Chain saw and work piece support apparatus

Support apparatus for supporting logs, boards and other work pieces to be cut either transversely or lengthwise, as well as for supporting a chain saw by its blade for performing the cutting. A support platform includes a top surface, preferably inclined downwardly toward an operator position, and a restraining rail to hold the work pieces in position for cutting. A spring-biased, rotatable axle mounts the chain saw by the free end of its blade for pivotal movement along one side of the platform to transversely cut work pieces. Alternately, a rigid saw support holds a chain saw vertically upright with its blade plane parallel to the direction of elongation of the work pieces for rip cutting. An outwardly extending, side support, opposite the saw support, movably mounts a second platform for additional support and movement of long logs, boards or other work pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to supports for logs, boards and other work pieces 
during cutting and, more particularly, to a support structure adapted to 
support elongated logs, wooden boards and other work pieces for transverse 
or longitudinal or rip sawing as well as for supporting a chain saw for 
performing the sawing operations. 
Numerous devices have been devised in the past to support various types of 
work pieces during cutting as well as for mounting saws to cut those work 
pieces when supported. Many of the prior devices have included band saws, 
circular saws or the like which are pivotally mounted on support arms for 
downward pivotal movement through the work piece to be cut. Typically, 
such structures have been relatively complex and required an extensive 
support framework for mounting the saw, especially those of the band saw 
type. In the case of circular saws, the support arms often were attached 
directly to the saw casing and were wellsuited for cutting boards but 
could not adequately handle logs and other random or bulky sized work 
pieces such as logs of large diameter. 
Other prior structures included apparatus for mounting chain saws with 
respect to a framework for cutting logs or the like. Again, the prior 
structures tended to be quite complex and, therefore, difficult and 
expensive to manufacture, or were comparatively difficult to attach the 
saw to. Many of the structures required attachment of the chain saw by 
means of the engine casing at the engine end of the saw. This required a 
relatively awkward pivotal movement of the saw about such an attachment 
point. Leverage on the saw pivoted about its engine casing was difficult 
to obtain. An example of this type structure is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,154,120, issued Oct. 27, 1964, to R. H. Lesher, entitled "ATTACHMENT FOR 
PORTABLE CHAIN SAWS", wherein the saw is supported directly on the work 
piece and does not provide separate structure for supporting the work 
pieces. 
Other structures disclose apparatus for supporting chain saws by their 
blades but necessitated involved support arms leading to the engine end of 
the saw to provide adequate support. An example of this type structure is 
shown in Swiss Pat. No. 374,192. 
An additional problem with many of the prior structures was the adequate 
support of lengthy logs, boards or other work pieces and the movement of 
the logs to the cutting area after a portion of the logs had been cut. 
Also, the prior structures did not provide apparatus for securing the 
saws, and especially chain saws, in alternate positions so that elongated 
work pieces could be cut or ripped lengthwise. 
The present invention was devised to provide a simple, reliable structure 
for both supporting work pieces to be cut as well as supporting a chain 
saw for cutting the work pieces either transversely or lengthwise without 
the necessity of complex supporting structure for the saw. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the present invention provides a support apparatus for 
supporting logs, boards and other work pieces, and especially elongated 
work pieces, as well as for supporting a chain saw only by means of its 
blade for cutting work pieces either transversely or lengthwise as 
desired. A platform is provided and supported above the ground or a 
supporting surface by a plurality of support legs. The platform includes a 
top, work piece supporting surface having side edges as well as 
restraining means for holding work pieces on the top surface in position 
to be cut. 
In one aspect, the invention includes rotational axle means mounted on the 
platform top surface and extending beyond one side edge of the top surface 
for supporting a chain saw only by its blade for pivotal movement about a 
point adjacent the free end of the blade in a plane parallel to that one 
side edge to cut a work piece in a direction transverse to its direction 
of elongation. Biasing means are provided to return the rotational axle 
means, and any chain saw supported thereon, to an upright positon in 
preparation for the next cutting operation. 
In another aspect, the invention includes a rigid support structure for 
supporting a chain saw by its blade in a generally vertically upright 
position which is generally perpendicular to one side edge of the top 
surface to cut or rip logs, boards and other elongated work pieces 
parallel to their directions of elongation. 
