U.S. patent application number 11/429439 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for cutting tool and method of assembling the cutting tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to SANDVIK INTELECTUAL PROPERTY AB. Invention is credited to Kenneth S. Monyak, Daniel J. Mouthaan.
Application Number | 20070257545 11/429439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38660562 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070257545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mouthaan; Daniel J. ; et
al. |
November 8, 2007 |
Cutting tool and method of assembling the cutting tool
Abstract
A cutting tool assembly includes a tool body having a major
flare diameter portion disposed adjacent the cutting end of the
cutting tool and a puller groove disposed below the major flare
diameter portion. A compressible sleeve is disposed about a shank
portion of the cutting tool, which is mounted in a tool holder. A
washer is fitted about the compressible sleeve, and acts as one of
the sides of the puller groove. The location of the puller groove
below the major flare diameter portion allows for the cutting tool
to be made by cold forming, or the like.
Inventors: |
Mouthaan; Daniel J.;
(Williamsburg, MI) ; Monyak; Kenneth S.;
(Abingdon, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH (DC)
1500 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1100
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-1209
US
|
Assignee: |
SANDVIK INTELECTUAL PROPERTY
AB
|
Family ID: |
38660562 |
Appl. No.: |
11/429439 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
299/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21C 35/197
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
299/107 |
International
Class: |
E21C 25/10 20060101
E21C025/10 |
Claims
1. A cutting tool for insertion into a tool holder, comprising: a
tool body having a first end for receiving a cutting tip and a
second end for mounting in the tool holder, the tool body including
a tapered forward cutting end; a major flare diameter portion
disposed adjacent the forward cutting end; a reduced diameter
portion disposed adjacent the major flare diameter portion; a shank
disposed adjacent the reduced diameter portion; a compressible
sleeve disposed about the shank; and a washer disposed adjacent to
the reduced diameter portion when the cutting tool is retained
within the tool holder.
2. The cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the reduced diameter
portion is sized to receive a standard extractor tool.
3. The cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the reduced diameter
portion is cylindrical.
4. The cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the reduced diameter
portion is formed by forging.
5. The cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the washer includes a bevel
that tapers away from a surface adjacent the reduced diameter
portion thereby minimizing contact between the washer and the
reduced diameter portion.
6. The cutting tool of claim 5, wherein the bevel of the washer is
about 45 degrees.
7. The cutting tool of claim 1, further comprising a stepped
portion adjacent the shank and the reduced diameter portion,
wherein a diameter of the stepped portion is greater than a
diameter of the shank and the diameter of the stepped portion is
less than a diameter of the reduced diameter portion.
8. A method of assembling a cutting tool assembly, comprising the
steps of: providing a cutting tool having a tool body having a
first end for receiving a cutting tip and a second end for mounting
in a tool holder, the tool body including a tapered forward cutting
end, a major flare diameter portion disposed adjacent the forward
cutting end, a reduced diameter portion disposed adjacent the major
flare diameter portion, and a shank disposed adjacent the reduced
diameter portion; fitting a compressible sleeve about the shank of
the cutting tool; and providing a washer about the cutting
tool.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cutting tool is cold
formed.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the washer is disposed on the
compressible sleeve approximately midway along the compressible
sleeve.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:
inserting the second end of the cutting tool into a bore of a tool
holder until a first end of the washer abuts a front face of the
tool holder; and applying force to the first end of the cutting
tool until a second end of the washer abuts against the reduced
diameter portion.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the washer tapers away from the
reduced diameter portion at an angle of approximately 45 degrees
from a longitudinal axis of the cutting tool.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the cutting tool is removed by
grasping the reduced diameter portion of the cutting tool with jaws
of an extractor tool.
14. A cutting tool and holder, comprising: a tool body having a
first end for receiving a cutting tip and a second end mounted in a
tool holder, the tool body including a tapered forward cutting end;
a cutting tip disposed in the first end of the tool body; a major
flare diameter portion disposed adjacent the forward cutting end; a
reduced diameter portion disposed adjacent the major flare diameter
portion; a shank disposed adjacent the reduced diameter portion; a
compressible sleeve disposed about the shank; and a washer disposed
adjacent to the reduced diameter portion when the cutting tool is
retained within the tool holder.
15. The cutting tool and holder of claim 14, wherein the reduced
diameter portion is sized to receive a standard extractor tool.
16. The cutting tool and holder of claim 14, wherein the reduced
diameter portion is cylindrical.
17. The cutting tool and holder of claim 14, wherein the reduced
diameter portion is formed by forging or other means.
