Abstract: A quick release cam lever assembly for use with the collar (14) of a collar clamp (10) to secure a shaft (16) when received by the collar is provided. The collar is an open-ended ring with outwardly directed opposed flanges (18, 20) spaced apart from another by a gap (22) between the ends of the ring, and the cam lever assembly comprises a cam lever (12, 56) having a first end region (26) terminating in at least one cam element (28, 62), the cam element being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the lever. The cam lever assembly also comprises a fastener (30, 60) with one end coupled to the cam element and having an opposite end for passage through one of the flanges (18) of the collar and reception by the other of the flanges (20), wherein the cam element is for engagement with a bearing surface (42) of the clamp to draw the flanges together upon the lever (12, 56) being rotated about its axis of rotation from an open position to a locking position for securing of the shaft by the collar.