Patents by Inventor Michael D. Harfst

Michael D. Harfst has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11926070
    Abstract: Embodiments include a bar for a chain saw that is equipped with one or more oil channels that run along the length of the bar. Each oil channel receives oil at a first end, which exits the oil channel at an oil exit aperture at a second end of the channel. The oil exit aperture of one of the channels is positioned along the side of a bar groove, through which runs the saw chain, proximate to the cutting area of the bar to lubricate the saw chain just prior to the cutting area. A second channel may have an oil exit aperture proximate to the nose of the bar, to lubricate a sprocket wheel in the nose of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Oregon Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Burmester, Michael D. Harfst, Sam Hutsell, Genesis McDermott, Patrick Sellars, James Matthew Cunnington, Jonah Smith Sedaghaty
  • Publication number: 20220219350
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with a saw chain link having one or more oversized rivet holes. A rivet may be disposed in the oversized rivet hole and provide a clearance between the rivet and the edge of the oversized rivet hole that is about 0.010 inches or more. The clearance may permit the saw chain to move between two or more stable positions. The saw chain link may be a drive link, such as a cutter drive link or a bumper drive link. In some embodiments, the saw chain link may be a bi-directional saw chain link. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Michael D. HARFST, Christopher D. SEIGNEUR
  • Publication number: 20220143860
    Abstract: Embodiments include a bar for a chain saw that is equipped with one or more oil channels that run along the length of the bar. Each oil channel receives oil at a first end, which exits the oil channel at an oil exit aperture at a second end of the channel. The oil exit aperture of one of the channels is positioned along the side of a bar groove, through which runs the saw chain, proximate to the cutting area of the bar to lubricate the saw chain just prior to the cutting area. A second channel may have an oil exit aperture proximate to the nose of the bar, to lubricate a sprocket wheel in the nose of the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Eric M. Burmester, Michael D. Harfst, Sam Hutsell, Genesis McDermott, Patrick Sellars, James Matthew Cunnington, Jonah Smith Sedaghaty
  • Patent number: 11273573
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with a saw chain link having one or more oversized rivet holes. A rivet may be disposed in the oversized rivet hole and provide a clearance between the rivet and the edge of the oversized rivet hole that is about 0.010 inches or more. The clearance may permit the saw chain to move between two or more stable positions. The saw chain link may be a drive link, such as a cutter drive link or a bumper drive link. In some embodiments, the saw chain link may be a bi-directional saw chain link. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Oregon Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
  • Patent number: 11247363
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe presets for saw chains comprised of one or more rivets that are coupled to a tiestrap. Each rivet may further comprise a central flange and a hub protruding from opposed sides from the flange. In some embodiments, the hub may be non-concentric from the flange, and the flange may be non-circular, such as ovoid or cam-shaped. In some embodiments, various portions of the flange, rivet, and tiestrap may be selectively hardened to various degrees of hardness, depending upon their location and usage. In some embodiments, the rivets may be prevented from rotating with respect to the tiestrap using a brazing process, and may be configured to facilitate such processes. Other embodiments may employ a non-circular hub. Still other embodiments may use a low-temperature process for soldering that does not affect the hardness of the tiestrap or rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Oregon Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Seigneur, Michael D. Harfst, Evan Pickett, James Matthew Cunnington
  • Patent number: 11090741
    Abstract: A high efficiency saw chain for a saw including a cutting link and a drive link, the cutting link and a drive link selected to provide a high efficiency saw chain for a specified power range, based on ratios of components of the chain, such as the ratio of the height of the cutter to the pitch of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Oregon Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto de Jesus Torres Delgado, James Matthew Cunnington, Sam Hutsell, Michael D. Harfst
  • Publication number: 20200180053
    Abstract: A high efficiency saw chain for a saw including a cutting link and a drive link, the cutting link and a drive link selected to provide a high efficiency saw chain for a specified power range, based on ratios of components of the chain, such as the ratio of the height of the cutter to the pitch of the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Roberto de Jesus Torres Delgado, James Matthew Cunnington, Sam Hutsell, Michael D. Harfst
  • Patent number: 10406715
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a tie rivet with a body that is configured to ride on a rail of a guide bar, and an integrated rivet extending from an inner surface of the body. The integrated rivet may include a draft angle that varies over a circumference of the integrated rivet. Additionally, or alternatively, the tie rivet may include an undercut portion around at least a portion of the integrated rivet. The undercut portion may be recessed from the inner surface of the body. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
  • Publication number: 20190224880
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe presets for saw chains comprised of one or more rivets that are coupled to a tiestrap. Each rivet may further comprise a central flange and a hub protruding from opposed sides from the flange. In some embodiments, the hub may be non-concentric from the flange, and the flange may be non-circular, such as ovoid or cam-shaped. In some embodiments, various portions of the flange, rivet, and tiestrap may be selectively hardened to various degrees of hardness, depending upon their location and usage. In some embodiments, the rivets may be prevented from rotating with respect to the tiestrap using a brazing process, and may be configured to facilitate such processes. Other embodiments may employ a non-circular hub. Still other embodiments may use a low-temperature process for soldering that does not affect the hardness of the tiestrap or rivet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher D. Seigneur, Michael D. Harfst, Evan Pickett, James Matthew Cunnington
