ROTATABLE CUTTING TOOL ASSEMBLY HAVING A SPRING CLIP

Abstract

A cutting tool assembly is disclosed. The cutting tool assembly may have an adapter board, which may have at least one bore, extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The assembly may also have a cutting tool, having an elongated tool body. At least a portion of the tool body may be disposed within the bore. The tool body may have an annular channel on the tool body adjacent the distal end of the bore. The assembly may have a spring clip, having a generally hollow cylindrical sleeve, circumscribing at least a portion of the tool body within the bore. The spring clip may also have a flange attached to and extending radially outward from the sleeve. The spring clip may also have a circumferential rib extending radially inward from the sleeve. The circumferential rib may be configured to engage with the annular channel within the bore.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a rotatable cutting tool assembly and, more particularly, to a rotatable cutting tool assembly having a spring clip.

BACKGROUND

Earth-working machines, such as excavators, shovels, wheel loaders, and motor graders, include ground engaging work tools that engage with a variety of earthen materials to excavate and/or move such materials. A typical work tool includes one or more cutting tools mounted to a ground engaging edge of the work tool, for example, to an edge of a motor grader blade or to a lip of a bucket. In some cases, the cutting tools are mounted to an adapter board or mounting block, which in turn may be attached to the ground engaging edge. Each such adapter board or mounting block may house one cutting tool or a plurality of cutting tools.

Repeated contact and impact of the cutting tools with the earthen materials causes wear and abrasion of the cutting tools. Cutting tools which are dull or significantly worn out must be periodically replaced to maintain the effectiveness of the ground engaging tools in excavating or moving the earthen materials. To allow repair or replacement of the cutting tools at a worksite, the cutting tools are typically attached to the adapter board or mounting block via retention mechanisms that permit ease of assembly or disassembly of the cutting tools. While allowing for ease of assembly or disassembly, however, it is desirable to have retention mechanisms that prevent the cutting tools from being dislodged or disassembled from the adapter board or mounting block during machine operations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,649 of Beach et al., issued on Jul. 25, 11009 (“the '649 patent”), and discloses a retainer and a cutting tool or bit for mounting in the bore of a block. The disclosed cutting tool includes an elongate bit body with a bit attached at one end. The bit body of the '649 patent includes a shank with an annular channel disposed at the other end of the bit body. The '649 patent discloses that the resilient retainer surrounds substantially all of the peripheral rearward shank portion and extends rearwardly past the other end of the bit body. According to the '649 patent, the retainer has an unstressed diameter greater than the diameter of the bore so that when the cutting tool is inserted into the bore the retainer expands against the bore so as to be held within the bore. Further, the '649 patent discloses that the retainer includes radially inwardly extending projections that are received within the annular channel in the bit body so that the bit body and retainer are retained together within the bore of the mounting block.

Although the '649 patent discloses a cutting tool that may allow for relatively quick assembly into and disassembly out of the bore in the mounting block, it may still be less than optimal. In particular, because the retainer of the '649 patent is retained within the bore primarily due to frictional forces, vibrations of the machine and impacts on the cutting tool during machine operations may still cause the retainer and the bit body to be dislodged from the mounting block. The dislodged tool may come into contact with and damage portions of the work tool. Moreover, premature detachment of the cutting tool may reduce the effectiveness of the work tool in excavating and/or moving the earthen materials.

