Abstract: A holder for a pick and the combination of a pick and holder.The pick 1 has a shank 4 received in a socket 6 of a holder 2. The holder 2 carries in its socket 6 a tubular spigot 13 which mates in sealed manner with a coupling socket 15 in the pick shank to provide communication for water flow from a supply passage 16a through the pick 1 to outlet ports 12. A shoulder 8 on the spigot 13 abuts a sealing ring 18 in the coupling socket 15 to retain the pick in the holder and permit relative longitudinal displacement therebetween.Carried by the tubular spigot 13 is a valve having an actuating rod 22 which extends through the bore of the spigot. A valve head 24 on the rod 22 is seatable on a shoulder 23a to close off water flow through the bore of the spigot. The end 26 of the rod 22 abuts the pick and during displacement of the pick into its holder in response to cutting engagement of the pick with the mineral, the valve head 24 is displaced to permit water flow to the ports 12.

Abstract: The combination of a mineral mining pick and a pick holder. The pick 1 has a shank 4 by which it is received in a socket 6 of a pick holder 2. Extending within the socket 6 is a spigot 13 which mates with a coupling socket 14 in the shank 4 automatically as the shank is inserted into the pick holder. During insertion of the spigot 13 into the socket 14, a frusto conical head 26 on the spigot passes through a resilient ring 25 mounted in an annular recess 24 of the coupling socket so that abutment of a shoulder 27 on the head 26 against the ring 25 retains the pick in the holder.The spigot 13 may be tubular to provide a water coupling from chamber 23 in the holder to passage 11 and ports 12 in the pick for flushing, cooling or dust suppression water supply. The resilient retaining ring 25 may provide a water seal between the spigot 13 and the socket 14.In an alternative arrangement the spigot can be carried by the shank 4 to engage in a coupling socket in the holder 2.

Abstract: A mineral mining pick 1, a holder for such a pick, and the combination of such a pick with a holder 2. The pick has a head 3 with a cutting tip 5 and a shank 4 which is received in a shank socket 6 of the holder 2. Retaining means 7 is provided to releasably secure the pick in the holder. Extending through the pick is a water passage 11 which communicates with outlet ports 12 in the pick head for water flow to suppress dust and cool the tip 5. The passage 11 communicates with a socket 15 which mates with a tubular spigot 13 which is an extension to a fluid supply passage 2a in the holder 2. The spigot 13 is mounted by a resilient sleeve 22 in a tubular housing 19 by which it is removably retained in the holder 2. The sleeve 22 permits displacement of the spigot 13 to accommodate misalignment between the spigot and the socket 15 during coupling thereof as the shank is inserted into its socket 6.

Abstract: Mineral mining apparatus comprising a pick head 1 mounted on a pick holder 4 for displacement of a cutting part 5 in the direction of arrow A has a nozzle 9 in the head 1 through which nozzle water is sprayed for dust suppression, cooling or flushing purposes. The characteristics of the nozzle 9 provide the spray 22 with a flat configuration where the width y of the spray is greater than its depth x. Preferably the width y lies in the cutting plane 20 of the cutting part and the spray follows the cutting part to alleviate incendive sparking.In a modification the nozzle 9 can be mounted on the holder 4.

Abstract: A mineral mining pick 1, a holder for such a pick, and the combination of such a pick with a holder 2. The pick has a head 3 with a cutting tip 5 and a shank 4 which is received in a shank socket 6 of the holder 2. Retaining means 7 is provided to releasably secure the pick in the holder. Extending through the pick is a water passage 11 which communicates with outlet ports 12 in the pick head for water flow to suppress dust and cool the tip 5. The passage 11 communicates with a socket 15 which mates with a tubular spigot 13 which is an extension to a fluid supply passage 2a in the holder 2. The spigot 13 is mounted by a resilient sleeve 22 in a tubular housing 19 by which it is removably retained in the holder 2. The sleeve 22 permits displacement of the spigot 13 to accommodate misalignment between the spigot and the socket 15 during coupling thereof as the shank is inserted into its socket 6.

Abstract: A cutting tool and a method of manufacturing such a tool which may be a pick, bit or for a machine tool, in which a hard cutting insert 4 is mounted in a recess 7. Formed between the insert 4 and recess 7 are passages 11 which communicate with a fluid supply passage 13 and through which fluid for dust suppression, lubrication, cooling or removal of detritus is passed to emerge at ports 11a immediately adjacent to the cutting insert in the cutting region of the tool.The insert 4 is preferably formed as a pressing or moulding to include channels which co-operate with opposed walls of the recess 7 to form the passages 11.Preferably the insert 4 is secured in the recess 7 by press fitting and/or by heat shrinking the head 1 of the tool onto the recess to apply compressive retaining forces thereto.In a modification the insert 4 is provided with a sleeve and such assembly is received in the recess 7.

Abstract: A drill element in the form of a drill rod, a sleeve for coupling together two drill rods or a drill bit; the drill element having a single start internal or external cylindrical screw thread by which it is intended to be coupled to a further drill element in the assembly of a drill string for percussion or rotary/percussion drilling.

Abstract: Rotary percussive drill bits comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, side face, end face, and cutting inserts, arranged such that during rotary percussive drilling wear tends to take place over a clearance face of the insert thus preserving the leading cutting edge of the insert, wherein the inserts have a substantially flat leading face which projects axially fowardly of the body end face to communicate at the leading cutting edge with a clearance face, with the leading cutting edge extending radially outwardly beyond the side face of the bit body.