In yet another aspect of the invention, additional work piece support means 
are included extending from the side of the platform opposite the side at 
which the chain saw is mounted for supporting a work piece portion not 
supported by the platform which supports the chain saw. The additional 
work piece support means include a second platform and an elongated 
support for the second platform extending to that opposite side. The 
second platform is mounted for movement toward and away from the first 
platform so that logs or other work pieces may be easily moved into 
position for additional cutting while being properly supported at 
positions spaced along their lengths. 
The present invention provides numerous advantages over prior known 
structures because it allows the cutting of work pieces both transversely 
and longitudinally by making a simple change in position of the chain saw. 
In addition, the supporting structure for the chain saw is of minimal size 
and yet very durable. The pivotal support structure for cutting work 
pieces transversely is positioned to enable proper leverage on the saw to 
cut through the work pieces. Further, the apparatus is susceptible of use 
by a single person even when lengthy logs or other work pieces are being 
cut because of the provision of the additional support structure at the 
side opposite the saw support. This enables a single person to perform the 
cutting operations and easily and quickly move the work piece into 
position for another cut. 
These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the invention 
will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken 
in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate 
the support table and chain saw support apparatus 10 of the present 
invention including a stationary table or platform 12 and an elongated, 
additional support assembly 30 on which is mounted a movable carriage 
platform 50 for supporting the ends of logs or other elongated work pieces 
not supported by the stationary platform 12. A pivot or rotatable axle 
assembly 70 or 100 is mounted atop the stationary table 12 for securing a 
chain saw only by its blade to the table. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 
7-9, a rigid chain saw support 110 for rip sawing operations is secured to 
the side of the table 12 opposite the elongated support 30 and movable 
carriage 50 as an alternative support for the chain saw. 
Chain saw A is supported at the free end of its blade by pivot assembly 70, 
or alternative pivot assembly 100, for transverse cutting of logs having 
one end supported on table 12 and the other end supported on movable 
carriage platform 50 (FIG. 3). Alternatively, for rip or lengthwise 
cutting of logs or other work pieces, the chain saw A is rigidly mounted 
with the blade parallel to the log or work piece or perpendicular to the 
side of table 12, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, to allow longitudinal cutting as 
the log is pushed through the chain saw blade by moving carriage 50 toward 
table 12. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, stationary table or platform 12 includes a top 
surface 14 and downwardly extending, integral sides 15, 16, 17 and 18 
formed with or welded to top 14 at the edges thereof. Top surface 14 is 
preferably inclined downwardly toward the front of the apparatus and an 
operator position at the lower edge of the top surface. Generally, 
U-shaped restraining rods or rails 19 are welded to side 15 at the lower 
edge of top surface 14 and project upwardly beyond the top surface for 
holding a log, board or other work piece in position adjacent the operator 
position as urged by gravity due to the downward incline of top surface 14 
(see FIG. 3). As viewed from the operator position, the upper right-hand 
corner of top surface 14 includes an elongated slot 20 extending parallel 
to side 16 of the platform and a plurality of bolt holes 21 on either side 
of the slot. Slot 20 and holes 21 provide a mounting area for the 
rotatable or pivot axle assembly 70 secured to top surface 14. 
Table or platform 12 is supported on a pair of generally U-shaped leg 
assemblies 22 each including a pair of downwardly and outwardly diverging 
legs interconnected by horizontal stringers or braces 24 as shown in FIGS. 
1 and 2. Attachment of platform 12 to the legs 22 is made with inwardly 
extending securing tabs 26 on the inside surfaces of sides 16 and 18 (FIG. 
2) through which bolts are passed into the leg assembly. 
As is also seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an elongated, horizontal support assembly 
30 extends outwardly from side 18 which is the side opposite to side 16 on 
which chain saw A is mounted on pivot assembly 70. Along with movable 
carriage 50, assembly 30 provides a support for a portion of a work piece 
spaced from the portion supported by table 12 while being cut with a saw 
also supported by table 12. Support assembly 30 includes a pair of 
identical, parallel support rails 32, 34. Each rail includes a pair of 
rail sections, rail sections 32a and 34a being bolted to side 18 by means 
of tabs 33 and to a rail support 36 by means of tabs 35. Rail sections 32b 
and 34b extend outwardly and coaxial, parallel to, and flush with rail 
sections 32a and 34a, respectively. Rail sections 32b, 34b are bolted to 
rail support 36 at one end by tabs 37 and to a second rail support 36a by 
tabs 39. Each rail section 32b, 34b includes a foot or stop 40 at its 
terminal end to prevent carriage platform 50 from rolling off the end. As 
is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the rail sections 32a, 34a, 32b, 
34b has a cross-sectional shape of an inverted, upwardly extending "V" 
such that the rollers for carriage platform 50 are supported at the apex 
of the "V". 
