US2980374A - Resilient support for chain saws - Google Patents

Description

April 18, 1961 L. YOUNG RESILIENT SUPPORT FOR CHAIN SAWS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 18, 1958 IN x/slv 702 L0 r0 You/v6 April 18, 1961 L. YOUNG 2,980,374

RESILIENT SUPPORT FOR CHAIN SAWS Filed Aug. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 76 K; J; A F/ G- 6 j/ l 8 y" 62 I lfl=u= 84 l/V/E/V r02 Zora You/v er WY United States Patent RESTLIENT SUPPORT FOR CHAIN SAWS Loyd Young, Rte. 2, Salem, Ill.

Filed Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 755,738

1 Claim. (Cl. 248-18) This invention relates to improvements in chain saws. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in supports for chain saws.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved support for chain saws.

Chain saws are important and useful tools, and they are gaining ever-increasing acceptance. However, chain saws are heavy, and they cut so rapidly that they must be used with care. The weight of those saws tends to tire the users, and tired users are not always as careful as they should be. The present invention minimizes tiring of the users of chain saws by providing a support for a chain saw which can sustain all of the weight of that chain saw. In doing so, that support frees the user of the need of supporting that weight and enables that user to concentrate on guiding and controlling the chain saw. As a result, that support minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries to the users. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support for a chain saw that can sustain all of the weight of that chain saw and that thereby enables the user of that chain saw to concentrate on the guiding and controlling of that chain saw.

The support, for chain saws, that is provided by the present invention not only can sustain all of the weight of a chain saw but can do so while permitting the user to have full and complete latitude in the use of that chain saw. Thus, that support permits the user to move that chain saw laterally, longitudinally, up and down,

I and also permits the user to rotate that chain saw about any desired axis. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support for a chain saw which can sustain the Weight of that chain saw while permitting the user of that chain saw to move it laterally, longitudinally, up and down and also to rotate it about any desired axis.

The support, for chain saws, that is provided by the present invention includes a number of elongated, small diameter, helical extension springs that are connected in parallel between two rods, and the uppermost rod is pivotally connected to a mounting and the lowermost rod is pivotally connected to the chain saw. By connecting the springs in parallel rather than in series between the rods, the present invention further minimizes the force the user must exert in stretching those springs. The overall result is that the support provided by the present invention requires minimum effort by the user. The pivotal connections between the rods and the mounting and the chain saw facilitate the lateral and longitudinal movement of the chain saw and also enable it to be rotated about any desired axis. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support for chain saws which includes a plurality ofelongated, small diameter, helical, extension springs that are connected in parallel between two rods; one rod being pivotally connected to a mounting and the other rod being pivotally connected to the chain saw.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present ice invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description two preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claim.

In the drawing, Fig. l is a side elevational view of one form of support for chain saws that is provided by the present invention and it shows that support suspended from a mounting carried by an automotive vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of part of the mounting carried by the automotive vehicle of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on a greatly enlarged scale, through the support for chain saws shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, on said enlarged scale, through the support for chain saws shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 4-4 in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale,'of another form of support for chain saws that is provided by the present invention,

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the support for chain saws shown in Fig. 5, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the support for chain saws shown in Fig. 5, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 7--7 in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 8 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of part of the mounting carried by the automotive vehicle of Fig. 1'.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 20 generally denotes an automotive vehicle on which a mounting, for the support for chain saws provided by the present invention, can be carried. The particular automotive vehicle shown in the drawing is a Jeep, but any suitable automotive vehicle can be used. The numeral 22 denotes the front bumper of that automotive vehicle 20, and a bracket 26 secures the bottom of an upright cylinder 24 to that bumper. A strut 28 extends from the left-hand side of the bumper 22 to the upper part of the cylinder 24 as shown particularly in Fig. 2. A

strut 25 extends from the left'front fender of the automotive vehicle 20 to the upper part of the cylinder 24, as shown particularly in Fig. 1; and that strut coacts with strut 28 and bracket 26 to rigidly secure cylinder 24 to the automotive vehicle 20. The upper end of the cylinder is open, and that end has a flange projecting horie zontally outwardly from it. While the cylinder 24 can be made to have different configurations, it is preferably made to have a polygonal configuration in horizontal section.

