Patent ID: 7640669

Claim:
A chain saw comprising: a motor in a motor housing; a chain saw chain comprised of cutters and links including chain saw link mating elements; and an elongated support having a continuous chain channel guide through which said chain saw chain slidably moves in use; said motor and chain saw chain being functionally interconnected via a clutch means for transferring motion, said clutch means comprising: a clutch housing; within said clutch housing there being a clutch plate which comprises at least one channel which projects radially from a central location thereof, to which central location is attached a rod which is functionally attached to said motor, said rod being projected perpendicularly to a plane formed by said clutch plate, each of said at least one channel having functionally slidably present therewithin a wedge element which is substantially centrally located when said clutch plate is at rest, and which slidably moves radially outward in its channel when said clutch plate is caused to rotate about said rod; said clutch plate further comprising gear means which mesh with said chain saw chain, said gear means being functionally contacted by the at least one wedge element in a manner that results in said gear means moving in a first axial direction when said at least one wedge element slides radially in its channel; and means for moving said gear means in a second axial direction into contact with brake material when said at least one wedge element is located substantially centrally in its channel in said clutch plate, said contact between said gear means and brake material serving to effect a frictional braking of said gear means.