Apparatus, method, and system for orienting a saw chain link on a sprocket
AssigneeBlount, Inc.
InventorsMike Goettel, Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments herein provide a modified pitch sprocket to provide an orientation of a saw chain link, such as a cutter link or drive link, with respect to the direction of travel of the link, as it traverses the sprocket that is different than the orientation of the link as it traverses a straight portion of the guide bar. In some embodiments, the modified pitch sprocket may orient the cutter link to provide radial extension for a depth gauge of the cutter link relative to a cutting element of the cutter link. This may facilitate shaping of the depth gauge and/or cutting element, such as by a sharpening element, as the cutter link traverses the sprocket.
Claims18
A sprocket for a chainsaw, the sprocket comprising:
- a spur configured to drive a saw chain around an end of a guide bar of a chainsaw, wherein the saw chain includes cutter links that have a first orientation as the cutter links traverse a straight portion of the guide bar;
- and
- a plurality of pockets disposed in the spur to engage the saw chain, wherein the pockets are angled to provide a second orientation for the cutter links as the cutter links traverse the sprocket, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation by an offset angle.
A system for a chainsaw comprising:
- a guide bar including:
- a straight portion;
- a sprocket disposed on an end of the guide bar and coupled to the straight portion, the sprocket including a pocket;
- a saw chain configured to ride on the guide bar, the saw chain including a cutter drive link configured to be disposed in the pocket as the cutter drive link traverses the sprocket;
- wherein the cutter drive link is oriented at a first orientation with respect to a direction of travel as the cutter drive link traverses the straight portion of the guide bar, wherein the cutter drive link is oriented at a second orientation with respect to the direction of travel as the cutter drive link traverses the sprocket, and wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation by an offset angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.