Rail support units 36, 36a are identical. Like parts are identified by the 
same numbers with the addition of "a" for support 36a. The support units 
include generally U-shaped, horizontal cross braces 42, 42a, each 
including upwardly extending legs at its ends to which the rail tabs 35, 
37 and 39 are bolted (FIGS. 1-3). Extending vertically downwardly and 
rigidly secured to the cross braces are vertical, tubular shafts 44, 44a 
telescoped within larger, hollow, vertical support tubes 46, 46a having 
lower cross feet 47, 47a. Elongated feet 48, 48a are welded or otherwise 
fixedly secured to the ends of cross feet 47, 47a to laterally support the 
units. Vertical shafts 44, 44a may be vertically adjusted within vertical 
tubes 46, 46a and held in position by set screws 49, 49a so that rails 32, 
34 may be adjusted to be substantially horizontal and parallel to top 
surface 14. Top surface 52 of movable carriage 50 will thus be parallel 
and flush with top surface 14 of stationary table 12 even when the 
apparatus 10 is used on uneven ground. 
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, movable carriage 50 includes an inclined planar top 
surface 52 which is parallel to and flush with top surface 14 when rails 
32, 34 are adjusted by means of support assemblies 36, 36a to be in the 
proper horizontal plane. Carriage 50 is similar to stationary table 12 and 
includes downwardly extending, integral sides 53, 54, 55 and 56 extending 
from the side edges of top 52. A work piece restraining rail 57 extends 
upwardly above surface 52 from side 53 while a sawtooth log or other work 
piece gripping member 58 is welded centrally on surface 52 parallel to 
sides 54, 56. Gripping member 58 projects into and grips the logs or other 
work pieces as is shown in FIG. 3 so that movement of carriage 50 along 
rails 32, 34 will cause corresponding lengthwise movement of the work 
piece toward and away from the saw A secured to table 12. 
Movement of carriage platform 50 is accomplished by four rollers secured at 
each of the four corners of the platform 50 on the inside surfaces of 
walls 53, 55. Each of the roller assemblies is identical and includes an 
inwardly extending axle or bolt 60 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 
62 having a V-shaped recess 64 matching the shape and contour of the "V" 
shape of rails 32, 34. Plates 63, 65, running the entire width of the 
movable platform, reinforce sides 53, 55 for support of the axles. At the 
inward end of each of the axles 60 is fixedly mounted a generally L-shaped 
hold-down bracket 66 extending downwardly from the axle with an outwardly 
extending foot or leg 68 protruding under the inner edge of the rail on 
which its roller 62 is mounted. Feet 68 prevent carriage platform 50 from 
being lifted off the rails unexpectedly by an unbalanced load of logs or 
work pieces. In addition, the lateral, diverging sides of the V-shaped 
grooves 64 in each of the rollers 62 serve to guide the lengthwise 
movement of the carriage 50 along rails 32, 34 and prevent the carriage 
from being shifted transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rails, 
i.e., laterally off the rails. The vertical extending portions of L-shaped 
brackets 66 also help to prevent lateral shifting. 
Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a first embodiment 70 of the rotatable or 
pivotable saw support axle assembly is shown. Rotatable axle assembly 70 
includes a channel-like housing 72 which opens to the rear side 17 of 
table 12 and is bolted to the top surface 14 of the table by a pair of 
bolts 75 extending through holes 21 in the top surface. The position of 
the assembly is chosen so that the engine of chain saw A mounted thereon 
will clear the lower edge of surface 14 and side 15 when pivoted 
downwardly. A series of holes 21 are included to accommodate various sizes 
of chain saws. 
