Chain saws, components for chain saws, and systems for operating saws

A chain saw comprising:

• a saw bar having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, wherein the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side define at least part of a chain path that extends in a chain path direction around the saw bar;
• and
• a plurality of links arranged in a chain along the chain path around the saw bar;
• wherein the saw bar comprises a main body and a rail extending from the main body along at least part of the chain path;
• wherein the rail has a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a top, wherein a width of the rail from the first lateral side of the rail to the second lateral side of the rail in a direction perpendicular to the chain path direction is narrower than a width of the main body of the saw bar in the direction perpendicular to the chain path direction;
• wherein each of the links in the plurality of links comprises a groove such that the links straddle the rail of the saw bar;
• wherein each of the links in the plurality of links comprises a bottom surface, with a first part of the bottom surface on one side of the groove and with a second part of the bottom surface on an opposite side of the groove;
• wherein a link in the plurality of links is positionable on the saw bar such that the first part of the bottom surface of the link contacts a first ledge of the main body of the saw bar on a first side of the rail, the second part of the bottom surface of the link contacts a second ledge of the main body of the saw bar on a second side of the rail, and a clearance is present between the link and the top of the rail such that no part of the link contacts the top of the rail.

A chain saw comprising:

• a saw bar having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a distal end, wherein the first longitudinal side, and the second longitudinal side, and the distal end define at least part of a chain path that extends in a chain path direction around the saw bar;
• and
• a plurality of links arranged in a chain along the chain path around the saw bar;
• wherein the saw bar comprises a main body and a rail extending from the main body along at least a part of a cutting portion of the chain path that is configured to be used for cutting;
• wherein each of the links in the plurality of links comprises a groove such that the links straddle the rail of the saw bar;
• wherein each of the links in the plurality of links comprises a bottom surface, with a first part of the bottom surface on one side of the groove and with a second part of the bottom surface on an opposite side of the groove;
• wherein the main body of the saw bar comprises a first ledge extending beyond a first side of the rail and a second ledge extending beyond a second side of the rail, wherein a width of the rail in a direction perpendicular to the chain path direction is narrower than a width of the main body of the saw bar in the direction perpendicular to the chain path direction at an area of the ledges;
• wherein a link in the plurality of links is positionable on the saw bar along at least said part of the cutting portion of the chain path such that the first part of the bottom surface of the link contacts the first ledge of the saw bar, and the second part of the bottom surface of the link contacts the second ledge of the saw bar, and a clearance is present between the link and a top of the rail such that no part of the link contacts the top of the rail.