The numeral 30 denotes a bar of polygonal cross section which readily telescopes down into the cylinder 24. That bar has a horizontally directed flange 32 integrally secured to it, and that flange can rest upon the flange at the upper end of the cylinder 24. Theengagement between the bar 30 and the cylinder 24 is intimate enough to avoid tilting or wobbling of that bar relative to that cylinder, but is loose enough to permit ready insertion of that bar into, and removal of that bar from, the cylinder 24. An angle 34 is bolted to the upper end of the bar 30 and that angle extends vertically upwardly beyond the top of that bar. An angle 36 is suitably secured to the top of the angle 34, as by welding, and the angle 36 extends horizontally forwardly from the top of the angle 34. A strut 38 extends forwardly and upwardly from a point on the angle 34 above the top of bar 30 to a point rearwardly of the forward end of the angle 36. The strut 38 coacts with the angles 34 and 36 to define a rigid truss that can be selectively secured to or separated from the cylinder 24. When secured to the cylinder he idl s w l e t d o -V wardly of the automotive vehicle 20 and will'dispose the forward end of the angle 36 above and ahead of the bumper 22 of the automotive vehicle20. a I a The numeral 40 -denotes angs sg bolt which has its threaded upper end extending upwardly through. an open- .,-ing in the forward end of thesangle 36; anda nut 41 is secured to that threaded end of that eye bolt- The eye. got-the eye bolt 40 receives a short length of chain; and, as

I shown -by drawing, receives two" links 42 ofthatchain.

An openable link 44 is secured to ;the lowermost of the 1 links 42, and that openable link ispt-standard; and usual 7 construction; The openable link 44-lselectively receives a-link 46 which is telescoped overra rod-48.Wheredesired; a 'large openable link or connector can-be used iinstead'of'the'eyebolt 40-, the;links42;-the link"44-;and the link-46; that large link or connector-having its lower end function are to provide a readily separable connection gbetween rod 48 and angle 36 or the like while permitting full movement'of rod 48 relative to that angle The rod 48 is shown as a bolt, and that rod extends through alined openings in the top of an elongated tube 50. 'Awasher 52 is disposed between'the head of the rod.

48 and the exterior of that tube, and a second washer 52 is disposed between the exterior of that tube and a nut '54 threaded on the threaded end of the rod 48.

Inter- 7, sawuntil its cutting plane is horizontal. Moreover; the user can move that chain saw to right,left, front or back as desired. Also, if'the user wishes to lift the chain saw upwardly and rest it on the wood to be cut, the springs materially help him do so. Consequently, the user can, in all usual and customary cutting positions of the chain saw, concentrate on the guiding and controlling of the chain saw, leaving it to the springs 56 to sustain the Weight of the chain saw. I j V The inner diameter of the tube 50 is appreciably larger than the length of rod-58,-and hence the springs 56 can readily extend and retract-relative to that tube. Also, both the top and bottom of the tube 50 are open. These features 'are important because they make certain that chips, sawdust and dirt cannot collect in the tube 50 and interfere with the free and ready extension and retraction of'the springs 56 relative to the tube 50.

Referring to Figs. 5-7", thenumeral -70; denotes an outer tubewhiohhasalined openings adjacent the. top

. thereof; and those openings are spanned by a rod 72.

That rod is shown as a bolt,; and a washer 74 is dis- 7 posed between the exterior of that tube and the head mediate'the link 46 and one side of the tube 50 are the -upper ends'of two elongated, small diameter, helical extension springs 56; and intermediate the link 46 and the other side of that tube are the, upper'ends-of two more such springs 56. The upper ends of the springs 56 are 1 formed to. accommodate the rod 48; and to :separation from that. rod.

resist accidental t The springs 56 aredimensioned so their normal:un'-

7 1.-stressed lengths are slightly less than the length of the tube 1:50; Consequently, those springs normally maintain a rod .j58 adjacent the lower, end of the tube 5 0. The rod 58 isialso shown as a bolt, but it is shorter than the" rod 48 5* and is actually shorter than a diameter of the tube 59. 5 The lowerjends of the springs 56 are formed to accommodate the rod 58 and to resist accidental separation iromthat rod.

The 'rod 58 extends through an upperlink 62 of a short length oflchain. An, openable link 64, comparable to the openable link 46, is connected to.the lowermost of the links. 62. ,That openable link is dimensioned so it'can sraccommodate the handle of a; chain saw; If desired, .ar-large openable link or connector'can' be used instead 1,: of thelinks 62 and link. 64. The purpose and function of the large openable link or connector or of the links 62: and 64 are ot' provide a readily separable connection between rod 58 andthe chain saw while permitting full movement ofthat chain saw' relative to that rod;

When the springs .56 are notv supporting any weight other than their own weight plus that of the rod 58, their lower ends will be adjacent the lower end of the tube 50',

as shown particularly in Fig. 3.

