Chain saw and fastener assembly for chain saw

Abstract

The utility model provides a chain saw and a fastener assembly for the chain saw. The chainsaw includes a guide bar extending from the housing, the guide bar positioned between an inner wall of the housing and a housing inside the housing. The fastener assembly comprises an outer fastener, a rod-shaped stud and an inner fastener. The rod stud includes a plate having a first side, a second side, and an anti-rotation interface. The rod stud includes a first threaded member extending from a first side of the plate and a second threaded member extending from a second side of the plate. A plate is positioned between the guide bar and the housing. The outer fastener is threadably connectable to a first threaded member extending through the housing. A second threaded member is extendable through the housing and is threadably connectable to the inner fastener.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to chainsaws, and more particularly to a chainsaw and a fastener assembly for a chainsaw. Background Art

[0002] Power tools are often used to replace hand tools. Power tools can perform the same or similar tasks as hand tools with greater efficiency, allowing the operator controlling the power tool to save effort in completing the task. For example, a chain saw can saw wood faster than a traditional hand saw, a circular saw can cut metal faster than a traditional hacksaw, a vacuum cleaner can remove debris faster than a traditional broom, and so on.

[0003] Most chainsaw designs today use bolts or studs that are threaded into and attached to the gearbox and are fastened to the chainsaw bar using a nut facing the user. However, one problem with this design is that the user may accidentally damage the gearbox by over-tightening the bolts / studs.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved shank stud and chain saw that meets the above requirements and solves the above problems, and such an improved shank stud and chain saw would be advantageous. Utility Model Content

[0005] The inventive aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the present technology.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a chain saw having a guide rod extending from an outer cover and a fastener assembly, wherein the guide rod is positioned between an inner wall of the outer cover and an outer shell inside the outer cover. The fastener assembly includes an outer fastener, a rod-shaped stud, and an inner fastener. The rod-shaped stud includes a plate including a first side, a second side, and an anti-rotation interface. The rod-shaped stud includes a first threaded member extending from the first side of the plate. The rod-shaped stud includes a second threaded member extending from the second side of the plate. The plate is positioned between the guide rod and the outer shell. The outer fastener is capable of being threadedly connected to the first threaded member extending through the outer cover. The second threaded member is capable of extending through the outer shell and is capable of being threadedly connected to the inner fastener.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fastener assembly for a chain saw having a guide rod extending from an outer cover. The guide rod is positioned between an inner wall of the outer cover and an outer shell inside the outer cover. The fastener assembly includes an outer fastener, an inner fastener, and a rod-shaped stud. The rod-shaped stud includes a plate having a first side, a second side, and an anti-rotation interface. The rod-shaped stud includes a first threaded member extending from the first side of the plate, and the rod-shaped stud includes a second threaded member extending from the second side of the plate. The plate is positioned between the guide rod and the outer shell. The outer fastener is capable of being threadedly connected to the first threaded member extending through the outer cover. The second threaded member is capable of extending through the outer shell and is capable of being threadedly connected to the inner fastener.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for attaching a guide bar to a housing and a casing at a chain saw. The method includes positioning a plate of a fastener assembly between the guide bar and the casing; extending a first threaded member from the plate through the casing, wherein a first threaded end of the first threaded member extends to an outer region outside the casing; extending a second threaded member from the plate through the casing, wherein a second threaded end of the second threaded member extends to an inner region inside the casing; fastening the second threaded member to an inner fastener at the inner region; and fastening the first threaded member to an outer fastener at the outer region.

[0009] These features, aspects and advantages of the present invention and other features, aspects and advantages can be better understood by referring to the following description and the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in this specification and constitute a part thereof, illustrate embodiments of the present technology and, together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The complete disclosure of the subject matter, including the best mode of implementation, will be described below for those of ordinary skill in the art in this specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of a chain saw including a fastener assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided;

[0012] Figure 2 A perspective view of an embodiment of a rod-shaped stud according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided;

[0013] Figure 3 A cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of a chain saw including a fastener assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided; and

[0014] Figure 4A flow chart outlining the steps of a method for attaching a guide bar to a guard and housing at a chain saw according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided.

[0015] Reference numerals are repeatedly used in the present specification and drawings to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the utility model, one or more examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "used as an example, instance or illustration". Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily preferred or advantageous compared to other embodiments. In addition, each example is only for explanatory purposes and does not constitute a limitation of the present technology. In fact, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present technology without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed technology. For example, a feature shown or described as part of one embodiment can also be used in combination with another embodiment to produce another different embodiment. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and changes that fall within the scope of the attached claims and their equivalents. The detailed description uses numbers and letter marks to refer to features in the drawings. The same or similar marks in the drawings and the specification are used to refer to the same or similar parts of the utility model.