The rotatable cutting tool assembly of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a cutting tool assembly. The cutting tool assembly may include an adapter board. The adapter board may include at least one bore, extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The assembly may also include a cutting tool. The cutting tool may include an elongated tool body. At least a portion of the tool body may be disposed within the bore. The tool body may include an annular channel on the tool body adjacent the distal end of the bore. The assembly may include a spring clip. The spring clip may include a generally hollow cylindrical sleeve that may circumscribe at least a portion of the tool body within the bore. The spring clip may also include a flange attached to the sleeve. The flange may extend radially outward from the sleeve and may be disposed outside the bore adjacent the distal end. The spring clip may also include a circumferential rib extending radially inward from the sleeve. The circumferential rib may be configured to engage with the annular channel within the bore.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a cutting tool. The cutting tool may include a tool body extending from a front end to a rear end. A cutting bit may be attached to the tool body at the front end. An annular channel may be disposed in the tool body adjacent the rear end. The cutting tool may also include a spring clip. The spring clip may include a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve that may circumscribe at least a portion of the tool body. The spring clip may also include a flange attached to the sleeve. The flange may extend radially outward from the sleeve adjacent the rear end of the tool body. The spring clip may include a circumferential rib, extending radially inward from the sleeve. The circumferential rib may be configured to be received in the annular channel of the tool body.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a spring clip. The spring clip may include a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve. The spring clip may also include a flange attached at one end of the sleeve. A circumferential rib may be positioned adjacent the flange. The rib may extend radially inward from the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary machine;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary adapter board for the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustration of an exemplary rotatable cutting tool assembly for the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary tool body and cutting bit for the rotatable cutting tool assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a perspective view of an exemplary spring clip for the rotatable cutting tool assembly of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary rotatable cutting tool assembly of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary earth working machine 10. Machine 10 may be a mobile machine that performs many types of operation associated with an industry such as construction, farming, transportation, mining, or any other industry known in the art. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, machine 10 may be a motor grader. It is contemplated, however, that machine 10 may be a material moving machine such as an excavator, a dozer, a loader, a backhoe, or any other material moving machine known in the art. Machine 10 may include frame 12, front wheels 14, rear wheels 16, engine 18, work tool 20, actuators 22, and operator's cabin 24.

Frame 12 of machine 10 may be supported by one or more front wheels 14, and one or more rear wheels 16, which may help propel machine 10 forward or rearward on a ground surface. Machine 10 may also include engine 18, which may provide motive power for rotating wheels 14, 16, and for operating one or more work tools 20. Engine 18 may be any suitable type of internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or hybrid-powered engine. Work tool 20 may be connected to frame 12 via one or more actuators 22, which may be configured to adjust a position of work tool 20 relative to the ground surface. Machine 10 may also include operator's cabin 24 that may include one or more controls that may be used by an operator of machine 10 to control various machine operations associated with, for example, wheels 14, 16, engine 18, work tool 20, and actuators 22. The list of components of machine 10 discussed in this disclosure is not exhaustive and it is contemplated that machine 10 may include additional or alternative components.

Work tool 20 may embody any device used to perform a task assigned to the machine. Work tool 20 may extend from adjacent one side 26 (e.g. left side) of machine 10 to adjacent an opposite side 28 (e.g. right side) of machine 10. A length of work tool 20 between sides 26, 28 may be larger than or smaller than a width of machine 10. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, work tool 20 may be a motor grader blade 30. It is contemplated, however, that work tool 20 may be a bucket, a shovel, a crusher, or any other ground engaging or material moving device known in the art. Work tool 20 may include adapter board 32 and one or more cutting tools 34.

Adapter board 32 may be fixedly or removably attached to a working edge (not shown) of blade 30. One or more cutting tools 34 may be attached to adapter board 32. Although FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which cutting tools 34 are attached to adapter board 32, it is contemplated that additionally or alternatively, cutting tools 34 may be attached directly to blade 30 or, for example, to one or more mounting blocks (not shown) attachable to blade 30.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of adapter board 32 attachable to blade 30 of machine 10. Adapter board 32 may include blade mounting portion 36 and mounting block portion 38. Blade mounting portion 36 may be a generally rectangular plate like structure extending from adjacent side 26 to adjacent side 28. Blade mounting portion 36 may include front face 40 and rear face 42 separated from front face 40 by a thickness, which may be uniform or non-uniform. It is contemplated that blade mounting portion 36 may have other shapes, such as, for example, square, trapezoidal, polygonal, etc. Blade mounting portion 36 may project outward from mounting block portion 38 of adapter board 32 to plate edge 44. Blade mounting portion 36 may include one or more openings 46, which may be disposed nearer to plate edge 44 than to mounting block portion 38. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, openings 46 may be through hole openings configured to receive fasteners (not shown) that may be configured to attach blade mounting portion 36 of adapter board 32 to blade 30 of work tool 20. It is contemplated that blade mounting portion 36 may be attached to blade 30 in many other ways, for example, by riveting, welding, brazing, etc.

