Chainsaw mount device

A counterbalanced chainsaw mount is provided that includes a pin joint, a suspended counterweight, and a counterweight support assembly between the pin joint and counterweight. The chainsaw mount assists cutting a work piece with a chainsaw, controlling the cutting motion and counterbalancing the chainsaw to prevent kickback. The pin joint is secured to a work table or alternative support, whereby the support assembly secures at one end to the guide bar of the chain saw. Along an opposite end, the support assembly supports the counterweight. The support assembly comprises an intermediate member extending along the chainsaw guide bar and an upstanding member supporting the counterweight. The counterweight is positioned an offset distance away from the distal end of the chainsaw guide bar such that the intermediate member is biased to rotate about the pin joint and therefore elevate the proximal end of the chainsaw guide bar while attached thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cutting tools and tool supports. More specifically, the present invention relates to an assembly that is adapted to support a chainsaw while in operation, whereby the chain saw is pivotably supported from a workbench. The assembly supports the guide bar of the chainsaw so the chainsaw is confined to a defined cutting path and the chainsaw is biased towards a raised position.

Chainsaws are useful tools for cutting lumber. When using a chainsaw, however, there is inherent danger to the user if the chainsaw is not properly handled. In addition, chainsaws can cause “kickback” while in use, which can pose a significant risk of injury for the user. Kickback occurs when the cutting chain is pinched or when the cutting chain contacts a workpiece only along the tip of the chainsaw guide bar. The chain anchors on the work piece and the motion of the chain acts to accelerate the chain bar away from the work piece and towards the user. The kickback can be dangerous if not controlled, and controlling the chainsaw to prevent this occurrence can cause strain and fatigue over time. In addition to controlling the chainsaw while in use, handling the chainsaw with poor posture can create back pain and other associated ergonomic problems. The present invention is therefore provided to control the action of a chainsaw to improve the ergonomics for a user and to prevent unwanted kickback while in operation.

In particular, the present invention provides a chainsaw support device that is adapted to support the chainsaw while in operation, guide the chainsaw through its cutting motions, and counterbalance the weight of the chainsaw to prevent kickback. The assembly comprises a pin joint having a base that is mounted to a support surface, such as a workbench or the like. The pin joint is secured to the guide bar of a chainsaw and further connects to an intermediate member extending along the chainsaw guide bar. The intermediate member connects to an upstanding member that extends upwards and forward of the chainsaw. The upstanding member supports a counterweight positioned an offset distance away from the chainsaw to bias the chainsaw upwards and to control the motion of the guide bar during cutting operations. This supports the weight of chainsaw to improve ergonomics, and furthermore controls any unwanted kickback. The assembly can be mounted to any workbench or support surface and support any chainsaw with a guide bar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is intended solely for the benefit of the reader and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The present invention provides a new counterbalanced chainsaw mount that can be utilized for supporting a chainsaw during a cutting motion and for preventing kickback.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved chainsaw mount that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount that comprises a pin joint, a base, a counterweight support assembly, and a counterweight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the pin joint has a center of rotation and a rotatable pin that is rotatable relative to the base. The rotatable pin has a shank that is adapted to be positioned through a chainsaw guide bar such that he base of the pin is on a first side of the chainsaw guide bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the rotatable pin further secures to the counterweight support assembly. The counterweight support assembly is adapted to be positioned along a second side of the chainsaw guide bar, opposite of the pin joint mount.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount that comprises an intermediate member and an upstanding member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw count wherein the intermediate member has a length that is adapted to extend along a length of the chainsaw guide bar and towards a proximal end thereof. Moreover, the intermediate member comprises a connection point along its length that is adapted to secure the intermediate member to the chainsaw guide bar between the proximal end of the chainsaw guide bar and the pin joint. Therefore, the intermediate member is secured along the length of the chainsaw guide bar at the pin join and at the connection point.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the upstanding member extends from the intermediate member at a junction. The upstanding member supports a counterweight that is adapted to be positioned an offset distance away from a distal end of the chainsaw guide bar such that the intermediate member along the chainsaw guide bar is biased to rotate about the pin joint and therefore elevate the proximal end of the chainsaw guide bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the junction between the upstanding member and the intermediate member is disposed along the length of the intermediate member such that the junction is adapted to be disposed between the proximal end of the chainsaw guide and the pin joint.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the upstanding member further comprises a first member and a second member. The first member extends from the junction of the upstanding member and the intermediate member, while the second member extends at an angle relative to the first member. The first member supports the counterweight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the first member and second member further comprise square tube members.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the upstanding member is adapted to extend from the intermediate member in a plane substantially parallel with the chainsaw guide bar when coupled to the chainsaw guide bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the connection point further comprises a fastened connection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a counterbalanced chainsaw mount wherein the upstanding member further comprises a clevis shackle. The clevis shackle in turn supports the counterweight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings, Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the counterbalanced chainsaw mount of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for supporting a chainsaw guide bar when cutting a work piece, and preventing kickback while the chainsaw is in use. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

The counterbalanced chainsaw mount of the present invention is a tool used to assist cutting a work piece with a chainsaw. The device serves several functions, most notably supporting the chainsaw during a cutting motion and preventing kickback of the chainsaw while in use. The device therefore serves as a guide for a chainsaw and a safety device that prevents injury resulting from unexpected kickback. Referring toFIGS. 1-5, there are shown various views of the chainsaw mount, wherein the device is supporting a chainsaw100and is shown in different positions during the cutting motion.