[0017] As used herein, the terms "first", "second" and "third" can be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to express the position or importance of each component. Unless the context clearly stipulates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "an" and "said" include plural references. Unless otherwise specified in this article, the terms "coupled", "fixed", "attached" and the like refer to direct coupling, fixing or attachment, and indirect coupling, fixing or attachment realized by one or more intermediate components or features. As used herein, the terms "include", "comprise", "include", "have" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article or device including a series of features is not necessarily limited to these features, and may also include other features that are not explicitly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article or device. In addition, unless otherwise clearly stated, "or" refers to inclusive rather than exclusive or. For example, any of the following satisfies condition A or B: A is true (or exists), B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0018] Approximate terms such as "about," "substantially," "approximately," or "substantially" include values ​​within 10% greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include values ​​within 10 degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, "substantially perpendicular" includes directions within 10 degrees of perpendicular in any direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise).

[0019] The benefits, other advantages and solutions to the problems of the present invention will be described below with reference to specific embodiments. However, these benefits, advantages, solutions to the problems, and any features that may bring any benefits, advantages or solutions or make them more obvious should not be understood as the key, necessary or essential features of any or all claims.

[0020] Now please refer to the attached figure, Figure 1 An electric tool of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. More specifically, Figure 1 A chain saw 100 of an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The chain saw 100 generally includes a guide bar 102 having a chain 104 movably coupled to an outer track of the guide bar 102. The chain 104 includes teeth that cause the chain 104 to cut into materials such as logs and branches when the teeth are moved along the guide bar 102. The chain saw 100 may also include a housing 106. The guide bar 102 can extend from the housing 106. An end of the guide bar 102 extends into the housing 106. A fastener assembly 200 secures the guide bar 102 to the housing 106. The chain saw 100 may include a handle 108. In some cases, the chain saw 100 may also include a second handle 110. A brake 112 may be disposed along the chain saw 100, such as adjacent to the second handle 110. The brake 112 may provide a safety brake that prevents the chain saw 100 from kicking back onto an operator when the chain 104 moves. When kickback occurs, the brake 112 can be activated by striking the operator's arm, causing the chain 104 to suddenly slow down.

[0021] The chain saw 100 may also include a power device (not shown), such as a gas engine or an electric motor, that drives a sprocket (not shown). The sprocket is capable of engaging the chain 104, such that rotation of the sprocket causes the chain 104 to move relative to the guide bar 102. The power device may be powered, for example, by a rechargeable energy source such as a battery 114, a fuel source such as gasoline, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the chain saw 100 includes an actuator 116. The actuator 116 is disposed near the handle 108. When the actuator 116 is pressed, it is capable of engaging the power device to move the chain 104. As the actuator 116 is further pressed, the speed of the power device can increase from zero speed to a maximum speed. In this regard, the actuator 116 can variably affect the speed of the power device between a stop speed that occurs when the actuator 116 is not pressed and a maximum speed that occurs when the actuator 116 is fully pressed.

[0022] Now please refer to Figure 2 , a perspective view of an embodiment of a rod-shaped stud 220 is provided. An embodiment of a fastener assembly 200 at a chain saw 100 includes a rod-shaped stud 220. The rod-shaped stud 220 includes a plate 250, and a first threaded member 230 extends from a first side 231 of the plate 250. The plate 250 includes a second side 241, and a second threaded member 240 extends from the second side 241 of the plate in an opposite direction to the first threaded member 230. Each threaded member 230, 240 includes a threaded end 232, 242 at a distal end of the plate 250 and a shank 234, 244 at a proximal end of the plate 250. For example, a threaded member including a threaded end 232, 242 and a non-threaded central shank 234, 244 may include a plate 250 located at the central shank 234, 244.

[0023] In some embodiments, the plate 250 and the members 230, 240 can be formed from a single integral part and processed to include threads, faces, and pins, such as those described herein. In other embodiments, the plate 250 and the members 230, 240 can be separate parts attached to each other. For example, the plate 250 and the members 230, 240 can be brazed, welded, or otherwise bonded to each other.

[0024] The plate 250 includes an outer periphery at least partially forming a circular face 252. For example, the circular face 252 may extend over at least a quarter arc, a half arc, or three quarter arcs of the outer periphery. In various embodiments, the plate 250 includes a flat face 254 at the outer periphery.

[0025] In various embodiments, the pin 260 extends from the plate 250. In some embodiments, the pin 260 extends in the same direction as the second threaded member 240.

