Automatic chainsaw tensioning device

An apparatus for automatically adjusting an elongate flat bar on a chainsaw circumscribed by a chainsaw cutting element as said chainsaw cutting element lengthens during use, wherein said chainsaw has a motor and said chainsaw cutting element is adapted to rotate about said elongate flat bar, said apparatus comprising:

• a motor housing adapted to house said motor;
• a cover housing secured to said motor housing for covering a proximal end of said elongate flat bar;
• said elongate flat bar having a first, fully retracted proximal position, a second, fully extended distal position, and an infinite number of positions of adjustment therebetween;
• a biasing member for urging said elongate flat bar to move in a proximal-to-distal direction as said biasing member displaces from said first, fully retracted position to said second, fully extended position, said proximal-to-distal displacement being movement away from said motor housing in a plane of said elongate flat bar;
• said biasing member including an elongate screw;
• said biasing member further including a proximal block fixedly secured to said cover housing and having an unthreaded bore formed therein;
• said biasing member further including a distal block fixedly secured to said cover housing in longitudinally spaced apart relation to said proximal block and having an unthreaded bore formed therein;
• said elongate screw having a proximal end that slideably extend through said unthreaded bore formed in said proximal block;
• said elongate screw having a distal end that slidably extends through said unthreaded bore formed in said distal block;
• said biasing member further including a flat base plate having an unthreaded bore formed therein to receive said elongate screw, said flat base plate being welded to said elongate screw;
• said flat base plate positioned between said proximal block and said distal block;
• said biasing member further including an elongate spring, said elongate spring having a distal end that abuts said distal block and having a proximal end that abuts said flat, internally threaded base plate;
• said flat, unthreaded base plate abutting said proximal block when said elongate spring is fully extended;
• and
• said flat base plate being spaced away from said proximal block when said elongate spring is compressed, said flat base plate being spaced a maximum distance from said proximal block when said elongate spring is fully compressed.