Abstract: A point attack bit has an enlarged head, an integral and coaxial shank extending from the base of the head, and a tip extending from the other end of the head and having a generally frustoconical end with an odd number of side faces disposed between the end and the head. The odd number of side faces create an unbalanced loading on the bit when it engages the surface to be mined, excavated or cut and cause the bit to rotate within a mounting block in which the shank is rotatably received to reduce the wear on and more evenly wear the bit. The faces may be generally flat or they may be arcuate providing a generally frustoconical tip. The tip is preferably a carbide insert operably connected to the head of the bit. In one form, the head is frustoconically shaped and has a smooth exterior. In a second form, the head has a construction similar to that of the tip and preferably has the same number of side faces as the tip with each face of the head and tip generally aligned.

Abstract: A preload retainer in combination with a mining or construction bit having a shank carried in the bore of a mounting block. The retainer is a split resilient collar which snaps over a reduced neck in a tool shank and is tapered on one side to cam into a reduced diameter around the neck of the shank to pass through the bore of the mounting block. Upon reaching the operative position, the retainer expands to provide a positive lock for the bit shank. In one embodiment the retainer can be extracted by a suitable tool. In a block bore with an internal groove, the retainer expands into the groove. A hollow plug closes the inner end of the bore and serves to cam the retainer into the reduced diameter to permit removal of the shank.

Abstract: A retainer for a mining or construction bit which bit is carried in the bore of a mounting block and which has an annular groove forming a neck at the protruding end to receive a retainer. The retainer is a split collar which snaps over the neck of the mounting portion of the bit. The collar, either a molded ring or a spring steel member, has opposed curved axial projections which are dimensioned to fit into and be retained in the bore of the mounting block during the functioning of the bit in operation.

Abstract: A coolant system for mining bits which are rotatably mounted in blocks secured to mining machines of the type utilizing a large rotating wheel or continuous power-driven chains. The mounting blocks for the bits have a coolant passage leading to a bore in the block. Within the bore is a coolant dispensing sleeve which has a central passage to receive the shank of a mining bit. The sleeve has one or more axially disposed spray nozzles which receive coolant under pressure from the coolant passage in the block and from an annular passage formed between the block and the sleeve.

Abstract: An automatic drive lock drill system for roof drilling with a bit and drill steel components which are assembled axially one by one in telescoping relationship when the acircular drive shank on one part is inserted into an acircular recess in an adjacent part. The drive shank on each component has a series of radial lobes on the corners of the acircular part which are spaced at a set location from the end of the shank and will fit into the recess grooves and undercut ribs of the adjoining part and when rotated in either drive or reverse direction, each lobe of each male shank will automatically interlock on an axial plane, when rotated from an insertion orientation to a drive orientation.

Abstract: A drill bit for use in mining, and in particular in rotative and percussion drilling action which includes a generally cylindrical body with a driving shank at one end and a transverse cutting insert at the other end. The body is hollow to conduct a suction force to the drilling area and side ports are formed in the body connected to the hollow center to draw in dust, chips and cuttings resulting from the drilling action. The shape and extent of the side ports is disclosed as 1/4 to 1/3 of the axial length of the body of the bit and circumferentially significantly increased with a shape which provides circumferential access to the ports as well as radial.

Abstract: A mining bit to be mounted for rotation in a bore of a support block or on a drill steel having a retention configuration opposite the working end. A bit shank is formed with an abutment flange at the insertion end and a recess adjacent said flange to receive flexed resilient fingers of a resilient retention ring during insertion of said ring in said bore. A fulcrum land supports an unsplit end of said ring. The resilient fingers carry an annular bulge projection which engages an annular recess in a support bore. The ring can extend the length of the retention shank to serve as a wear sleeve. With a drill steel, the retention ring is mounted on an extending insert to cooperate with a female recess in a hollow bit.

Abstract: A drill steel and method of making a drill steel with an insert which provides a male insertion segment to form a joint with the female end of a drill steel. The insert is formed with a reduced end having an annular lip and can be utilized in a die forming process which forms the end of a drill steel around the insert in a one-step forming operation while at the same time enlarging the drill steel end to form a shoulder abutment.

