Abstract: A chain saw bar tensioning apparatus is disclosed comprising a sliding member having a recess formed therein. The sliding member is adjacent to a first tensioning member that biases the sliding member in a direction such that when the apparatus is incorporated into a chain saw bar and mounted to a chain saw having a mounting stud, the sliding member is biased towards the mounting stud. The apparatus further comprises a latch adjacent to a second tensioning member. The recess of the sliding member is configured to receive the latch and the second tensioning member biases the latch towards the sliding member such that, when the sliding member is forced in a direction away from the mounting stud, the latch will eventually enter the recess and prevent the sliding member from moving towards the mounting stud.

Abstract: An anti-kickback saw chain including a cutter link having a cutter portion which includes a shoulder located rearwardly of a cutting edge at the forward end of the cutter portion.

Abstract: A filing guide for saw chain which includes a plate having a flat expanse joining with a curved expanse at the forward end of the guide which forms a cylinder. The guide is useable, with one side facing upwardly and the cylinder seated in a pocket defined in a saw chain, to guide a file during filing of a depth gauge and a safety projection in the saw chain. With the guide turned over from this position, and the cylinder again seated in the pocket, the guide is useable to guide a file during filing of a cutting edge in the saw chain.

Abstract: An anti-kickback saw chain including a series of left and right cutter links disposed alternatively on opposite sides of the chain. A novel safety link disposed in front of each cutter link functions to prevent a cutter portion in the cutter link, when rounding the nose of a saw bar, from cutting deeply into the wood. The safety link includes a leading projection adjacent the forward end of the link and a trailing projection adjacent the rear end of the link, the leading and trailing projections being separated by a gullet intermediate the projections.

Abstract: A method of cold-forming a substantially right-angle final bend in a chisel-type saw-chain cutter link. The method involves the progressive, staged shifting of a bend, and of the inside and outside corners therein, in a cutter blank from a starting, greater-than-right-angle bend line toward an adjacent, substantially parallel, final substantially right-angle bend line. Subsequent to the making of an initial bend in a blank, the making of later shifted bends is accompanied by the flowing of material in the blank toward the region of the later-produced bends.

Abstract: Apparatus for sharpening cutters distributed along a saw chain, the apparatus including a support track along which a reach of saw chain may be moved and multiple sharpeners spaced along the path for sharpening cutters carried thereto. Multiple cutter engaging elements are operable to engage selected, spaced cutters on the reach of chain and shift them into approximate sharpening positions adjacent the sharpeners, at which point cutter holding clamps operate to precisely position the cutters relative to the sharpeners. The cutter engaging elements, holding clamps, and sharpeners are so spaced in the apparatus that slack is maintained in the portions of the chain between the selected cutters throughout movement in the apparatus and sharpening.

Abstract: A positioning clamp for holding a workpiece properly oriented with respect to a work station adjacent the clamp. The clamp disclosed releasably holds saw chain during an operation such as grinding of a cutter in the chain. The clamp is releasable to permit the saw chain to be advanced in steps along a channel defined between jaw margins in the clamp. These jaw margins include portions which face each other, and that come against opposite sides of the saw chain when clamping it, which are shaped to complement the shape of the rivet ends usually provided in saw chain to hold it together. One jaw member is mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from the other to effect clamping and release positioning through a ball pivot. The jaw members are biased toward each other to exert a clamping pressure, and selectively operable means is provided for swinging the jaw members away from each other to produce release.