Rotary drill bit with one-piece washer feature

Abstract

[0071] A drill bit comprising a drill bit body and a shank extending from a bottom side of the drill bit body. The drill bit body includes a one-piece washer section extending to a rear annular flange and a tapered section adjacent to the rear annular flange, which is complementary to an angle of a countersink at a front end of a bore of a drill bit holder, the drill bit being radially concentric to the bore of the drill bit holder. The shank includes a distal cap section having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of a front section of the shank.The drill bit includes a holder arranged circumferentially around the shank, the holder having a distal section with a reduced diameter that allows the drill bit to be manually inserted into the bore of the drill bit holder over a predetermined distance before hammer blows are required to securely mount the drill bit in the bore of the drill bit holder, while further allowing the drill bit to rotate freely within the bore of the drill bit holder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Preliminary Application No. 63 / 676,221, filed on July 26, 2024, claims priority of [missing information], and is a partial continuation of U.S. Preliminary Application No. 63 / 692,764, filed on September 10, 2024, claims priority of [missing information], and is a partial continuation of U.S. Preliminary Application No. 63 / 750,354, filed on January 28, 2025, claims priority of [missing information], and is a partial continuation of U.S. Preliminary Application No. 63 / 621,178, filed on January 16, 2024, claims priority of [missing information], and is a partial continuation of U.S. Non-Preliminary Application No. 17 / 970,325, filed on October 20, 2022, claims priority of [missing information], and is a partial continuation of U.S. Non-Preliminary Application No. [missing information] 18 / 059,662, filed on November 29, 2022, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the non-preliminary US application No. 18 / 102,311, filed on November 27, 2022.January 2023, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the non-preliminary US application No. 18 / 134,659, filed on April 14, 2023, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the preliminary US application No. 63 / 466,041, filed on May 12, 2023, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the non-preliminary US application No. 18 / 236,672, filed on August 22, 2023, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the non-preliminary US application No. 18 / 931,855, filed on October 30, 2025, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the preliminary US application No. 63 / 547,036, filed on November 2, 2023, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the preliminary US application No. 63 / 621,178, filed on January 16, 2024, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the non-provisional U.S. application No. 18 / 437,987, filed on January 9, 2024.February 2024, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the non-provisional US application No. 19 / 193,861, filed on April 29, 2025, claims priority of and is a partial continuation of the provisional US application No. 63 / 640,040, filed on April 29, 2024, to the extent permitted by law, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein in full by reference. The contents of the concurrently pending non-provisional US application No. 19 / 180,973, filed on April 16, 2025, the applicant's expired provisional US application No. 63 / 634,745, filed on April 16, 2024, the applicant's concurrently pending non-provisional US application No. 17 / 877,084, filed on July 29, 2022, and the applicant's issued non-provisional US application No. 17 / 146,992, filed on January 12, 2021, now US Patent No. 11,891,825, granted on June 6, 2025, are hereby incorporated by the applicant.February 2024, the applicant's expired preliminary US application No. 62 / 898,654, filed on September 11, 2019, the applicant's expired preliminary US application No. 62 / 965,237, filed on January 24, 2020, the applicant's US patent No. 10,107,098, granted on October 23, 2018, and the applicant's US patent No. 10,612,376, granted on April 7, 2020, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL AREA

[0002] This disclosure relates to a drill bit and / or pickaxe for road milling, mining and trenching equipment and in particular a rotary drill bit incorporating a washer feature. BACKGROUND

[0003] Road milling, mining, and trenching equipment utilizes drill bits and / or picks traditionally mounted in a drill bit assembly. Drill bit assemblies may include a drill bit and / or pick held within a borehole in a base block. Alternatively, drill bit assemblies may include a drill bit and / or pick held by a drill bit holder, which is itself held within a borehole in a base block. Many drill bit assemblies are mounted on the outside of a rotating drum, typically in a V-shaped or helical configuration. Many drill bit assemblies may also be mounted on an endless chain and plate configuration. Combinations of drill bit assemblies have been used to remove material from the mainland, such as mining the Earth's surface, removing minerals, cement, concrete, macadam, or asphalt pavement.Individual drill bits and / or picks, drill bit holders, and base blocks can wear down or break over time due to the harsh, abrasive road environment. Additionally, the forces and vibrations exerted on the drill bit assemblies can cause the drill bit and / or pick to wear down the bore in the base block, the drill bit and / or pick to wear down the bore in the drill bit holder, or the drill bit holder to wear down the bore in the base block. For rotary drill bits, for example, a slotted holder, a sleeve, and a washer are used, arranged in a circle around the drill bit shank, to hold the drill bit in the drill bit holder.Over time, a gap forms between the underside of the drill bit body and the front surface of the drill bit holder, and the gap between a distal end of a sleeve and a front end of a holder continues to increase, allowing dirt, debris, and fine particles to enter the space between the outer diameter of the drill bit shank and the inner diameter of the holder. This results in poorer drill bit rotation, reduces the service life of the drill bit's carbide tip, and increases wear on the drill bit holder bore, necessitating replacement of the drill bit, drill bit holder, and / or base block long before the standard minimum service life required by the industry.

[0004] To extend the service life of the drill bit assembly and drill bit holder and / or base block, a drill bit and / or pick that includes a washer feature integrated into the drill bit body and a slotted holder with varying features adjacent to a distal end of the holder will facilitate insertion of the drill bit into the drill bit holder, reduce costs, reduce axial movement, and create nearly 100 percent sealed areas between the inner diameter of the holder and the outer diameter of the shank, between the bottom of the drill bit and the holder, and between the holder and the bore of the drill bit holder, thereby providing nearly 100 percent unimpeded rotation of the drill bit, increasing the service life of the drill bit tip insert due to improved rotation, and extending the overall service life of the drill bit.the drill bit holder and the base block are increased. SUMMARY

[0005] This disclosure generally relates to drill bit and / or pickaxe assemblies for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment. One implementation of the teachings herein is a holder comprising a body section including an axial front end and an axial distal end; a first slot extending through a side wall of the body section from the axial front end to the axial distal end; and a distal reduced-diameter section adjacent to the axial distal end of the holder, the distal reduced-diameter section having an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the body section of the holder upstream of the distal reduced-diameter section.

[0006] In another implementation of the teachings herein, a drill bit comprises a one-piece body section including a washer section adjacent to a distal end of the one-piece body section, the washer section being formed integrally as part of the one-piece body section; the one-piece body section extending axially and radially to a transition adjacent to an outer diameter of the washer section; a generally cylindrical shank extending from a bottom of the body section; and a generally cylindrical hollow holder arranged circumferentially around the shank, the holder including a body section comprising an axial front end and an axial distal end; and a first slot extending through a side wall of the body section from the axial front end to the axial distal end.and a distal reduced-diameter section adjacent to the axial distal end of the holder, wherein the distal reduced-diameter section includes an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the body section of the holder anterior to the distal reduced-diameter section.

