Abstract: A rotary drill bit insert that includes an elongate body that is rotatable about a central axis wherein the elongate body has a pair of symmetrical halves symmetrical about the central axis. The elongate body contains a central notch disposed between the symmetric halves of the elongate body. Each symmetrical half includes a leading face and a top surface that has a leading surface and a trailing relief surface wherein the leading surface and the trailing relief surface are contiguous and non-coplanar. Each half also has a leading cutting edge at the intersection of the leading face and the leading surface of the top surface. The leading surface is inclined at a constant angle of inclination in a radial direction with respect to a first radial line projecting from the central axis, and the leading surface being inclined downwardly and rearwardly from the leading cutting edge.

Abstract: A tiered level cutting system and method that guides a user through the process of selecting an appropriate tool or adapter for specific cutting conditions and/or applications. The cutting system may include a plurality of blocks, one or more sleeves for each block, and a plurality of cutting tools. The method includes the steps of selecting a block for a user's particular operation, optionally, selecting a sleeve based on the selected block, and selecting a cutting tool based on the selected sleeve. The cutting system is selected based upon the type of machinery and cutting environment. The block is selected based upon the particular operation. Operation categories may include severe, heavy, medium and light based upon conditions. The cutting tool is selected based upon the shape and carbide content. The steps can be performed in most any suitable order.

Abstract: A tiered level cutting system and method that guides a user through the process of selecting an appropriate tool or adapter for specific cutting conditions and/or applications. The cutting system may include a plurality of blocks, one or more sleeves for each block, and a plurality of cutting tools. The method includes the steps of selecting a block for a user's particular operation, optionally, selecting a sleeve based on the selected block, and selecting a cutting tool based on the selected sleeve. The cutting system is selected based upon the type of machinery and cutting environment. The block is selected based upon the particular operation. Operation categories may include severe, heavy, medium and light based upon conditions. The cutting tool is selected based upon the shape and carbide content. The steps can be performed in most any suitable order.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly which includes a driven member and a cutting bit detachably connected to the driven member by a retainer. The retainer includes a magnetic pin that removably engages at least one of the cutting bit and the driven member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chuck assembly for a drill box of a mine drill for releasably securing a mining tool including a working end and a depending rod-like member for roof bolting and roof and face drilling operations and a method of using the chuck assembly. The drill box includes a source of rotary power and a drive member operatively connected to the source of rotary power to rotatably drive the chuck assembly. The chuck assembly includes a spindle, a collet closer and a collet. The spindle is operatively connected to the drive member and has a sleeve of a cylindrical shape including a threaded collar end and a bottom end and an opening extending a selected distance from the collar end to the bottom end. The collet closer includes an annular housing having an aperture threaded for threadingly engaging the threaded collar end of the spindle.

Abstract: A center vacuum rotary drill bit including a rotary drill bit body, an insert and an insert spacer assembly. The rotary drill bit body includes a top working surface having a slot extending transversely across the top working surface. The slot includes a first sidewall, an opposite second sidewall and a generally horizontal bottom surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The insert includes a pair of oppositely facing generally parallel side surfaces, a pair of oppositely facing generally parallel end surfaces extending between and interconnecting the side surfaces, a pair of oppositely inclined top surfaces extending between and interconnecting the side and end pairs of surfaces, and a bottom surface extending transversely to and interconnecting the side and end pairs of surfaces. The insert spacer assembly includes a shim and a spacer bar.

Abstract: A center vacuum rotary drill bit including a rotary drill bit body, an insert and an insert spacer assembly. The rotary drill bit body includes a top working surface having a slot extending transversely across the top working surface. The slot includes a first sidewall, an opposite second sidewall and a generally horizontal bottom surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The insert includes a pair of oppositely facing generally parallel side surfaces, a pair of oppositely facing generally parallel end surfaces extending between and interconnecting the side surfaces, a pair of oppositely inclined top surfaces extending between and interconnecting the side and end pairs of surfaces, and a bottom surface extending transversely to and interconnecting the side and end pairs of surfaces. The insert spacer assembly includes a shim and a spacer bar.

Abstract: A center vacuum rotary drill bit including a drill bit body having a top working surface. Formed within the top working surface is a slot having disposed therein an insert positioned within a shim within the slot. The insert includes a pair of oppositely facing generally parallel side surfaces, a pair of oppositely facing generally parallel end surfaces extending between and interconnecting said side surfaces, a pair of oppositely inclined top surfaces extending between and interconnecting said side and end pairs of surfaces, and a bottom surface having a concave depression formed therein. The bottom surface extends transversely to and interconnects the side and end pairs of surfaces. A support bar including a convex top surface is disposed within the slot between the insert bottom surface and the slot such that the convex top surface supports the concave depression of the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the modulus of elasticity of the support bar is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the shim.

Abstract: An insert for use in a rotary drill bit wherein first and second top surfaces are opposite a bottom surface, first and second leading faces are opposite first and second trailing faces, and first and second end faces represent outside edges of first and second portions of the insert wherein in one embodiment each of the top surfaces meets its respective leading face to form a cutting edge which forms an oblique angle wherein the cutting edge on the first portion is linearly aligned with the cutting edge on the second portion.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit insert including an elongated body rotatable about a central axis and having two halves symmetrical about the axis, each symmetrical half having a top surface including a planar front surface contiguous a noncoplanar back relief surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a leading face extending between forwardly facing edges of the front surface and the bottom surface, a trailing face opposite the leading face extending between rearwardly facing edges of the back relief surface and the bottom surface and a distal end surface extending between outwardly distal edges of the top surface, leading face, trailing face, and bottom surface.