a circular cross-section of up to about 5-8 mm diameter, such as about 5,5mm in diameter. A third tool receiving interface 13c may be a combination tool interface, shaped to mate with a combination tool 23c adapted for chainsaw service. This combination tool is used for adjusting the tension of the chain, and changing chains, bars and spark plugs. It can also be used to snap-open covers on a chainsaw. The receiving interface for the combination tool 13c may be shaped to mate a combination tool with a size of up to about 5-15 mm diameter of a shaft 24c, such as about 7 mm diameter. This third receiving interface 13c may also be used for various tools with a shaft design, such as screwdrivers, long pens and so on.

The entrances for the file receiving interfaces 13a, 13b may be positioned side by side at an upper short side face 8a of the receptacle 3. The entrance of the combination tool interface 13c may be positioned on the distal side of at least one file interface 13a, 13b. In the embodiment shown, the combination tool interface 13c is arranged on the distal side of both file receiving interfaces 13a, 13b. This provides a receptacle 3 with rather slim shape. If the combination tool interface 13c is positioned outside at least one file receiving interface 13a, 13b, it can be perceived as more comfortable for the user and does not prevent the user when working.

When a tool 23 is inserted into the respective tool receiving interfaces 13a-c, the respective tool securing elements 5 may slidingly engage with and press upon the work performance part 27 of the tool 23 in a direction transversal to an insertion direction, along an axis A of insertion of the tool 23 into the tool receiving interface 13, thereby urging the tool 23 against the receptacle 3 during the movement of the tool 23 towards its bottom position within the receptacle 3. The bend 20 on the tool securing element 5 will urge the work performance part 27 towards the distal side wall 12 of the receptacle 3. The second end portion 5b of the tool securing element 5 may also be provided with a second bend 22, adapted to direct an edge of the second end portion 5b away from the distal wall 12 of the receptacle 3. Thereby preventing the edge from scratching the work performance part 27 of the tool 23 that is inserted into respective tool receiving interfaces 13a-13c.

Thus, the securing element 5 both guides the tool 23 during insertion of the tool 23 into the tool receiving interfaces 13a-c and holds the tool 23 in place within the tool receiving interfaces 13a-c and prevent unintentional loss of the tool 23.

The first short side 8a of the receptacle 3 may be provided with a ridge 47, extending substantially horizontally from the distal side 11 of the receptacle 3. When a combination tool 23c is inserted into the tool receiving interface 13c, a tool head 25c of the combination tool 23c slides over this ridge 47. When the tool head 25c has passed this ridge 47, the tool head 25c snaps in position, with a first end of the tool head 25c resting underneath the ridge 47 and a second end of the tool head 25c resting against the entrance of the tool receiving interface 13c. The combination tool 23c is thus held in place within the tool receiving interface 13c by both the tool securing element 5 and the ridge 47.

As shown in Fig. 3, the chainsaw tool carrier 1 may also comprise a flexible carrier sheet 28 provided with a belt suspension interface 29, adapted for connection of the chainsaw service tool carrier 1 to the tool belt 54 (illustrated in broken lines). Thereby, a flexible connection between the belt 54 and the rigid receptacle 3 may be obtained. In particular, when suspended from the belt 54, the carrier sheet 28 permits the receptacle 3 to flex in a distal direction, i.e. away from the user’s body, while swaying along the plane of the carrier sheet is prevented. The belt suspension interface 29 may be configured to be easily connected to and from the tool belt 54 and therefore, the tool carrier 1 can easily be rearranged around the tool belt 54 when needed. Moreover, the flexible carrier sheet 28 may operate as a proximal side wall of the service tool carrier 1, as is illustrated in Fig. 4.