[0026] Now please refer to Figure 3 , provides a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary portion of the chain saw 100 including the fastener assembly 200. Referring to the outer region 11 outside the housing 106, for example, Figure 1 106. The reference inner region 12 is inside the housing 106. In various embodiments, the housing 118 is located inside the housing 106. For example, the housing 118 is a gearbox, which may include a plurality of gears, a transmission assembly, a lubrication system, a fluid conduit, or a combination thereof. The housing 118 may generally include a metallic material such as aluminum or a non-metallic material. The guide rod 102 extends from the housing 106 and is located between the inner wall 136 at the housing 106 and the housing 118.

[0027] In various embodiments, the plate 250 is located between the guide rod 102 and the housing 118. The first threaded member 230 extends from the plate 250 through the guide rod 102 and the housing 106. The outer fastener 210 can be threadedly connected to the first threaded end 232 at the first threaded member 230 from the outer region 11. Thus, the fastener assembly 200 positions the inner wall 136 at the housing 106 and positions the guide rod 102 between the first side 231 of the plate 250 and the outer fastener 210.

[0028] In other various embodiments, the plate 250 is located between the guide rod 102 and the housing 118. The second threaded member 240 extends from the plate 250 through the housing 118. The inner fastener 120 is threadedly connected to the second threaded end 242 at the second threaded member 240 from the inner region 12. The inner fastener 120 threadedly connected to the second threaded end 242 from the inner region 12 enables the rod-shaped stud 220 to be fixed in place instead of being threaded into the housing 118. For example, the barrel or cavity 126 through which the second threaded member 240 extends can form a straight wall cavity. For example, the cavity 126 can be substantially or completely free of threads. In other various embodiments, the barrel or cavity between the fasteners 210, 120 through which the threaded members 230, 240 extend is threadless, or is otherwise not directly attached to the structure through which the threaded members 230, 240 pass. Thus, the outer fasteners 210 and the inner fasteners 120 can together compress the housing 106, the guide rods 102, the plate 250, and the shell 118 together. For example, compressing the housing 106, the guide rods 102, the plate 250, and the shell 118 together can produce less stress, strain, or wear, or prevent over-tightening at the shell 118, as opposed to pulling the components together through a threaded interface at the shell 118. Embodiments of the fastener assembly 200 can allow for the use of different materials at the housing 106, the guide rods 102, the plate 250, or the shell 118, such as, but not limited to, metal or non-metal materials that may require less stress or strain resistance, for example, by preventing or eliminating over-tightening or excessive loading as described herein.

[0029] In some embodiments, the flange 122 is positioned adjacent to or abutting the flat surface 254 at the plate 250. For example, the flange 122 can be at least partially located within or at the housing 118. The flange 122 can also be positioned adjacent to the guide rod 102. The flange 122 can form a component that is independent of the housing 118 or can be separated from the housing 118, such as an insert, a washer, a bushing, a tooth, or a member. The flat surface 254 can prevent undesired rotation of the rod-shaped stud 220. For example, the flat surface 254 corresponding to the flange 122 can prevent the flat surface 254 from rotating or misaligning at another location, such as rotating or misaligning at the inner surface 124 corresponding to the curvature of the circular face 252 of the plate 250.

[0030] In other embodiments, the pin 260 extends into the housing 118. The circular face 252 can be disposed adjacent to or abutting the inner surface 124 of the housing 118. For example, at least a portion of the housing 118 includes an inner surface that corresponds to the curvature of the circular face 252 of the plate 250. The pin 260 can prevent undesired rotation of the shank stud 220. For example, the pin 260 can set a locked position of the shank stud 220 relative to the housing 118.

[0031] Embodiments of fasteners 210, 120 may be formed of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the inner fastener 120, the outer fastener 210, or both may include non-metallic fasteners, such as nylon fasteners. For example, the non-metallic fasteners can provide one or more benefits as described above, and also resist corrosion and provide a lightweight retainer. Embodiments of fasteners 210, 120 may include integral or separable washers, bushings, spacers, inserts, or other surfaces between the outer fastener 210 and the inner fastener 120 forming a nut.

[0032] Now please refer to Figure 4 , a flow chart outlining the steps of a method for attaching a guide bar to a housing and casing at a chain saw is provided (hereinafter referred to as "method 1000"). Embodiments of method 1000 can be performed at any suitable type of chain saw, such as, but not limited to, the embodiment of chain saw 100 provided herein. Embodiments of method 1000 outlined herein can secure a guide bar to a housing and casing at a chain saw and mitigate the generation of undesirable stress, strain, or wear at the housing, casing, or guide bar.