Welded or otherwise fixedly secured within housing 72 on the top surface of 
the bottom flange of the housing are a pair of spaced axle support blocks 
or members 74, 75 including aligned, coaxial central bores or passageways 
forming journal bearing surfaces for the rotatable saw support axle 76 
which is fitted therethrough. Axle 76 is retained on the open end of 
housing 72 and the outer side of support block 74 by a washer 77 and 
cotter key 78 extending through the axle. The axle extends beyond the 
outer side of support block 75 and beyond the plane of side 16 of the 
support table 12 to mount the saw blade of a chain saw adjacent and 
parallel to side 16. The end of a chain saw blade is fitted over the end 
of axle 76 beyond side 16 by using a previously provided bore or aperture 
through the blade which is slightly larger than the size of axle 76. A 
second, smaller aperture is provided adjacent the main aperture in the 
blade for receipt of a pin 79 extending from a blade-retaining member 80 
which is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to axle 76 spaced slightly 
from the outer side of support block 75. The blade is secured against 
securing member 80 by means of a flanged bolt 82 or a combination of a 
bolt and washer. Pin 79 extends into the saw blade at a position spaced 
radially from the axis of the axle 76 to prevent rotation of the blade 
with respect to the axle and causes the axle to rotate with blade when the 
chain saw is rotated downwardly as shown in FIG. 1. 
In order to bias the chain saw, when fixed to axle 76, to return to a 
vertical position as shown in FIG. 1, a spring-biasing apparatus is 
provided. In embodiment 70 of the pivot assembly, the biasing force is 
provided by a securing block or a member 84 having a central bore therein 
through which is passed the axle 76. Block 84 is welded or otherwise 
fixedly secured to the axle (see FIG. 5). An L-shaped biasing arm 85 
including a short, horizontal, upper arm 86 and a longer, generally 
vertical, lower arm 87 is rotatably secured to securing member 84 by 
passing its shorter arm 86 through a second bore in member 84 spaced 
radially from the central aperture. Arm 86 freely rotates in the second 
bore and is retained therein by a cotter key as shown in FIG. 4. The 
longer, vertical arm extends downwardly through slot 20 in top table 
surface 14 and an aligned aperture 88 in the housing 72 into a spring unit 
mounted below the top surface 14 so as to be concealed from view when the 
pivot assembly is secured to the top of the table. 
The spring unit includes a rigid, spring guide pin plate or bar from which 
a pair of parallel guide pins or members 92, 94 extend downwardly. A coil 
spring 96 is telescoped over arm 87 prior to attaching a lower, rigid, 
spring-retaining plate 98 having a pair of apertures therethrough 
corresponding in location and slightly larger than guide pins 92, 94 for 
sliding movement thereover. Plate 98 is retained on arm 87 by a nut 99. 
The force of coil spring 96 urges sliding retainer plate 98 downwardly on 
guide pins 92, 94 along with arm 85 thereby rotating securing block or 
member 84 counterclockwise to its unrotated position in FIG. 5. Such 
movement rotates chain saw A upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1. 
When logs or other work pieces are cut with the chain saw, the chain saw A 
is rotated downwardly pulling retaining plate 98 upwardly against the 
force of the coil spring 96 by means of arm 85 and retaining member 84 
(see the rotated position in FIG. 5). When downward pressure on the saw is 
released, the saw automatically returns to its raised position. 
Alternately, for heavier saws, a pair of coil springs 96' and 96" (FIGS. 2 
and 4) may be telescoped over guide pins 92, 94 in place of coil spring 96 
on arm 87 to provide a stronger biasing force to return saw A to its 
raised position. 
A second embodiment 100 of the rotatable axle assembly for pivotally 
mounting a chain saw adjacent side 16 of the table is shown in FIG. 6. 
