Patent ID: 6112420
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B23D,Y10T

Abstract:
A blade clamp assembly for a blade having a planar cutting portion terminating at an outer end of the blade and a co-planar mounting portion terminating at an inner end of the blade, the clamp assembly for removably mounting a blade to a saw and comprising:(a) a housing having a floor portion, a first side and an opposing second side extending generally perpendicularly from the floor portion to create a cavity,(b) a one-piece clamping lever between the first side and the opposing side for rotation about an axis parallel with the plane of the blade and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade wherein the clamping lever including an integral handle portion that extends out of the cavity from an open end of the housing opposing the floor portion and rotates the clamping lever about its axis of rotation parallel with the plane of the blade;(c) the clamping lever having an arcuate cam face, and(d) spring means mounted on the housing and engaged with the clamping lever for biasing the clamping lever to rotate about the axis of rotation parallel with the plane of the blade in a direction urging the cam face into an engaged position to hold the blade within the cavity, the handle portion overcoming the spring means to rotate the cam face into a released position wherein the blade is removable from the cavity.