[0007] These and other aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description of the embodiments, the attached claims and the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The various features, advantages, and other uses of the device will become clearer by referring to the following detailed description and drawings, where the same reference numerals refer to the same parts in the different views. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features in the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features have been arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Fig. Figure 1 is a distal perspective end view of a first illustrated embodiment of a drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. 2 is a front perspective end view of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. Figure 4 is a distal perspective end view of a second illustrated embodiment of a drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. 5 is a front perspective end view of the second illustrated embodiment of the drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the second illustrated embodiment of the drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. Figure 7 is a distal perspective end view of a third illustrated embodiment of a drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. 8 is a front perspective end view of the third illustrated embodiment of the drill bit according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. 9 is a front end elevation view of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit according to the implementations of this disclosure; Fig. Figure 11 is an expanded side elevation view of a first illustrated embodiment of a drill bit assembly, comprising the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit, a first illustrated embodiment of a holder, a drill bit holder and a base block, with invisible internal components shown in dashed lines, according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. Figure 11A is a side elevation view of the second illustrated embodiment of the drill bit as an alternative replacement part for the drill bit of the drill bit assembly of Fig. 11 according to implementations of this revelation; Fig. Figure 11B is a side elevation view of the third illustrated embodiment of the drill bit as an alternative replacement part for the drill bit of the drill bit assembly of Fig. 11 according to implementations of this revelation; Fig. Figure 12 is an expanded side elevation view of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit assembly, showing the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit assembled with the first illustrated embodiment of the holder and the drill bit holder assembled with the base block, according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. Figure 13 is a side elevation view of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit, shown assembled with the first illustrated embodiment of the holder, with invisible internal components shown in dashed lines, according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. 14 is a rear elevation view of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit assembly according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit assembly along line AA of Fig. 14 according to implementations of this revelation; Fig. Figure 16 is a rear perspective view of a fourth illustrated embodiment of a drill bit, shown assembled with a second illustrated embodiment of a holder, according to implementations of this disclosure; Fig. Figure 17 is a front perspective view of the fourth illustrated embodiment of the drill bit, shown assembled with the second illustrated embodiment of the holder, according to implementations of this disclosure; and Fig. Figure 18 is a side elevation view of the fourth illustrated embodiment of the drill bit, shown assembled with the second illustrated embodiment of the holder, according to implementations of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Road milling, mining, and trenching equipment uses drill bits and / or picks, traditionally mounted in a drill bit assembly. Drill bit assemblies may include a drill bit and / or pick held within a borehole in a base block. For rotary drill bits, for example, a slotted holder, sleeve, and washer are typically used, arranged circumferentially around the drill bit shank to hold the drill bit in the drill bit holder.However, excessive axial movement causes gaps to form between the underside of the drill bit body, the washer, and a front surface of the drill bit holder, and between a distal end of a sleeve and a front end of a holder. This allows dirt, debris, and fine particles to enter the space between the outer diameter of the drill bit shank and the inner diameter of the holder, resulting in poorer drill bit rotation, reduced service life of the drill bit's carbide tip, and increased wear of the drill bit holder bore. This necessitates replacement of the drill bit, drill bit holder, and / or base block long before the standard minimum service life required by the industry.

[0010] To extend the service life of the drill bit assembly and the drill bit holder and / or base block, a drill bit and / or pick that includes a washer feature integrated into the drill bit body adjacent to a distal end of the drill bit body, and a slotted holder with varying features adjacent to a distal end of the holder, facilitate insertion of the drill bit into the drill bit holder. The drill bit, which includes the drill bit body incorporating the integrated washer feature of this disclosure, reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, lowers manufacturing costs, enables faster manufacturing processes, provides more efficient drill bit performance, requires fewer drill bit changes, and allows for better drill bit rotation.Complete consumption of the usable carbide drill bit tip is possible due to the improved drill bit rotation and the larger and wider washer feature of the drill bit body. The one-piece design of the drill bit body / washer of the drill bit described in this disclosure reduces the number of components in the drill bit assembly, thereby enabling precise, repeatable axial movement limits that are application-specific.

[0011] The drill bit of the present disclosure also reduces axial movement and forms nearly 100 percent sealed areas between the inner diameter of the holder and the outer diameter of the shank, between the underside of the drill bit and the holder, and between the holder and the bore of the drill bit holder. This provides nearly 100 percent unimpeded rotation of the drill bit, increases the service life of the drill bit tip insert due to improved rotation, and extends the overall service life of the drill bit, drill bit holder, and base block. The reduced axial movement of the drill bit body allows an angled section at a distal end of the washer feature to engage an angle or countersink at a front end of the bore of the drill bit holder.The axial movement of the drill bit of the present disclosure is less than the axial length of the angled section at the distal end of the washer feature of the drill bit body of the drill bit.

[0012] After the drill bit is inserted into the bore of the drill bit holder, the holder is axially fixed in a rear seated position. The axial movement of the drill bit body is then strictly controlled by the permissible distance between a front shoulder of the drill bit shank and a distal shoulder of the drill bit shank, and by the overall length of the holder. The maximum manufacturing tolerance deviation between the dimensions of the front and distal shoulders of the drill bit shank and the overall length of the holder in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the drill bit described herein is approximately 0.030 inches.

[0013] With reference to Fig. Figures 1-3 and 11-15 show a first illustrated embodiment of a drill bit 10 according to implementations of this disclosure. The drill bit 10 comprises a drill bit body 12 and a drill bit shank 14, which hangs axially from a bottom surface of the drill bit body 12. The drill bit body 12 is generally cylindrical or generally annular and comprises an annular or generally cylindrical upper surface or front end 18, such as a nearly flat annular upper surface in the first illustrated embodiment, adjacent to an arcuate or concave front body section 16, which includes an annular or generally cylindrical recess 20 ( Fig. 11), in which a drill bit tip 22 is to be held. The arcuate or concave front section 16 generally inclines axially and radially outwards to a radially extending, generally cylindrical enlarged washer feature or section 24.

[0014] The washer feature 24 includes a diameter of 26 ( Fig. 11), which in this illustrated exemplary implementation is generally the same as the diameter of a nose section or upper body section 140 of a drill bit holder 130. In other embodiments, the diameter of the washer feature 24 may be at least the diameter of the nose section 140 of the drill bit holder 130 or larger than the diameter of the nose section 140 of the drill bit holder 130. A tapered distal section with a reduced diameter 28 ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 13) extends from a first flange 30 of the washer feature 24 to a second flange 32 at a front end 34 of the shank 14. In this illustrated exemplary implementation, the thickness or axial length of the washer feature 24, measured from the first flange 30 to a front end 36 of the washer feature 24, is generally about 3 / 16 inch to 5 / 8 inch and is application-specific. The first flange 30 and the second flange 32 can be flat, annular, and / or generally cylindrical flanges. The first flange 30 includes a transition radius 38 laterally adjacent to a front end of the tapered distal section 28. The transition radius 38 is a small radius that transitions from the rear annular flange 30 to the tapered distal section 28. The second flange 32 also includes a second transition radius 40 laterally adjacent to the front end 34 of the drill bit shank 14.The second transition radius 40 is also a small radius that transitions from the second flange or shoulder 32 to the shaft 14.

