Abstract:
An assembly comprising a frame comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being configured to removably couple a motor assembly portion of a handsaw, and the bottom portion being configured to fixedly couple a structure. A method of affixing a handsaw to a structure that includes removably coupling a motor assembly portion of the handsaw to a structure using an assembly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 60/902,281 filed Feb. 20, 2007, entitled “Handsaw Mounting Assemblies and Mounting Methods”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   Handsaws come in many different forms. Examples of handsaws include the cut-off saw and the chainsaw. Typically, the handsaw has a motor portion attached to a blade portion. In the instance of the chainsaw the motor portion can include a rear handle and a front handle with the motor portion being coupled to a bar having a chain rotating around the bar and back through to the motor portion. 
   Handsaws have been transported in carrying cases and/or mounted onto scabbards for example. However, the carrying cases can be cumbersome, taking up valuable cargo space and deteriorating rapidly over time. Likewise, the use of scabbards can result in the bending of the bar of the chainsaw for example. 
   SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   Assemblies are provided that can include a frame comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being configured to removably couple a motor assembly portion of a handsaw, and the bottom portion being configured to fixedly couple a structure. 
   Methods are provided that can include affixing a handsaw to a structure that includes removably coupling a motor assembly portion of the handsaw to a structure using an assembly. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an assembly according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is another side view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is an assembly aligned with a handsaw and assembly coupling devices according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  is the assembly of  FIG. 5  coupled to a handsaw and coupling devices according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is an example of an embodiment of an assembly of the present disclosure coupled to a rear portion of an all terrain vehicle. 
       FIG. 8  is an example of an embodiment of an assembly of the present disclosure coupled to a front portion of an all terrain vehicle. 
       FIG. 9  is an alternative embodiment of the assembly of  FIG. 8  coupled to the front portion of the all terrain vehicle. 
       FIG. 10  is another view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is an example of an embodiment of an assembly of the present disclosure coupled to a snowmobile. 
       FIG. 12  is an example of an embodiment of an assembly of the present disclosure coupled to an off-road vehicle. 
       FIG. 13  is an example an assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
   

   DESCRIPTION 
   This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
   The present disclosure provides handsaw mounting assemblies and methods of mounting handsaws. Embodiments of these assemblies and methods are described with reference to  FIGS. 1-13 . Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a mounting assembly  10  is shown that includes a frame  12  having a distal portion  14  and a proximal portion  16 . Extending from distal portion  14  can be distal member  18  and extending from proximal portion  16  can be proximal member  20 . Mounting assembly  10  including frame  12  as well as members  18  and  20  can be manufactured from a variety of materials. Suggested materials include aluminum, iron, and/or steel. 
   In accordance with example embodiments, distal portion  14  can have more surface area than proximal portion  16 . As an example, distal portion  14  of mounting assembly  10  may extend to proximal portion  16  that has less width than distal portion  14 . As another example, the difference in widths of these portions can be reversed; proximal portion  14  may be wider than distal portion  16 . 
   While  FIG. 1  exemplifies a mounting assembly  10  that is in one piece, it is contemplated that mounting assembly  10  can be comprised by multiple pieces. For example, distal portion  14  may be separate from proximal portion  16  with each portion configured to be separately mounted to a substrate and the respective members aligned to receive with one another to couple with a handsaw. According to another embodiment, proximal members  20  and  18  may be configured to moveably attach to frame  12 . For example, to adjust for handsaws of different makes or models, distal member  18  may be configured to moveably attach to frame  12  in a sliding-locking fashion that allows distal member  18  to be adjusted along the surface area of mounting assembly  10 . For example, distal member  18  may be moved more distal from proximal portion  16  and/or more lateral along frame  12 . Likewise, proximal member  20  may be configured to moveably attach to frame  12  either along the lateral edge of frame  12  or along the upper portion of frame  12 , for example. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , assembly  10  is shown from an upper view. According to an embodiment, distal portion  14  can have a larger surface area than proximal portion  16 . Distal portion  14  can include at least two sets of openings for attaching coupling devices while proximal portion  16  can include one set of openings. It is contemplated that either one or both of portions  14  and  16  can be configured to couple with another structure. The openings shown in  FIG. 2 , are by way of example only and the disclosure should not be limited to assemblies having only these openings. Assembly  10  can be coupled to numerous structures using numerous coupling devices and/or mechanisms known or to be disclosed in the art. Implementations of the coupling of assembly  10  can be dictated by the structure the assembly is to be coupled. Example structures are shown in  FIGS. 7-12  for example. As can be seen from the upper view of  FIG. 2 , side views depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are detailed. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of mounting assembly  10  as indicated from  FIG. 2  is shown. According to an example embodiment distal member  18  includes an abutting member  32  as well as a flange member  34 . Distal member  18  can be configured to couple to a distal portion of a handsaw. For example, typical handsaws include a front handle and a rear handle. According to an embodiment distal member  18  may be configured to couple to the front handle of a handsaw. The front handle of the handsaw can reside both above the motor and/or below the motor as well. According to an embodiment abutting member  32  can have a height sufficient to extend above the height of the lower portion of the front handle of the handsaw. Distal member  18  can also include flange member  34 , and member  34  can extend a sufficient distance from member  34  to cover at least a top portion of the lower portion of the front handle of the handsaw, for example. According to exemplary embodiments, the lower portion of the handle of the handsaw can be slid below flange member  34  and abutting member  32  when being placed within mounting assembly  10 . 