In particular, the present invention comprises a pin joint15, a counter weight support assembly20, and a counter weight30. The pin joint15comprises a base18that is supported on a work surface300. The work surface300may be a work bench, a table, or any other suitable surface or structure upon which the pin joint15can be supported. In addition, the work surface300may be large enough to support a work piece200being cut by the chainsaw100. The pin joint15has a center of rotation45and a rotatable pin16that is supported by the base18and is rotatable relative thereto. In a preferred configuration, the pin joint15and base18form a clevis, through which the rotatable pin16is supported. The base18is secured to the work surface300by way of one or more fasteners19, via a welded connection17, or an alternative attachment method. It is not desired to limit the mount to an exact fastener or connection. Rather, the base18of the chainsaw mount may be permanently or removably attached to the work surface300using appropriate attachment hardware or methods.

The shank of the rotatable pin extends from the pin joint15and from the base18in order to secure through a chainsaw guide bar105. The chainsaw guide bar105is a structure that guides the chainsaw blades, whereby the guide bar105has a distal end106and a proximal end107, The chainsaw motor and user controls101are located along a housing at the proximal end107, The shank16of the rotatable pin15is adapted to be positioned through an aperture in the chainsaw guide105bar such that the base18of the pin joint15is on a first side of the chainsaw guide bar105and the shank extends through to a second side thereof.

Connecting to the shank16along the second side of the chain saw guide bar107is a counterweight support assembly20. The counterweight support assembly20is a structure that supports a counter weight30an offset distance50away from the distal end106of the chainsaw guide bar105. This biases the chainsaw guide bar105and chainsaw housing100into an elevated position (seeFIG. 1). When a work piece200is to be cut, the user presses down on the handle101of the chainsaw to lower the chainsaw blade into the work piece200. The counterweight30acts against the lowering motion66, biasing the chainsaw upwards61and as the counterweight30is pulled downward60via gravity, When lowering66the chainsaw100, the counterweight is lifted64and the chainsaw guide bar105rotates65about the pin joint central axis45. The pin joint15and counterweight30thus constrain the motion of the chainsaw to a single, planar sweep path, while the counterweight30acts against any abrupt kickback that may result during the cutting operation.

The counterweight support assembly20is preferably comprised of an intermediate member40and an upright member. As shown inFIG. 5, the shank of the rotatable pin15secures to the intermediate member40, whereby the intermediate member40extends along the second side of the chainsaw guide bar105and along the guide bar length. More specifically, the intermediate member40has a length that is adapted to be positioned along a length of the chainsaw guide bar105and extend towards a proximal end107thereof from the pin joint location15. Therefore, the intermediate member40and chainsaw guide bar are substantially aligned and the intermediate member40extends along a portion of the chainsaw guide bar's length in an inboard direction relative to the pin joint15.

The intermediate member40further connects to the guide bar105along its length at a connection point25. The intermediate member40freely rotates about the pin joint15and secures to the chainsaw guide bar105at the connection point25. The connection point15at a location along the guide bar105that is inboard of the pin joint (i.e. closer to the proximal end107than the pin joint15). More specifically, the connection point25is disposed between the proximal end107of the chainsaw guide bar and the pin joint15. In this manner, when the counterweight30acts on the support assembly20, the connection point25is offset from the pin joint15and the counterweight30thus causes an upward rotation of the chainsaw about the pin joint15. Therefore, the chainsaw guide bar has a first aperture to receive the shank16of the pin joint15, and a second aperture inboard of the first aperture that is adapted to form the connection point25. The connection point is preferably a fastened connection between the intermediate member40and the chainsaw guide bar105. The fastener secures through the intermediate member40and the chainsaw guide bar105and removably secures the two together.

In one embodiment, the upright member of the counterweight support assembly20comprises a first length21and a second length22. The first and second lengths21,22form an angled upright member with an angle23therebetween. The first length21of the upstanding member supports the counterweight30at a position that is adapted to be an offset distance50away from a distal end106of the chainsaw guide bar105. In this manner, the counterweight is suspended away from the guide bar and biases the intermediate member40. This cause the intermediate member40and the chainsaw guide bar105to rotate together about the pin joint15, and therefore elevate the chainsaw. The upstanding member and the intermediate member40connect at a junction along the intermediate member40. The junction is preferably along the length of the intermediate member40such that the junction is adapted to be disposed between the proximal end107of the chainsaw guide bar105and the pin joint15. Thus, the counterweight30draws the intermediate member40upwards at the junction, which is offset from the pin joint15.

Several embodiments of the present invention are contemplated, including materials and design. The counterweight30is offset50from the distal end106of the guide bar105, while the upright member of counterweight support assembly20is offset14from the pin joint15along the intermediate member40. As shown inFIG. 3, the offset14between the connection point central axis46and the pin joint central axis45provides a moment arm about the pin joint15, about which the counterweight30bias the chainsaw guide bar105upwards. This assists controlling the chainsaw, and prevents kickback.

Embodiments of the device may vary. Contemplated embodiments include an intermediate member and upright member comprised of square tube material. Additionally, the counterweight support assembly20, and specifically the upstanding member20, may extend from the intermediate member40only in substantially the same plane as the chainsaw guide bar105when coupled thereto. Alternatively, the counterweight support assembly20and/or upstanding member20may extend in parallel to the plane of the chainsaw guide bar105. The counterweight30is suspended outboard and an offset distance50from the chainsaw guide bar105and the pin joint15in order to bias the chainsaw upwards61when not engaged in a cutting operation. To assist this, the counterweight30may also be supported by a clevis shackle32and hoop31, thereby allowing the counterweight30to remain substantially vertical through its sweep path. However, additional embodiments are contemplated wherein the counterweight is directly affixed to the counterweight support assembly.