Mounting block portion 38 may be thicker than blade mounting portion 36 and may be disposed opposite plate edge 44. In one exemplary embodiment, mounting block portion 38 may have a length about equal to a length of blade mounting portion 36 and may extend from adjacent side 26 to adjacent side 28. It is contemplated, however, that blade mounting portion 36 may be shorter than or longer than blade mounting portion 36. One or more cutting tools 34 may be removably attached to blade mounting portion 36. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, cutting tools 34 may extend from mounting block portion 38 in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which blade mounting portion 36 may extend from mounting block portion 38. As also illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of cutting tools 34 may be assembled to mounting block portion 38 via cutting tool assemblies 50.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of cutting tool assembly 50. Cutting tool assembly 50 may include adapter board 32 and cutting tool 34. As illustrated in FIG. 3, mounting block portion 38 of adapter board 32 may have block front face 52 disposed adjacent to and extending from front face 40 of blade mounting portion 36 of adapter board 32. Mounting block portion 38 may also have block rear face 54 disposed on an opposite side of block front face 52. Block rear face 54 may be positioned adjacent to and extending from rear face 42 of blade mounting portion 36. Mounting block portion 38 may include a through hole bore 56 extending through a thickness of mounting block portion 38 such that proximal end 58 of bore 56 may coincide with block front face 52, and distal end 60 of bore 56 may coincide with block rear face 54. Bore 56 may be symmetrically disposed about longitudinal axis 62. In one exemplary embodiment, bore 56 may be generally cylindrical. It is contemplated, however, that bore may be conical with a bore diameter adjacent block front face 52 being larger than a bore diameter adjacent block rear face 54. It is also contemplated that in some exemplary embodiments, bore 56 may have a non-circular cross-section.

Cutting tool 34 may include tool body 64, cutting bit 66, bearing 68, spring clip 70, and washer 72. As illustrated in FIG. 3, tool body 64, cutting bit 66, bearing 68, spring clip 70, and washer 72 may be symmetrically disposed about longitudinal axis 62. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, tool body 64 and bearing 68 may be insertable into bore 56 through proximal end 58 of bore 56, while spring clip 70 may be insertable into bore 56 through distal end 60 of bore 56.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of tool body 64 and cutting bit 66. Tool body 64 may be symmetrically disposed about longitudinal axis 62. Tool body 64 may extend from front end 74 to rear end 76, and may include tool head 78 and shank 80. Tool head 78 may extend partway over a length of tool body 64 from adjacent front end 74 to adjacent tool head end 82 disposed between front end 74 and rear end 76. A size (e.g. diameter) of tool head 78 adjacent tool head end 82 may be larger than a diameter of bore 56 (see FIG. 3). Thus, when tool body 64 is inserted into bore 56 through proximal end 58 (see FIG. 3), tool head 78 may prevent axial movement of tool body 64 into bore 56 when tool head 78 abuts on block front face 52 (see FIG. 3). In one exemplary embodiment, a diameter of tool head 78 adjacent front end 74 may be smaller than a diameter of tool head 78 adjacent tool head end 82. It is contemplated, however, that in other exemplary embodiments, the diameter of tool head 78 adjacent front end 74 may be equal to or larger than the diameter of tool head 78 adjacent tool head end 82

Cutting bit 66 may be attached to tool head 78 at front end 74. Cutting bit 66 may be made of a hard material (e.g. tungsten carbide) to enable it to engage with and penetrate rocks, earthen materials, mining, materials, and/or construction materials. Cutting bit 66 may be attached to tool head 78 in a variety of ways, for example, by welding, brazing, interference fit, or fasteners. It is also contemplated that in some exemplary embodiments, tool body 64 and cutting bit 66 may be formed as a unitary integral part.

Shank 80 may be attached to tool head 78 and may extend from tool head 78 (e.g. from adjacent tool head end 82) to rear end 76. Shank 80 may be generally cylindrical and may be disposed symmetrically about longitudinal axis 62. It is contemplated, however, that shank 80 may have a generally frusto-conical shape, having a larger diameter adjacent tool head 78 than adjacent rear end 76. A diameter of shank 80 may be smaller than that of tool head 78. The diameter of shank 80 may also be smaller than that of bore 56, so that shank 80 may be receivable within bore 56. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, shank 80 of tool body 64 may include annular channel 84 positioned adjacent rear end 76. Annular channel 84 may be in the form of a generally circumferential recess or depression, extending radially inward from outer surface 86 of shank 80. Annular channel 84 may be located nearer to rear end 76 than to tool head 78. Annular channel 84 may have a generally smooth U-shaped shape. It is contemplated, however, that annular channel 84 may have other shapes, for example, semi-circular, parabolic, elliptical, triangular, polygonal, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of spring clip 70. Spring clip 70 may include sleeve 88 and flange 90. Sleeve 88 may have a generally hollow cylindrical shape and may extend from adjacent spring front end 92 to adjacent spring rear end 94. Sleeve 88 may have an unstressed outer diameter larger than a diameter of bore 56 (see FIG. 3). An inner diameter of sleeve 88 may be larger than an outer diameter of shank 80 (see FIG. 4). In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5, sleeve 88 may also include an annular recess 96 positioned between spring front end 92 and spring rear end 94. Annular recess 96 may be in the form of a generally circular channel or depression, extending radially inward from outer surface 98 of sleeve 88. Annular recess 96 may have a generally smooth U shape. It is contemplated, however, that annular recess 96 may have other shapes, for example, semi-circular, parabolic, elliptical, triangular, polygonal, etc. It is also contemplated that in some exemplary embodiments, sleeve 88 may not include annular recess 96.

