Abstract: A roof drill bit has an elongate roof drill bit body, which has a forward end and a rearward end. The roof drill bit body contains a slot at the forward end. The roof drill bit body contains a dust port wherein the dust port has a central longitudinal dust axis. The roof drill bit further has a hard insert received within the slot wherein the hard insert has a leading surface. The leading surface of the hard insert is rotationally forward of the central longitudinal dust axis of the dust port.

Abstract: A roof drill bit has an elongate roof drill bit body, which has a forward end and a rearward end. The roof drill bit body contains a slot at the forward end. The roof drill bit body contains a dust port wherein the dust port has a central longitudinal dust axis. The roof drill bit further has a hard insert received within the slot wherein the hard insert has a leading surface. The leading surface of the hard insert is rotationally forward of the central longitudinal dust axis of the dust port.

Abstract: A roof bit drill has a central shaft with a front end and a back end. The drill also has a base secured about the central shaft proximate to the front end, wherein the base has clearance channels extending axially therethrough. At least one cutting element is arranged on the base in a convex cutting pattern to permit loosened material to be evacuated. The roof bit drill may further include a drill depth locator to identify when the drill has been advanced within a mine roof to a predetermined depth. A method for using the roof drill bit is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A roof bit drill has a central shaft with a front end and a back end. The drill also has a base secured about the central shaft proximate to the front end, wherein the base has clearance channels extending axially therethrough. At least one cutting element is arranged on the base in a convex cutting pattern to permit loosened material to be evacuated. The roof bit drill may further include a drill depth locator to identify when the drill has been advanced within a mine roof to a predetermined depth. A method for using the roof drill bit is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A coupler for use in connecting together in a driving relationship a first member and a second member in a drill bit assembly. The coupler includes an elongate body that has opposite axial forward and rearward ends as well as contains a longitudinal bore. The elongate body further has a mediate collar wherein there is a forward body portion axial forward of the collar and a rearward body portion axial rearward of the collar. The forward body portion is suitable to drivingly engage the first member. The rearward body portion is suitable to drivingly engage the second member. Each one of the forward and rearward body portions carries seal. The elongate body further carries a retention member.

Abstract: A center vacuum rotary drill bit including a rotary drill bit body and an insert. The bottom surface of the slot has a projecting key that cooperates with a depression keyway of the insert. Generally vertical sidewall surfaces of a depression keyway and vertical surfaces of a projection key provide mechanical resistance against lateral movement of the cutting insert. This mechanical resistance reduces displacement of the insert with respect to the bit body during brazing and thus a high quality, accurately aligned drill bit assembly is provided by applicants' invention. The depression keyway is designed so as to minimize the effect of the axial load on the insert by avoiding sharp corners which tend to amplify nominal stress and provides an insert of a proper carbide density after pressing. Integral bit body protuberance means adequately separate the insert within the slot and permit braze flow between the insert and slot.

Abstract: A drill bit that has a drill bit body with a side wall and opposite ends. A distal one of the opposite ends of the drill bit body receives a cutting insert. The drill bit body contains at least two helical debris ports in the side wall thereof. The drill bit body further contains a helical scallop that corresponds to each one of the helical debris ports. Each one of the helical scallops surrounds so as to define the periphery of its corresponding one of the helical debris ports.

Abstract: Fluid roof bits for mining typically supply high pressure water to a location immediately adjacent the cutting insert of the roof bit to flush debris and cool the cutting insert. The present invention is a drill steel assembly for a wet roof bit that reduces the fluid pressure loss supplied to the roof bit. A drill head body is connected to the drill steel by an intermediate adaptor. The adaptor has a spring loaded button thereon that mates with an opening in the drill head body so that the drill head body can be conveniently snapped onto the drill head assembly. A bushing seal made from a flexible material is clamped between said drill steel adaptor and the drill head body to limit fluid pressure losses.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for penetrating earth strata wherein the drill bit includes a drill bit body that has an axial forward end. The drill bit body has a hard insert, which is preferably monolithic, that is affixed to the drill bit body at the axial forward end thereof. The hard insert presents at least three discrete leading cutting edges for cutting the earth strata. Each cutting edge is stepped.

