Patent ID: 8567029

Claim:
An apparatus for removing a knockout region from a saw blade, comprising: an elongate body having a center axis and a proximal end; a distal end of the elongate body further comprising: a head, having a concave region and a fulcrum section, wherein the concave region is centered about the center axis and defined by a continuous arcuate surface, wherein an apex of the concave region is positioned inward toward the proximal end of the elongate body, wherein the fulcrum section is defined by a convex continuous arcuate surface extending distally outward relative to the concave region, wherein the fulcrum section is contiguous with the concave region; a slot, wherein the slot comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is opposite the second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel and are separated by a width greater than the thickness of the saw blade, wherein the slot is positioned rearward of the concave region and opposite of the fulcrum section, wherein the slot is angled at a substantially acute angle relative to the center axis; wherein the concave region is sized and shaped such that the fulcrum section contacts a first portion of the knockout region on a first face of the saw blade; wherein the slot is sized and shaped such that the first surface contacts a second portion of the saw blade on a second face of the saw blade, wherein the first portion of the saw blade is opposite the second portion of the saw blade; and wherein the apparatus is configured such that the fulcrum region engages the first region and the slot engages the second portion at the same time.