[0033] Method 1000 includes positioning a plate (e.g., plate 250) of a fastener assembly (e.g., fastener assembly 200) between a guide rod (e.g., guide rod 102) and a housing (e.g., housing 118) at step 1010. Method 1000 includes extending a first threaded member (e.g., first threaded member 230) from the plate through a housing (e.g., housing 106) at step 1020. A first threaded end (e.g., end 232) of the first threaded member extends to an outer region (e.g., region 11) outside the housing. Method 1000 includes extending a second threaded member (e.g., second threaded member 240) from the plate through the housing at step 1030. A second threaded end (e.g., end 242) of the second threaded member extends to an inner region (e.g., region 12) inside the housing. In various embodiments, method 1000 may include extending the threaded member through a non-threaded cavity at the guide rod, the housing, and the housing at steps 1020, 1030.

[0034] The method 1000 includes fastening the second threaded member to an inner fastener (e.g., fastener 120) at the inner region at step 1040. The method 1000 includes fastening the first threaded member to an outer fastener (e.g., fastener 210) at the outer region at step 1050. In various embodiments, the method 1000 at steps 1040, 1050 may include fastening the threaded member to the respective fasteners and pressing the fasteners, the housing, the plate, and the shell together.

[0035] In various embodiments, method 1000 may include preventing rotation of the plate via an anti-rotation interface at the plate (e.g., pin 260, flat surface 254, or both) at step 1060. In some embodiments, method 1000 includes inserting a pin into the housing at step 1060. In other embodiments, method 1000 includes abutting a flat surface of the plate against a flange (e.g., flange 122) within the housing at step 1060.

[0036] This written description uses examples to disclose the utility model, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the utility model, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The patent scope of the utility model is defined by the claims and may include other examples that can be thought of by those skilled in the art. If these other examples include structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if these other examples include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims, then these other examples should be included in the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A chain saw, characterized in that: include: a guide rod extending from the housing, wherein the guide rod is positioned between an inner wall of the housing and a shell inside the housing; and A fastener assembly comprising an outer fastener, a shank stud and an inner fastener, wherein the shank stud comprises a plate comprising a first side, a second side and an anti-rotation interface, wherein the shank stud comprises a first threaded member extending from the first side of the plate, wherein the shank stud comprises a second threaded member extending from the second side of the plate, wherein the plate is positioned between the guide rod and the housing, and wherein the outer fastener is threadably connected to the first threaded member extending through the housing, and wherein the second threaded member is extendable through the housing and is threadably connected to the inner fastener.

2. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that The second threaded member extends through a cavity at the housing, and wherein the cavity is unthreaded.

3. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first threaded member and the second threaded member each extend through a cavity extending through the housing, the guide rod, and the casing, and wherein the cavity is unthreaded.

4. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that The fastener assembly presses the outer cover, the guide rod, and the housing together via the first threaded member threadably attachable to the outer fastener and the second threaded member threadably attachable to the inner fastener.

5. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first side of the plate is adjacent to the guide rod, and wherein a second side of the plate is adjacent to the housing.

6. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is a gear box.

7. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that The anti-rotation interface includes an outer periphery at the plate, the outer periphery including a rounded face and a flat face.

8. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that The anti-rotation interface includes a pin extending from the plate into the housing.

9. The chain saw according to claim 8, characterized in that The pin extends from the second side of the plate into the housing.

10. The chain saw according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner fastener, the outer fastener, or both are non-metallic fasteners.

11. A fastener assembly for a chain saw having a guide bar extending from a housing, wherein: The guide rod is positioned between the inner wall of the outer cover and the outer shell inside the outer cover, and the fastener assembly includes: External fasteners; Internal fasteners; and A rod-shaped stud, wherein the rod-shaped stud includes a plate including a first side, a second side and an anti-rotation interface, wherein the rod-shaped stud includes a first threaded member extending from the first side of the plate, wherein the rod-shaped stud includes a second threaded member extending from the second side of the plate, wherein the plate is positioned between the guide rod and the housing, and wherein the outer fastener is threadably connected to the first threaded member extending through the housing, and wherein the second threaded member is extendable through the housing and is threadably connected to the inner fastener.

12. The fastener assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that The second threaded member extends through a cavity at the housing, and wherein the cavity is unthreaded.

13. The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein: The first threaded member and the second threaded member each extend through a cavity extending through the housing, the guide rod, and the casing, and wherein the cavity is unthreaded.

14. The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein: The fastener assembly presses the outer cover, the guide rod, and the housing together via the first threaded member threadably attachable to the outer fastener and the second threaded member threadably attachable to the inner fastener.

15. The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein: A first side of the plate is adjacent to the guide rod, and wherein a second side of the plate is adjacent to the housing.

16. The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein: The anti-rotation interface includes an outer periphery at the plate, the outer periphery including a rounded face and a flat face.

17. The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein: The anti-rotation interface includes a pin extending from the plate into the housing.

18. The fastener assembly of claim 17, wherein: The pin extends from the second side of the plate into the housing.

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