[0015] A unibody is formed by designing the washer feature 24 as part of the drill bit body 12, thereby eliminating any opening and / or space between a distal end 37 of the anterior body section 16 and the adjacent anterior end 36 of the washer feature 24. When the washer feature 24 is integrated into the drill bit body 12 as a single-component design, the cost of the unibody, i.e., the combination of washer feature 24 and drill bit body 12, is approximately 20% lower than the prior art two-part washer and cutting drill bit body configuration.

[0016] The drill bit shank 14, shown in Fig. 1-3, 11, 13 and 15, hangs axially from the second transition radius 40 of the second flange 32 adjacent to the tapered distal section with reduced diameter 28 of the washer feature 24 and is axially aligned with the drill bit body 22. The shank 14 comprises a generally cylindrical first segment 42 extending axially from the transition radius 40 of the second flange 32 to a tapered second segment 44. The second segment 44 extends axially from the first segment 42 to a generally cylindrical third segment 46. The third segment 46 extends axially from the second segment 44 to a third flange 48. An outwardly tapered fourth segment 50, adjacent to the third flange 48, extends axially to a generally cylindrical fifth segment 52. The fifth segment 52 extends axially to an arcuate sixth segment 54, which is adjacent to a distal end 56 of the shaft 14.The shaft 14 includes a notch 58 (. Fig. 1, Fig. 13 and Fig. 15), extending inwards from the distal end 56. In other embodiments, the shaft 14 can generally include cylindrical, tapered and / or arcuate segments or any combination thereof.

[0017] The shaft 14 includes a coaxial and generally cylindrical collapsible slot holder, which in this exemplary illustrated implementation includes a holder 80 as described below, arranged circumferentially around the shaft 14. In other embodiments, the holder may include any of the holders described in the applicant's patents and patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as described above. The holder 80 is generally made of spring steel or other hardenable material with an elasticity and durability that allows the holder 80 to return to its near-original shape despite significant deflection or twisting.

[0018] With reference to Fig. Figures 4-6 show a second illustrated embodiment of a drill bit 60 according to implementations of this disclosure. The drill bit 60 is essentially the same as the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit 10, except that a drill bit body 62 of the drill bit 60 comprises a concave surface or annular groove 64 located between the arcuate front section 16 and the front surface 36 of the washer feature 24. This groove 64 provides a space for a tool to extract the drill bit 60 from the drill bit holder 130.

[0019] With reference to Fig. Figures 7-10 show a third illustrated embodiment of a drill bit 70 according to implementations of this disclosure. The drill bit 70 is essentially the same as the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit 10, except that a drill bit body 72 of the drill bit 70 comprises a plurality of tapered cutouts 74 or wedge-shaped undercuts or notches to provide access and leverage for a tool to extract the drill bit 70 from the drill bit holder 130, as described below. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the drill bit body 72 includes four equally spaced tapered cutouts 74. The tapered cutouts 74 are formed in the washer feature 24 and extend from the first flange 30 adjacent to the washer feature 24.Each tapered cutout 74 includes a flat vertical inner surface and a flat tapered upper surface. The outer edge of the flat tapered upper surface of each tapered cutout 74 is arc-shaped to follow the circumference of the disc feature 24.

[0020] With reference to Fig. Figures 11-15 show a first illustrated embodiment of the holder 80 according to implementations of this disclosure. The holder 80 comprises a slot 82 extending axially from a front end 84 of the holder 80 to a distal end 86 of the holder 80. The slot 82 comprises a gap profile 88 defined by a first radial end surface 90 of the slot 82 and a second radial end surface 92 of the slot 82. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the radial end surfaces 90, 92 are linear over their entire axial length, thus defining a linear gap profile 88.In alternative embodiments of the supports, such as those described in the applicant's patent applications and patents incorporated by reference above, the radial end surfaces 90, 92 and the slot profile 88 can be parallel, serpentine, arcuate, angular, zigzag or any other configuration formed by the radial end surfaces 90, 92 of the slot 82 or any combination thereof.

[0021] The holder 80 comprises a distal section with a reduced diameter 94 adjacent to the distal end 86 of the holder 80. The distal section with a reduced diameter 94 extends axially to an annular or stepped shoulder 96 located between the distal section with a reduced diameter 94 and an outer surface 98 of the holder 80.The annular shoulder 96 increases or strengthens as it extends axially from the distal reduced-diameter section 94 to the outer surface 98 of the holder 80, whereby the distal reduced-diameter section 94 of the holder 80 comprises a thickness (not shown) and an outer diameter (not shown) that are less than a thickness (not shown) and an outer diameter (not shown) of the remainder of the holder 80, thereby enabling a small amount of radial interference between the distal reduced-diameter section 94 of the holder 80 and a bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 during initial manual insertion of the drill bit 10, 60, 70 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, and allowing the initial manual insertion of the drill bit 10, 60, 70 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 regardless of whether the drill bit holder 130 new or used, is enabled.In this exemplary illustrated implementation, for illustrative purposes only, the thickness of the distal reduced-diameter section 94 can be in the range of 0.002–0.045 inches on a holder 80 that has a thickness of 0.050 inches. The distal reduced-diameter section 94 allows approximately 50% less contact between the distal end 86 on an outer surface of the distal reduced-diameter section 94 of the holder 80 and the inner wall of the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, which is useful during the initial manual insertion of the holder 80 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.The reduced outer diameter of the distal section with reduced diameter 94 not only makes it easier to insert the drill bit 10, 60, 70 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, but also does not limit the amount of axial insertion of the drill bit 10, 60, 70 into a first illustrated embodiment of a drill bit / holder assembly 100 (. Fig. 12) In addition, by eliminating the need to use a washer to pre-compress the holder, the holder 80 not only reduces the manufacturing costs of the first illustrated embodiment of the drill bit / holder assembly 100, but is also more user-friendly during the insertion, even manual insertion, of the drill bit 10, 60, 70 into the drill bit holder bore 152, which is either new, used, or at the end of its service life, while the drill bit 10, 60, 70 continues to be held within the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 by radial interference with the outer surface 98 of the holder 80.

[0022] The 80 holder is made of a material that allows it to act like a spring. It can be compressed to a certain degree and still almost return to its original configuration when the compression is released. A heat-treated holder allows for greater radial compressibility without requiring a permanent set than a non-heat-treated holder. The type of material used to manufacture the holder and its alloy composition determine the holder's impact resistance, strength, and radial compressibility.In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the holder 80 is made of 6150 steel, a high-alloy steel, which provides the holder 80 with a higher impact resistance and greater strength. This enables the holder 80 to withstand a greater radial load without exceeding its yield strength and permanently deforming. This provides better overall performance over the holder's service life and use compared to the non-alloy materials used for prior art holders and extends the service life of the drill bit holder 130 and / or a prior art drill bit holder in which it is used. In other embodiments, the holders described herein and / or included by reference may also be made of any other suitable material.