Abstract: A drill steel and method of making the drill steel which includes a tube which is opened up at one end by a first punch strike after which a male insertion element with external indentations is mounted on a second punch and driven partially into the opened end of the drill steel while simultaneously striking the drill steel at the end to collapse the walls of the tube around the element and into the indentations to lock the element in the tube. The finished drill steel thus has a male end to insert telescopically into the end of a similar steel to provide necessary extension devices.

Abstract: An improved roof drill bit and roof drill driving assembly which is characterized as a "hands off" type in which the drill, driver, and drill extension are designed and assembled to have a stability which enables the operator to avoid guiding the drill with his hands. An improved drill bit prevents plugging of the assembly when used with suction systems and provides a heavier wall construction. Special adaptors are provided for driving drills and drill extensions.

Abstract: An improved roof drill bit for use in mining operations in which a carbide insert is diametrically located in a cylindrical body and held on axial prongs in diametrically opposed quadrants of the body by a brazed connection; diverging axial holes for coolant are positioned in said prongs to open at the trailing side of the cutting edges of the carbide insert to flood the edges with coolant liquid and flush cuttings into the other quadrants. The coolant passages also pass near the brazed face of the insert to cool the body in this area and minimize softening of the braze. The bit shank and driving steel have cooperating axial grooves forming a passage for the coolant liquid to the bit body. The driving steel and bit body also have aligned chordal sides providing a passage for flushing drilling chips and fines toward the mouth of the hole.

Abstract: An improved drill bit for the mining field for use as a roof drill, tunnel drill, rock boring and highway construction, both as a rotary and a rotary percussion drill, which includes a drill head with a diametrical slot positioning a brazed cutting blade, the head having a male drive shank to interfit with a female driver tube and having a maximum axial passage in the driver shank which opens to large fluid passages leading to chip slash openings in opposed quadrants of the drill bit. The drill head position has a hexagonal base portion above the drive shank with circular guiding portions in opposed quadrants adjacent the chip slash quadrant pockets.

Abstract: A sealant system for multiple part drilling components utilizing water as a coolant and flushing medium which includes nipple-like sealing inserts to interfit with axial recesses and with other opposed inserts to seal the axial passages extending through the joined axially aligned parts, each insert having a sealing relation to an axial passage in which it is carried and projecting into an adjacent part to interfit therewith.

Abstract: An improved drill bit for the mining field for use as a roof drill, tunnel drill, rock boring and highway construction, both as a rotary and a rotary percussion drill, which includes a drill head with a diametrical slot positioning a brazed cutting blade, the head having a male drive shank to interfit with a female driver tube and having axial passages leading to chip slash pockets for removal of chips either by incoming pressure fluid or outgoing suctioning action. The supporting prongs of the drill head on opposite sides and at opposite ends of the blade are narrowed in thickness to provide chip clearance and designed to overlap centrally to provide tip strength and central support for the blade.

Abstract: A transparent gauge for use in accurately checking and setting the height and angular position of tool holding blocks utilized for the holding of tools for the cutting of coal, rock and the like. The device consists of a basic support sheet adjustably supporting a tool block indicator silhouette sheet movable arcuately relative to a sheet bearing angle indicia, all of which can be placed adjacent an actual tool to check angles and to set angles.

Abstract: A roof drilling system which includes a drill bit with a hollow driven shank and coolant holes in the bit flutes connected to the inside of the hollow shank, a single driver unit connectible to the drill bit and also to extension driver elements which interfit with both the bit and the driver, all of the elements being hollow and connected by retainers which secure the parts during the drilling and aid in the withdrawal from the drilled hole.

Abstract: In a mining machine in which pick bits or point attack bits are held in a chain or wheel which moves next to coal or rock, a replaceable tool which is formed with a rear extension that is essentially cylindrical, that extension being split in circumferentially spaced slots so that portions will move resiliently in a radial direction. Outer radial projections interlock with annular surfaces or shoulders of a holding block to retain the tool in an operating position. The tool may be driven in or out of position without the need of clips or retaining rings. They may then rotate in the holding block to equalize wear on the tip.

Abstract: An improvement in mining tools of the rotary and replaceable type which includes a retainer in the form of a double ball spring detent to provide axial retention, easy removability, and to permit ready rotation of the tool in a collet while preventing the build up and impaction of dust which will inhibit rotation or removal.