Sleeve 88 may also include circumferential rib 100 (see FIG. 6.), which may extend radially inward from inner surface 102 of sleeve 88. It is contemplated that in some exemplary embodiments, rib 100 may include a plurality of sections separated from each other by circumferential gaps. Each of the plurality of rib sections may extend radially inward from inner surface 102 of sleeve 88. In one exemplary embodiment, an axial position of annular recess 96 along a length of sleeve 88, relative to spring front end 92 and/or spring rear end 94, may coincide with an axial position of circumferential rib 100 (or of rib sections) relative to spring front end 92 and/or spring rear end 94. It is contemplated, however, that in some exemplary embodiments annular recess 96 may be axially separated from circumferential rib 100.

Flange 90 may be attached to sleeve 88 adjacent spring rear end 94. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, flange 90 may be positioned in between annular recess 96 and spring rear end 94. Flange 90 may extend radially outward from outer surface 98 of sleeve 88. Flange 90 may be a plate like structure having flange front face 104 facing spring front end 92, and flange rear face 106 facing spring rear end 94. A thickness of flange 90 between flange front face 104 and flange rear face 106 may be about equal to a radial thickness of sleeve 88, although other thicknesses are also contemplated. It is contemplated that the thickness of flange 90 may be uniform or may vary in a radial direction extending outward from outer surface 98 of sleeve 88. An outer diameter of flange 90 may be larger than a diameter of bore 56 (see FIG. 3).

Spring clip 70 may include an axial slit 108, which may extend along an entire length of spring clip 70. For example, slit 108 may extend from adjacent spring front end 92 to adjacent spring rear end 94. Slit 108 may be generally parallel to longitudinal axis 62 and may axially split sleeve 88 and flange 90 by a circumferential gap, allowing sleeve 88 to be compressed to a smaller outer diameter compared to its unstressed diameter. Slit 108 may extend through a thickness of both sleeve 88 and flange 90. Compressing sleeve 88 in this manner may allow sleeve 88 to be inserted into bore 56 (see FIG. 3) of adapter board 32 (see FIG. 3). A width of the circumferential gap may be uniform or non-uniform along a length of spring clip 70.

Slit 108 may include slit left edge 110 and slit right edge 112, which may be separated from slit left edge 110 by the circumferential gap. Spring clip 70 may include recess 114, which may extend within sleeve 88 from slit right edge 112 in a circumferential direction away from slit 108. Spring clip 70 may also include protrusion 116 which may extend circumferentially from slit left edge 110 into the circumferential gap between slit left edge 110 and slit right edge 112. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, recess 114 may extend from slit left edge 110 in a circumferential direction away from slit 108 and that protrusion 116 may extend circumferentially from slit right edge 112 into the circumferential gap between the slit left edge 110 and slit right edge 112. The shapes of recess 114 and protrusion 116 may be selected so that recess 114 may receive protrusion 116 when sleeve 88 is compressed during insertion into bore 56 (see FIG. 3). In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5, recess 114 and protrusion 116 may be axially located between flange 90 and annular recess 96. It is contemplated, however, that recess 114 and protrusion 116 may be axially located between spring front end 92 and annular recess 96. Although FIG. 5 illustrates only one recess 114 and one protrusion 116, it is contemplated that spring clip 70 may include any number of recesses 114 and protrusions 116. It is further contemplated that in some embodiments, recesses 114 and protrusions 116 may additionally or alternatively be located between flange 90 and spring rear end 94.