[0023] The holder 80 further comprises a first angled section 102 extending from the distal end 86 of the holder 80 to the first radial end surface 90 of the slot 82, and a second angled section 104 extending from the distal end 86 of the holder 80 to the second radial end surface 92 of the slot 82. A double corner break is formed by the first angled section 102 and the second angled section 104, which facilitates easy and / or easier insertion of the distal end 86 of the holder 80, which is arranged circumferentially around the shank 14 of the drill bit 10, 60, 70, into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.The drill bit 10, 60, 70 includes the enlarged washer feature 24, which includes a diameter that is generally equal to or greater than a diameter of the nose section 140 of the drill bit holder 130, and in this exemplary illustrated implementation, the shank 14 of the drill bit 10, 60, 70 includes a front diameter 35 (. Fig. 11), which is greater than or equal to a distal diameter 57 of a cap 55 of the shaft 14 adjacent to the distal end 56 of the shaft 14, the cap 55 comprising the outwardly tapered fourth segment 50, the generally cylindrical fifth segment 52 and the arcuate sixth segment 54.

[0024] The holder 80 includes a relief notch or v-notch 106, which in this exemplary illustrated implementation is angular, extending from the distal end 86 of the holder 80. The relief notch 106 includes a pair of angular sides 108 extending from the distal end 86 of the holder 80 to a compression slot 110. The compression slot 110 extends axially from a central section or apex of the relief notch 106 to a slot termination 112 adjacent to the distal end 86 of the holder 80. The relief notch 106 and the compression slot 110 may each extend axially from the distal end 86 of the holder 80 and the relief notch 106, respectively, to the anterior end 84 of the holder 80.The axial length of the relief notch 106 and the axial length of the compression slot 110 are application-specific and can be of variable length, allowing the slot end 112 to be positioned at any point along the axial length of the holder 80. Due to the omission of a washer, an axially longer relief notch and / or compression slot is used to reduce the holder compressive strength at the distal end 86 of the holder 80 and to facilitate easier insertion of the holder into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.

[0025] The holder 80 further comprises at least one axially and radially inwardly extending axially and radially inwardly, which includes a front end located at a predetermined distance from the front end 84 of the holder 80. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the holder 80 comprises two axially extending positioning tabs 114, each extending axially to a distal end 116 of the tab 114 adjacent to the distal end 86 of the holder 80 and, in this exemplary illustrated implementation, spaced approximately 180 degrees apart. The distal ends 116 of the tabs 114 are arranged at a predetermined distance from the front end 84 of the holder 80 and control the axial movement of the drill bit body 12, 62, 72 during use, such that the axial movement of the drill bit shank 14 is less than the axial length 122 ( Fig. 13) of the angle extending from the rear annular flange 30 of the drill bit body 12, which is generally about 0.030 inch of axial movement for this design.

[0026] The two axial positioning tabs 114 are each positioned radially inward on a section of the holder 80, each forming a tab opening 118 on the wall of the holder 80, which terminates at a distal end 120 of the tab opening 118. The distal ends 116 of the tabs 114 are designed to engage the recess or third flange 48 on the drill bit shank 14 adjacent to the distal end 56 of the drill bit 10, 60, 70, in order to prevent the holder 80 from being removed from the drill bit shank 14 when the drill bit 10, 60, 70 is in use and when it is extracted from the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated herein by reference and / or incorporated herein, the holders include two or three tabs extending axially and radially inwards.In other embodiments, the holder 80 can include any number of tabs extending axially and radially inward. In yet another embodiment, the holder 80 can include at least one opening (not shown) located at a predetermined distance from the front end 84 of the holder 80. In still other embodiments, the holders described herein can simply comprise a generally cylindrical, collapsible body section and a slot extending axially along the length of the holder, creating a narrow gap between opposing side walls or radial end surfaces of the slot, the slot comprising a gap profile defined by the opposing side walls with various possible configurations and / or combinations as described above.These hollow holders, described and / or incorporated herein by reference with only a slot along the axial length of the holder from its front end to its distal end, are positioned on the shank of the drill bit between two vertical shoulders that are axially spaced to allow drill bit rotation during use. The holder may include the standard square corner or square end surface and / or may include any of the features described in the applicant's patents and patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as described above.

[0027] As in the embodiments of the holders described herein and / or incorporated by reference, the distal section with reduced diameter 94 allows less contact of the distal end 86 with the contact surfaces formed by the distal section with reduced diameter 94 of the holder 80 and the inner wall of a countersink 136 of the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, which is advantageous during the initial insertion of the holder 80 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130. During insertion, the direction of folding (not shown) is radial and initially occurs adjacent to the distal end 86 of the holder 80.The addition of the distal section with reduced diameter 94, the double corner break formed by the first angled section 102 and the second angled section 104, the relief notch 106 and the compression slot 110 makes it easier to insert the distal end 86 of the holder 80 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.

[0028] With reference to Fig. Figures 16-18 describe a fourth illustrated embodiment of a drill bit 200 comprising a drill bit body 202 and a drill bit shank 204, which hangs axially from a bottom surface of the drill bit body 202. The drill bit body 202 is generally cylindrical or generally annular and comprises an annular or generally cylindrical upper surface or front end 208, such as a nearly flat annular upper surface in this fourth illustrated embodiment, adjacent to an annular or generally cylindrical upper body section 206, which includes an annular or generally cylindrical recess (not shown) in which a drill bit tip 212 is to be held. An arcuate or concave first indirect body section 218 adjacent to the upper body section 206 generally inclines axially and radially outward toward an angled or conical second indirect body section 216.In other embodiments, the first intermediate body section 214 and the second intermediate body section 216 can have a frustoconical shape, an arcuate shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, and / or any combination thereof. The angled body section 216 extends axially to a front surface 232, which is angled and / or planar in this exemplary illustrated implementation, of a radially extending, generally arcuate enlarged washer feature or section 218. The angled front surface 232 of the washer feature 218 acts as a cutting material flow barrier, pressing a rear annular flange 224 of the drill bit body 202 axially against a front face of the drill bit holder with a greater force than a frustoconical profile at the front end of the drill bit body.A unibody is formed by designing the washer feature 218 as part of the drill bit body 202. When the washer feature 218 is integrated into the drill bit body 202 as a single-component design, the cost of the unibody, i.e., the combination of washer feature 218 and drill bit body 202, is approximately 30%–40% lower than a prior art two-part configuration of washer and cutting drill bit body.

