Clamping device for a cutting insert

Abstract

A metal cutting tool assembly comprising a rigid holder blade, an insert receiving slot formed in a leading end of the holder blade and defined between a resiliently displaceable clamping jaw formed integrally with the holder blade and rigid base jaw forming part of the holder blade, spaced apart displacement and supporting surfaces respectively formed in or on the clamping jaw and the holder, and a slot opening key, with a pair of spaced apart projecting prongs of the key adapted to engage the surfaces. At least one of the prongs is displaceable with respect to the holder blade so as resiliently to displace the clamping jaw outwardly with respect to the base jaw into an opening position for insertion or removal of an insert.

1. A rigid holder blade comprising:
 a body portion; 
 a base jaw integrally formed with said body portion; 
 a clamping jaw having a leading portion, said clamping jaw being integrally formed with said body portion and being resiliently and displaceable relative to said base jaw; 
 an insert receiving slot having a leading portion and a trailing portion, said slot being defined between said clamping jaw and said base jaw and being adapted to receive an exchangeable cutting insert; 
 a displacement surface formed in said clamping jaw, said displacement surface being spaced apart from said insert receiving slot and located substantially on said clamping jaw leading portion; and 
 a supporting surface provided on said body portion, said supporting surface being spaced apart from said displacement surface; 
 the arrangement being such that a displacing force applied between said supporting and displacement surfaces to move said surfaces relative to each other results in an outwardly directed resilient pivotal displacement of said clamping jaw relative to said base jaw. 
 
     
     
       2. A cutting tool assembly comprising:
 a rigid holder blade as claimed in  claims 1 , and 
 an insert receiving slot opening key having a pair of spaced apart prongs, a first prong of said key adapted to engage said supporting surface and a second prong of said key adapted to enagage said displacement surface for applying said displacing force. 
 
     
     
       3. The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein a rotational movement of said key about said first prong displaces said clamping jaw relative to said base jaw. 
     
     
       4. The assembly according to  claim 2  further comprising means to force apart said first and second prongs. 
     
     
       5. The holder blade according to  claim 1  wherein a first aperture is formed in said clamping jaw leading portion having an aperture rim constituting said displacement surface. 
     
     
       6. The holder blade according to  claim 5  wherein said supporting surface is adjacent to said insert receiving slot trailing portion. 
     
     
       7. The holder blade according to  claim 6 , wherein said supporting surface is formed on an outer surface of said body portion rearwardly of said clamping jaw. 
     
     
       8. The holder blade according to  claim 6  wherein said supporting surface is formed on said insert receiving slot trailing portion. 
     
     
       9. The holder blade according to  claim 6  further comprising a second aperture formed in an upper portion of said body portion, said second aperture providing said supporting surface. 
     
     
       10. The holder blade according to  claim 5  further comprising a second aperture formed in said base jaw, substantially opposite said first aperture, said second aperture providing said supporting surface. 
     
     
       11. The holder blade according to either one of  claims 9  or  10  wherein said supporting surface is a throughgoing bore. 
     
     
       12. The holder blade according to any one of  claims 5  to  10  wherein said displacement aperture is a throughgoing bore.