Improved chain saws, components for chain saws, methods of making chain saws and components, and methods of using chain saws and components are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chain saw comprises a saw bar and a plurality of links, wherein a first link has a hook that engages a recess of a second link, thereby coupling the first link and the second link and allowing them to articulate without decoupling. The saw bar may have a rail, and the links may have grooves such that the links straddle and ride over the rail. The rail may have a projection and the grooves of the links may have notches accommodating the projection such that the projection prevents dislocation of the links. The links may have conical or pyramidal cutting teeth. The chain may be bidirectional. Robotic and automated operation of saws and other instruments are also disclosed.

Devices (e.g., chain saws, other tools, etc.) are disclosed with a plurality of links arranged in a chain. A first link comprises a hook that engages a recess of a second link, thereby coupling the links and allowing them to pivot with respect to each other. The links may comprise fins adapted to be positioned in corresponding pockets to inhibit lateral dislocation. A gate may be provided to enable the links to be coupled laterally. One or more closures such as deformable ribs may be provided for closing the gate, and/or a snap-fit such as with a retention ledge may be provided for retention of the fin in the pocket. The links may also have a protruding tab adapted to be positioned in an indented socket of an adjacent link. The links may be tapered. A chain may have one or more spacer links.

An invention is disclosed comprising a cutting chain of links that pivot without longitudinal disarticulation, yet are connected without reliance on separate connections. Lateral dislocation of the links of the cutting chain is prevented by placement of the cutting chain in a channel, which guides the cutting chain along its operational path and provides resistance against normal load. The channel may be retractable and/or comprised of lubricious, heat absorbing materials. The blade may be flexible in order to cut a variable kerf. The invention further comprises a power train and drive train, designed to optimize the cutting chain for one of many applications.

Embodiments of chain saw cutter links, and related apparatuses and methods. For example, in some embodiments, a cutter link may include a top plate, a sharpened surface having an upper end and a lower end, and a depth gauge having a top surface. The sharpened surface may define a reference line tangent to the sharpened surface at the upper end such that the reference line extends between the top plate and the sharpened surface, a sharpened width may be defined by a minimum distance between the reference line and the lower end of the sharpened surface, an opening width may be defined by a minimum distance between the reference line and the top surface of the depth gauge, and the sharpened width may be greater than the opening width.

A cutting device includes a generally planar guide bar having a peripheral groove. An endless saw chain is disposed around the guide bar and includes links and connector elements joining the links to each other to form an endless chain loop. The links include drive links and consecutive tooth links connected to a same one of the drive links. Each tooth link includes a cutting tooth protruding from one side of the saw chain. Consecutive cutting teeth of the tooth links are arranged to alternate to right and left sides relative to a plane defined by the guide bar. The saw chain is operably circulated around the guide bar groove for cutting.

A chainsaw cutting link (21) comprises: a base portion (29) provided with two rivets holes (20a, 20b) for pivotal inter-connection with adjacent links (13), and a cutting tooth (35) extending away from the base portion (29), wherein the cutting tooth (35) comprises a top plate (41) and a side plate (43) defining an angle to form an L-shaped cutting edge (45, 47, 49) facing in a cutting direction (B). The top plate (41) comprises a top plate cutting edge (45) which is sharper than at least a portion (53) of the side plate cutting edge (47).

There is disclosed method for manufacturing a cutting device comprising the steps of a) providing a base comprising a cutting edge, wherein the base is made of a base material comprising a first element, b) applying a first coating layer comprising a second element on the top surface of the base by a method selected from PVD and electroplating, c) heat treating the base, wherein the step c) is performed at a temperature and for a time period sufficient for the second element to diffuse partly into the base and for the first element to diffuse at least partly into the first coating layer, whereby a gradient of a compound is formed by a reaction of the first element and the second element. Advantages include that wear resistance properties and stay sharp properties are improved, which are particularly suitable for surfaces of cutting devices. Furthermore, the method is environmentally friendly.

The present invention relates to a novel cutting apparatus capable of effectively cutting a material via movement in at least two different directions. In certain embodiments, the cutting apparatus comprises cutting elements with at least two cutting surfaces. Such cutting elements are capable of effectively penetrating a material when moved with an applied force in the direction that at least one cutting surface is oriented. Such cutting elements may be configured for use with a variety of cutting apparatus, including but not limited to chainsaws.