Patent ID: 8573902

Claim:
A tool holder of a machine tool configured to permit replacement of cutting inserts in order to provide substantially secure clamping of replacement cutting inserts during operation of a machine tool and in order to permit a cutting insert to be replaced in said tool holder without said tool holder being moved in a machine tool in which said tool holder is installed, said tool holder comprising: a length, a height, and a width; said tool holder length being greater than either said tool holder height or said tool holder width; a tool holder longitudinal axis extending along said tool holder length; a clamping head being disposed on a first end of said tool holder length and being configured and disposed to accept a cutting insert; said clamping head comprising a cutting insert receptacle being configured and disposed to accept a cutting insert; said clamping head comprising a first portion being disposed on a first side of said cutting insert receptacle; said clamping head comprising a second portion being disposed on a second side of said cutting insert receptacle, which second side is opposite said first side, and said second portion being adjacent said first portion; a separating slot being disposed between and separating said first portion of said clamping head and said second portion of said clamping head; a tightening element being configured and disposed to: extend between and connect said first portion of said clamping head and said second portion of said clamping head; narrow said separating slot by bringing said first portion of said clamping head and said second portion of said clamping head closer together to clamp said clamping head about a cutting insert; and expand said separating slot by moving said first portion of said clamping head and said second portion of said clamping head farther apart to loosen said clamping head around a cutting insert; and said tightening element comprising a tightening element longitudinal axis; said tightening element longitudinal axis, when viewed from a side view perpendicular to the length and height of said tool holder, is disposed with respect to the tool holder longitudinal axis at an angle, which angle permits accessibility for loosening and tightening of said tightening element, and thereby to permit replacing cutting inserts in said cutting insert receptacle, in order to provide substantially secure clamping of replacement cutting inserts during operation of a machine tool and thus permit a cutting insert to be replaced in said tool holder without said tool holder being moved in a machine tool in which said tool holder is installed; and said angle being less than about forty-five degrees.