[0029] The washer feature 218 comprises an outer diameter 220, which in this exemplary illustrated implementation is generally the same as a diameter of a nose section of the drill bit holder, as shown in Fig. 18. In other embodiments, the diameter of the washer feature 218 may be at least the diameter of the nose section of the drill bit holder and / or larger than the diameter of the nose section of the drill bit holder. The washer feature 218 of the drill bit body 202 is located in a forward position from the first flange 224, which designates a bottom surface of the drill bit body 202. A tapered or angled distal section with a reduced diameter 222 extends from the first flange 224 of the washer feature 218 of the drill bit body 202 to a second flange 226 at a distal end of the angled section 222 adjacent to a front end of the shank 134, as shown in Fig. 18. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the thickness or axial length of the washer feature 218, measured from the first flange 224 to the front surface 232 of the washer feature 218, is generally about 1 / 8 inch to 1 / 2 inch and is application-specific. The first flange 224 and the second flange 226 can be flat, annular, generally cylindrical, and / or any other suitable shape and / or configuration. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the first flange 224 includes a transition radius or first undercut 236 ( Fig. 16) laterally adjacent to an anterior end of the tapered distal section 222. The first transition radius 236 is a small radius that transitions from the posterior annular flange 224 to the tapered distal section 222. The second flange 226 also includes a second transition radius or second undercut (not shown) laterally adjacent to the anterior end of the chisel shank 204. The second transition radius is also a small radius that transitions from the second flange or second shoulder 226 to the anterior end of the shank 204.

[0030] The drill bit shank 204 hangs axially from the second transition radius of the second flange 226 adjacent to a distal end of the tapered distal section with reduced diameter 222 and is axially aligned with the drill bit body 202. The shank 204 comprises a generally cylindrical first segment 240 extending axially from the second transition radius of the second flange 226 to a tapered second segment 242. The second segment 242 extends axially from the first segment 240 to a generally cylindrical third segment 244. The third segment 244 extends axially from the second segment 242 to a third flange 246 ( Fig. 17) An outwardly tapered fourth segment 248, adjacent to the third flange 246, extends axially to a generally cylindrical fifth segment or cap 250, comprising an arcuate or rounded distal end 252 adjacent to a distal end 256 of the drill bit shank 204. The shank 204 further includes a notch 260 extending axially inward from the distal end 256 of the drill bit shank 204. In other embodiments, the shank 204 may be generally cylindrical and / or may include cylindrical, tapered, and / or arcuate segments.

[0031] The drill bit 200 comprises the enlarged washer section 218, which includes a diameter that is generally equal to or greater than a diameter of the nose section 140 of the drill bit holder 130, and in this exemplary illustrated implementation, the shank 204 of the drill bit 200 also includes a diameter along the first section 240 that is at least a diameter of the cap or fifth section 250 of the drill bit shank 204. In other words, the distal diameter of a distal hub or cap 254 of the shank 134, which includes the outwardly tapered fourth section 248, the generally cylindrical fifth segment 250, and the rounded section 252 adjacent to the distal end 256 of the shank 204 of the drill bit 200 in this illustrated implementation, is equal to or less than the front diameter of the shank 204 along the first segment 240.

[0032] The distal hub or fifth segment 250 of the shank 204, which includes a similar or smaller diameter than the front section or first segment 240 of the shank 204, as shown in this exemplary illustrated implementation of the fourth illustrated embodiment of the drill bit 200, in which the cap diameter of the fifth segment 250 is less than the diameter of the first segment 240 of the shank 204, reduces and / or eliminates the interference of cutting particles that accumulate between an outer diameter of the distal end or fifth segment 250 of the shank 204 and an inner diameter of a holder arranged circumferentially around the drill bit shank 204.

[0033] In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the shaft 204 includes a second illustrated embodiment of a coaxial and generally cylindrical collapsible slotted holder 270 arranged circumferentially around the shaft 204. The second illustrated embodiment of the holder 270 includes a slot 272 extending axially from a front end 276 of the holder 270 to a distal end 278 of the holder 270. The slot 272 comprises a gap profile defined by a first radial end surface 280 of the slot 272 and a second radial end surface 282 of the slot 272. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the radial end surfaces 280, 282 are linear over their entire axial length, thus defining a linear gap profile.In alternative embodiments, the radial end surfaces and the gap profile can be parallel, serpentine, arcuate, angular, zigzag or any other configuration that can be formed by the radial end surfaces 280, 282 of the slot 272 or a combination thereof.

[0034] The holder 270 comprises a distal section with a reduced diameter 284 adjacent to the distal end 278 of the holder 270. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the distal section with reduced diameter 284 is generally cylindrical and may comprise a generally cylindrical outer surface 286 adjacent to the distal end 278 of the holder 270 and a tapered outer surface 288 adjacent to the generally cylindrical outer surface 286. In other embodiments (not shown), the distal section with reduced diameter 284 may comprise a first tapered outer surface adjacent to the distal end 278 of the holder and a second tapered outer surface adjacent to the first tapered outer surface and / or any combination of generally cylindrical outer surfaces and / or tapered outer surfaces.The tapered outer surface 288 of the distal reduced-diameter section 284 comprises an outward taper when it extends axially to an outer surface 290 of the holder 270, and / or an inward taper when it extends axially from the outer surface 290 of the holder 270 to the generally cylindrical outer surface 286 of the distal reduced-diameter section 284. The tapered outer surface 288 of the distal reduced-diameter section 284 may include a shallow taper that eventually meets and / or terminates at the full diameter of a tapered region (not shown) of the outer surface 290 of the holder 270 adjacent to the distal reduced-diameter section 284.Due to this tapered region of the outer surface 290 of the holder 270, the front end 276 of the holder 270 is larger than the concentric radial distal section with reduced diameter 284 of the holder 270, which allows a higher radial holding force to be applied at the front end 276 of the holder 270 and a gradually decreasing radial force to be applied to the distal end 278 of the holder 270.

[0035] In this exemplary illustrated implementation of the second illustrated embodiment of the holder 270, which is assembled onto the shank 204 of the fourth illustrated embodiment of the drill bit 200, the tapered outer surface 288 of the distal reduced-diameter section 284 can comprise 5–50% of the axial length of the holder 270. The tapered outer surface 290 of the holder 270 tapers inward toward the distal end 278 of the holder 270 and, in this exemplary illustrated implementation, can include a taper ranging from nearly zero degrees to five degrees. In other implementations, the outer surface 290 of the holder 270 can include tapers of varying degrees. Due to the tapered outer diameter profile of the holder 270, the slot 272 at the front end 276 of the holder 270 is wider.