  • Patent number: 10195759
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a tie strap with a hardened integrated rivet for a saw chain. The tie strap has a body with an integrated rivet extending therefrom and having a shoulder extending from the body and configured to engage a rivet hole of a connector link and a hub extending from the shoulder and configured to engage a rivet hole of an opposing tie strap. The shoulder has a high wear region and a low wear region disposed opposite from the high wear region, wherein the low wear region has a first hardness that is less than a second hardness of the high wear region. Generally, the high wear region extends circumferentially around the shoulder and is between about 90 degrees counter clockwise to about 90 degrees clockwise measured from a center point on the shoulder facing inward toward a center part of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Seigneur, Michael D. Harfst
  • Publication number: 20180326610
    Abstract: A high efficiency saw chain for a saw including a cutting link and a drive link, the cutting link and a drive link selected to provide a high efficiency saw chain for a specified power range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Roberto de Jesus Torres Delgado, James Matthew Cunnington, Sam Hutsell, Michael D. Harfst
  • Patent number: 9757808
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide formed wire tie strap for a saw chain. Embodiments also provide a saw chain including one or more formed wire tie straps. The formed wire tie strap may include a body with one or more integrated rivets extending from the body. In some embodiments, the body may be substantially flat. The rivet may include a rivet head configured to engage a rivet hole of an opposing tie strap and a shoulder configured to engage a rivet hole of a connecting link, such as a drive link. Some embodiments of the formed wire tie strap may include a pair of integrated rivets extending from the body. Some embodiments may include a rivet hole disposed in the body of the formed wire tie strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
  • Publication number: 20170197327
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with a saw chain link having one or more oversized rivet holes. A rivet may be disposed in the oversized rivet hole and provide a clearance between the rivet and the edge of the oversized rivet hole that is about 0.010 inches or more. The clearance may permit the saw chain to move between two or more stable positions. The saw chain link may be a drive link, such as a cutter drive link or a bumper drive link. In some embodiments, the saw chain link may be a bi-directional saw chain link. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
  • Publication number: 20160221209
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a tie rivet with a body that is configured to ride on a rail of a guide bar, and an integrated rivet extending from an inner surface of the body. The integrated rivet may include a draft angle that varies over a circumference of the integrated rivet. Additionally, or alternatively, the tie rivet may include an undercut portion around at least a portion of the integrated rivet. The undercut portion may be recessed from the inner surface of the body. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
  • Publication number: 20160193749
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a tie strap with a hardened integrated rivet for a saw chain. The tie strap has a body with an integrated rivet extending therefrom and having a shoulder extending from the body and configured to engage a rivet hole of a connector link and a hub extending from the shoulder and configured to engage a rivet hole of an opposing tie strap. The shoulder has a high wear region and a low wear region disposed opposite from the high wear region, wherein the low wear region has a first hardness that is less than a second hardness of the high wear region. Generally, the high wear region extends circumferentially around the shoulder and is between about 90 degrees counter clockwise to about 90 degrees clockwise measured from a center point on the shoulder facing inward toward a center part of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher D. Seigneur, Michael D. Harfst
  • Patent number: 9038519
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a modified pitch sprocket to provide an orientation of a saw chain link, such as a cutter link or drive link, with respect to the direction of travel of the link, as it traverses the sprocket that is different than the orientation of the link as it traverses a straight portion of the guide bar. In some embodiments, the modified pitch sprocket may orient the cutter link to provide radial extension for a depth gauge of the cutter link relative to a cutting element of the cutter link. This may facilitate shaping of the depth gauge and/or cutting element, such as by a sharpening element, as the cutter link traverses the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Goettel, Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
  • Publication number: 20140260875
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide formed wire tie strap for a saw chain. Embodiments also provide a saw chain including one or more formed wire tie straps. The formed wire tie strap may include a body with one or more integrated rivets extending from the body. In some embodiments, the body may be substantially flat. The rivet may include a rivet head configured to engage a rivet hole of an opposing tie strap and a shoulder configured to engage a rivet hole of a connecting link, such as a drive link. Some embodiments of the formed wire tie strap may include a pair of integrated rivets extending from the body. Some embodiments may include a rivet hole disposed in the body of the formed wire tie strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BLOUNT, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Harfst, Christopher D. Seigneur
  • Patent number: D839720
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: James Matthew Cunnington, Michael D. Harfst, Sam Hutsell, Roberto de Jesus Torres Delgado
  • Patent number: D842910
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Hutsell, James Matthew Cunnington, Michael D. Harfst, Roberto de Jesus Torres Delgado
  • Patent number: D843802
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Blount, Inc
    Inventors: Roberto de Jesus Torres Delgado, James Matthew Cunnington, Michael D. Harfst, Sam Hutsell