   According to another embodiment and specific to chainsaws, distal member  18  can be configured to receive the dogs of a chainsaw. Dogs typically appear as metal teeth below the chainsaw bar in a chainsaw configuration. According to exemplary embodiments distal member  18  can be configured to receive one or more of these dogs when a chainsaw is slid to abutting member  32 . In an exemplary embodiment not shown, abutting member  32  may include orifices or one or more openings to receive the dogs of a chainsaw. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , proximal member  20  can include an abutting member  36  and a flange member  38 . Abutting member  36  of proximal member  20  can have a height sufficient to extend beyond the height of the lower portion of the rear handle of a handsaw. According to an example embodiment a handsaw may be first abutted against abutting member  32  and then provided to abutting member  36 . Proximal member  20  can also include a flange member  38 . Flange member  38  can extend from abutting member  36  to provide a receiving portion below flange member  38  to receive the rear handle of a handsaw. In accordance with an exemplary implementation, flange member  38  can include a guide member  48 . Guide member  48  can be configured to receive key  56 , referred to in  FIG. 5 , below. 
   According to an example embodiment, mounting assembly  10  may also include a locking mechanism  40 . Locking mechanism  40  can be coupled to frame  12  of mounting assembly  10  and more particularly to proximal portion  16  of mounting assembly or of frame  12 . Locking mechanism  40  can include at least two members, first member  42  being coupled to frame  12  via a hinge  44 , and a flange portion  46  extending from member  42 , for example. According to an embodiment, upon receipt of the rear handle below flange member  38 , locking mechanism  40 , particularly flange member  46 , can be positioned to abut the opposing portion of the rear handle of a handsaw and secure at least a portion of the rear handle below flange  38 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , an example handsaw, shown as a chainsaw, is demonstrated above mounting assembly  10 . In accordance with an embodiment, saw  51  includes a front handle lower portion  52  and a rear handle lower portion  54 . As exemplified above, portion  52  can be placed to couple with distal member  18 . Rear portion  54  can be placed to couple with proximal member  20 . Upon placement of saw  51  within mounting assembly  10  key  56  can be used to fix locking assembly  40  in place, for example. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , saw  51  is shown coupled and/or bracketed to mounting assembly  10 . Additionally, mounting assembly  10  is shown coupled to support member  62 . Support member  62  can be any portion of a motor vehicle, an ATV, a snowmobile, and/or storage facility or storage area, for example. Referring to  FIG. 6 , assembly  10  can be coupled to support  62  utilizing U-bolts  64 . Assembly  10  can be coupled to support  62  in many different ways other than U-bolt  64 , for example: assembly  10  can be directly welded to support  62 ; support  62  can include members that can directly bolt to or attach to assembly  10 ; and/or assembly  10  can include members that can directly bolt to or attach to support  62 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , support  62  can be part of a rack that is utilized by an ATV. Accordingly, attachment of assembly  10  to support  62  can be configured to couple to the rack of an ATV. In accordance with the embodiments shown in  FIG. 7 , the proximal portion of assembly  10  can be proximal the driver and the distal portion can be proximal the rear of the ATV. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , assembly  10  can be mounted to a front rack system of an ATV with again the proximal portion assembly  10  proximal the driver of the ATV and the distal portion away from the driver of the ATV. As such, saw  51  can have the blade portion extending away from or in front of the ATV. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure and with reference to  FIG. 9 , mounting assembly  10  can be mounted across support structure  62  to allow for the positioning of the motor to one side of the ATV and the blade portion of saw  51  to another side of the ATV. Referring to  FIG. 10 , a front view of the configuration of  FIG. 9  is shown. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , assembly  10  can be mounted to a snowmobile. Accordingly the proximal portion of assembly  10  can be proximal the rider of the snowmobile and the distal portion can be away. According to an exemplary embodiment, the mounting of assembly  10  is along the side of the snowmobile. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12  and according to yet another embodiment, assembly  10  can be mounted to a jeep. According to one embodiment assembly  10  can be mounted at the roll bar. Actually the roll bar of a jeep can act as support structure  62  and assembly  10  can be mounted thereto. 
   Referring to  FIG. 13 , frame  12  of assembly  10  can be configured as a solid piece of metal having members  20  and  18  extending therefrom. 
   In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.