Blade assembly for planer cutter head

In a cylindrical cutter head comprising:

• a cutter head body having a cylindrical surface which is centered on an axis and which is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly open main grooves extending parallel to the axis and each having relative to a normal direction of rotation of the body about the axis a leading flank and a trailing flank, the flanks being generally planar and converging radially outward;
• a disposable knife blade in each of the grooves against the trailing flank thereof;
• and
• an outwardly tapered centrifugal wedge positioned in each of the grooves and braced radially between the blade and the leading flank;
• the improvement wherein
• each groove is formed immediately forward of its trailing flank with a radially inwardly projecting groove extension, whereby wide regrindable blades can be fitted int he groove with their rear edges seated in the respective groove extensions, said cutter head further comprising
• a one-piece holding bracket interposed between the knife blade and the centrifugal wedge and having a pair of unitary but relatively elastically displaceable legs one of which is engageable with the blade and has an axially extending formation complementary to and interfitting with the formation of the blade;
• and
• means fixing the other leg of the bracket to the cutter head body, the bracket being elastically deformable for displacement of its one leg between a normal position spaced slightly from the blade and permitting insertion and release of the knife blade and a holding position bearing on the blade and pressing same against the side of the groove, the wedge being angled and positioned such that on rotation of the body it is urged centrifugally outward and presses the one leg of the bracket into the holding position.