Jeff S Franke

US Patent:

6877233, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Jan 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/753619

Inventors:

Jeff S. Franke - Texarkana TX, US

Assignee:

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B27B017/02

US Classification:

30386, 30383

Abstract:

A tensioning mechanism for adjusting tension of a cutting chain in a chain saw. A rotatable knob operates with an engine chassis, clutch cover, and guide bar, whereby the knob may be rotated between a tightened position and loosened position, by which the guide bar is loosened and may be adjusted. The knob is provided with a knob handle, pivotally connected to the knob and pivotable between locked and unlocked positions. When the knob handle is in the locked position, at least one, but not all, of a plurality of handle engagement points engage with corresponding fixed engagement points that are fixed relative to the clutch cover. When the knob handle is in the unlocked position, the handle engagement points are disengaged from the fixed engagement points. Further, the engagement points are visible when the knob handle is in both locked and unlocked positions.

US Patent:

20030024129, Feb 6, 2003

Filed:

Aug 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/921075

Inventors:

Jeff Franke - Texarkana TX, US
Paul Warfel - Texarkana TX, US
Rodney Tynes - Shreveport LA, US

International Classification:

B27B017/14

US Classification:

030/386000, 030/383000

Abstract:

An arrangement that provides a semi-automatic tension adjustment of an endless cutting chain on a guide bar of a chain saw as the links of the chain wear with use. A specially designed cam biases a tensioner pin to continuously force the guide bar away from the drive sprocket on the engine chassis to tension the chain. A knob on a clutch cover assembly attached to the engine chassis can be tightened to force two high friction surfaces together to lock the guide bar in a tensioned position, or loosed to release the guide bar to seek a proper tensioned position. An override lever on the face of the clutch cover assembly moves in a channel with peripheral nomenclature that indicates when the cutting chain should be replaced. The entire arrangement is self-contained and does not require any tools to function.