Spring clip 70 may also include protrusion 118 extending circumferentially outward from slit right edge 112 towards slid left edge 110. Protrusion 118 may be disposed adjacent spring front end 92. Slit left edge 110 may include a chamfered edge 120 adjacent spring front end 92. In some exemplary embodiments, protrusion 118 may extend circumferentially outward from slit left edge 110 and slit right edge 112 may include chamfered edge 120. Protrusion 118 may engage with chamfered edge 120 when spring clip is compressed during insertion into bore 56 (see FIG. 3) Engagement of one or more protrusions 116 into one or more corresponding recesses 114, and engagement of protrusion 118 with chamfered edge 120 may help limit relative axial movement between slit left edge 110 and slit right edge 112 when spring clip 70 is inserted into bore 56.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of cutting tool assembly 50. As illustrated in FIG. 6, bearing 68 may be disposed within bore 56 of adapter board 32. Bearing 68 may be a generally annular hollow cylinder having bearing bore 122. It is contemplated that a shape of an outer surface of bearing 68 may match with a corresponding shape of an inner surface of bore 56. Bearing 68 like bore 56 may be concentrically disposed about longitudinal axis 62. A length of bearing 68 may be smaller than a length of bore 56 such that bearing 68 may be disposed within bore 56 between proximal end 58 and distal end 60 of bore 56. Bearing 68 may be held in position within bore 56 via an interference fit so that bearing 68 may not move axially or rotatably within bore 56.

At least a portion of tool body 64 may be disposed with bore 56. For example, tool head 78 may be disposed adjacent proximal end 58 of bore 56 and shank 80 may be positioned within bore 56. Washer 72 may be positioned between tool head 78 and block front face 52 of adapter board 32. Washer 72 may abut on block front face 52 and tool head 78 may abut on washer 72. In the assembled configuration as illustrated in FIG. 6, washer 72 may also be positioned between tool head 78 and bearing 68. It is contemplated that in some exemplary embodiments, cutting tool assembly 50 may not include washer 72 and tool head 78 may abut on block front face 52. When washer 72 is present, washer 72 may include opening 124 disposed concentrically about longitudinal axis 62. Shank 80 of cutting tool 34 may pass through washer 72 via opening 124 to be slidably and rotatably received within bearing bore 122 of bearing 68. Shank 80 may be positioned within bearing bore 122 such that rear end 76 of shank 80 may be disposed outside bore 56, while annular channel 84 of shank 80 may be axially located between bearing 68 and distal end 60 of bore 56. Annular channel 84 of shank 80 may also be axially positioned between bearing 68 and rear end 76 of tool body 64. As also illustrated in FIG. 6, a length of shank 80 may be larger than a length of bore 56. It is contemplated, however, that in some exemplary embodiments, the length of shank 80 may be smaller than or about equal to the length of bore 56.

As further illustrated in FIG. 6, at least a portion of spring clip 70 may be disposed within bore 56. For example, sleeve 88 of spring clip 70 may be disposed within bore 56, while flange 90 of spring clip 70 may be disposed outside bore 56. Sleeve 88 of spring clip 70 may extend partway into bore 56 from adjacent distal end 60 of bore 56. A length of sleeve 88 may be smaller than a length of bore 56 and may also be smaller than a length of shank 80. Sleeve 88 may circumscribe at least a portion of tool body 64 and shank 80 within bore 56. Bearing 68 may be axially located between proximal end 58 of bore 56 and sleeve 88 of spring clip 70. In the assembled configuration of cutting tool 34 as illustrated in FIG. 6, rib 100 of spring clip 70 may slidingly engage with annular channel 84 of shank 80. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6, both rib 100 and channel 84 may be located within bore 56. It is contemplated that when sleeve 86 includes rib sections instead of a circumferential rib, the rib sections may engage with annular channel 84 of shank 80. Engagement of rib 100 (or of rib sections) with annular channel 84 of cutting tool 34 may help retain cutting tool 34 within bore 56 of adapter board 28.