18. The cutting tool and holder of claim 14, wherein the washer
includes a bevel that tapers away from a surface adjacent the
reduced diameter portion thereby minimizing contact between the
washer and the reduced diameter portion.
19. The cutting tool and holder of claim 18, wherein the bevel of
the washer is about 45 degrees.
20. The cutting tool and holder of claim 14, further comprising a
stepped portion adjacent the shank and the reduced diameter
portion, wherein a diameter of the stepped portion is greater than
a diameter of the shank and the diameter of the stepped portion is
less than a diameter of the reduced diameter portion, the washer
being disposed about the stepped portion when retained in the tool
holder.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a cutting tool
and method of assembly the cutting tool. More particularly, the
present invention pertains to cutting tool and method of assembling
the cutting tool in a cutting tool holder.
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
[0002] Tool assemblies used to cut hard surfaces, such as rock and
asphalt, typically include a rotating wheel or drum with a
plurality of cutting tools mounted around circumference of the
wheel or drum. Each cutting tool is rotatably mounted within a
cylindrical bore of the rotating drum. However, the material cut by
such tools is so abrasive that the cutting tools become worn in
just one day's use, and frequently need to be replaced. Therefore,
replacement of such tools must be relatively easy to
accomplish.
[0003] Each cutting tool typically includes a tapered forward
cutting end with a carbide tip, and a major flare diameter portion
spaced from the carbide tip. Disposed between the carbide tip and
the major flare diameter portion is a puller groove. The puller
groove is used for extracting the tool from the holder via an
extractor tool. When there is not sufficient access to the rear of
the tool to punch them out, this is the most desirable method. This
groove is typically machined in the cutting tool, which is very
costly. In addition, because the groove is machined close to the
tip of the cutting tool, it is susceptible to wear.
[0004] The cutting tool also includes a shank at its rearward end.
A compressible sleeve is disposed about the shank to fit the tool
within the bore of the tool holder. A washer may be used to help
compress the sleeve when it is assembled into the tool holder. When
assembled, the major flare diameter portion of the cutting tool is
disposed adjacent the washer.
[0005] In use, the cutting tool rotates within the compressible
spring sleeve. As such, the major flare diameter portion rubs
against the washer. Because the largest portion of the cutting tool
is disposed adjacent the washer, the surface contact is maximized
causing excess friction between the washer and the cutting
tool.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a cutting tool
with minimal surface contact between the washer and the cutting
tool. In addition, there is a need in the art for a cutting tool
body that can be made by forging.
SUMMARY
[0007] One aspect of the present invention pertains to a cutting
tool for insertion into a tool holder. A tool body includes a first
end for receiving a cutting tip and a second end for mounting in
the tool holder. The tool body includes a tapered forward cutting
end. A major flare diameter portion is disposed adjacent the
forward cutting end. The reduced diameter portion is disposed
adjacent the major flare diameter portion. A shank is disposed
adjacent the reduced diameter portion. A compressible sleeve is
disposed about the shank. A washer is disposed adjacent to the
reduced diameter portion when the cutting tool is retained within
the tool holder.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention pertains to a method
of assembling a cutting tool. A cutting tool is provided having a
tool body with a first end for receiving a cutting tool and a
second end for mounting in a tool holder. The tool body includes a
tapered forward cutting end, a major flare diameter portion
disposed adjacent the forward cutting end, a reduced diameter
portion disposed adjacent the major flare diameter portion, and a
shank disposed adjacent the reduced diameter portion. A
compressible sleeve is fitted about the shank of the cutting tool.
A washer is fitted about the cutting tool.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention pertains to a
cutting tool and holder. A tool body includes a first end for
receiving a cutting tip and a second end mounted in a tool holder.
The tool body includes a tapered forward cutting end. The cutting
tip is disposed in the first end of the tool body. A major flare
diameter portion is disposed adjacent the forward cutting end. The
reduced diameter portion is disposed adjacent the major flare
diameter portion. A shank is disposed adjacent the reduced diameter
portion. A compressible sleeve is disposed about the shank. A
washer is disposed adjacent to the reduced diameter portion when
the cutting tool is retained within the tool holder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0010] The accompanying drawings provide visual representations
which will be used to more fully describe the representative
embodiments disclosed herein and can be used by those skilled in
the art to better understand them and their inherent advantages. In
these drawings, like reference numerals identify corresponding
elements.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view, partly in cross
section of an exemplary cutting tool of the present invention and a
holder.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of an exemplary
cutting tool of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of an exemplary
cutting tool according to the prior art.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view an exemplary tool
body of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevational view of an exemplary
compressible sleeve according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the compressible sleeve
of FIG. 5 taken along line 5A-5A.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary washer
according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the washer of FIG. 6
taken along line 6A-6A.
