Portable handheld work apparatus

A handheld portable work apparatus such as a motor-driven chain saw, the work apparatus comprising:

• a motor housing defining a longitudinal axis;
• an internal combustion engine mounted in said housing and having an electrical ignition system and an air intake channel for supplying combustion air to the engine;
• fuel-metering means for supplying fuel to said engine;
• said fuel-metering means having a starter element movably mounted between a first position for increasing the quantity of fuel metered to the engine during start and a second position wherein the starter element is not effective for influencing the fuel metered to the engine;
• a handle mounted on said motor housing so as to extend in the direction of said axis and said handle having a forward end portion;
• said fuel-metering means including a throttle flap movably mounted in said air-intake channel;
• a throttle trigger pivotally mounted in said handle;
• throttle linkage means for connecting said throttle trigger to said throttle flap:
• an actuating element rotatably journalled in said forward end portion of said handle and being rotatable between first and second positions corresponding to said first and second positions of said starter element;
• starter linkage means for connecting said actuating element to said starter element for transmitting the movement of said actuating element to said starter element;
• latching means for latching said throttle flap into a pregiven open position when said actuating element is in said first position;
• said latching means including a first latch element rotatable with said actuating element and a second latch element disposed on said throttle trigger for engaging said first latch element when said actuating element is in said first position;
• operator-actuated lever means rotatably journalled in said forward end portion of said handle and being operatively connected to said first latch element and said actuating element for moving said first latch element and said actuating element;
• and,
• said throttle trigger being a lever pivotally movable for moving said second latch element away from said first latch element thereby disengaging said latching means.