SAW CHAIN FINDER KIOSK

Abstract

A retail display kiosk for identifying a saw chain includes a panel, a plurality of slots associated with a plurality of values for a first mechanical parameter of the saw chain, and a plurality of receptacles coupled to the panel and associated with a plurality of values for a second mechanical parameter of the saw chain. A drive link counter includes a hanger and a slider repositionable relative to the hanger, where the hanger and the slider are configured to engage a saw chain, the slider is moveable to a position away from the hanger and the slider that maximizes a distance between the hanger and the slider constrained by engagement of the hanger and the slider with the saw chain, and the drive link counter also includes markings associating different positions of the slider with different numbers of drive links.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a saw chain, comprising: a plurality of slots associated with a plurality of values for a first mechanical parameter of the saw chain; a plurality of receptacles associated with a plurality of values for a second mechanical parameter of the saw chain.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of receptacles comprises: a body comprising a plurality of knobs arranged along a curved side of the body; a back panel extending from the body along a backside of the plurality of knobs and comprising an upper lip, such that a negative space is partially bounded by the plurality of knobs, the upper lip, and the back panel and is configured to receive saw chain having a particular pitch.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a peg or hanger and configured to at least partially support the saw chain to facilitate determination of a third mechanical parameter of the saw chain.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a panel, wherein the plurality of receptacles and the plurality of slots are coupled to the panel.

5. The system of claim 4, comprising a bracket coupled to the panel, wherein the slots are formed in a member of the bracket protruding from the panel.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of receptacles are spatially grouped on the panel to correspond to different slots of the plurality of slots such that the system provides a kiosk guiding a user through a decision tree comprising the plurality of slots and the plurality of receptacles.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a binder ring coupled to the panel and a product guide held by the binder ring.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drive link counter comprising a hanger, a slider moveable relative to the hanger, and a plurality of markings indicating numbers of drive links, wherein: the hanger and the slider are configured to engage the saw chain; the slider is moveable to a position away from the hanger and the slider that maximizes a distance between the hanger and the slider constrained by engagement of the hanger and the slider with the saw chain; and a marking of the plurality of markings associated with the position of the slider indicates the number of drive links of the saw chain.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of receptacles comprises: a body comprising a plurality of knobs arranged along a curved side of the body; and a back panel extending from the body along a backside of the plurality of knobs and comprising an upper lip, such that a negative space is partially bounded by the plurality of knobs, the upper lip, and the back panel; wherein spacing between the plurality of knobs differs across the receptacles such that each mechanical interface is adapted to receive saw chain having a particular pitch in the negative space.

10. A system for determining pitch of saw chain, comprising: a set of mechanical interfaces configured for receiving the saw chain, each mechanical interface comprising: a body comprising a plurality of knobs arranged along a curved side of the body; and a back panel extending from the body along a backside of the plurality of knobs and comprising an upper lip, such that a negative space is partially bounded by the plurality of knobs, the upper lip, and the back panel; wherein spacing between the plurality of knobs differs across the plurality of mechanical interfaces such that each mechanical interface is adapted to receive saw chain having a particular pitch in the negative space.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one knob of the plurality of knobs is a hexagonal prism.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a curvature of the curved side of the body is concentric with a curvature of the negative space.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein a depth of the body is greater than a depth of the upper lip such that the upper lip protrudes only partially over the plurality of knobs so as to indicate a profile of the saw chain based on whether the saw chain fits under the upper lip or aligns with upper lip.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is further comprising a plurality of slots associated with a plurality of gauges for saw chain.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a drive link counter comprising: a hanger; and a slider repositionable relative to the hanger; wherein: the hanger and the slider are configured to engage a saw chain; the slider is moveable to a position away from the hanger and the slider that maximizes a distance between the hanger and the slider constrained by engagement of the hanger and the slider with the saw chain; and the drive link counter further comprises markings associating different positions of the slider with different numbers of drive links.

16. A drive link counter, comprising: a hanger; and a slider repositionable relative to the hanger; wherein: the hanger and the slider are configured to engage a saw chain; the slider is moveable to a position away from the hanger and the slider that maximizes a distance between the hanger and the slider constrained by engagement of the hanger and the slider with the saw chain; and the drive link counter further comprises markings associating different positions of the slider with different numbers of drive links.

17. The drive link counter of claim 16, wherein the hanger comprises a disk comprising a groove configured to receive one or more drive links of the saw chain.

18. The drive link counter of claim 16, wherein: the drive link counter further comprises a first panel and a second panel; the first panel is moveable relative to the second panel; and the markings comprise first markings on the first panel and second markings on the second panel.

19. The drive link counter of claim 16, wherein the slider comprises a spring providing a biasing force resisting movement of the slider along the drive link counter.

20. The drive link counter of claim 16, wherein the markings comprise first markings associated with a first type of saw chain and the second markings are associated with a second type of saw chain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1A is an illustration of a product bay including a saw chain finder kiosk, according to some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 1B is another illustration of a product bay including a saw chain finder kiosk, according to some embodiments

[0009] FIG. 2A is an illustration of a saw chain finder kiosk, according to some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 2B is another illustration of a saw chain finder kiosk, according to some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 3A is an illustration of a portion of a saw chain finder kiosk relating to determining gauge of a saw chain, according to some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 3B is another illustration of a portion of a saw chain finder kiosk relating to determining gauge of a saw chain, according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration of another portion of a saw chain finder kiosk, according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a pitch-checker receptacle, according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 6 is another illustration of the pitch-checker receptacle, according to some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 7 is another illustration of the pitch-checker receptacle, according to some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 8 is another illustration of the pitch-checker receptacle, according to some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 9 is another illustration of the pitch-checker receptacle, according to some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 10 is another illustration of the pitch-checker receptacle, according to some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 11 is another illustration of the pitch-checker receptacle, according to some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 12 an illustration of another portion of the saw chain finder kiosk, according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a portion of the drive link counter of FIG. 13, according to some embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 15 is an illustration of another portion of the drive link counter of FIG. 13, according to some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a kiosk or kiosk portion including multiple drive link counters, according to some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 17 is a side view of a drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 18 is a first view of a unified drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a second view of a unified drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 20 is a third view of a unified drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 21 is a fourth view of a unified drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 22 is a fifth view of a unified drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 23 is another illustration of a drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 24 is another illustration of a drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 25 is another illustration of a drive link counter, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring generally to the figures, a saw chain finder kiosk and elements thereof are shown, according to various embodiments. The saw chain finder kiosk can be deployed in a retail or other setting, for example in or near a retail bay used for displaying and offering saw chain to customers. As illustrated in the figures and described in the following description, the saw chain finder kiosk provides a user-friendly apparatus that enables the user to easily confirm identifying mechanical characteristics of an existing saw chain (e.g., a worn saw chain removed from the user's chain saw) which combine to point the user to a particular replacement saw chain from a set of possible replacement saw chain options. That is, the teachings herein support a user who arrives at the saw chain finder kiosk with an existing saw chain already used on the user's chain saw, in particular by supporting the user in identifying a corresponding new saw chain for selection by the user for installation on and use with the user's chain saw as a replacement for the used, existing saw chain.

