U.S. patent application number 11/150508 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 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 Robert W. Erickson, Jimmie L. Sollami.
Application Number | 20060279133 11/150508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37523498 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060279133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Erickson; Robert W. ; et
al. |
December 14, 2006 |
Retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block
Abstract
An improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a
support block rigidly attached to an outer surface of a carrier.
The retaining system includes a first groove formed in an outer
surface of a shank portion of the cutting tool in a direction
transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shank portion. There is a
second groove formed in a surface of a bore formed through an axis
of the support block for receiving the shank portion of the cutting
tool and formed generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of
such carrier. The first groove is radially opposed to the a second
groove when the shank portion is inserted into the bore of the
support block. The final essential element of the retaining system
is a pin member engageable with each of the first groove and the
second groove for securing the cutting tool to the support
block.
Inventors: |
Erickson; Robert W.;
(Georgetown, TX) ; Sollami; Jimmie L.; (Herron,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Assignee: |
RIVER CITY MANUFACTURING
INC.
|
Family ID: |
37523498 |
Appl. No.: |
11/150508 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
299/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21C 35/1933
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
299/106 |
International
Class: |
E21C 35/19 20060101
E21C035/19 |
Claims
1. A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block rigidly attached to an outer surface of a rotating carrier
having a rotational axis, said retaining system comprising: (a) a
first groove, having a first predetermined shape, formed in an
outer surface of a shank portion of said cutting tool intermediate
each end thereof, said first groove being formed in a direction
transverse to a longitudinal axis of said shank portion; (b) a
second 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
first groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion of
said cutting tool being substantially radially opposed to said
second 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, said second groove formed in
said surface of said bore formed through an axis of said support
block has a longitudinal axis aligned generally perpendicular to
each of said outer surface and said rotational axis of said
carrier; and (c) a pin member engageable with each of said first
groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion of said
cutting tool and said second 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. The retaining system, 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 said support block.
3. The retaining system, 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. The retaining system, according to claim 3, wherein said at
least two grooves are formed substantially radially opposed to each
other.
5. The retaining system, according to claim 4, wherein said
predetermined shape of each of said at least two grooves formed
substantially radially opposed to each other is generally
oblong.
6. The retaining system, according to claim 1, wherein said first
groove formed in said shank portion is formed as a circumferential
groove thereby enabling rotation of said cutting tool in said
support block.
7. The retaining system, according to claim 6, wherein said
circumferential groove formed in said outer surface of said shank
portion has a generally oblong shape.
8. The retaining system, according to claim 1, wherein said second
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. The retaining system, according to claim 8, wherein said second
groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis
of said support block has a substantially round shape.
10. The retaining system, according to claim 8, wherein said at
least one aperture formed in said support block has a size slightly
less than identical to a size of said at least one pin member while
enabling passage thereof into and from said second groove formed in
said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support
block.
11. The retaining system, according to claim 1, wherein said pin
member is formed from at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic and
various combinations thereof.
12. The retaining system, according to claim 11, wherein said pin
member is formed of metal.
13. The retaining system, according to claim 12, wherein said pin
member is formed from rolled spring steel.
14. The retaining system, according to claim 1, wherein said pin
member has a substantially round shape.
15. The retaining system, according to claim 14, wherein said pin
member has a slightly larger diameter as said at least one groove
formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of
said support block, whereby said pin member grips a surface of said
second groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through
said axis of said support block for frictional retention
therein.
16. The retaining system, according to claim 1, wherein said
retaining system further includes at least one ledge portion formed
on an outer surface of said shank portion.
17. The retaining system, according to claim 1, wherein said
retaining system further includes a pair of ledge portions formed
on an outer surface of said shank portion.
18. The retaining system, according to claim 17, 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
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is closely related U.S. Utility patent
application Ser. No. 10/733,607 filed on Dec. 11, 2003, to
co-pending U.S. Ser. No. ______ entitled "CUTTING TOOL", filed
concurrently herewith. These applications being assigned to the
assignee of the present invention and the disclosures of these
applications are hereby incorporated by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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
[0003] 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, in
the surface milling of roads and for clearing debris from
undeveloped land. The cutting tool usually carries a hardened work
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 rotatably driven to engage the
cutting tools forcibly into whatever material is chosen to be
addressed by the machinery.
[0004] Each cutting tool is generally secured within the support
block with at least one retaining pin engaging complimentary and
radially opposed grooves formed in a bore of the support block and
in the shank portion of the cutting tool. The axis of the
complimentary grooves are disposed transversely to the longitudinal
axis of the bore and the shank of the cutting tool. Additionally,
such axis are generally parallel to a rotational axis of the drum
or other carrier.
[0005] To increase performance, it is desirable to have the
aforementioned drum equipped with a large quantity of cutting tools
disposed in close proximity to each other thus limiting the lateral
space between adjacent support blocks. A problem in increasing the
quantity of cutting tools is that the resulting limited lateral
space between adjacent support blocks increases the difficulty and
the effort of removing and replacing retaining pins in order to
replace the cutting tool which is, as is generally well known,
subject to substantial wear during use.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved retaining
system for securing a cutting tool within the support block.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a retaining system for
securing a cutting tool to a support block which is rigidly
attached to an outer surface of a carrier normally having a
rotational axis. The retaining system includes a first groove,
having a first predetermined shape, formed in an outer surface of a
shank portion of such cutting tool. The first groove is formed in a
direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shank
portion. There is a second 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 second groove formed in the outer surface of such
shank portion of the cutting tool is radially opposed to the first
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 second groove has a longitudinal
axis aligned substantially perpendicular to such rotational axis of
the carrier. The final essential element of the retaining system is
a pin member engageable with each of such first groove formed in
the outer surface of such shank portion of the cutting tool and the
second 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. The alignment of the second groove enables ease of
installing and removing the pin member in applications wherein the
support blocks are disposed in close lateral proximity to each
other and further facilitates use of simple power tools.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] 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.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block that allows reduced lateral spacing between adjacent support
blocks.
