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 can be a unitary piece or can include a forward portion friction welded to a forward end of the body. The forward portion is machined after being friction welded and/or the unitary piece is machined to include an outer profile and 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.

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. An axially shortened diamond tipped bit tip insert is brazed to the forward extension, within a bore of the forward extension, and/or to a tungsten carbide plug which is then seated within a bore of the forward extension.

Abstract: A combination bit and bit holder assembly includes a bit holder having a forward body portion and a shank. The forward body portion includes an upper end and a lower end. An insert is mounted in the bore of the upper end of the body portion. The insert also includes a central bore that receivingly retains a receiving cup. The receiving cup includes a bottom portion and an annular flange that extends from the bottom portion and defines a hollow forward portion. A bit is mounted in the hollow forward portion of the receiving cup which is configured to have a ductility that provides impact absorption to the bit.

Abstract: Improved bit holder/bit holder block structure provides increased access to the rear of the assembly allowing bit holder blocks to be mounted closer to each other for micro-milling operations. Shortened bit holder shanks are reconfigured from prior art to provide increased holding power between the bit holder shank and bit holder block bore.

Abstract: A bit holder that includes a front portion and a shank axially depending from the front portion. The front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. A combination bit holder and base block that includes the bit holder with the front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. The base block including a mounting portion and a device receiving portion, the device receiving portion including a length that is the same or less than a length of the mounting portion. The base block having a device receiving portion that includes a length shorter than a length of the mounting portion adapted to provide increased access to the rear of the bit assembly allowing the base blocks to be mounted closer to each other for micro-milling operations. Shortened bit holder shanks are reconfigured from prior art to provide increased holding power between the bit holder shank and base block bore.

Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a forward body portion and a shank. The forward body portion includes an enlarged tire portion to deflect material and particles removed from the terra firma and protect the base block from damage. The base block includes a base and a shortened front end. The enlarged tire portion has dimensions that cover at least all of the shortened from end. The dimensions of the tire portion can also extend beyond the dimensions of the shortened front end.

Abstract: An improved bit retainer having a retainer body that includes an arcuate top portion defining a radially expandable area. The bit retainer including a pair of opposed arcuate legs depending from the arcuate top portion, the pair of opposed arcuate legs having a radial cross-section greater than the radial cross-section of the radially expandable area. Each leg includes a cavity adjacent a distal end of the leg. The bit retainer adapted to engage an annular groove of a shank of a pick or unitary bit/holder when the bit is inserted into a bore of a base block and retain the bit within the bore of the base block. A first embodiment of the bit retainer having a flat side profile and a second embodiment of the bit retainer having a curved side profile.

Abstract: A bit and/or pick that includes a collapsible slotted retainer and a non-rotating washer. The bit includes an upper body portion and a shank. The collapsible slotted retainer and the washer are disposed circumferentially about the shank of the bit. The washer is also disposed between a bottom of the upper body portion of the bit and a forward end of the retainer. The bit is inserted into a bore of a bit holder or a base block and the washer axially aligns the bit and the bit bolder or base block along a centerline to self-center the bit in the bore. As the bore becomes worn during use, the washer engages the forward end of the retainer and urges the washer away from a front face of the bit holder or base block, to collapse the retainer and increase a diameter of the retainer to approximately match a diameter of a bore of the bit holder or base block and restore the interference fit with the bore.

Abstract: A bit holder that includes a front portion and a shank axially depending from the front portion. The front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. A combination bit holder and base block that includes the bit holder with the front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. The base block including a mounting portion and a device receiving portion, the device receiving portion including a length that is the same or less than a length of the mounting portion. The base block having a device receiving portion that includes a length shorter than a length of the mounting portion adapted to provide increased access to the rear of the bit assembly allowing the base blocks to be mounted closer to each other for micro-milling operations. Shortened bit holder shanks are reconfigured from prior art to provide increased holding power between the bit holder shank and base block bore.

Abstract: Improvements in previous bit assembly components including shortened slotted shanks and shortened base block bore receiving portions disclose relationships between shank differential interference portions and the corresponding base block bores. Changes in the differences in interference angles lead to changes in slot width, length and steel hardnesses in order to provide necessary retaining forces between the shank and base block bore.

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 bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a forward body portion and a shank. The forward body portion includes an enlarged tire portion to deflect material and particles removed from the terra firma and protect the base block from damage. The base block includes a base and a shortened front end. The enlarged tire portion has dimensions that cover at least all of the shortened from end. The dimensions of the tire portion can also extend beyond the dimensions of the shortened front end.

Abstract: A bit holder and corresponding base block are disclosed wherein a slotted shank of the bit holder includes a reverse taper portion adjacent a distal end thereof. A base block with a bore for receiving said shank includes a corresponding hollow portion of reverse taper configuration that will tend to retain said shank therein.

Abstract: An improved bit retainer having a retainer body that includes an arcuate top portion defining a radially expandable area. The bit retainer including a pair of opposed arcuate legs depending from the arcuate top portion, the pair of opposed arcuate legs having a radial cross-section greater than the radial cross-section of the radially expandable area. Each leg includes a cavity adjacent a distal end of the leg. The bit retainer adapted to engage an annular groove of a shank of a pick or unitary bit/holder when the bit is inserted into a bore of a base block and retain the bit within the bore of the base block. A first embodiment of the bit retainer having a flat side profile and a second embodiment of the bit retainer having a curved side profile.

Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a forward body portion and a shank. The forward body portion includes an enlarged tire portion to deflect material and particles removed from the terra firma and protect the base block from damage. The base block includes a base and a shortened front end. The enlarged tire portion has dimensions that cover at least all of the shortened from end. The dimensions of the tire portion can also extend beyond the dimensions of the shortened front end.

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 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. An axially shortened diamond tipped bit tip insert is brazed to the forward extension, within a bore of the forward extension, and/or to a tungsten carbide plug which is then seated within a bore of the forward extension.

Abstract: A unitary bit/holder assembly includes a reverse taper insert having a diamond coated tip mounted thereon that is received in an annular flange forwardmost portion of a holder body. In a modification, the diamond coated tip is received in a recess on a generally cylindrical forwardmost portion of the holder body.

Abstract: A unitary bit/holder and/or a bit holder including 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 including a segment adjacent a distal end of the shank that includes a plurality of ribs and at least one notch or relief zone between each rib in the plurality of ribs.

Abstract: A bit holder that includes a front portion and a shank axially depending from the front portion. The front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. A combination bit holder and base block that includes the bit holder with the front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. The base block including a mounting portion and a device receiving portion, the device receiving portion including a length that is the same or less than a length of the mounting portion. The base block having a device receiving portion that includes a length shorter than a length of the mounting portion adapted to provide increased access to the rear of the bit assembly allowing the base blocks to be mounted closer to each other for micro-milling operations. Shortened bit holder shanks are reconfigured from prior art to provide increased holding power between the bit holder shank and base block bore.