However, when those springs support the'weight of a chain saw, as for exam- ,:ple the weight of the chain saw66 in Fig. 1,, the lower .ends of those springs will be disposed a short distance be- "low thev bottom of the tube 50. The links, 44, and 46 between eye bolt and the rod 48 provide full and free opportunity for the user to moverthe lowerend of tube 1 50 longitudinally and laterally, and alsoto rotate that tube so some extent about its geometric axis. r Similarly, the links 62 and 64 betweenthe rod 58 and the handle t of the chain saw 66 permit full latitude in the movement ofithatchain saw relative to the springs-56' and to the edownwardlyitoward tbe zgroundand can rotate that chain of the rod 72. A second washer '74 is disposed between the other side of that tube and a nut 76 forthe threaded end of the rod 72." A link 78 is telescoped over the rod '72 andthat link is selectively engaged and held by the openable link 44'supported by the links 42 of the short length of chain. Secured to the 'bolt 72 arethe upper ends of tour elongated, small diameter, helical extension springs 82, and two of those springs are disposed atone side of the link 78 while theother twoofthosesprings are disposed adjacent the opposite side ofthat link. The lower ends of the springs 82 qtelescope downwardly through an inner'tube 80 which is disposed within the lower part of the tube 7.0. The tube 80 is materially smaller in diameter than is the'tube, 70, and the'tops and bottoms of both tubes 70 and 80 areopen. These tealures make certain that chips, sawdust anddirt cannot .tion of the springs 82.,

collect in tube 80 or between the two tubes '70 and 80 and interfere with the free and easy extension and retracwasher 86 is disposed between the other side of the tube .80 and a. nut 88. A link 62 is interposed between the innermost pair of springs 82; and a second link 62 depends downwardly from the first linkrand supports the openable link 64'.

The support of Figs. 5-7 provides full protection and cover for the helical: extension springs 82 as those springs are extended and retracted during-vertical movement of the chain saw; That supportalsoxassures full and free movement of the lower end of the tube 80 relative to'the rod 72.

Each of the supports of Figs.'1, 3 and 4 and of Figs. 5-7 is shown as being equipped with four elongated, small diameter, helical, extension springs; and four is the recommended number of springsn However, more or fewer springs canbe used; dependingupon the strengths of the springs and the weights of the chain saws. :Also, if

de sired, elastic cords suchas those used in launching gliders can be used in lieu of springs.

The rod 48 is set and held perpendicular to the geometrical ,axis of the tube 50,.and the rod 72 is setand Also, those rods would preferably be set at right angles to each other while also being perpendicular to the geometric axis of the tube.

The mounting, for the chain saw support of the present invention, has been shown in the drawing as a truss removably carried by an automotive vehicle. However, that mounting could be fixedly secured to an automotive vehicle, it could be a frame work that rests on the ground, or it could be the high lift of a tractor. The principal requirements of a mounting, for the chain saw support of the present invention,. are that it is resistant to tilting and that it permits the tube to swing through a wide are.

The tube 50 and the tubes 70 and 80 protect the springs 56 and 82, respectively; both during storage, shipment and use. Those tubes also facilitate the handling and use of those springs as a unit.

The chain saw support provided by the present invention not only enables the user to concentrate on the guiding and controlling of the chain saw but also helps protect that user in the event a tooth of the saw is caught and held in the wood being cut. Absent that support, the chain saw could surge rearwardly, knock down the user and fall upon him; but with the support he is freer to get out of the path of the rearwardly surging saw, and the support will keep the saw from falling.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described two preferred embodiments of the present invention it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without afiecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

A support for a chain saw comprising an elongated tube having an open lower end, a transverse rod connected to the tube adjacent its upper end, link means connected centrally of said rod and extending from the upper end of the tube for mounting the tube from a support, a plurality of helical extension springs having their upper ends secured to said transverse rod and extending downwardly through said tube with their lower ends terminating within said tube when in no load position, a second transverse rod having a length less than the diameter of the tube connected to the lower ends of said springs, link means connected centrally of the second rod and means thereon for connecting said link means to a chain saw.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 382,571 Wagner May 8, 1888 965,839 Sanborn -Q July 26, 1910 1,694,944 Horix Dec. 11, 1928 2,195,162 Baxter Mar. 26, 1940 2,698,034 Jakku Dec. 28, 1954 2,708,525 Woleslagle May 17, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 468,719 France May 1, 1914

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