Abstract: A retainer for a rotating bit and/or pick that includes a tapered body portion and a slot extending from a forward end to a distal end of the retainer. The slot includes a gap profile formed by the configuration or design of a first radial end surface of the slot and a second radial end surface of the slot. The retainer includes a reduced diameter distal section adjacent the distal end of the retainer, the reduced diameter distal section including a forward portion and a distal portion each including an outer diameter that is less than an outer diameter of a sidewall of the retainer adjacent the reduced diameter distal section. The forward portion of the reduced diameter distal section is tapered axially inwardly in the distal direction and the distal portion of the reduced diameter distal section may be cylindrical or tapered axially inwardly in the distal direction as described in the exemplary illustrated embodiments.

Abstract: A bit including a bit body and a shank depending from a bottom of the bit body. The bit body including an integral washer portion that extends to a rear annular flange and a tapered portion adjacent the rear annular flange that is complementary to an angle of a countersink at a forward end of a bore of a bit holder, radially aligning the bit concentric with the bore of the bit holder. The shank comprises a cap distal portion including a diameter that is less than or equal to a diameter of a forward portion of the shank. The bit includes a retainer disposed circumferentially about the shank, the retainer including a reduced diameter distal section allowing the bit to be manually inserted into the bore of the bit holder a predetermined distance before needing to resort to hammer hits to securely mount the bit in the bore of the bit holder while still allowing the bit to freely rotate within the bore of the bit holder.

Abstract: A bit holder that includes a forward body portion and a shank axially depending from the bottom of the forward body portion. The shank of the bit holder includes at least one slot and an annular ring disposed partially or nearly circumferentially around the shank. The slotted shank of the bit holder and the annular ring are radially compressible when inserted into a bore of a base block. An outer diameter of the annular ring being greater than an outer diameter of the shank such that only the outer diameter of the annular ring makes contact with the bore of the base block to achieve and maintain an interference fit when the bit holder is inserted into the bore of the base block.

Abstract: A rotatable or non-rotatable bit for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment that includes a substantially solid body and a substantially solid, generally cylindrical shank depending from a bottom of the body. The forward portion is machined to include a bore having a bore termination with a flat distal end and an arcuate portion curving into the sidewall of the bore. The bore is adapted to receive a bit tip insert complementary shaped to the bore of the forward portion, the bit tip insert comprising at least three evenly spaced ribs on an outer surface of a base of the bit tip insert.

Abstract: A bit including a bit body and a shank depending from a bottom of the bit body. The bit body including an integral washer portion that extends to a rear annular flange and a tapered portion adjacent the rear annular flange. The tapered portion includes an angle that is complementary to an angle of a countersink at a forward end of a bore of a bit holder, such that the matching contacting angles of the tapered portion and the countersink radially align the bit concentric with the bore of the bit holder. The bit includes a retainer disposed circumferentially about the shank, allowing the bit to be securely mounted in the bore of the bit holder while still allowing the bit to freely rotate within the bore.

Abstract: A bit including a bit body and a shank depending from a bottom of the bit body. The bit body including an integral washer portion that extends to a rear annular flange and a tapered portion adjacent the rear annular flange. A diameter of the bit body axially and radially extending to a transition adjacent an outer diameter of the washer portion. The tapered portion includes an angle that is complementary to an angle of a countersink at a forward end of a bore of a bit holder, such that the matching contacting angles of the tapered portion and the countersink radially align the bit concentric with the bore of the bit holder. The bit includes a retainer disposed circumferentially about the shank, allowing the bit to be securely mounted in the bore of the bit holder while still allowing the bit to freely rotate within the bore.

Abstract: A retainer for a rotating bit and/or pick that includes a slot extending from a forward end of the retainer to a distal end of the retainer. The slot includes a gap profile formed by the configuration or design of a first radial end surface of the slot and a second radial end surface of the slot. The retainer includes at least one lead-in chamfer at the distal end of the retainer comprising a chamfer length that is greater than a chamfer height. The retainer can also include at least one compression slot extending from the distal end of the retainer and/or at least one radially and axially oriented axial locator tab adapted to engage a shank of a rotating bit.

Abstract: A retainer for a rotating bit and/or pick that includes a slot extending from a forward end of the retainer to a distal end of the retainer. The slot includes a gap profile formed by the configuration or design of a first radial end surface of the slot and a second radial end surface of the slot. The retainer includes a dual corner break formed by a first angled surface extending from the distal end of the retainer to the first radial end surface of the slot and a second angled surface extending from the distal end of the retainer to the second radial end surface of the slot. In additional embodiments, the retainer can include any of or any combination of a lead-in chamfer at the distal end of the retainer, a relief notch extending from the distal end of the retainer, and a compression slot extending from the relief notch. The retainer may be used independently with the rotating bit or it may be used in conjunction with nearly butted or solid generally cylindrical hollow spacers and/or washers.

Abstract: A retainer for a rotating bit and/or pick that includes a slot extending from a forward end of the retainer to a distal end of the retainer and a lead in chamfer extending from a distal end of the retainer to an out surface of the retainer. The slot includes a gap profile formed by the configuration or design of a first radial end surface of the slot and a second radial end surface of the slot. The retainer can also include any of or any combination of a dual corner break, a relief notch extending from the distal end of the retainer, a pair of cutouts, a pair of arms, at least one tab, and a compression slot. The retainer may be used independently with the rotating bit or it may be used in conjunction with nearly butted or solid generally cylindrical hollow spacers and/or washers.

