Patent ID: 7510352

Claim:
An integral cutting insert clamping mechanism comprising: a cutting insert comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces, at least one cutting edge defined at an intersection between the top surface and one of the side surfaces, an axial bore extending between the bottom and top surfaces, the cutting insert further including an indentation in the top surface; a clamp plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, at least two opposing side surfaces and an axial bore extending between the bottom and top surfaces, the clamp plate seated within the indentation of the cutting insert, the bottom surface of the clamp plate including at least two protrusions, each protrusion extending from the at least two opposing side surfaces, each protrusion having a bottom surface in contact with the indentation of the cutting insert; and a retaining screw inserted into the cutting insert bore and the clamp bore, wherein the retaining screw engages a tool holder to create a clamping force on the cutting insert and wherein each protrusion transfers the clamping force away from the axial bore of the cutting insert.