U.S. patent application number 10/733607 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-16 for retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block.
This patent application is currently assigned to RIVER CITY MANUFACTURING INC.. Invention is credited to Erickson, Robert W..
Application Number | 20050127742 10/733607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34653134 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050127742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Erickson, Robert W. |
June 16, 2005 |
Retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved retaining system for
securing a cutting tool to a support block. The retaining system
includes at least one groove, having a first predetermined shape,
formed in an outer surface of a shank portion of the cutting tool.
The groove is formed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal
axis of the shank. There is at least one groove, having a second
predetermined shape, formed in a surface of a bore formed through
an axis of the support block for receiving the shank portion of the
cutting tool. The at least one groove formed in the outer surface
of the shank portion of the cutting tool is radially opposed to the
at least one groove formed in the surface of the bore formed
through the axis of the support block when the shank portion is
inserted into the bore of the support block. The final essential
element of the retaining system is at least one pin member
engageable with each of at least one groove formed in the outer
surface of such shank portion of the cutting tool and the at least
one groove formed in the surface of the bore formed through the
axis of the support block for securing the cutting tool to the
support block.
Inventors: |
Erickson, Robert W.;
(Georgetown, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Assignee: |
RIVER CITY MANUFACTURING
INC.
|
Family ID: |
34653134 |
Appl. No.: |
10/733607 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
299/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21C 35/1933
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
299/106 |
International
Class: |
E21C 025/10 |
Claims
1. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, said retaining system comprising: (a) at least one groove,
having a first predetermined shape, formed in an outer surface of a
shank portion of said cutting tool intermediate each end thereof,
said groove being formed in a direction transverse to a
longitudinal axis of said shank; (b) at least one groove, having a
second predetermined shape, formed in a surface of a bore formed
through an axis of said support block for receiving therein said
shank portion of said cutting tool, said at least one groove formed
in said outer surface of said shank portion of said cutting tool
being substantially radially opposed to said at least one groove
formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of
said support block when said shank portion is inserted into said
bore of said support block; and (c) at least one rolled spring
steel pin member engageable with each of said at least one groove
formed in said outer surface of said shank portion of said cutting
tool and said at least one groove formed in said surface of said
bore formed through said axis of said support block for securing
said cutting tool to said support block.
2. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said shank portion further
includes a circumferential groove formed in said outer surface
thereof closely adjacent an end of said shank portion for receiving
a washer like member therein to provide additional retention of
said cutting tool in such support block.
3. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said shank portion includes at
least two grooves formed in said outer surface thereof, said at
least two grooves being formed in a direction transverse to a
longitudinal axis of said shank portion.
4. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 3, wherein said at least two grooves are
formed substantially radially opposed with each other.
5. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined shape of
each of said at least two grooves formed substantially radially
opposed with each other is oblong.
6. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one groove
formed in said shank portion is formed as a circumferential groove
thereby enabling rotation of said cutting tool in said support
block.
7. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 6, wherein said circumferential groove
formed in said outer surface of said shank portion has a
substantially oblong shape.
8. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one groove
formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of
said support block is formed as part of at least one aperture
through said support block adjacent said bore formed through said
axis of said support block.
9. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 8, wherein said at least one groove
formed in said surface of said bore has a substantially round
shape.
10. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 9, wherein said at least one aperture has
a substantially round shape.
11. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pin member
has a substantially round shape.
12. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 11, wherein a diameter of at least one
aperture formed in said support block has a substantially identical
diameter as said at least one rolled spring steel pin member.
13-15. (canceled)
16. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rolled
spring steel pin member has a substantially identical diameter as
said at least one groove formed in said surface of said bore formed
through said axis of said support block.
17. (canceled)
18. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said retaining system further
includes at least one ledge portion formed on an outer surface of
said shank portion.
19. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 1, wherein said retaining system further
includes a pair of ledge portions formed on an outer surface of
said shank portion.
20. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block, according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said pair of
ledge portions formed on said outer surface of said shank portion
is disposed substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said
shank portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to cutting tools
and, more particularly, this invention relates to an improved
retaining system for retaining such cutting tools in their support
blocks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Prior to the conception and development of the present
invention, cutting tool assemblies have been in widespread use.
These cutting tool assemblies are used, typically, in mining and in
the surface milling of roads. The cutting tool usually carries a
hardened tip for increased tool life and is rotatably mounted into
a support block. The support blocks are either bolted or welded
onto a drum or other carrier, which in turn is driven to engage the
cutting tools forcibly into whatever material is chosen to be
addressed by the machinery.
[0003] Typically, the aforementioned drum is limited in rotation
speed due to unreliable clips or fittings holding the cutting tool
into the support block. To increase performance of milling in mines
and on roads, it is desirable to have much faster drum rotation. A
problem in increasing rotation speeds utilizing retaining clips
prior to the present invention is that cutting tools come loose
from their support blocks and become projectiles, thereby
endangering people and structures in the vicinity of the operation.
