Method and apparatus for removing a knockout

Abstract

An apparatus for removing a knockout region from a saw blade includes an elongate body having a center axis. A distal end of the elongate body can include a head, having a concave region, wherein the concave region has a fulcrum section. A slot includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the second surface. The first surface and the second surface preferably are separated be a width greater than the thickness of the saw blade. The slot is positioned rearward of the concave region and is angled at a substantially acute angle relative to the center axis. The concave region is sized and shaped such that the fulcrum section contacts a first face of the saw blade and the slot is sized and shaped such that the first surface of the slot contacts a second face of the saw blade. Preferably, the fulcrum region engages the first region and the slot engages the second portion at the same time.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. 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 of the knockout region on a second face of the saw blade, wherein the first portion of the saw blade of the knockout region is opposite the second portion of the saw blade of the knockout region; and 
 wherein the apparatus is configured such that the fulcrum region engages the first portion of the knockout region and the slot engages the second portion of the knockout region at the same time. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second slot, wherein the second slot comprises a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the third surface and the second surface are separated by a different width than the first surface and the second surface; and 
 a second fulcrum section on the concave region. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a width of the elongate body is greater than a width of the head. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongate body further comprises a handle portion. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the elongate body further comprises a hex-shaped opening, wherein the proximal end is angled at a substantially obtuse angle relative to distal end. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongate body is substantially the same width and thickness. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is made of a rigid material. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is made of steel. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first surface further comprises a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus for removing a knockout portion from a saw blade, comprising:
 a thin, elongate body; 
 a first end of the thin, elongate body comprising:
 at least one angled slot having a substantially uniform width; and 
 a head comprising at least one fulcrum section and a concave region positioned between, wherein the at least one angled slot and the fulcrum section are positioned on opposite sides of the concave region, wherein the concave region is defined by a continuous arcuate surface, wherein an apex of the concave region is positioned inward toward a 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; 
 
 wherein the first end is sized and shaped such that the at least one angled slot engages a first portion of the knockout portion and the at least one fulcrum section contacts a second portion of the knockout region portion on a side opposite of an opening of the saw blade from the first portion of the knockout portion engaged by the at least one angled slot. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the at least one angled slot further comprises a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprises a second end comprising:
 a second angled slot; and 
 a second concave region comprising a second fulcrum section. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein a second end of the elongate body further comprises a hex-shaped opening, wherein the second end is angled at a substantially obtuse angle relative to first end.