[0036] The distal reduced-diameter section 284 of the holder 270 has a thickness and outer diameter that are less than the thickness and outer diameter of the remainder of the holder 270. This allows for a small amount of radial interference between the generally cylindrical outer surface 286 of the distal reduced-diameter section 284 of the holder 270 and the bore of the drill bit holder during initial manual insertion of the drill bit into the bore of the drill bit holder, regardless of whether the drill bit holder is new or used. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the thickness of the distal reduced-diameter section 284 of the holder 270 can be in the range of 0.002–0.045 inches on a holder 270 that has a thickness of 0.050 inches.The distal section with reduced diameter 284 allows approximately 50% less contact between the distal end 278 and the inner wall of the drill bit holder bore at a first contact surface (not shown) and a second contact surface (not shown) on the holder 270. This is advantageous during the initial insertion of the holder 270 into the drill bit holder bore. The reduced outer diameter of the distal section 284 not only facilitates easier insertion of the drill bit into the drill bit holder bore but also does not limit the amount of axial insertion of the drill bit into a drill bit / holder assembly.

[0037] The holder 270 further comprises a first angled section 292 extending from the distal end 278 of the holder 270 to the first radial end surface 280 of the slot 272, and a second angled section 294 extending from the distal end 278 of the holder 270 to the second radial end surface 282 of the slot 272. A double corner break 296 is formed by the first angled section 292 and the second angled section 294, which facilitates easy and / or simpler insertion of the distal end 278 of the holder 270, which is arranged circumferentially around a shank of the drill bit, into the bore of the drill bit holder, as described in the applicant's pending applications, which are described and incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

[0038] The holder 270 includes a relief notch or v-notch 298, which in this exemplary illustrated implementation is angular, extending from the distal end 278 of the holder 270. The relief notch 298 includes a pair of angular sides 300 extending from the distal end 278 of the holder 270 to a compression slot 302. The compression slot 302 extends axially from a central portion of the relief notch 298 to a slot termination 304 adjacent to the distal end 278 of the holder 270. The relief notch 298 and the compression slot 302 can each extend axially from the distal end 278 of the holder 270 and the relief notch 298, respectively, to the anterior end 276 of the holder 270.The axial length of the relief notch 298 and the axial length of the compression slot 302 are application-specific and can be of variable length, allowing the slot end 304 to be positioned at any point along the axial length of the holder 270. Due to the elimination of a washer, an axially longer relief notch and / or compression slot is used to reduce the holder compression force at the distal end 278 of the holder 270 and to facilitate easier holder insertion into the bore of the drill bit holder. The V-shaped cutouts, such as the double corner break 296 and the relief notch 298, which are formed in the distal end 278 of the holder 270, further improve drill bit rotation when the reduced-diameter section 284 is used adjacent to the distal end 256 of the shank 204.

[0039] The holder 270 further comprises at least one axially and radially inwardly extending axially and radially inwardly, which includes a front end located at a predetermined distance from the front end 276 of the holder 270. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the holder 270 comprises two axially extending positioning tabs 306, which extend axially to a distal end of the tab 306 adjacent to the distal end 278 of the holder 270 and are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart. The distal ends of the tabs 306 are arranged at a predetermined distance from the front end 276 of the holder 270 and control the axial movement of the drill bit body 202 during use. The two axial positioning tabs 306 are each positioned radially inwards on a section of the holder 270, each forming a tab opening 310 on the wall of the holder 270, which terminates at a distal end of the tab opening 310.The distal ends of the tabs 306 are designed to engage the recess or flange 246 on the drill bit shank 204 adjacent to the distal end 256 of the drill bit 200, in order to prevent the holder 270 from being removed from the drill bit shank 204 when the drill bit 200 is in use and when it has been extracted from the bore of the drill bit holder. In other embodiments, the holder may include any number of tabs extending axially and radially inward. In yet another embodiment, the holder may include at least one opening (not shown) located at a predetermined distance from the front end of the holder.In other embodiments, the holder may simply comprise a generally cylindrical, collapsible body section and a slot extending axially along the length of the holder, creating a narrow gap between opposing side walls or radial end surfaces of the slot, the slot comprising a gap profile defined by the opposing side walls with various possible configurations and / or combinations as described above. These hollow holders, described herein with only a slot along the axial length of the holder from its front end to its distal end, are positioned on the shank of the drill bit between two vertical shoulders that are axially spaced to allow drill bit rotation during use.

[0040] The holder is generally made of spring steel or another hardenable material with an elasticity and durability that allows it to return to its near-original shape despite significant deflection or twisting. Holder 270 is made of a material that allows it to act like a spring, so that when compressed to a certain degree, it can still spring back almost to its original configuration when the compression is released. The strength and compressibility of the holder are determined by the material used and the final hardness of the holder after heat treatment or other hardening process, as is known in engineering. A heat-treated holder allows for greater radial compressibility without requiring a permanent set than a non-heat-treated holder.The type of material used to manufacture the holder and the alloying elements of that material determine the holder's impact resistance, strength, and radial compressibility. In this exemplary illustrated implementation, the holder 270 is made of 6150 steel, a high-alloy steel, which provides the holder 270 with higher impact resistance and strength. This allows the holder 270 to withstand a greater radial load without exceeding its yield strength and taking a permanent set, resulting in better overall performance over the holder's life and use compared to the non-alloy materials used for holders in the prior art and extending the service life of a drill bit holder in which it is used. In other embodiments, the holder can also be manufactured from any other suitable material.

[0041] As in the embodiments of the holder described herein, the distal section with reduced diameter 284 allows less contact of the distal end 278 with the contact surfaces formed by the distal section with reduced diameter 284 of the holder 270 and the inner wall of a countersink in the bore of the drill bit holder, which is advantageous during the initial insertion of the holder 70 into the bore of the drill bit holder. During insertion, the direction of folding is radial and initially occurs adjacent to the distal end 278 of the holder 270.The addition of the distal reduced-diameter section 284, the double corner fracture 296, the relief notch 298, and the compression slot 302 makes it easier to insert the distal end 278 of the holder 270 into the bore of the drill bit holder, so that the holder 270, which is arranged around the drill bit shank 204, can be manually inserted into the bore of the drill bit holder by an axial distance “A” 264, as shown in . Fig. 18. It goes without saying that the dimensions in Fig. 18 are for illustrative and exemplary purposes only and merely represent an exemplary illustrated implementation of the drill bit and holder assembly of the present disclosure.

[0042] With reference to Fig. Figures 11-12 and 14-15 show that the drill bit holder 130 comprises a drill bit holder body 132 and a drill bit holder shank 134, which hangs axially from the underside of the drill bit holder body 132. The drill bit holder body 132 is generally annular and includes the countersink 136 adjacent to an upper surface 138, such as a flat annular upper surface that defines the front end of the drill bit holder body 132. The annular or generally cylindrical nose section or upper body section 140 extends axially from the upper surface 138 to an arcuate middle body section 142, which extends axially and radially outward to a radially extending, generally cylindrical ring section 144.A pair of notches 146 is formed in the drill bit holder body 132 and extends from the flat, annular upper surface 138 through the upper body section 140 and partially through the middle body section 142, terminating at a point within the middle body section 142. The notches 146 provide access and leverage for a tool to extract or knock out the drill bit 10, 60, 70 from the drill bit holder body 132. The drill bit holder 132 can have many other shapes that are proprietary in design and application-specific. In general, the drill bit holder accepts universal shank designs that are application-specific.