The receptacle 3 may further comprise a carrier sheet connection interface 31, as seen in Fig. 4. The carrier sheet connection interface 31 can comprise holding members 33, extending from the long sides 7a, b on the proximal side 9 of the receptacle 3. When connecting the flexible carrier sheet 28 to the holding members 33, the flexible carrier sheet 28 may slid into engagement with the holding members 33 from above, along the plane of the carrier sheet 28. A rounded corner edge 34 may form an insertion stop, arranged at a second short side 8b, on the proximal side of the receptacle 3. The insertion stop defines a stop position for the flexible carrier sheet 28 in the insertion direction. The flexible carrier sheet 28 could alternative be connected to the receptacle 3, by bending the respective long sides of the flexible carrier sheet underneath the holding members 33. The flexible carrier sheet 28 may be further secured to the receptacle 3 by screws 35. These screws 35 can be attached in threads 37 (Fig. 2B) arranged along the perimeter of the proximal side 9 of the receptacle 3. When connected to the receptacle 3, the flexible carrier sheet 28 can keep the tool securing elements 5 within their positions inside the receptacle 3. Alternatively, the tool securing elements 5 may be fixedly held in any other suitable manner. The tool receiving interface 13c shaped to mate the combination tool 23c may be provided with a blocking member 15 (cf fig.1B), arranged on the proximal side 11 of the receptacle 3, preventing the bend 20 of the of the tool securing element 5 from bulging out into the flexible carrier sheet 28 and thereby into the user’s body. Similar blocking members may also be provided on the other tool receiving interfaces 13a-b. When the chainsaw service tool carrier 1 is connected to the tool belt 54, the flexible carrier sheet 28 and thereby the chainsaw service tool carrier 1 will follow the movements of the user and prevents the chainsaw service tool carrier 1 from getting in the way of the user.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the chainsaw service tool carrier 1. The receptacle 3 may comprise a tool handle support interface 39, configured for support of the tool handles 25 when the tools 23 are connected in the tool receiving interfaces 13a-b. The tool handle support interface 39 may comprise a rigid support plate 41 extending upwards from the first short side 8a at the proximate side 11 of the receptacle 3, supporting a rear side of the handles 25. The support plate 41 may also be provided with mutually opposing side edges 43, supporting vertical sides of the handles 25 a, b. The tool support interface 39 prevents the tools 23 from breaking at a point B where the handles 25 a, b interface with the respective work performance part 27a-b (Fig. 2B).

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A chainsaw service tool carrier (1) for a tool belt comprising a receptacle (3) configured to at least partly enclose at least one tool (23), the receptacle (3) being provided with at least one tool receiving interface (13a-c) for connection of said tool (23) to the carrier (1); and at least one tool securing element (5) for securing said tool (23) in the receptacle (3), wherein said tool securing element (5) comprises a metal leaf spring comprising two portions, a first (5a) and a second (5b) end portion extending along its vertical length, when connected in the receptacle (3), wherein the second end portion (5b) comprises a first bend (20), configured for sliding engagement with and pressing upon a work performance part (27) of the tool (23) in a direction transversal to an axis (A) of insertion of the tool (23) when the tool (23) is inserted in the tool receiving interface (13 a-c) thereby urging the work performance part (27) against the receptacle (3), and a second bend (22), adapted to direct an edge of the second end portion (5b) away from the receptacle (3).

2. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according claim 1, wherein the at least one tool receiving interface (13a-c) comprises a guidance chamfer (17) arranged at the entrance of the tool receiving interface (13 a-c).

3. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one tool receiving interface (13b) comprises a file interface shaped to mate with a round file.

4. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one tool receiving interface (13b) comprises a file interface shaped to mate with a flat file.

5. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one tool receiving interface (13c) comprises a combination tool interface shaped to mate with a combination tool adapted for chainsaw service.

6. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a tool securing element (5) is arranged in the respective tool receiving interfaces (13a-13c).

7. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to claims 3-5, wherein the receptacle (3) further comprises a proximal side (9), arranged to be closest to the user’s body, and a distal side (11), arranged to be furthest away from the user’s body, and wherein the combination tool interface (13c) is positioned on the distal side of at least one file interface (13a, 13b).

8. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to claim 7, wherein the tool securing element (5) is arranged at the proximal side (9) of the receptacle (3) and is configured to urge a tool (23) inserted on the tool receiving interface (13), towards the distal side (11) of the receptacle (3).

9. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a flexible carrier sheet (28) provided with a belt suspension interface (29) adapted for connection of the chainsaw service tool carrier (1) to the tool belt (54).

10. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1) according to claim9, wherein the receptacle (3) further comprises a carrier sheet connection interface (31) configured for sliding engagement along a plane of the chainsaw service tool carrier (1) with the flexible carrier sheet (28) when connecting the flexible carrier sheet (28) to the carrier sheet connection interface (31).

11. Chainsaw service tool carrier (1), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (3) further comprises a tool handle support interface (39), configured for support of a handle (25) of the tool (23) when the tool (23) is connected to the tool receiving interface (13), wherein the tool handle support interface (39) is rigid and/or encloses at least a portion of the handle (25).