Patent ID: 7412769

Claim:
A chain saw comprising a housing, a chain comprised of links which include chain link mating elements and cutters, and an elongated support extending outward from inside said housing, in the outer surface of said elongated support there being present a continuous chain channel guide into which said chain link mating elements are slideably inserted, such that during normal operation said chain link mating elements slide essentially freely through said continuous chain channel guide when forced to do so; said elongated support being comprised of at least two portions which are pivotally interconnected to one another, said at least two portions providing at least one slit therebetween in a longitudinal direction, such that an upper one of the portions and a lower one of the portions above and below said longitudinal slit, respectively, can be laterally separated from one another at least at one location along the longitudinal extent of said slit, said longitudinal slit enabling separation of the upper and lower portions of said elongated support, and thereby causing tensioning and/or braking of said chain; wherein one of said at least two portions has a pin affixed thereto; said chain saw further comprising control means for applying force between said upper and lower portions of the elongated support, said control means comprising a control element having at least one guide therein, said pin being inserted into said guide which is of a shape such that in use rotation of said control element causes said pin, and hence said portion on one side of said longitudinal slit to which said pin is affixed, to move with respect to another of said at least two portions on an opposite side of said longitudinal slit.