[0043] Adjacent to the tire section 144 is a flange 148, such as a flat annular flange, which forms the underside of the drill bit holder body 132. The tire section 144 includes a pair of tapered cutouts 150, or wedge-shaped undercuts, to provide access and leverage for a tool to extract the drill bit holder 132 from a base block 160, as described below. The tapered cutouts 150 are formed in the tire section 144 and extend from the flange 148 adjacent to the tire section 144. The tapered cutouts 150 include a pair of parallel flat vertical inner surfaces and a pair of flat tapered upper surfaces. The outer edge of the flat tapered upper surfaces of each tapered cutout 150 is arcuate to follow the circumference of the tire section 144.

[0044] The drill bit holder shank 134 hangs axially from the drill bit holder body 132. The drill bit holder body 132 and the shank 134 are axially aligned with the central bore 152, which extends from the countersink 136 adjacent to the flat annular upper surface 138 of the drill bit holder body 132 to a distal end 154 of the drill bit holder shank 134. In this illustrated embodiment, the shank 134 has a shortened length of 1-1 / 2 inches. In other embodiments, the shank 134 may have the standard length of 2-5 / 8 inches or another suitable length. In this illustrated embodiment, the shank 134 also includes a slot 156 ( Fig. 14), extending from an upper termination (not shown) adjacent to a front end of the shaft 134 to the distal end 154 of the shaft 134. Optionally, or in an alternative embodiment, the shaft 134 may also include an inwardly oriented second slot (not shown) located approximately 180 degrees around the annular shaft 134 from the slot 156. This second slot is parallel to the first slot 156 and is an inner slot with a rear semicircular end (not shown) inwardly adjacent to the distal end 154 of the shaft 134 and a front semicircular end (not shown) that generally coincides longitudinally and axially with the upper end of the first slot 156.

[0045] With reference to Fig. In sections 11-12 and 14-15, the base block 160 comprises a shortened front end or a shortened drill bit holder receptacle section 162 and a base 164. The base 164 may be flat or slightly concave to fit a drum or additional mounting plates on which a single or multiple base blocks may be mounted. The shortened front end 162 includes a base block bore 166 ( Fig. 15), which is symmetrical with the drill bit holder shank 134 along a center line. The shortened front end 162 and the base block bore 166, which extends axially through the shortened front end 162, are shortened over a length of approximately 1.5 inches from a front surface 170 of the base block 160 to a rear surface 172 of the base block 160 in this illustrated embodiment by removing material from the rear of the shortened front end 162. The shortened front end 162 includes, in this embodiment, a recess 168 ( Fig. 15) on the front surface 170 of the base block 160. The shortened front end 162 also includes a pair of flat vertical sides 174 that extend close to and / or adjacent to the base 164. The flat vertical sides 174 reduce the dimensions of the base block 160, including its width, and allow drill bit assemblies to be positioned in an axially closer center-to-center alignment of the drill bit tip to degrade the road to a smoother surface.

[0046] The base block 160 also includes an arc-shaped bore extension 176 beginning at an inner section of the base block bore 166 adjacent to the rear face 172 of the shortened front end 162 and extending to a rear face 178 of the base block 160. The extension 176 serves no function when the base block 160 is used with a shortened-shank drill bit holder, such as the drill bit holder 130 described above. However, over time, extreme forces from cutting conditions will cause wear to the base block bore 166 and the drill bit holder shank 164, so that the shortened-shank drill bit holder 130 may no longer be successfully retained in the base block bore 166 and must be replaced with a standard drill bit holder with a shank length of 2-5 / 8 inches (not shown).The extension 176 engages the 2-5 / 8 inch long shank of the standard drill bit holder adjacent to its distal end and provides sufficient radial support against that section of the shank to hold the standard drill bit holder in the base block bore 166.

[0047] With reference to Fig. Figure 12 shows the first illustrated embodiment of the holder 80 assembled on the drill bit shank 14 of the drill bit 10 to form the drill bit / holder assembly 100, so that it is fully assembled without a washer before being inserted into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130. To mount the drill bit / holder assembly 100 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, a user initially aligns the distal end 56 of the drill bit / holder assembly 100 with the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 by hand and simply uses manual force to insert the distal reduced-diameter section 94 of the holder 80 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 until the annular shoulder 96 and / or the outer surface 98 of the holder 80 provides a sufficient amount of radial interference with the front end of the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.After this initial manual insertion of the drill bit / holder assembly 100 a short distance into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, hammer blows are required to fully insert the drill bit shank 14 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, so that the first flange 30 of the drill bit 10 is fully seated on the upper surface 138 of the drill bit holder 130. When fully inserted, the holder 80 exerts sufficient radial force, as shown in [Figure]. Fig. 15, to hold the drill bit / holder assembly 100 in the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 when the drill bit holder 130 is new, used, or at the end of its service life, while still allowing unimpeded rotation of the drill bit 10 in the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130. The tapered distal body section 28 of the drill bit 10 and the countersink 136 of the drill bit holder 130 comprise matching contact angles such that the two contact surfaces of the tapered distal body section 28 and the countersink 136 radially align the drill bit body 12 concentrically with the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.

[0048] Similarly, the second illustrated embodiment of the holder 270 can be assembled on the drill bit shank 204 of the drill bit 200 to form the drill bit / holder assembly, so that it is fully assembled without a washer when inserted into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130. To mount the drill bit / holder assembly into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, a user initially aligns the distal end 256 of the drill bit / holder assembly with the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 by hand and simply uses manual force to insert the distal reduced-diameter section 284 of the holder 270 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 until the annular shoulder 224 and / or the outer surface 290 of the holder 270 provides a sufficient amount of radial interference with the front end of the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.During insertion, the direction of folding is radial and initially occurs adjacent to the distal end 278 of the holder 270. The addition of the distal reduced-diameter section 284, the double corner fracture 296, the relief notch 298, and the compression slot 302 allows for even easier insertion of the distal end 278 of the holder 270 into the bore of the drill bit holder, so that the distal end 278 of the holder 270 can be manually inserted into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 by an axial distance “A” 264 (. Fig.18) After this initial manual insertion of the drill bit / holder assembly by a distance “A” into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, hammer blows are required to fully insert the drill bit shank 204 into the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130, so that the first flange 224 of the drill bit 200 is fully seated on the upper surface 138 of the drill bit holder 130. When fully inserted, the holder 270 exerts sufficient radial force to hold the drill bit / holder assembly in the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130 when the drill bit holder 130 is new, used, or at the end of its service life, while still allowing unimpeded rotation of the drill bit 200 in the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.The tapered distal body section 222 of the drill bit 200 and the countersink 136 of the drill bit holder 130 comprise matching contact angles, so that the two contact surfaces of the tapered distal body section 222 and the countersink 136 align the drill bit body 202 radially concentrically to the bore 152 of the drill bit holder 130.