[0036] The saw chain finder kiosk can include, for example, first mechanical interface features configured for categorizing a first mechanical characteristic (e.g., gauge) of the saw chain and second mechanical interface features configured for categorizing a second mechanical characteristic (e.g., pitch) of the saw chain. As shown, the saw chain finder kiosk can include a peg or other support to hold the saw chain to assist the user in assessing a third mechanical characteristic of the saw chain (e.g., length, number of drive links). The saw chain finder kiosk can further include visualizations guiding a user to select a proper (e.g., compatible) replacement saw chain from a set of available saw chain options based on a combination of the first, second, and third mechanical characteristics of the saw chain. In various embodiments, any number of mechanical characteristics of a saw chain can be assessed by various types of mechanical interfaces as may be appropriate for product identification in various scenarios (e.g., cutter width, cutter height, etc. in addition to the examples above).

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-B, a product bay 100 is shown, according to some embodiments. The product bay 100 can be a product bay as found in various hardware stores, home improvement stores, big box retailers, etc., and/or as found in warehouses, supply rooms, garages, workshops, field offices, etc. in the forestry industry, construction industry, etc. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-B, the product bay 100 includes a product display portion 102 and a saw chain finder kiosk 104. The product display portion 102 can include various shelving, peg board, hangers, racks, rods, etc. for retaining and displaying products. As shown, the products relate to saw chain components, and can include a variety of different available saw chain options (e.g., different saw chain sizes and types), in addition to other related components or accessories (e.g., guide bars). One aspect of the present disclosure is a recognition that persons intending to select a replacement saw chain from the product bay 100 may have difficulty in accurately making that selection given the variety of different products provided in the product display portion 102.

[0038] The product bay 100 includes the saw chain finder kiosk 104, shown as being positioned below the product display portion 102. The saw chain finder kiosk 104 can be supported on a shelf of the product bay 100, coupled to upright supports of the product bay 100, coupled to a horizontal beam of the product bay 100, can be a stand-alone structure (e.g., standing on the floor/ground at the product bay 100), etc., in various embodiments.

[0039] The saw chain finder kiosk 104 includes mechanical interfaces of a first type configured for determination of a first mechanical characteristic (e.g., gauge) of an existing saw chain and mechanical interfaces of a second type configured for determination of a second mechanical characteristic (e.g., pitch) of the existing saw chain, as well as other mechanical and visual guidance for a user in identifying the mechanical characteristics. For example, as shown herein, the saw chain finder kiosk 104 can include sets of mechanical components (described in detail below) which are spatially arranged on the saw chain finder kiosk 104 to guide the user through (and mechanically assist in) a series of steps for determining a gauge of the saw chain, determining a pitch of the saw chain from pitches grouped with the determined gauge, and determining a number of drive links of the saw chain. The saw chain finder kiosk 104 further includes visualizations for causing the user to arrive at a particular product identifier (e.g., identification code, product name, product number, etc.) based on a combination of the determined gauge, determined pitch, and determined number of drive links. Additional mechanical characteristics can be checked and used in various embodiments of the saw chain finder kiosk 104, according to various embodiments.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-B, illustrations of the saw chain finder kiosk 104 are shown, according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-B, the saw chain finder kiosk 104 can include a box or panel 200 providing a body structure of the saw chain finder kiosk 104 (e.g., spanning a width of a product bay 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1). The panel 200 can have various box-like, easel-like, signage configuration, or other configurations in various embodiments.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the panel 200 can include a first region 202 for a first step of a saw chain identification process using the saw chain finder kiosk 104, i.e., a step of finding (identifying, categorizing, measuring, etc.) a first mechanical characteristic of saw chain. In the embodiments of FIG. 2A, the first region 202 includes a first slot 204 in the panel 200, a second slot 206 in the panel 200, a third slot 208 in the panel 200, and a fourth slot 210 in the panel 200. In the embodiments of FIG. 2B, the slots 204-210 are provided in a bracket 250, described in further detail below with refence to FIG. 3B. The slots 204-210 can be sized differently so as to snuggly receive saw chain of different gauges (i.e., receive drive links of corresponding gauge without substantial gap between the saw chain and the walls, sides, etc. of the corresponding slot, thereby indicating that the saw chain is of a size corresponding to the slot). Accordingly, a user can attempt to insert saw chain into each of the slots 204-210 to determine which of the slots 204-210 matches (is complementary to) the gauge of the saw chain.

[0042] Still referring to the first region 202, FIGS. 3A-B show examples in which the first region 202 further includes graphical indications illustrating the manner in which the saw chain can be inserted into the various slots 204-210, and further illustration an embodiment in which the first slot 204 corresponds to .043 gauge saw chain, the second slot 206 corresponds to .050 gauge saw chain, the third slot 208 corresponds to .058 gauge saw chain, and the fourth slot 210 corresponds to .063 gauge saw chain. The first region 202 is thereby adapted to guide a user in mechanical engaging saw chain with the saw chain finder kiosk 104 (in particular, with the slots 204-210) to classify the saw chain as having a gauge corresponding to a particular slot of the slots 204-210 (in the example shown, to classify the saw chain as being one of 043 gauge saw chain, .050 gauge saw chain, .058 gauge saw chain, or .063 gauge saw chain).

[0043] Still referring to the first region 202, FIG. 3B illustrates examples in which the first region 202 is provided with a bracket 250 that includes the slots 204-210 in order to provide a gauge-determination mechanical interface. The bracket 250 includes a protruding member 350 (beam, frame, surface, panel, etc.), a wedge portion 354 coupled to and supporting the protruding member 350, and flanges 356 coupled to and extending from the wedge portion 354 and coupled to the panel 200 (e.g., via fasteners, screws, bolts, etc. extending through the flanges 356 as shown in FIG. 3B). As shown, the wedge portion 354 supports the protruding member 350 between protruding member and the panel 200 and provides an acute angle between protruding member 350 and the flanges 356 such that the protruding member 350 is supported at an angle relative to the panel, for example to facilitate easy visibility of and access to a top side of the protruding member 350 by a user of the kiosk 104.

[0044] The protruding member 350 includes the first slot 204, the second slot 206, the third slot 208, and the fourth slot 210 arranged along the protruding member 350. As shown, each slot 204-210 extends laterally (perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the protruding member 350), with the slots 204-210 spaced apart along the protruding member 350. Advantageously, the slots 204-210 are thereby positioned above an empty space below the protruding member 350 which can facilitate a user in manipulating a saw chain (e.g., a loop of saw chain) into a position where a link of the saw chain can be inserted into one or more of the slots 204-210 to determine which slot matches the gauge of the saw chain (e.g., which slot snuggly receives a drive link of the saw chain; which of the slots is the smallest slot that will receive a drive link of the saw chain).

[0045] In the example of FIG. 3B, the panel 200 includes a key 358 visualizing the gauge values (or other identifier of gauge, product category, letter code, etc.) associated with the different slots 204-210. The gauge of a saw chain can thus be determined by mechanically interfacing the saw chain with the bracket 250.

[0046] Referring again to FIGS. 2A-B, the saw chain finder kiosk is further illustrated as including a second region 212 corresponding to a second step of a saw chain identification process using the saw chain finder kiosk 104, i.e., a step of finding (identifying, categorizing, measuring, etc.) a second mechanical characteristic of saw chain. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second region 212 is spatially arranged relative to the first region 202 such that a result of a first step using the first region 202 guides the user into a particular portion of the second region 212. In this regard, the second region 212 is shown as including a first sub-region 214 into which the user is guided if the saw chain being identified was found to match (be complementary to) the first slot 204, a second sub-region 216 into which the user is guided if the saw chain being identified was found to match (be complementary to) the second slot 206, a third sub-region 218 into which the user is guided if the saw chain being identified was found to match (be complementary to) the third slot 208, and a fourth sub-region 220 into which the user is guided if the saw chain being identified was found to match (be complementary to) the fourth slot 210. The second region 212 may also be labeled or color-coded (e.g., as in FIG. 2B) or otherwise configured to guide as user to a particular sub-region of the second region 212 based on the gauge of a saw chain as determined using the slots 204-210. The saw chain finder kiosk 104 is thereby arranged as a decision tree, guiding the user to make a determination that one of the slots 204-210 corresponds to the saw chain being evaluated and then move on to a corresponding sub-region 214-220 of the second region of the saw chain finder kiosk 104 to make a subsequent determination relating to the saw chain.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2A-B, multiple mechanical interfaces, shown as pitch-determination receptacles 222-232 (described in further detail below), are coupled to the panel 200 in the sub-regions 214-220 and are configured for enabling a user to use to check the pitch of a saw chain. In the example shown, the first sub-region 214 includes a first receptacle 222 and a second receptacle 224 which can be associated with different pitches for saw chain. FIGS. 2A-B also shows the second sub-region 216 as including a third receptacle 226 and a fourth receptacle 228 (with FIG. 2B further showing the second-subregion 216 as further including additional receptacles 225 and 227), while the third sub-region 218 includes a fifth receptacle 230 and the fourth sub-region 220 includes a sixth receptacle 232.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows another view of the first region 214 and the second region 212, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the receptacles 222-232 can be associated with a pitch value and/or a profile characteristic (e.g., low profile, regular profile, high profile), with the second region 212 further including one or more identification characters (codes, letters, numbers, symbols) associated with each of the receptacles 222-232. For example, the first receptacle 222 is marked as corresponding to pitch chain, in particular a low profile pitch chain, together with an identification character (shown as R) which is associated with chain which have passed both a check with the first hole 204 (so as to be confirmed as .043 gauge saw chain) and the first receptacle 222 (so as to be confirmed as pitch chain). The identification character can be used as described in further detail below for selection of an appropriate replacement chain.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the different receptacles in a given sub-region (e.g., the first receptacle 222 and the second receptacle 224; the third receptacle 226 and the fourth receptacle 228) can be associated with different pitches, so as to enable a user to determine the pitch of a saw chain being evaluated by attempting to position the saw chain within each receptacle in the determined region. In the example shown, a LP saw chain will fit snuggly in the first receptacle 222 but not the second receptacle 224, while a .325 LP saw chain will fit snuggly in the second receptacle 224 but not the first receptacle 222, enabling such mechanical interfaces to identify that a given chain is properly associated with the identification character corresponding to the properly-fitting receptacle. In some embodiments, receptacles in the different sub-regions may have the same or different dimensions (i.e., correspond to the same or different pitches), to enable pitch determinations in the different regions for different gauges of saw chain, in a decision tree layout. Further, in the embodiment shown, where only one pitch is available for saw chain of the gauges associated with the third slot 208 and fourth slot 210, but the fifth receptacle 230 and the sixth receptacle 232 can be provided to enable confirmation by a user that an appropriate determination has been made. The second region 212 of the saw chain finder kiosk 104 is thereby configured for determination of an identification character by mechanically checking pitch of the saw chain, in a manner spatially arranged with the first region 202 as a decision tree.

[0050] Various detailed views of the first receptacle 222 are shown in FIGS. 5-11, according to example embodiments. The other receptacles 222-232 can be similarly configured, for example with different dimensions tuned to be complementary to differently-pitched saw chain.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 5-11, the receptacle 222 includes a body 500, a plurality of knobs 502 arranged along a curved side 504 of the body 500, and a back panel 506 extending from the body 500 along a back side of the knobs 502 and including an upper lip 508. As shown, a curvature of the curved side 504 (and hence a curvature along which the plurality of knobs 502 are arranged) is concentric with a curvature of the upper lip 508. In combination with such curvature, the plurality of knobs 502 are spaced relative to one another and relative to the upper lip 508 such that the plurality of knobs 502, the upper lip and the back panel 506 at least partially bound a negative space configured to receive a saw chain of a particular pitch.

[0052] The knobs 502 can be substantially hexagonal prisms, each having a bottom side 600 along the curved side 504 of the body 500, a top side 602 substantially parallel to the bottom side 600, a first vertical side 604 and a second vertical side 606 extending from the bottom side substantially orthogonal to the curved side 504, a first angled side 608 extending from the first vertical side 604 to the top side 602, and a second angled side 610 extending from the second vertical side 606 to the top side 602. As shown in FIGS. 8-11, the dimensions of the knobs 502, including the length and relative angles of the sides 600-610, are selected such that, when arranged along the curvature of the body 500, the drive links of a saw chain having a particular pitch fit against the angled sides 608, 610 at a height such that the each drive link also sits against the curved side 504 between adjacent knobs 502.

[0053] The curvature of the upper lip 508 and its spacing from the knobs 502 can also be selected so as to be determinative of the type of saw chain that can be received by the receptacle 222. In the embodiments shown, the upper lip 508 has lesser depth than the knobs 502 and the curved side 504, i.e., such that the upper lip 508 extends only partially over the knobs 502. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a saw chain of a regular or relatively-higher profile can be received on the receptacle 222 such that its drive links fit between the knobs 502 with its cutters set in front of (e.g., aligned with) the upper lip 508, while (as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11) a saw chain of lower profile (e.g., denoted as a low profile chain) fits underneath the upper lip 508 so as to be received within a space between the upper lip 508 and the knobs 502. In such embodiments, a comparison between the cutters and the upper lip 508 can be used to determine a type of the saw chain. In other embodiments, different receptacles are provided with upper lips 508 at different spacing from the knobs 502 such that saw chain of different profile can be compared to the different receptacles to determine a proper (e.g., snug) fit for saw chain identification.

[0054] Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is an observation that the dimensions and spacing of the knobs 502 together with the curvature of the body 500 (and, in some embodiments, the spacing to the upper lip 508) can be selected so as to properly receive saw chain only of a particular pitch, in a manner which makes it very easy and intuitive for an ordinary user (e.g., non-expert consumer) to feel and see whether or not a given saw chain fits in the receptacle 222. By adjusting the curvature of the body 500 and the dimensions and spacing of the knobs 502 and/or the curvature of the body 500, different instances of the receptacle can be tuned to receive a saw chain coinciding with the specific mechanical characteristics of a particular receptacle (e.g., different receptacles corresponding to different sizes of saw chain).

[0055] The receptacle 222 is further shown as including through holes 510 (e.g., screw holes, bolt holes, etc.) configured to receive fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nails, pins, etc.) configured to couple the receptacle 222 to the panel 200 as in FIGS. 2 & 4 (i.e., such that the receptacle 222 is mounted on the panel 200).

[0056] Referring again to FIG. 2, the saw chain finder kiosk 104 is further shown as including a peg 236 coupled to and extending forward from the panel 200. The peg 236 can be located in a third region 238 of the saw chain finder kiosk 104 associated with a third step of saw chain identification to identify a third mechanical characteristic of the saw chain. In other embodiments, the peg 236 (or other hook, hanger, knob, pin, etc.) can be positioned elsewhere on the product bay 100, for example on a vertical post supporting the shelving and structure of the product bay 100 as shown in FIG. 2B). In the example shown, the third mechanical characteristic of the saw chain is a number of drive links of the saw chain. The peg 236 is configured to partially support the saw chain (e.g., by hanging of the saw chain over the peg 236) while a user holds the saw chain and completes a count of the drive links. In some embodiments, the third region 238 includes one or more drive link counters, for example as shown in FIGS. 13-17 and described with reference thereto below or otherwise mechanical adapted to interface with a saw chain and indicate a number of drive links of the saw chain. The saw chain finder kiosk 104 is also shown as including binder 240 including one or more binder rings or clips coupled to the panel 200 and supporting pages of a product guide or other informational material relating to saw chain.

[0057] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of the third region 238 including the peg 236, according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the panel 200 can include a visualization aligned with the peg 236 illustrating how the saw chain can be hung on the peg 236 and held to facilitate counting of the drive links. The panel 200 can also include other visualizations, rulers, counting assistance devices (e.g., counting clicker or the slider tool), etc. for facilitating counting of the drive links. In the example shown, a scannable code is provided which can be scanned with a smartphone to launch an application with guidance or assistive tools for link counting, for example video content, augmented reality content, etc. guiding a user in counting drive links. The third region 238 thereby provides a mechanical interface (i.e., peg 236) and other features facilitating determination of a third mechanical feature of the saw chain (e.g., a number of drive links).

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, FIG. 13 illustrates a drive link counter 1300 and FIGS. 14-15 illustrate close-up views of portions thereof, according to some embodiments. In various embodiments, one or more drive link counters 1300 are included with the kiosk 104, for example associated with the third region 238. As described in further detail below, the drive link counter 1300 is configured to mechanically interface with a saw chain in a manner that provides an indication of a number of drive links of the saw chain to a user.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 13, the drive link counter 1300 includes a first rail (beam, member, bar, panel, etc.) 1302 and a second rail (beam, member, bar, panel, etc.) 1304 extending between and coupled to a first end block 1306 and a second end block 1308, with the first rail 1302 and the second rail 1304 spaced from one another and defining a longitudinal direction of the drive link counter 1300. The drive link counter 1300 is also shown as including a track (third rail, groove, slotted beam, rod, etc.) 1310 extending between and coupled to the first end block 1306 and the second end block 1308, oriented along the longitudinal direction of the drive link counter 1300, and positioned between the first rail 1302 and the second rail 1304. In other embodiments, the first rail 1302 and the second rail 1304 may be formed from a unitary panel with the track 1310 formed as a slot along a portion of the longitudinal direction of the panel (e.g., as in the examples of FIG. 18).

[0060] The drive link counter 1300 is further shown as including a hanger 1312 coupled to and positioned at the first end block 1306 and aligned with the track 1310 (i.e., positioned at a first end of the track 1310). The hanger 1312 is configured to mechanically engage a saw chain, and can be structured a rod, disk, pin, hook, sprocket, mandrel, etc. in various embodiments. In the embodiments of FIG. 13 (and shown in a close-up view in FIG. 14), the hanger 1312 is shown as a disk having a peripheral groove configured to receive drive links of a saw chain, i.e., such that one or more links of the saw chain are partially received in the hanger 1312 so as to retain the saw chain on the hanger 1312. In other embodiments, the saw chain may be hooked behind, over, around, etc. various structures of the hanger 1312 such that a loop of saw chain is hangable on the hanger 1312. When the drive link counter 1300 is vertically oriented as illustrated in FIG. 13 with the hanger 1312 at the top of the drive link counter 1300, the hanger 1312 provides for saw chain to hang downwards from the hanger 1312 along the longitudinal direction of the drive link counter 1300.

[0061] The drive link counter 1300 is also shown as including a slider 1314 coupled to and moveable (slidable, translatable, repositionable, etc.) along the track 1310, such that a distance between the slider 1314 and the hanger 1312 is adjustable by a user manipulating the slider 1314 along the track 1310.

[0062] As illustrated in the close-up view of FIG. 14, the slider 1314 is shown as including a body 1316 interfacing with the track 1310 while extending over (in front of, overlapping, etc.) the first rail 1302 and the second rail 1304 such that the adjustable position of the slider 1314 along the first rail 1302 and the second rail 1304 is apparent. The slider 1314 is also shown as including a hanger (rod, disk, pin, hook, sprocket, mandrel, etc.) 1318 coupled to the body 1316 and aligned with the track 1310, so as to be aligned with the hanger 1312 along the longitudinal direction of the drive link counter 1300. The hanger 1318 of the slider 1314 may be configured substantially the same as the hanger 1312 or otherwise as described above with reference to the hanger 1312, including such that the hanger 1318 is configured to mechanically engage (receive, retain, hold, press against, etc.) a saw chain. In particular, the hangers 1312, 1318 are arranged such that a loop of saw chain can be looped around and held against both hangers 1312, 1318 with the slider 1314 moving such that a distance between the hangers 1312, 1318 is correlated with a length of the loop (and, accordingly, a number of drive links included in the loop).

[0063] The slider 1314 is further shown as including a first window 1320 in the body 1316 positioned over the first rail 1302 and a second window 1322 in the body 1316 positioned over the second rail. Movement of the slider 1314 along the track 1310 changes what portion of the first rail 1302 is visible through the first window 1320 and what portion of the second rail 1304 is visible through the second window 1322.

[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 13-15, the first rail 1302 includes a label 1324 indicating that the first rail 1302 is associated with a first type of chain, for example with saw chain having a first pitch, while the second rail 1304 includes a label 1325 indicating that the second rail 1304 is associated with a second type of chain, for example with saw chain having a second pitch. The first rail 1302 also includes, along a length of the first rail 1302, markings associated with different numbers of drive links for chain of the first type, for example marking 1326 indicating seventy-two drive links, while the second rail 1304 includes, along a length of the second rail 1304, markings associated with different numbers of drive links for chain of the second type, for example marking 1328 indicating sixty-six drive links. As the slider 1314 slides along the track 1310, different markings of the first rail 1302 and the second rail 1304 will be viewable through the first window 1320 and the second window 1322.

[0065] Accordingly, the drive link counter 1300 is configured to enable a method of using the drive link counter 1300 to find (count, measure, determine, etc.) the number of drive links in a loop of saw chain as follows. A user can place the saw chain around the hanger 1312 at the first end bock 1306, for example by inserting one or more drive links of the saw chain to a groove of the hanger 1312 or otherwise engaging the saw chain with the hanger 1312 such that the loop of saw chain hangs from the hanger 1312 and along the longitudinal direction of the drive link counter 1300 (i.e., with the hanger 1312 at an interior of the loop of saw chain). The slider 1314 can then be moved along the track 1310 so as to be within the loop of saw chain, and the saw chain can be looped around the hanger 1318 of the slider 1314, such that the hanger 1318 of the slider 1314 and the hanger 1312 are both interior to the loop of saw chain and engage the saw chain (e.g., receive different drive links of the saw chain). The slider 1314 can then be moved away from the hanger 1312 along the track 1310 to the maximum distance possible while constrained by engagement with the saw chain, i.e., such that the saw chain is pulled taut, slack substantially removed, etc. by the hangers 1312, 1318 while extending around the hangers 1312, 1318. In this manner, the position of the slider 1314 along the track 1310, the first rail 1302, and the second rail 1304 is mechanically caused by the length of the saw chain.

[0066] With the position of the slider 1314 along the track 1310, the first rail 1302, and the second rail 1304 mechanically established via engagement with the saw chain, an indication of the number of drive links of the saw chain is provided by a marking (e.g., marking 1326 or marking 1328) on the first rail 1302 or the second rail 1304. Because loops of saw chain with different numbers of drive links will have different lengths, the markings on the first rail 1302 and the second rail 1304 can reliably indicate the number of drive links of the saw chain of a the type indicated by the corresponding labels 1324, 1325. In this regard, a determination as to whether markings on the first rail 1302 versus the second rail 1304 should be taken as the relevant number of drive links can result from use of other structures of kiosk 104 such as receptacles 222-232 indicating the pitch or other characteristic of the saw chain which matches the label 1324 or 1326 indicating which rail 1302, 1304 will provide drive link counting for the corresponding type of saw chain. Alternatively, in some embodiments depending on relative chain dimensions, the markings on the first rail 1302 may be offset from markings on the second rail 1304 such that no marking will be visible through the first window 1320 when a marking is visible through the second window 1322, or vice versa, providing an additional indication to the user as to which rail provides the drive link count information relevant to the particular saw chain being assessed.

[0067] In that manner, the drive link counter 1300 provides for a mechanically repeatable and reliable manner of indicating, measuring, finding, etc. the number of drive links included in a loop of saw chain. The drive link counter 1300 can be used in isolation, e.g., as a stand-alone device, together with a product bay 100, in combination with the kiosk 104, and/or together with any combination of elements thereof. When used together with the kiosk 104, the elements of the kiosk 104 including, in such embodiments, the drive link counter 1300 can mechanically identify sufficient mechanical characteristics of a loop of saw chain to enable selection (e.g., from product bay 100) of a compatible replacement chain having the same mechanical characteristics as the loop of saw chain identified using the kiosk 104.

[0068] Various embodiments of the drive link counter 1300 are contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, while the drive link counter 1300 is shown as having two rails 1302, 1304 associated with markings for two types of saw chain, the drive link counter 1300 may be provided with markings for only one type of saw chain or for three, four, five, six, etc. types of saw chain. For example, one or more additional rails may be positioned laterally from the first rail 1302 or the second rail 1304 and the slider 1314 may be included an extended body having wings (protrusions, extensions, etc.) extending over said additions rails and having additional windows (or pointers, openings, etc.) for determining alignment of the slider 1314 with markings of such additional rails which can be associated with numbers of drive links for additional types of saw chain. The drive link counter 1300 may thereby be adaptable to provide counting of drive links for any number of different types of drive links.

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 16, an assembly 1600 of drive link counters is shown, according to some embodiments. The assembly 1600 includes a frame (board, rack, rail, panel, sign, wall, backing, etc.) 1602 and, coupled to the frame 1602, a first drive link counter 1604, a second drive link counter 1606, a third drive link counter 1608, a fourth drive link counter 1610, and a fifth drive link counter 1612. Any number of drive link counters can be provided on the frame 1802 in various embodiments. In the example shown, the drive link counters 1604-1612 are associated with different types of saw chain, for example two types of saw chain per drive link counter as described above with reference to FIGS. 13-15. As is visible from FIG. 16, the drive link counters may have different scales, dimensions, etc. including with respect to the markings and with respect to the size of hangers 1312, 1318 or other structures, as may be suitable for use with saw chain of different pitch, gauge, size, length, etc. The assembly 1600 can thereby provide for drive link counting of a large variety of different saw chains, for example across a full range of saw chains available in a product bay 100.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 17, a side view of a drive link counter is shown, for example drive link counter 1610 of FIG. 16 (while other drive link counters may be similarly configured in various embodiments). As shown in FIG. 17, the drive link counter 1610 includes a first hanger (e.g., hanger 1312) provided as a disk 1702 having a groove 1704 adapted to partially receive one or more drive links of a saw chain. The disk 1702 is coupled to a panel 1706 of the drive link counter 1610 by a fastener (bolt, screw, pin, nail, staple, etc.) 1708. The disk 1702 is shown as abutting the panel 1706, and may have a depth suitable for accommodating cutters or other structures of a saw chain while one or more drive links of said saw chain is received in the groove 1704.

[0071] FIG. 17 also shows a slider 1710 (e.g., corresponding to slider 1314) coupled to the panel 1706 and included in the drive link counter 1610. The slider 1710 is shown as including a slotted disk 1712 and having a groove 1714 configured to at least partial receive one or more drive links of a saw chain (e.g., the same saw chain received by the groove 1704). The slider 1710 is also shown as including a knob (handle, grip, peg, etc.) 1716 coupled to the slider 1710 and configured to be handled (grabbed, pulled, manipulated, etc.) by a user for moving the slider 1710 (including disk 1712) along the panel.

[0072] The slider 1710 is also shown as including a spring 1718 exerting a biasing force on a pin 1720 coupled to the knob 1716 and extending across the panel 1706, with the spring 1718 exerting the force against a head 1722 of the pin and a block 1724 abutting the panel 1706. The spring 1718 is mechanically arranged to force the block 1724 and the knob 1716 towards opposing sides of the panel 1706, squeezing the panel 1706 between the block 1724 and the knob 1716 and thereby enhancing a frictional resistance to sliding of the slider 1710 along the panel 1706. Pulling of the knob 1716 compresses the spring 1718 and reduces or eliminates said frictional resistance, for example by creating space between the block 1724 and/or the disc 1712 and the panel 1706, thereby facilitating movement of the slider 1710 along the panel 1706. The biasing force provided by the spring 1718 can thereby retain the slider 1710 in a static position along the panel 1706 unless manipulated by the user, while compression of the spring 1718 when manipulated allows smooth repositioning of the slider 1710 along the panel 1706, for example when in use for assessing the number of drive links of a loop of saw chain.

[0073] Referring now to FIGS. 18-22, a unified drive link counter 1800 is shown, according to various embodiments. FIGS. 18-22 show the unified drive link counter 1800 in a variety of states of use, as will be described in further detail below. The unified drive link counter 1800 can achieve space-savings relative to the assembly 1600 by providing a compact combination of panels associated with different chain pitches, such that a user can select the panel corresponding to a chain pitch of interest and use the selected panel in measuring the number of drive links of a loop of saw chain. The compact spatial arrangement may be advantageous for retail, workshop, or mobile settings for use in drive link counting as contemplated herein.

[0074] The unified drive link counter 1800 is shown in FIGS. 18-22 as including four panels (including a first (front) panel 1802, a second panel 2000, a third panel 2100, and a fourth (rear) panel 2200) coupled together by a set of hinges 1804. Other numbers of panels can be included in various embodiments (e.g., two, three, five, six, etc.). The panels 1802, 2000, 2100, 2200 are shown as being substantially co-extensive, having the overall size and shape, and arranged so as to be set in front of one another in a closed configuration as shown in a perspective view in FIG. 18. The unified drive link counter 1800 can thus be arranged to have a height and width of one panel (e.g., the first panel 1802) when in a closed configuration as in FIG. 18, thereby saving space relative to a possible other arrangement where the panels are provided separately (e.g., as compared to FIG. 16).

[0075] The set of hinges 1804 is configured to allow the panels to be opened and closed like a book, as shown in series from FIG. 19 through FIG. 22. FIG. 19 shows a front view of the unified drive link counter 1800 in a closed configuration, arranged for use of the first, front panel 1802 in measuring the number of drive links of a loop of saw chain. FIG. 20 shows a front view of the unified drive link counter 1800 in a second configuration, where the first panel 1802 has been rotated via the set of hinges 1804 to open the unified drive link counter 1800 to reveal the second panel 2000 such that the second panel 2000 can be used for measuring the number of drive links of a loop of saw chain. FIG. 21 shows a front view of the unified drive link counter 1800 in a third configuration, where the second panel 2000 has been rotated via the set of hinges 1804 to transition from the second configuration of FIG. 20 to the third configuration where the third panel 2100 is revealed for use in measuring the number of drive links of a loop of saw chain. FIG. 22 shows a front view of the unified drive link counter 1800 in a fourth configuration, where the third panel 2100 has been rotated via the set of hinges 1804 to transition from the third configuration of FIG. 21 to the fourth configuration where the fourth panel 2200 is revealed for use in measuring the number of drive links of a loop of saw chain. Accordingly, the set of hinges 1804 allow for rotation of the panels relative to one another, for example about a vertical axis running along a longitudinal edge (shown as the right-most edge) of the unified drive link finder 1800, such that a user can easily turn (flip, open, close, etc.) to a desired panel of the first panel 1802, second panel 2000, third panel 2100, or fourth panel 2200.

[0076] The unified drive link counter 1800 is further shown as including a hanger (peg, hook, etc.) 1806 coupled to and extending from the rear panel 2200. The hanger provides for supporting of one loop of saw chain during measurement of a number of drive links of the saw chain, for example as described above for hanger 1312. The hanger 1806 is arranged to extend into or through openings in the first panel 1802, the second panel 2000, and the third panel 2100. In the example shown, the first panel 1802 includes a first opening (hole, channel, passage, window, etc.) 1808 which, when the unified drive link counter 1800 is in a closed configuration as in FIGS. 18-19, is substantially centered on the hanger 1806 and has a radius sufficiently large to allow opening and closing of the first panel 1802 (i.e., transition between the configuration of FIG. 19 to the configuration of FIG. 20) without contacting the hanger 1806. The hanger 1806 can be sized so as to extend through the first opening 1808 and beyond a front face of the first panel 1802 in the closed configuration of FIGS. 18-19, in some embodiments.

[0077] As visible in FIGS. 20-22, the second panel 2000 includes a second opening 2002 and third panel 2100 includes a third opening 2102. The second opening 2002 and the third panel 2100 are shown as being substantially the same size and shape as the first opening 1808, and are positioned in alignment with the first opening 1808 such that the hanger 1806 can extend through the first opening 1808, the second opening 2002, and/or the third opening 2102, depending on the selective turning, flipping, opening, closing, etc. of the panels by a user. Accordingly, the same hanger 1806 is usable with all of the panels 1802, 2000, 2100, 2200.

[0078] The unified drive link counter 1800 is further shown as including a slider 1810. The slider 1810 may be configured to engage a loop of saw chain, for example as described above with reference to slider 1314 or slider 1710. As shown, the slider 1810 is positioned at and slidable along a track (slit, slot, channel, etc.) 2202 of the rear panel 2200. The track 2202 runs along a longitudinal direction of the rear panel 2200 and the unified drive link counter 1800, and allows the slider 1810 to be moved along the track 2202 so as to be repositionable (slidable, translatable, etc.) to different positions along the longitudinal direction of the unified drive link counter 1800.

[0079] As shown, the slider 1810 extends from the track 2202 forward from the rear panel 2200 and is arranged to extend through a first slot 1812 in the first panel 1802, a second slot 2004 in the second panel 2000, and a third slot 2104 in the third panel 2100. The first slot 1812, the second slot 2004, and the third slot 2104 extend longitudinally and are arranged to align with the track 2202 in the closed configuration of FIGS. 18-19. As shown, the first slot 1812, the second slot 2004, and the third slot 2104 have substantially equal widths (e.g., selected to allow clearance for opening/closing of panels without contacting the slider 1810), and may have the same or different lengths (e.g., the first slot 1812 is shorter than the second slot 2004 and the third slot 2104 in the example shown). The slider 1810 can thus be used with the rear panel 2200 when the unified drive link counter 1800 is opened to the configuration shown in FIG. 22, while the first slot 1812, the second slot 2004, and the third slot 2104 allow the slider 1810 to be used with any of the first panel 1800, second panel 2000, or third panel 2100 when turned to a corresponding configuration of FIGS. 18-21.

[0080] Each panel (first panel 1802, second panel 2000, third panel 2100, fourth panel 2200) can be associated with one or more types of saw chain (e.g., with a pitch and/or gauge as determinable using structures of kiosk 104 described above), for example two types of saw chain, and includes markings along its longitudinal direction indicating different numbers of drive links for a corresponding type of saw chain. A position of the slider 1810 relative to such markings can indicate a number of drive links.

[0081] To elaborate, a process of counting a number of drive links of saw chain of interest can include the steps of (A) determining a type of a saw chain of interest (e.g., using kiosk 104 or other implementation of the teachings above), (B) turning (flipping, opening, closing, paging, etc.) the unified drive link counter 1800 to a panel associated with that type of saw chain, (C) hooking the saw chain over the hanger 1806 (such that the saw chain is hooked on, hung on, engaged with, looped around, etc. the hanger 1806) and around the slider 1810, and (D) moving the slider 1810 along the track 2202 so as pull the slider 1810 to the furthest distance the slider 1810 can reach from the hanger 1806 while constrained by the loop of saw chain. As a result of such steps, the slider 1810 is moved to a position determined by a length of the saw chain, and to a position where the slider 1810 is aligned with a marking on the selected panel which indicates a number of drive links for the determined type of saw chain. The unified drive link counter 1800 and use thereof thereby indicates the number of drive links of a loop of saw chain.

[0082] Referring now to FIG. 23, a drive link counter 2300 is shown in an exploded view, according to some embodiments. The drive link counter 2300 is shown as including a front panel 2302 coupled to a rear panel 2304, for example coupled by fasteners (bolts, rivets, screws, etc.) at corners of the front panel 2302 and the rear panel 2304 with the front panel 2302 and the rear panel 2304 being substantially coextensive. The rear panel 2304 includes a cavity 2306 extending along a longitudinal direction of the rear panel 2304. The front panel 2302 includes a slot 2308 extending along a longitudinal direction of the front panel 2302 and aligned with the cavity 2306 (e.g., substantially centered on the drive link counter 2300).

[0083] The drive link counter 2300 is also shown as including a hanger 2310 positioned at a top end of the drive link counter 2300. The hanger 2310 can be configured as described above with reference to the hanger 1312, including such that the hanger 2310 can engage and support a loop of saw chain for measurement using the drive link counter 2300. In the embodiment shown, the hanger is centered above the slot 2308.

[0084] The drive link counter 2300 is also shown as including a slider 2312 configured to be slid along the slot 2308. The slider 2312 is shown as including a front disk 2314 positioned on a front side of the front panel 2302 (i.e., on an opposite side of the front panel 2302 as the rear panel 2304) and configured and to engage a saw chain so as to cause the saw chain to be looped around the hanger 2310 and the front disk 2314. The slider 2312 is also shown as including a rear disk 2316 coupled to the front disk 2314 via a fastener 2317 that extends through the slot 2308 and on which a spring 2308 is positioned biasing the rear disk 2316 against a backside of the front panel 2302 (i.e., the side facing the rear panel 2304). The rear disk 2316 is received in the cavity 2306 and can move along the cavity 2306 as the slider 2312 is moved along the drive link counter 2300.

[0085] The slider 2312 is thereby configured to slid along a longitudinal direction of the drive link counter 2300, for example to reach a maximum distance from the hanger 2310 as constrained by a saw chain engaged around both the hanger 2310 and the front disc 2314. The biasing force from the spring 2318 holds the slider 2312 in place unless an external force is applied, for example by a user intentionally moving the slider 2312. The slider 2312 can thus be left in place as a saw chain is removed from the drive link counter 2300 while maintaining a position that indicates the number of drive links of the saw chain.

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 24, another view of the drive link counter 2300 is shown. As shown in FIG. 24, the drive link counter 2300 includes marking associated with numbers of drive links for different types of saw chain (e.g., different pitch, different gauge, different combinations of pitch and gauge). In the example shown, three different types of chain can have the number of drive links counted using the same drive link counter 2300, with the drive link counter 2300 including first markings 2400 associated with a first type of chain (shown as being labeled as .325 or .325 LP chain), second markings 2402 associated with a second type of chain (shown as being labeled as chain), and third markings 2404 associated with a third type of chain (shown as being labeled as chain). Depending on the type of saw chain being assessed (e.g., as determined using other elements of the kiosk 104), a user can look to the corresponding markings relative to the position of the slider 2312 when engaged with a loop of saw chain to determine the number of drive links included in the loop of saw chain.

[0087] Referring now to FIG. 25, another illustration of the drive link counter 2300 is shown. The drive link counter 2300 as illustrated in FIG. 25 is substantially the same as in FIG. 24 except that the groups markings are labeled with letter-based coding which can be determined for a given saw chain using the kiosk and may be associated with product names and labels in the product bay 100. In some embodiments, the markings are provided only for numbers of drive links associated with existing products or products expected to be stocked in the product bay 100. Such an approach can increase the spacing in the markings and make it easier for a user to determine which marking is aligned with the slider 2312.

[0088] One or more drive link counters in accordance with the teachings above can be provided individually, together as a set, as part of a kiosk 104 or other collection of mechanical interfaces for assessing characteristics of a saw chain, for example as may be suitable for use in a forestry workshop or supply center, at a field site or on a utility vehicle, in a retail or warehouse setting, in a manufacturing setting, etc. Use of a drive link counter in accordance with the teachings herein can be much more reliable than manual counting by a user of drive links of the saw chain, thereby increasing the likelihood of the user selecting the appropriate or optimal replacement saw chain and thus increasing reliability of chain saw operations using replacement chains and reducing waste associated with incorrect use of incompatible chains.

[0089] In the context of use with a saw chain finder kiosk 104 as described herein, in various embodiments, the saw chain finder kiosk 104 can include additional mechanical interfaces or other structures for assessing other mechanical characteristics of saw chains, depending upon different variability in saw chains now on the market or as may be future developed. For example, kerf (i.e., width of cutters) may vary across different saw chains, such the saw chain finder kiosk 104 may further including one or more slots for enabling identification of saw chain kerf (i.e., slots sized in accordance with different available kerfs). For example, a kerf identification feature can be spatially arranged under the fourth receptacle 228, which is shown in FIG. 4 as corresponding to chains of different kerf, so as to facilitate a user in determining whether their chain is categorized as being narrow kerf. Various such mechanical interfaces can be provided for any mechanical characteristics of saw chains.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the saw chain finder kiosk 104 can further provide instructions for determining a product identity based on a combination of the identification character from the second region 212 (as informed by the first region 202) and the number of drive links counted using the third region 238. In the example shown, an identification character (e.g., letter) associated with a receptacle that snuggly received the saw chain the second region 212 is combined with the number of links counted via the third region 238 to determine a product identity. Referring again to FIG. 1, the product identity can then be used to select a product having that product identity out of the product display portion 102 of the product bay 100 (e.g., using labelling on such products).

[0091] The saw chain finder kiosk 104 is thereby mechanically configured for saw chain identification by providing first mechanical interfaces (e.g., slots) for categorizing a first mechanical characteristic of a chain (e.g., gauge), second mechanical interfaces spatially arranged in a decision tree relative to the first mechanical interfaces for categorizing a second mechanical characteristics of a chain (e.g., pitch) and providing a corresponding identification character, and a third mechanical interface facilitating determination of a third mechanical characteristic of the chain (e.g., number of drive links) which can be combined with the identification character to provide a product identity. The product identity identifies a product that can be selected from the product bay 100 which will match the mechanical characteristics of the evaluated, existing saw chain. The selected product will therefore be compatible with a chain saw with which the evaluated, existing saw chain was used, such that the selected saw chain is a proper replacement for the evaluated saw chain. Damage to chain saws from incompatible chains, waste associated with incorrect selection and attempted use of incompatible chains, etc. can thereby be avoided by the teachings herein.

[0092] In a first example, the present disclosure relates to a retail display kiosk for identifying a saw chain, including a panel; a plurality of slots, the plurality of slots associated with a plurality of values for a first mechanical parameter of the saw chain; and a plurality of receptacles coupled to the panel and associated with a plurality of values for a second mechanical parameter of the saw chain.

[0093] In some embodiments of the first example, at least one of the plurality of receptacles includes a body comprising a plurality of knobs arranged along a curved side of the body; and a back panel extending from the body along a backside of the plurality of knobs and comprising an upper lip, such that a negative space is partially bounded by the plurality of knobs, the upper lip, and the back panel and is configured to receive saw chain having a particular pitch.

[0094] In some embodiments of the first example, the retail display kiosk also includes a peg coupled to the panel and configured to at least partially support the saw chain to facilitate determination of a third mechanical parameter of the saw chain.

[0095] In some embodiments of the first example, the plurality of receptacles are spatially grouped to correspond to different slots of the plurality of slots such that the retail display kiosk guides a user through a decision tree comprising the plurality of slots and the plurality of receptacles.

[0096] In some embodiments of the first example, the retail display kiosk also includes further comprising a binder ring coupled to the panel and a product guide held by the binder ring.

[0097] In some embodiments of the first example, the retail display kiosk also includes a drive link counter comprising a hanger, a slider moveable relative to the hanger, and a plurality of markings indicating numbers of drive links. The hanger and the slider may be configured to engage the saw chain, the slider can be moveable to a position away from the hanger and the slider that maximizes a distance between the hanger and the slider constrained by engagement of the hanger and the slider with the saw chain, and a marking of the plurality of markings associated with the position of the slider can indicate the number of drive links of the saw chain.

[0098] In some embodiments of the first example, the retail display kiosk also includes a drive link counter of any of the examples below or elsewhere herein.

[0099] A second example of the present disclosure is a system for determining pitch of saw chain. The system includes a set of mechanical interfaces configured for receiving the saw chain. Each mechanical interface includes a body comprising a plurality of knobs arranged along a curved side of the body and a back panel extending from the body along a backside of the plurality of knobs and comprising an upper lip, such that a negative space is partially bounded by the plurality of knobs, the upper lip, and the back panel. Spacing between the plurality of knobs differs across the plurality of mechanical interfaces such that each mechanical interface is adapted to receive saw chain having a particular pitch in the negative space.

[0100] In some embodiments of the second example, at least one knob of the plurality of knobs is a hexagonal prism. A curvature of the curved side of the body may be concentric with a curvature of the negative space. A depth of the body may be greater than a depth of the upper lip such that the upper lip protrudes only partially over the plurality of knobs.

[0101] A third example of the present disclosure is a method of replacing a used saw chain. The method can include bringing the used saw chain to a saw chain finder kiosk at a product bay, physically comparing the used saw chain to a first type of mechanical interface of the saw chain finder kiosk to determine a first mechanical characteristic of the used saw chain, physically comparing the used saw chain to a second type of mechanical interface of the saw chain finder kiosk based on the first mechanical characteristic of the used saw chain to obtain a identification character, and obtaining a replacement saw chain from the product bay based on the identification character.

[0102] In some embodiments of the third example, the method also includes hanging the used saw chain on a peg of the saw chain finder kiosk while counting a number of drive links of the used saw chain. Obtaining the replacement saw chain from the product bay can be based on the number of drive links.

[0103] In some embodiments of the third example, physically comparing the used saw chain to one or more additional mechanical interfaces to distinguish between one or more additional mechanical characteristics in a decision tree to enable appropriate selection of chain types.

[0104] In some embodiments of the third example, the method includes installing the replacement saw chain on a chain saw that was used with the used saw chain. Obtaining the replacement saw chain form the product base based on the identification character and the number of drive links can cause the replacement saw chain to be compatible with the chain saw.

[0105] In some embodiments of the third example, physically comparing the used saw chain to a first type of mechanical interface of the saw chain finder kiosk to determine a first mechanical characteristic of the used saw chain includes comparing the used saw chain to the set of mechanical interfaces configured for receiving the saw chain. Each mechanical interface can include a body including a plurality of knobs arranged along a curved side of the body and a back panel extending from the body along a backside of the plurality of knobs and including an upper lip, such that a negative space is partially bounded by the plurality of knobs, the upper lip, and the back panel. Spacing between the plurality of knobs differs across the plurality of mechanical interfaces such that each mechanical interface is adapted to receive saw chain having a particular pitch in the negative space.

[0106] In some embodiments of the third example, physically comparing the used saw chain to a second type of mechanical interface of the saw chain finder kiosk based on the first mechanical characteristic of the used saw chain to obtain an identification character includes engaging the used saw chain with a hanger of a drive link counter, engaging the used saw chain with a slider of the drive link counter and sliding the slider such that the used saw chain is pulled taut by the hanger and the slider, and obtaining a number of drive links of the used saw chain based on a resulting position of the slider.

[0107] A fourth example of the present disclosure is a drive link counter. The drive link counter includes a hanger and a slider repositionable relative to the hanger. The hanger and the slider are configured to engage a saw chain, the slider is moveable to a position away from the hanger and the slider that maximizes a distance between the hanger and the slider constrained by engagement of the hanger and the slider with the saw chain, and the drive link counter further comprises markings associating different positions of the slider with different numbers of drive links.

[0108] In some embodiments of the fourth example, the drive link counter also includes a track. The hanger can be coupled to the track in a fixed position at a first end of the track and the slider is coupled to and slidable along the track. The slider can include a knob and a spring biasing the knob toward the track to provide a frictional resistance to movement of the slider along the track, wherein the spring is compressible by manipulation of the knob.

[0109] In some embodiments of the fourth example, the slider comprises a window extending through a body of the slider and adapted for viewing of the markings through the window.

[0110] In some embodiments of the fourth example, the hanger comprises a disk comprising a groove configured to receive one or more drive links of the saw chain.

[0111] In some embodiments of the fourth example, the drive link counter further comprises a first panel and a second panel, the first panel is moveable relative to the second panel, and the markings includes first markings on the first panel and second markings on the second panel. The first panel can be moveable between a closed configuration in which the first panel obstructs view of the second markings and the first markings are visible for comparison to positions of the slider and an open configuration in which the second markings are visible for comparison to positions of the slider. The first panel can include a slot arranged such that the slider extends from the second panel through the slot when the first panel is in the closed configuration. The first panel may be coupled to the second panel via a hinge enabling rotation of the first panel about a longitudinal edge of the second panel to move between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

[0112] In some embodiments of the fourth example, the drive link counter also includes a third panel and a fourth panel moveable relative to the first panel and the second panel. The markings also include third markings on the third panel and fourth markings on the fourth panel.

[0113] In some embodiments of the fourth example, the first markings are associated with a first type of saw chain and the second markings are associated with a second type of saw chain.

[0114] A fifth example of the present disclosure is a method of determining a number of drive links of a loop of saw chain. The method includes identifying the type of the saw chain by physically comparing the saw chain to a first type of mechanical interface of a saw chain finder kiosk to determine a gauge of the saw chain and physically comparing the saw chain to a second type of mechanical interface of a saw chain finder kiosk based on the gauge of the saw chain to obtain a pitch of the saw chain.

[0115] In some embodiments of the fifth example, turning panels of the drive link counter includes rotating at least one of the panels around a longitudinal edge of the drive link counter.

[0116] The term coupled and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If coupled or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of coupled provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., directly coupled means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of coupled provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0117] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., top, bottom, above, below) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0118] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.