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevational view of a standard
extractor tool.
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevational view of the cutting
tool of the present invention with the washer disposed midway along
the compressible sleeve.
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevational view of the cutting
tool of the present invention with the washer disposed adjacent the
reduced diameter portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of cutting tool
assembly 10 and cutting tool 12 of the present invention. While the
cutting tool assembly 10 is generally described as suitable for use
as road milling tools, it should be understood that the cutting
tool assembly 10 according to the present invention is applicable
to cutting tools other than road milling tools. For example, mining
and trenching tools.
[0023] Cutting tool assembly 10 includes a cutting tool 12 mounted
within a tool holder 14. When used as a road milling tool, a
plurality of cutting tools are mounted around the circumference of
a drum, and are rotatable around a longitudinal axis to thereby cut
a hard surface (not shown). The structure of such a tool is well
known in the art, and shown for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,195
and U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,803, the descriptions of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0024] The cutting tool 12 includes a tool body 16 having a first
end 18 for receiving a cutting tip 20. Preferably, the cutting tip
20 is a tungsten carbide cutting tip. However, it should be
understood that cutting tip 20 can be made of any hard material,
depending on application and design preference. The tool body 16
includes a tapered forward cutting end 22 and a major flare
diameter portion 24 adjacent the forward cutting end 22. A reduced
diameter portion or puller groove 26 is disposed adjacent the major
flare diameter portion 24, and is sized to receive the jaws of a
standard extractor tool (see FIG. 7), which will be described in
more detail below.
[0025] The cutting tool 12 includes a second end 28 for mounting
the cutting tool 12 in the tool holder 14. The second end 28 of the
cutting tool 12 includes a shank portion 30 to be received within a
bore 32 of the tool holder 14. Disposed about the shank portion 30
is a compressible sleeve 34, preferably made from spring steel. The
sleeve 34 is spring-loaded to radially expand the sleeve against
the inner surface of the bore 32 of the tool holder 14.
[0026] A washer 36 is disposed about the compressible sleeve 34 and
acts to compress the sleeve 34 so that the cutting tool 12 can be
mounted in the tool holder 14, which will be described in more
detail below. Preferably, the cutting tool 12 rotates within the
bore 32 of the tool holder 14, but is retained therein. Rotation of
the cutting tool 12 within the bore 32 allows the cutting tool 12
to wear symmetrically, which increases the life of the cutting tool
12.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutting tool 12 of the
present invention is compared to the cutting tool 40 of the prior
art. With reference in particular to FIG. 3, the cutting tool 40 of
the prior art includes a tapered forward cutting end 42 which
receives a cutting tip 44 at its end. A reduced diameter portion 46
is disposed between the tapered forward cutting end 42 and a major
flare diameter portion 48, and is sized to receive the jaws of a
standard extractor tool 49 (see FIG. 7). A compressible retainer
sleeve 50 is disposed about a shank portion 52 of the cutting tool
40 to thereby retain the cutting tool 40 within a tool holder (see,
e.g., FIG. 1). A washer 54 is disposed about the compressible
sleeve 50, which pre-compresses the retainer sleeve 54 to
facilitate mounting and retaining the cutting tool 40 within the
tool holder.
[0028] In accordance with the cutting tool 40 of the prior art, the
reduced diameter portion 46 must be machined, because it is not
possible to produce such a grooved portion by cold forming. In
particular, the grooved portion does not allow for the cutting tool
to be punched out of a die when cold forming. However, machining is
very expensive, and is to be avoided. In addition, the surface
contact between the major flare diameter portion 48 and the washer
54 is quite large, thereby increasing friction and negatively
affecting rotation of the cutting tool 40 within the tool holder,
causing premature wear. Moreover, the reduced diameter portion or
puller groove 46 is located relatively close to the cutting tip 44,
which causes the top surface of the groove to be worn away,
rendering it useless for the puller to extract the tool.