Axial movement of cutting tool 34 during operations of machine 10 may cause flange front face 104 to abut on block rear face 54. Engagement of rib 100 with annular channel 84 and abutment of flange 90 on block rear face 54 may help retain cutting tool 34 within bore 56 and may help prevent cutting tool 34 from being dislodged or pulled out of bore 56 during operations of machine 10. Similarly engagement of cutting bit 66 with the working materials (e.g. ground surface, earthen materials, and/or mining or construction materials) may exert an axial force on cutting tool 34 tending to push cutting tool into bore 56. However, abutment of tool head 78 or washer 72 on block front face 52 of adapter board 32 may prevent excessive axial motion of cutting tool 34 into bore 56. Engagement of cutting bit 66 with the working materials may also cause cutting tool 34 to rotate. Because shank 80 is slidingly received within bearing 68, and because rib 100 is slidingly received within annular channel 84, cutting tool 34 may be able to rotate within bore 56, when engaging with the working materials. This in turn may allow cutting bit 66 to be abraded uniformly, extending the useful life of cutting bit 66. Thus, the exemplary disclosed cutting tool assembly 50 may allow cutting tool 34 to rotate during machine operations, while simultaneously helping ensure that cutting tool 34 may not be accidentally or prematurely dislodged out of bore 56.

An exemplary method of assembling cutting tool 34 on adapter board 32, and disassembling cutting tool 34 from adapter board 32 is described in the following sections.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed cutting tool assembly may be used with a variety of work tools, such as, motor grader blades, buckets, shovels, etc. In particular, the disclosed cutting tool assembly 50 may be used to connect cutting tool 34 to work tool 20 of machine 10. For example, cutting tool assembly 50 may be useable when there is sufficient space on the front and rear sides of a corresponding adapter board 32 or mounting block to allow insertion of cutting tool 34 and spring clip 70 from opposite sides of bore 56. The disclosed cutting tool assembly 50 may allow ease of assembly and disassembly of cutting tool 34 at a work site, while simultaneously helping ensure that cutting tool 34 does not dislodge or disassemble from work tool 20 of machine 10 during operations of machine 10. A method of assembling cutting tool 34 on work tool 20 will be described next.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary assembly of cutting tool 34 to adapter board 32 attached to work tool 20 of machine 10. As illustrated in FIG. 6, bearing 68 may be inserted into bore 56 preferably through proximal end 58 of bore 56, although it may be possible to insert bearing 68 through distal end 60 of bore 56. Bearing 68 may be insertable into bore 56 in many ways. For example, bearing 68 may be insertable into bore 56 using a hydraulic press, by hammering bearing 68 into bore 56, or by heating bore 56 to expand a diameter of bore 56 and inserting bearing 68 into the heated bore 56. In its assembled state, bearing 68 may be retained within bore 56 by an interference fit, which may prevent axial movement of bearing 68 relative to bore 56 or rotation of bearing 68 within bore 56.

Cutting bit 66 may be attached to tool head 78 adjacent front end 74 of tool body 64 by welding, brazing, using a fastener or by other methods known in the art. Washer 72 may be attached to cutting tool 34 by passing shank 80 through opening 124 of washer 72. Shank 80 may be inserted into bore 56 via proximal end 58 such that shank 80 may be slidingly and rotatingly received within bearing bore 122 of bearing 68 located within bore 56. Shank 80 of cutting tool 34 may be pushed into bearing bore 122 until washer 72 and/or tool head 78 (when no washer is present) abuts on block front face 52 of mounting block portion 38 of adapter board 32. In this configuration, annular channel 84 of shank 80 may be disposed outside bearing 68, within bore 56, and between bearing 68 and distal end 60 of bore 56.

Spring clip 70 may be circumferentially compressed from its unstressed diameter so that an outer diameter of sleeve 88 may be reduced to a diameter smaller than a diameter of bore 56. The thus compressed sleeve 88 may be inserted into bore 56 through distal end 60 of bore 56 such that shank 80 may be slidingly received within sleeve 88. Spring clip 70 may be pushed into bore 56 by, for example, applying pressure on flange 90 using a press or other tool until rib 100 enters and is slidingly received in annular channel 84 of shank 80. In this configuration, sleeve 88 of spring clip 70 may extend partway into bore 56 from distal end 60 of bore 56. Further, sleeve 88 may circumscribe at least a portion of shank 80 disposed between bearing 68 and distal end 60 of bore 56. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the assembled configuration, tool head 78 and/or washer 72 may abut on block front face 52, preventing axial movement of cutting tool into bore 56. Likewise, flange 90 may abut on block rear face 54 and engagement of rib 100 with annular channel 84 may help prevent movement of cutting tool 34 out of bore 56, which may help ensure that cutting tool 34 is not dislodged or disassembled from adapter board 32 during operations of machine 10. Thus, the disclosed cutting tool assembly 50 may allow for assembly of cutting tool 34 so that cutting tool 34 may be rotatable within bearing bore 122, while preventing accidental disassembly of cutting tool 34 during operations of machine 10.