Abstract: A drill bit that has a drill bit body with a side wall and opposite ends. A distal one of the opposite ends of the drill bit body receives a cutting insert. The drill bit body contains at least two helical debris ports in the side wall thereof. The drill bit body further contains a helical scallop that corresponds to each one of the helical debris ports. Each one of the helical scallops surrounds so as to define the periphery of its corresponding one of the helical debris ports.

Abstract: A center vacuum rotary drill bit including a rotary drill bit body and an insert. The bottom surface of the slot has a projecting key that cooperates with a depression keyway of the insert. Generally vertical sidewall surfaces of a depression keyway and vertical surfaces of a projection key provide mechanical resistance against lateral movement of the cutting insert. This mechanical resistance reduces displacement of the insert with respect to the bit body during brazing and thus a high quality, accurately aligned drill bit assembly is provided by applicants' invention. The depression keyway is designed so as to minimize the effect of the axial load on the insert by avoiding sharp corners which tend to amplify nominal stress and provides an insert of a proper carbide density after pressing. Integral bit body protuberance means adequately separate the insert within the slot and permit braze flow between the insert and slot.

Abstract: A center vacuum rotary drill bit including a rotary drill bit body and an insert. The bottom surface of the slot has a projecting key that cooperates with a depression keyway of the insert. Generally vertical sidewall surfaces of a depression keyway and vertical surfaces of a projection key provide mechanical resistance against lateral movement of the cutting insert. This mechanical resistance reduces displacement of the insert with respect to the bit body during brazing and thus a high quality, accurately aligned drill bit assembly is provided by applicants' invention. The depression keyway is designed so as to minimize the effect of the axial load on the insert by avoiding sharp corners which tend to amplify nominal stress and provides an insert of a proper carbide density after pressing. Integral bit body protuberances adequately separate the insert within the slot and permit braze flow between the insert and slot.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for penetrating earth strata wherein the drill bit includes a drill bit body that has an axial forward end. The drill bit body has a hard insert, which is preferably monolithic, that is affixed to the drill bit body at the axial forward end thereof. The hard insert presents at least three discrete leading cutting edges for cutting the earth strata.

Abstract: Fluid roof bits for mining typically supply high pressure water to a location immediately adjacent the cutting insert of the roof bit to flush debris and cool the cutting insert. The present invention is a drill steel assembly for a wet roof bit that reduces the fluid pressure loss supplied to the roof bit. A drill head body is connected to the drill steel by an intermediate adaptor. The adaptor has a spring loaded button thereon that mates with an opening in the drill head body so that the drill head body can be conveniently snapped onto the drill head assembly. A bushing seal made from a flexible material is clamped between said drill steel adaptor and the drill head body to limit fluid pressure losses.

Abstract: A center vacuum rotary drill bit including a rotary drill bit body and an insert. The bottom surface of the slot has a projecting key that cooperates with a depression keyway of the insert. Generally vertical sidewall surfaces of a depression keyway and vertical surfaces of a projection key provide mechanical resistance against lateral movement of the cutting insert. This mechanical resistance reduces displacement of the insert with respect to the bit body during brazing and thus a high quality, accurately aligned drill bit assembly is provided by applicants' invention. The depression keyway is designed so as to minimize the effect of the axial load on the insert by avoiding sharp corners which tend to amplify nominal stress and provides an insert of a proper carbide density after pressing. Integral bit body protuberance means adequately separate the insert within the slot and permit braze flow between the insert and slot.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for penetrating earth strata wherein the drill bit includes a drill bit body that has an axial forward end. The drill bit body has a hard insert, which is preferably monolithic, that is affixed to the drill bit body at the axial forward end thereof. The hard insert presents at least three discrete leading cutting edges for cutting the earth strata. Each cutting edge is stepped.

Abstract: A toolholder for securing a cutting tool used for mining and construction applications whereby the holder has a recessed groove to provide access to the underside of a flange on the cutting bit to promote removal of the cutting tool from the toolholder.