[0029] In contrast, the cutting tool 12 of the present invention
includes major flare diameter portion 24 above the reduced diameter
portion or puller groove 26. As such, the washer 36 acts as a
bottom surface 36A of the puller groove 26 and the major diameter
portion 24 acts as a top surface 24A of the puller groove 26. In
addition, as shown in FIG. 2, friction between the top surface of
the puller groove 26 and major diameter portion 24 and the cutting
tool 12 is minimized because the surface contact therebetween is
significantly decreased. In operation, the major flare diameter
portion 24 acts as one side of the puller groove 26, and is farther
removed from the cutting tip 20, thereby reducing wear of the top
surface 24A and major flare diameter portion 24.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 4, the cutting tool 12 of the present
invention will be described in further detail. In particular, the
cutting tool 12 includes a tool body 16 having a first end 18 and a
second end 28. The first end 18 includes the seat 56 for receiving
a cutting tip therein (not shown). The first end 18 includes a
tapered forward cutting portion 22 adjacent a major flare diameter
portion 24. A reduced diameter portion or puller groove 26 is
disposed below the major flare diameter portion 24. A shoulder
bridging the reduced diameter portion 26 and major flare diameter
portion 24 constitutes the top surface 24A for engagement of the
extractor tool 49. Preferably, the reduced diameter portion 26 is
cylindrical. However, it should be understood that the reduced
diameter portion 26 may take other shapes depending on application
and design preference.
[0031] The tool body 16 also includes a shank portion 30 for
mounting within a tool holder 14 (see FIG. 1). Disposed adjacent
the shank portion 30 is a stepped portion 60. Preferably, a
diameter of the stepped portion 60 is greater than a diameter of
the shank portion 30 but is less than a diameter of the reduced
diameter portion 26. The stepped portion 60 provides surface
against which the compressible sleeve is retained when the
compressible sleeve is mounted about the cutting tool 12.
[0032] Because the major flare diameter portion 24 is disposed
above the puller groove, tool body 16 may be formed by cold forming
in which a metal blank is formed into a desired shape, thereby
avoiding the significant costs of machining. In particular, a blank
is inserted into the die which defines the outer surface of the
cutting tool, after which the blank is punched to conform it to the
shape of the die. However, it should be understood that tool body
16 may be made in other ways known in the art, and is not
restricted to cold forming.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, and 6A, the compressible
sleeve 34 and washer 36 of the present invention are similar to the
compressible sleeve and washer of the prior art. With reference
specifically to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the compressible sleeve 34 is
preferably made from a spring steel and includes an opening 70,
which permits the sleeve to be compressed by the washer 36. With
reference to FIGS. 6 and 6A, washer 36 includes a bevel 72 that
tapers downwardly at an angle, which minimizes the contact between
the washer 36 and the reduced diameter portion or puller groove 26
of the cutting tool 12. The structure of such a washer is shown,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,195, the description of which
is incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, this angle is
approximately 45 degrees, but may be greater or smaller, depending
on application and design preference. The sleeve 34 also includes a
plurality of detents 74 (see FIGS. 5 and 5A) which engage a groove
76 (see FIG. 4) disposed on the shank portion 30 of the cutting
tool 12, to thereby retain the sleeve 34 on the cutting tool
12.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a method of assembling the
cutting tool 12 of the present invention within a tool holder 14
includes fitting the compressible sleeve 34 about the shank portion
30 of the cutting tool 12 so that the sleeve 34 is disposed
adjacent the stepped portion 60 of the cutting tool 12. A washer 36
is fitted about the second end 28 of the tool body 16 over the
compressible sleeve 34 until the washer 36 is disposed about midway
along the compressible sleeve 34.
[0035] Once the washer 36 is fitted about the compressible sleeve
34 about midway thereon, the second end 28 of the cutting tool 12
is inserted into a bore of a tool holder until a first end 80 of
the washer 36 abuts the top surface of the tool holder (not shown).
Force is then applied to the first end 18 and cutting tip 20 of the
cutting tool 12 until the second end 82 of the washer 36 abuts
against the reduced diameter portion or puller groove 26, as shown
in FIG. 9. The washer 36 pre-compresses the compressible sleeve 34
along its length, to thereby facilitate insertion of the cutting
tool within the bore of the tool holder, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0036] In the cutting tool 12 of the present application, the
surface contact between the cutting tool 12 and the washer 36 is
less than the surface contact between the washer 36 and the tool
holder 14. As such, the washer 36 will not move, or turn on the
holder, but rather remains stationary with the top surface of the
holder. This will reduce the wear on the interface of the holder
and the washer. The increased surface area between the washer and
the holder will prevent the washer from rotating, thereby reducing
the wear on the top of the holder. As such, the tool will require
changing long before the interface of the tool and the washer is
worn away and there is a catastrophic failure at the interface.
When the cutting tool is replaced, the washer is replaced as
well.
[0037] The presently disclosed embodiments are considered in all
respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is
indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing
description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range
of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced.
* * * * *