To disassemble cutting tool 34, a tool may be inserted between flange front face 104 and block rear face 54 to pry spring clip 70 out of bore 56. As sleeve 88 moves out of bore 56, rib 100 may disengage from annular channel 84 of shank 80. Spring clip 70 may be removed from bore 56 once rib 100 has disengaged from annular channel 84. After removing spring clip 70, cutting tool 34 may be slidingly extracted from bearing bore 122 by, for example, pulling it out from proximal end 58 of bore 56 or by pushing shank 80 out of bearing bore 122 using a tool inserted from distal end 60 of bore 56.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed cutting tool assembly. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed cutting tool assembly. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cutting tool assembly, comprising:

an adapter board including a bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

a cutting tool, including: an elongated tool body, at least a portion of the tool body being disposed within the bore; and an annular channel on the tool body adjacent the distal end of the bore; and

a spring clip, including: a generally hollow cylindrical sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the tool body within the bore; a flange attached to and extending radially outward from the sleeve, the flange being disposed outside the bore adjacent the distal end of the bore; and a circumferential rib extending radially inward from the sleeve and configured to engage with the annular channel within the bore.

2. The cutting tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the tool body includes:

a tool head positioned adjacent to and outside the proximal end of the bore; and

a shank extending from the tool head into the bore.

3. The cutting tool assembly of claim 2, wherein the shank has a shank length greater than a length of the bore.

4. The cutting tool assembly of claim 2, further including an annular bearing having a bearing bore, the bearing being disposed within the bore, and the shank being rotatably disposed within the bearing bore.

5. The cutting tool assembly of claim 4, wherein the sleeve extends partway into the bore from the distal end.

6. The cutting tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the bearing is located between the proximal end of the bore and the sleeve.

7. The cutting tool assembly of claim 6, further including a washer between the tool head and the proximal end of the bore.

8. The cutting tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring clip includes an axial slit along an entire length of the spring clip.

9. A cutting tool, comprising:

a tool body extending from a front end to a rear end;

a cutting bit attached to the tool body at the front end;

an annular channel disposed in the tool body adjacent the rear end; and

a spring clip, including: a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve circumscribing at least a portion of the tool body; a flange attached to and extending radially outward from the sleeve adjacent the rear end of the tool body; and a circumferential rib extending radially inward from the sleeve and configured to be received in the annular channel of the tool body.

10. The cutting tool of claim 9, wherein the spring clip includes an axial slit along an entire length of the spring clip.

11. The cutting tool of claim 9, wherein the tool body includes:

a tool head adjacent the front end of the tool body, the cutting bit being attached to the tool head; and

a generally cylindrical shank extending from the tool head to adjacent the rear end of the tool body.

12. The cutting tool of claim 11, wherein the shank has a shank diameter smaller than a tool head diameter.

13. The cutting tool of claim 12, wherein the sleeve has a sleeve length smaller than a length of the shank.

14. The cutting tool of claim 12, further including a generally annular bearing having a bearing bore, the bearing being positioned between the tool head and the sleeve, a portion of the shank being rotatably disposed within the bearing bore.

15. The cutting tool of claim 14, wherein the annular channel is located between the rear end of the tool body and the bearing.

16. The cutting tool of claim 14, further including a washer located between the tool head and the bearing.

17. A spring clip, comprising:

a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve;

a flange attached at one end of the sleeve, the flange extending radially outward from the sleeve;

a circumferential rib positioned adjacent the flange, the rib extending radially inward from the sleeve.

18. The spring clip of claim 17, further including an annular channel in an outer wall of the sleeve, the annular channel and the rib positioned at a same axial location along a length of the sleeve.

19. The spring clip of claim 17, further including an axial slit along an entire length of the spring clip.

20. The spring clip of claim 19, wherein the slit includes:

a left edge and a right edge separated from the left edge by a circumferential gap;

a protrusion extending circumferentially into the gap from the left edge towards the right edge; and

a recess extending circumferentially from the right edge away from the gap, the recess being configured to receive the protrusion.