Blade holder for saber saw

Claim 1

A holder for a saber saw blade of the type having a pair of opposed side marginal edges and a pair of aligned notches on opposed side marginal edges thereof near one end of the blade comprising: a support having a blade-receiving slot extending thereinto, the slot having a pair of opposed, longitudinal side edge margins corresponding to the side marginal edges of the blade when the latter is inserted into the slot, said support having a pair of aligned recesses therein on opposed sides of the slot and adjacent to respective side margins of the slot; a ball in each recess, respectively, the center lines of the balls being on a line angularly disposed to a line extending between the side margins of the slot, said balls being movable relative to the support into positions across the slot near respective side margins thereof for entering the notches of the blade in the slot to hold the blade therewithin; a cam element having a cam surface engageable with the balls for urging the same into said positions, said cam element being movable longitudinally of the slot; and a spring engaging the cam element and urging the same in a direction to force the balls into said positions.