The standard fastener is a singular, rear-mounted clip held in a
groove by friction or spring action.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a retaining system for
securing a cutting tool to a support block. The retaining system
includes at least one groove, having a first predetermined shape,
formed in an outer surface of a shank portion of such cutting tool.
The at least one groove is formed in a direction transverse to a
longitudinal axis of the shank portion. There is at least one
groove, having a second predetermined shape, formed in a surface of
a bore formed through an axis of the support block for receiving
therein such shank portion of the cutting tool. The at least one
groove formed in the outer surface of such shank portion of the
cutting tool is radially opposed to the at least one groove formed
in the surface of such bore formed through the axis of the support
block when such shank portion is inserted into the bore of the
support block. The final essential element of the retaining system
is at least one pin member engageable with each of such at least
one groove formed in the outer surface of such shank portion of the
cutting tool and the at least one groove formed in such surface of
the bore formed through the axis of the support block for securing
the cutting tool to the support block.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide an improved retaining system for affixing a
cutting tool to a support block more securely.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block to provide an improved operating life.
[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block that allows easy removal of the cutting tool from the support
block.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a
support block that requires simple tools to remove the cutting tool
from the support block.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block that is easy to manufacture.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block that is easily adaptable to prior art type cutting tools.
[0011] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to
a support block that supports higher tip speeds of the cutting tool
thereby promoting increased productivity.
[0012] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide
an improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a
support block that increases productivity resulting in lower
production costs.
[0013] In addition to the objectives and advantages listed above,
various other objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become more readily apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant art from a reading of the detailed description section of
this document. The other objectives and advantages will become
particularly apparent when the detailed description is considered
along with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is side view of a cutting tool mounted in a support
block in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of a cutting tool according to a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of a support block in accordance with
a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an front view of a support block of a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of a rolled steel pin as used in a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an end view of a rolled steel pin as illustrated
in FIG. 5.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view of a cutting tool according to prior
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Prior to proceeding to a much more detailed description of
the present invention, it should be noted that identical components
which have identical functions have been identified with identical
reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the
drawing figures for the sake of clarity and understanding of the
invention.
[0022] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a retaining system is
generally indicated by reference numeral 10, the retaining system
10 includes a cutting tool 14 and a support block 12. There is at
least one groove 2 having a predetermined shape, formed in an outer
surface of a shank portion 4 of the cutting tool 14, groove 2 being
formed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of shank 4.
Preferably such predetermined shape is oblong.
[0023] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 the shank portion 4 further includes a
circumferential groove 6 formed closely adjacent an end of shank
portion 4 for receiving a washer like member 7 to further retain
the cutting tool in such support block 12.
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts at least one groove 16a and 16b, having a
round shape, formed in a surface of a bore 18 which is formed
through an axis of the support block 12. Bore 18 is for receiving
therein such shank portion 4 of the cutting tool 14. The groove 2
formed in the outer surface of the shank portion 4 of cutting tool
14 is radially opposed to the grooves 16a and 16b formed in the
surface of bore 18 of support block 12 when shank portion 4 is
inserted into bore 18 of support block 12. Grooves 16a and 16b
correspond respectively with apertures 20a and 20b of support block
12 in FIG. 3.
[0025] When shank portion 4 is inserted into bore 18 of support
block 12 at least one pin member 8, preferably two pins 8, are
inserted into apertures 20a and 20b and are engageable with groove
2 of shank portion 4 of cutting tool 14 and grooves 16a and 16b
formed in surface of bore 18 for securing the cutting tool 14
within support block 12. Once pins 8 are fully inserted into
apertures 20a and 20b, through grooves 16 a and 16b respectively,
and while shank portion 4 is fully inserted into support block 12,
the presence of pins 8 prevents shank portion 4 from being removed
from bore 18 of support block 12.
[0026] Pins 8 are formed of at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic
or various combinations thereof. More particularly metal and
preferably rolled spring steel pins are used. Such pins 8 are
slightly compressed when inserted through apertures 20a and 20b and
tend to grip the sides of apertures 20 and 20b thereby keeping pins
8 within such apertures 20 and 20b. Groove 2 of shank portion 4 is
formed slightly larger than pins 8 so that the expanded size of
pins 8, although limited in expansion by the slightly smaller size
of apertures 20a and 20b, and thereby smaller than the diameter or
groove 2, shaft portion 4 is allowed to laterally rotate within
bore 18 of support block 12. Such rotation allows for more even
wear of the carbide tip of the cutting tool assembly 10.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,
groove 2 of shaft 4 may be formed less than a complete
circumference of shaft 4 or just a partial circumference to allow
rotation in both directions but not a complete lateral rotation in
one direction or the other.
[0028] While the present invention has been described by way of a
detailed description of a particularly preferred embodiment or
embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that various substitutions of equivalents may be affected
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set
forth in the appended claims.
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