Embodiment 100 is substantially the same as embodiment 70 except for the 
inclusion of a different type spring unit which does not project below the 
table surface 14. Like numerals indicate like members in embodiments 70 
and 100. Embodiment 100 includes a spring-securing member 102 fixed to 
axle 76 and immediately adjacent the inside surface of axle-securing 
member 75. Member 102 rotates with the axle as the saw blade is rotated. A 
second spring-securing member 104 is fixedly secured to the inside surface 
of the bottom of housing 72 and is, therefore, fixed with respect to table 
surface 14. Axle 76 passes through central bores in both members 102 and 
104. The bore through member 104 forms a journal bearing surface coaxial 
and aligned with the journal bearing surfaces in support members 74, 75. A 
coil spring 106 is telescoped over axle 76. Spring 106 includes end 
portions 108, 110 which are parallel to the axis of the spring and axle 
76, end 108 being inserted in a bore or recess in rotatable 
spring-securing block 102 while end 110 is inserted in a bore or recess in 
fixed spring securing member 104. Accordingly, rotation of the chain saw 
and blade on axle 76 within support members 74, 75 causes member 102 and 
the left-hand end 108 of spring 106 to rotate with respect to the 
right-hand end 110 of the spring and block 104. The biasing force of the 
spring to return to its original position when released returns saw A to 
its raised position shown in FIG. 1. 
Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a rigid saw support assembly 110 for mounting 
chain saw A in a stationary, generally vertical position with the plane of 
its blade generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of logs or 
other work pieces supported on table 12 and carriage 50 for longitudinal 
or rip cutting is shown. Saw support assembly 110 includes a pair of "L" 
brackets 112, 114 bolted to side 16 of the stationary support platform 12. 
The outwardly extending flanges or legs of brackets 112, 114 each include 
apertures therethrough which are aligned along a common axis generally 
parallel to top surface 14. A rod 116 is mounted through the apertures in 
brackets 112, 114 parallel to top surface 14 and spaced outwardly of side 
16. One end of rod assembly 116 includes a threaded rod section 118 which 
is slidably fitted through the aperture in bracket 112. Threaded section 
118 is threaded into or welded to a disc-like saw abutment member 122 
welded or otherwise secured to the end of a rod section 120 which has a 
square or other noncircular cross-sectional shape. Section 120 extends 
through the aperture in bracket 114 along the same axis as rod section 
118. Rod assembly 116 is a continuous rod having two different 
cross-sectional shapes at its two ends. The aperture in bracket 114 has a 
corresponding, square cross-sectional shape which allows the rod to slide 
along its axis but prevents rotation about that axis. 
Saw abutment member 122 includes a projection 124 extending outwardly from 
one side thereof which is adapted to engage the side surface of a chain 
saw blade when rod section 118 is telescoped through an aperture provided 
in the end of that blade as shown in FIG. 9. Projection 124 extends into a 
second, smaller aperture spaced radially from the larger aperture in the 
chain saw blade to prevent rotation of the blade about rod assembly 116 
and with respect to the table 12. The blade of saw A is clamped against 
member 122 by a flanged bolt or bolt and washer 126 as shown in FIGS. 7 
and 8. 
In order to accommodate and cut various sizes and diameters of logs which 
will be supported on platforms 12 and 13, as well as the thicknesses of 
the pieces cut therefrom, rod assembly 116 and saw A when attached and 
supported thereon may be moved parallel to the axis of the rod by 
loosening bolts and clamping washers 128, 130 or either side of the 
apertured flange of bracket 112. Accordingly, although the saw A is held 
in a generally vertical position such that its blade is generally 
perpendicular to side 16 and the plane of top surface 14, the entire saw 
may be moved laterally by moving the rod assembly 116 along its axis and 
securing the same in the desired position by tightening bolts 128, 130. 
Rotation of the saw from its vertical position is prevented by projection 
124 on abutment member 122 and the clamping pressure of bolt 126 as well 
as the noncircular cross-sectional shape of rod section 120 passing 
through bracket 114. Logs or other work pieces may thus be urged parallel 
to their elongated directions against the blade of the chain saw to rip or 
cut the log or other work piece in a lengthwise direction. 
Accordingly, the present support table and saw support apparatus provides a 
simple, reliable and easily used apparatus for cutting logs, boards or 
other work pieces either transverse to their longitudinal axis or parallel 
to that axis. A chain saw may be pivotally supported for cutting movement 
through a log or the like transverse to its axis on the pivotal axle 
assemblies described herein or vertically rigidly mounted for rip sawing 
along the longitudinal axis of the work pieces. The apparatus requires 
little maintenance, and change over between the two positions of the saw 
is simply and quickly accomplished. Movement of logs or other work pieces 
toward the chain saw when supported by the apparatus is greatly 
facilitated by movement of carriage 50 including the gripping structure 58 
thereon along rails 32, 34. 
While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other 
forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will 
be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described 
above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit 
the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow.