Chain saw carrying case

Abstract

A chain saw, carrying case and associated product packaging is provided which minimizes cargo space when a number of chain saws are shipped together in bulk. The carrying case is made up of a motor housing enclosure and an elongate bar cover. The motor housing enclosure is provided with a slot sized to receive an elongate bar cover in an adjacent chain saw carrying case assembly. Nesting two chain saws together with their elongate bar covers projecting at least partially into the motor housing enclosure of the adjacent product is quite space efficient. Product packaging is provided which surrounds at least the motor housing enclosure portion of the carrying case to provide point of sale graphics.

1 . A carrying case for a chain saw, comprising: 
 a motor housing enclosure sized to receive the motor housing portion of a chainsaw, the motor housing enclosure having an interior cavity and a front wall aligned generally normal to a central axis, and;    an elongate bar cover mounted to the front wall of the motor housing enclosure offset to one side of the central axis, the elongate bar cover defining a tubular cavity communicating with the interior cavity of the motor housing enclosure and sized to receive a bar portion of a chainsaw placed in the carrying case;    wherein the front wall of the motor housing enclosure is further provided with an offset slot oriented on the other side of the central axis as the elongate bar cover and sized to receive an elongate bar cover of another similarly constructed carrying case, enabling two chainsaws while in their carrying cases to be nested together with the elongate bar cover of each projecting at least partially into the motor housing enclosure of the other thereby minimizing cargo space when a plurality of chainsaws in their carrying cases are shipped together in bulk.    
   
   
       2 . The carrying case of  claim 1  wherein the slot in the motor housing enclosure front wall is formed by a hinged flap forming a cover moveable between an open and a closed position.  
   
   
       3 . The carrying case of  claim 2  further comprising a retainer for maintaining the flap in the closed position when the carrying cases are not being shipped together in bulk.  
   
   
       4 . The carrying case of  claim 1  for a chain saw having a side handle which extends transversely toward the side of the motor housing enclosure opposite the offset bar portion, wherein the slot in the motor housing enclosure for receiving the elongate bar cover of a similarly constructed carrying case is located inboard of the outboard end of the chain saw side handle.  
   
   
       5 . The carrying case of  claim 1  wherein the motor housing enclosure and the elongate bar cover are formed of plastic.  
   
   
       6 . A chain saw and carrying case assembly comprising: 
 a chain saw having a motor housing portion, an elongate cutting bar attached to and extending outwardly from the motor housing portion, and a cutting chain entrained about the cutting bar;    a carrying case having a motor housing enclosure sized to receive the motor housing portion of a chainsaw, the motor housing enclosure having an interior cavity and a front wall aligned generally normal to a central axis, and an elongate bar cover mounted to the front wall of the motor housing enclosure offset to one side of the central axis, the elongate bar cover defining a tubular cavity communicating with the interior cavity of the motor housing enclosure and sized to receive a bar portion of a chainsaw placed in the carrying case;    wherein the front wall of the motor housing enclosure is further provided with an offset slot oriented on the other side of the central axis as the elongate bar cover and sized to receive an elongate bar cover of another similarly constructed carrying case, enabling two chainsaws while in their carrying cases to be nested together with the elongate bar cover of each projecting at least partially into the motor housing enclosure of the other thereby minimizing cargo space when a plurality of chainsaws in their carrying cases are shipped together in bulk.    
   
   
       7 . The chain saw and carrying case of  claim 6  wherein the slot in the motor housing enclosure front wall is formed by a hinged flap forming a cover moveable between an open and a closed position.  
   
   
       8 . The chain saw and carrying case of  claim 7  further comprising a retainer for maintaining the flap in the closed position when the carrying cases are not being shipped together in bulk.  
   
   
       9 . The carrying case of  claim 6  for a chain saw having a side handle which extends transversely toward the side of the motor housing enclosure opposite the offset bar portion, wherein the slot in the motor housing enclosure for receiving the elongate bar cover of a similarly constructed carrying case is located inboard of the outboard end of the chain saw side handle.  
   
   
       10 . The chain saw and carrying case of  claim 6  wherein the motor housing enclosure and the elongate bar cover are formed of plastic.  
   
   
       11 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 6  further comprising an individual, disposable protective package substantially enclosing at least the motor housing enclosure portion of the carrying case, the product package having an open end formed therein overlying the carrying case slot providing clearance for an elongate cutting bar to pass therethrough.  
   
   
       12 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 11  wherein the protective package is imprinted with point of sale graphics for use as in-store display.  
   
   
       13 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 11  wherein the protective package further comprises a generally rectangular paperboard box.  
   
   
       14 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 11  wherein the protective package further comprises a tubular sleeve wrap extending about the motor housing enclosure portion of the carrying case circumscribing the central axis of thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 11  wherein the carrying case motor housing enclosure is provided with a handle on an upper surface thereof located generally above the center of gravity of the chainsaw and carrying case assembly enabling a user to carry the chainsaw and carrying case briefcase style with the central axis located generally parallel to the ground.  
   
   
       16 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 15  wherein the protective package has an opening formed therein adjacent the handle in the carrying case motor housing enclosure to enable a purchaser to carry the chainsaw and carrying case assembly while in the product package by simply grasping the handle through the product package opening.  
   
   
       17 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 16  wherein the protective package comprises a paperboard rectangular box.  
   
   
       18 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 16  wherein the protective package comprises a tubular sleeve extending about the motor housing enclosure portion of the carrying case.  
   
   
       19 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 6  wherein the carrying case motor housing portion is made of paperboard.  
   
   
       20 . The chain saw and carrying case assembly of  claim 18  wherein the elongate bar cover comprises a plastic tubular sleeve.