[0010] 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 replacement of the cutting tool.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support
block that allows use of simple power tools to replace the cutting
tool within the support block.
[0012] 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.
[0013] An additional 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.
[0014] In addition to the numerous objects and advantages of the
present invention listed above, various other objects and
advantages of the 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 objects 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
[0015] FIG. 1 is side view of a cutting tool mounted in a support
block in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of a cutting tool according to a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of a support block in accordance with
a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of a support block of a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of a pin member as used in a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an end view of the pin member shown in FIG. 5.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of a prior art type cutting tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] 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.
[0023] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, illustrated therein is a
retaining system, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for
securing a cutting tool, generally designated 20, to a support
block, generally designated 30. The support block 30 has a surface
portion 14 for rigid attachment to an outer surface 4 of a rotating
drum 2 which has a rotational axis 6, best shown in FIG. 4. The
support block 30 is further provided with at least one grove 16a
with a longitudinal axis 17a formed at least partially in a surface
of a bore 18 which is formed through an axis of the support block
30. The presently preferred shape of such at least one groove 16a
is round. In the presently preferred embodiment, the longitudinal
axis 17a of the at least one groove 16a is aligned generally
perpendicular to the outer surface 4 and rotational axis 6 of the
drum 2. Preferably, a second groove 16b with a longitudinal axis
17b is formed at least partially in such surface of the bore 18
opposite the first groove 16b. It is further presently preferred
that such axis 17a and 17b are continuously divergent from each
other in a downwardly direction. Grooves 16a and 16b correspond
respectively with a first aperture 19a and a second aperture 19b
formed on an outer surface of the support block 30 adjacent the
bore 18 in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0024] The cutting tool 20 has at least one groove 22 having a
predetermined shape, formed in an outer surface of a shank portion
24, groove 22 being formed in a direction transverse to a
longitudinal axis of the shank 24. Preferably, such predetermined
shape of the at least one groove 22 is oblong.
[0025] When the shank portion 24 is inserted into the bore 18, and
the first ledge 28 abuts a face of the support block 30, the groove
22 is radially opposed to the grooves 16a and 16b and
complimentarily aligned therewith.
[0026] To securely retain the cutting tool 20 within the support
block 12, at least one pin member 8, being preferably a pair of pin
members 8, are inserted into apertures 19a and 19b and are
engageable with groove 22 of shank portion 24 of cutting tool 20
and grooves 16a and 16b formed in surface of the bore 18. Once the
pin members 8 are fully inserted into apertures 19a and 19b,
through grooves 16a and 16b respectively, and while the shank
portion 24 is fully inserted into support block 30, the presence of
pin members 8 prevents shank portion 24 from being removed from the
bore 18 of the support block 30.
[0027] It will be appreciated that an alignment of grooves 16a and
16b, wherein their longitudinal axis 17a and 17b respectively are
disposed generally perpendicular to the rotating axis 6 of the drum
2 offers ease of installing and removing pin members 8 in
applications wherein the support blocks 30 are disposed in close
lateral proximity to each other as generally vertical disposition
of apertures 19a and 19b enables unobstructed access to the pin
members 8 and facilitates use of simple power tools.
[0028] The pin members 8 are formed of at least one of metal,
plastic, ceramic or various combinations thereof. More
particularly, metal and preferably rolled spring steel pin members
8 are used in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
Such pin members 8 are slightly compressed when inserted through
apertures 19a and 19b and tend to grip the surface of grooves 16a
and 16b thereby frictionally securing the retaining pin members 8
within such grooves 16a and 16b. Accordingly, the size of the
apertures 19a and 19b and diameter of the grooves 16a and 16b will
be slightly less than identical to the diameter of the pin member
8.
[0029] It will be appreciated that pin members 8 manufactured from
a rolled spring steel offer increased strength and reduction in
cost.
[0030] Advantageously, groove 22 of shank portion 24 is formed
slightly larger than pin members 8 so that the expanded size of pin
members 8, although limited in expansion by the slightly smaller
size of grooves 16a and 16b, and thereby smaller than the diameter
or groove 22, shank portion 24 is allowed to laterally rotate
within the bore 18 of support block 30. Such rotation allows for
more even wear of the work tip 21 of the cutting tool 20.
[0031] As best shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the shank portion 24 may
further include a second circumferential groove 26 formed closely
adjacent an end of shank portion 24 and axially disposed from the
groove 22 for receiving a washer like member 7 to further retain
the cutting tool 20 in such support block 30.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
groove 22 of the shank portion 24 may be formed less than a
complete circumference of the shank portion 24 or just a partial
circumference to allow rotation in both directions but not a
complete lateral rotation in one direction or the other.
[0033] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of a cutting tool 20 having the first ledge 28, the second
circumferential groove 26 and a second ledge 32, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention
may be applied to other types of cutting tools which have a shank
portion 24 of a uniform diameter having the work tip 21 disposed at
one end.
[0034] Furthermore, different types of pin members 8, for example,
spiral or solid type pin members may be utilized for retaining such
cutting tool within the support block.
[0035] 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.
* * * * *