[0049] In prior art drill bit-holder-washer configurations, the bore of the separate washer arranged around the holder and the drill bit shank controls the folding of the holder, thus controlling whether the drill bit-holder-washer configuration is actually manually inserted within the bore of the drill bit holder. In contrast, the diameter of the distal, reduced-diameter section 94 of the holder 80 is designed to always bend radially smaller than the diameter of the bore of the drill bit holder, thereby ensuring that the drill bit / holder assembly 100 bends radially and is held within the bore of the drill bit holder.

[0050] As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is to say, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, "X includes A or B" is to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A, X includes B, or X includes both A and B, then "X includes A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing circumstances. Additionally, "X includes at least one of A and B" is to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A, X includes B, or X includes both A and B, then "X includes at least one of A and B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing circumstances.The articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the attached claims should generally be interpreted as meaning “one or more”, unless otherwise specified or it is clear from the context that they refer to a singular form. Furthermore, the use of the term “an implementation” does not imply the same embodiment, aspect, or implementation unless described as such.

[0051] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments and measurements, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and measurements, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements contained within the scope of the appended claims, this scope being to be interpreted in the broadest possible way to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as are legally permissible. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Zitierte Patentliteratur

[0000] US 63 / 676,221

[0001] US 63 / 692,764

[0001] US 63 / 750,354

[0001] US 63 / 621,178

[0001] US 17 / 970,325

[0001] US 18 / 059,662

[0001] US 18 / 102,311

[0001] US 18 / 134,659

[0001] US 63 / 466,041

[0001] US 18 / 236,672

[0001] US 18 / 931,855

[0001] US 63 / 547,036

[0001] US 18 / 437,987

[0001] US 19 / 193,861

[0001] US 63 / 640,040

[0001] US 19 / 180,973

[0001] US 63 / 634,745

[0001] US 17 / 877,084

[0001] US 17 / 146,992

[0001] US 11,891,825

[0001] US 62 / 898,654

[0001] US 62 / 965,237

[0001] US 10,107,098

[0001] US 10,612,376

[0001]

Claims

[1] Holder, including: a body segment comprising an axial anterior end and an axial distal end; a first slit extending through a side wall of the body segment from the axial anterior end to the axial distal end; and a distal section with a reduced diameter adjacent to the axial distal end of the holder, wherein the distal section with a reduced diameter includes an outer diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the body section of the holder anterior to the distal section with a reduced diameter. [2] Holder according to claim 1, wherein the distal section with reduced diameter comprises a generally cylindrical distal section adjacent to the axially distal end of the holder and a tapered front section adjacent to the generally cylindrical distal section, wherein the tapered front section includes an outer surface which tapers axially inwards as the outer surface extends axially to the generally cylindrical distal section. [3] Holder according to claim 1, wherein the body section comprises an outer surface which tapers axially inwards as the outer surface extends axially from the axial front end to the axial distal end. [4] Holder according to claim 1, wherein the body section comprises an outer surface adjacent to the axial front end which includes a taper greater than zero. [5] Holder according to claim 1, wherein the reduced diameter further comprises at least one of the following: a tapered section that tapers axially inwards towards the axially distal end of the holder; and a generally cylindrical section. [6] Drill bit, comprising: a one-piece body section comprising a washer section adjacent to a distal end of the one-piece body section, wherein the washer section is formed integrally as part of the one-piece body section; wherein the one-piece body section extends axially and radially to a transition adjacent to an outer diameter of the washer section; a generally cylindrical shaft that hangs down from an underside of the body segment; and a generally cylindrical hollow holder arranged circumferentially around the shaft, the holder comprising the following: a body segment comprising an axial anterior end and an axial distal end; a first slit extending through a side wall of the body segment from the axial anterior end to the axial distal end; and a distal section with a reduced diameter adjacent to the axial distal end of the holder, wherein the distal section with a reduced diameter includes an outer diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the body section of the holder anterior to the distal section with a reduced diameter. [7] Drill bit according to claim 6, further comprising: a tapered section adjacent to a rear annular flange of the washer section, wherein the tapered section is designed to contact a countersink at a front end of a bore of a drill bit holder in order to align the drill bit radially with the bore of the drill bit holder. [8] Drill bit according to claim 7, further comprising at least one of the following: a transition radius of the washer section extending in an arc from the rear annular flange to the tapered section, wherein the transition radius of the washer section comprises at least one of a planar outer surface, an arcuate outer surface, and an angled outer surface; and a transition radius of the tapered section extending from a shoulder at a distal end of the tapered section to an anterior end of the shaft, wherein the transition radius of the tapered section comprises at least one of a planar outer surface, an arcuate outer surface and an angled outer surface. [9] Drill bit according to claim 7, wherein the holder further comprises: a first angled section extending from the axial distal end to a first radial end surface of the first slot; and a second angled section extending from the axially distal end to a second radial end surface of the first slot. [10] Drill bit according to claim 6, wherein the holder further comprises: a chamfer adjacent to the axially distal end of the holder, the chamfer extending to an outer surface of the holder. [11] Drill bit according to claim 6, wherein the holder further comprises: a notch opposite the axial front end of the holder, the notch extending axially inwards from the axial distal end of the holder. [12] Drill bit according to claim 11, wherein the holder further comprises: a second slot extending axially from the notch through the side wall of the holder to a second slot termination, the second slot being arranged approximately 180 degrees from the first slot. [13] Drill bit according to claim 6, wherein the holder further comprises: at least one tab arranged on a side wall of the holder, wherein the at least one tab extends axially and radially inwards, wherein the at least one tab is designed to engage a flange adjacent to a distal end of the shank of the drill bit in order to prevent the holder from being removed from the shank. [14] Drill bit according to claim 11, wherein the notch of one is arc-shaped and angular. [15] Drill bit according to claim 11, wherein the holder further comprises: a first angled side of the notch, extending axially inward from a first point at the axially distal end of the holder to a vertex of the notch from the axially distal end of the holder; and a second angled side of the notch adjacent to the first angled side, wherein the second angled side extends from a second location at the axially distal end of the holder to the vertex, the first location being spaced apart from the second location at the axially distal end of the holder. [16] Drill bit according to claim 6, further comprising: an annular groove located between the front body section and the washer body section. [17] Drill bit according to claim 6, further comprising: at least a pair of spatially related parallel undercuts extending inwards from a bottom side of the disk body section, the undercuts comprising a hollow wedge shape. [18] Drill bit according to claim 6, further comprising: a washer diameter of the washer body section designed to be at least a front diameter of a nose section of a drill bit holder in which the drill bit is held. [19] Drill bit according to claim 6, wherein the generally cylindrical shank comprises a front section and a cap section adjacent to a distal end of the shank, wherein the front section of the shank comprises a front diameter which is at least one cap diameter of the cap section of the shank.

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