Abstract: A retainer for a rotating bit and/or pick that includes a slot extending from a forward end of the retainer to a distal end of the retainer. The slot includes a gap profile formed by the configuration or design of a first radial end surface of the slot and a second radial end surface of the slot. The retainer includes a dual corner break formed by a first angled surface extending from the distal end of the retainer to the first radial end surface of the slot and a second angled surface extending from the distal end of the retainer to the second radial end surface of the slot. In additional embodiments, the retainer can include any of or any combination of a lead-in chamfer at the distal end of the retainer, a relief notch extending from the distal end of the retainer, and a compression slot extending from the relief notch. The retainer may be used independently with the rotating bit or it may be used in conjunction with nearly butted or solid generally cylindrical hollow spacers and/or washers.

Abstract: A bit holder that includes a front body portion and a shank axially depending from the bottom of the front body portion. The shank of the bit holder includes at least one slot and at least one annular ring disposed partially or nearly circumferentially around the shank. The slotted shank of the bit holder and the at least one annular ring are radially compressible to achieve and maintain an interference fit when inserted into a bore of a base block.

Abstract: An improved base block is disclosed for use mainly in road milling equipment, but also capable of use in trenching equipment and mining equipment. The base mounting portion is shortened in length from such prior art base blocks and has a reduced length device receiving portion extending therefrom that includes a bore therethrough. Rearwardly of the device receiving portion, the base mounting portion includes a reduced diameter semi-bore or curved wall capable of engaging a portion of the shank side wall of a standard length bit/holder shank. Additionally, an angled slot adjacent the rear of the device receiving bore increases access to the rear to aid removal of a bit/holder therefrom.

Abstract: A bit tip insert on a bit/holder, tool, and/or pick for road milling operations that includes a body including a tip and a base subjacent the tip The bit tip insert also includes at least one heat transfer bore extending from a distal end and/or bottom of the body to a bore termination disposed within the base and/or the tip of the bit tip insert. The at least one bore of the bit tip insert is adapted to allow inward contraction when the overlay transfers heat into the base during operation.

Abstract: A diamond coated tip for a non-rotatable bit/holder for road milling operations that includes an overlay of diamond material and a base. An outer surface of the overlay including a tip, at least two parabolic sections, and a generally cylindrical section. The overlay can also include an overfill portion of adjacent the generally cylindrical section.

Abstract: A retainer insertion and extraction tool that includes a shaft or handle, a retainer extraction pin at a distal end of the shaft, and a retainer receiving component at a forward end of the shaft. The retainer receiving component includes an annular, generally cylindrical, or cylindrical hammer face mounting, a hammer face, and a retainer capture base that includes a notch configured to receive a magnet and an extending leading edge that, in combination with the notch and magnet, is configured to receive and retain a retainer. The retainer receiving component is configured to insert the retainer into a groove of a bit by applying manual force to hammer face of the hammer face mounting. The retainer extraction pin is configured to remove the retainer from the groove of the bit by applying manual force to the forward end of the shaft, allowing the shaft to pivot against a fulcrum of a base block.

Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a body portion and a shank. The body portion and the shank being coaxial and including a bore extending from a forward end of the body portion to the distal end of the shank. The shank further includes at least two segments, a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is subject to the first segment and includes a taper towards the top segment. The base block includes a base and a shortened front end. The shortened front end having a forward face and a rear face. The forward face including an indentation and the rear face including a slot extending axially inward from the rear face to a position mediate the forward face.

Abstract: A rotatable or non-rotatable bit for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment that includes a substantially solid body and a substantially solid, generally cylindrical shank depending from a bottom of the body. The bit also includes a forward portion integrally formed at a forward end of the body. The forward portion includes a bore adapted to receive a bit tip insert. Additionally, the bit can also include an insert or transition member disposed within the bore of the forward portion, the insert including a bore adapted to receive the bit tip insert.

Abstract: A bit holder includes a larger bit shank bore and an enlarged upper shank segment or band that provides an interference fit between the top of the shank and the top of a bore of a base block when the bottom of a body of the bit holder seats on the top of the base block. The bit holder further includes a lower shank segment being cylindrical, inwardly tapered, and/or outwardly tapered, the lower shank segment having a differential taper than a corresponding lower bore portion of the base block.

Abstract: A rotatable bit cartridge that can be inserted and removed from permanently mounted cutter bodies, bit holders, and/or picks and are used until replacement of the cutter body, bit holder, and/or pick is required. The rotatable bit cartridge may include a forward end with a brazed diamond coated, layered, and/or diamond table bit tip insert or a brazed tungsten carbide bit tip insert. The rotatable bit includes a body that includes a generally cylindrical and/or a tapered first bore extending axially inwardly from a forward end of the body and a bit tip insert comprising a tip and a base subjacent the tip, a portion of the base adjacent a distal end of the bit tip insert disposed within the first bore of the body.

Abstract: A unitary diamond bit/holder, tool, and/or pick assembly that includes a forward extension axially extending from a body of the bit/holder and a tungsten carbide ring mounted in an annular trough at a forward end of the body around the forward extension. A diamond tipped bit tip insert is positioned and brazed in a bore of the forward extension, a forward end of the forward extension extending axially above a base of the bit tip insert.