Abstract: The present invention relates in general to subsurface drilling tools, and more specifically, to a drill bit comprising a ball shaped cutting tool. The drill bit is configured so that a plurality of cones, forming the ball shaped cutting tool, rotate in opposite directions around an axle while the drill bit is drilling or cutting through the ground, rock, or other material. The drilling or cutting is accomplished by a plurality of blade inserts that fit inside and protrude therefrom a plurality of holes covering the exterior of the ball shaped cutting tool. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new and improved subsurface drilling tool that will efficiently drill hard rock formations.

Abstract: A raise boring reamer assembly includes a saddle, and a journal assembly carried by the saddle. The journal assembly includes nose and gage shanks, and a cutter is carried by the journal assembly. Nose and gage wiper rings are positioned proximate to the nose and gage shanks, respectively. The nose and gage wiper rings move debris in opposed directions in response to the rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A raise boring reamer assembly includes a saddle, and a journal assembly carried by the saddle. The journal assembly includes nose and gage shanks, and a cutter is carried by the journal assembly. Nose and gage wiper rings are positioned proximate to the nose and gage shanks, respectively. The nose and gage wiper rings move debris in opposed directions in response to the rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A drilling member for use in a drilling system, such as for drilling a large diameter subterranean hole or for removing rock at the earth's surface, in which the system employs a cutting head rotated about an axis and mounted for movement into a rock face, the cutting head having a plurality of drilling members, each of which has a truncated conical external surface rotated about the conical axis thereof, and a plurality of spaced-apart rows of indentors secured to the drilling member conical surface, the indentors being adapted to penetrate into the rock face a distance P, and wherein the indentors are spaced a distance not greater than 7 P apart.

Abstract: A drill bit for use with a reciprocating device, wherein the bit is in the form of a rotatable corrugated frusto-conical roller, supported by a U-shaped member, attached to a mounting post. The corrugations are the cutting edges of the bit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller cutter to be mounted on a rock boring head via a journal and a saddle. The journal has two ends that are supposed to be fixed to a conventional saddle. The journal is surrounded by a rotatably carried roller body comprising rows of circumferentially extending cutting means. The rotational axis of the roller cutter inclines an angle .phi..sub.1 with respect to the center line of the journal so that a true rolling movement may be obtained between the roller cutter and the rock surface.

Abstract: A rotary drag drill bit is seen wherein cutter bodies are rotatively connected to a main body structure at a fully offset position. The fully offset position is defined by a rotational axis of each cutter body, a longitudinal axis of the drill bit and end support points or positions of the cutter bodies. The rotational axes of the cutter bodies are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit. The end supports of the cutter body are each equal distance from any point on the longitudinal axis of the drill bit. The cutter bodies of essentially ellipsoidal configuration, being slightly thicker at a mid-portion thereof. Cutting elements are connected to flutes projecting above an outer surface of each cutter body. In a primary rotational direction of the drill string and drill bit, the rows abrade the bottom and side walls of a well bore as the cutter body attacks the earth formation as the drill bit is rotated.

Abstract: A large diameter earth boring drill bit has a cutter mounting system that protects the cutter mounts from formation damage. The drill bit is of the type having a cutter support plate adapted to be secured to a string of drill pipe. A cutter shell is rotatably mounted on a bearing carrier and supported by a cutter mount that is secured to the cutter support plate. The cutter mount has two legs spaced apart, each leg having a slot for receiving a lug that extends from each end of the bearing carrier. The legs and lugs have apertures, with a wedge connector for insertion through for connecting the bearing carrier to the cutter mount. A protector member extends from at least one end of the bearing carrier, with the lug extending from the protector member into the slot. The protector member has a surface on each side of the lug that extends over and protects the end of the leg on each side of the slot from formation damage.

Abstract: A reamer bit for raise boring in rock, of the type comprising a body on which a number of rolling cutters with cutting inserts are rotatably mounted for contact with and disintegration of the rock, and a detachable stem mounted in a central bore on the body and adapted to be received in a pilot hole drilled in advance in the rock. The stem has two cylindrical portions, an upper one of which having a smaller diameter than a lower one thereof. The bore in the body has corresponding upper and lower cylindrical portions surrounding the stem. The upper cylindrical portions of the body and the stem define upper stem restraining surface means. The lower cylindrical portions of the body and the stem define lower stem restraining surface means. The stem at its lower portion is provided with a flange abutting the body from below and supporting it axially. The upper and lower restraining surface means together comprise a substantial axial portion of the part of the stem that is surrounded by the bore.

Abstract: Roller cutters are mounted onto a cutterhead from the rear side of the cutterhead. A load transfer block is insertable between a stator portion of each cutter and a generally forwardly directed load-carrying surface on the cutter-head frame. Loads imposed on the roller cutter during boring are transmitted rearwardly from the stator to the load transfer block, and from the load transfer block to the cutterhead frame.

Abstract: A large hole earth boring bit with a clevis-type coupling for mounting the rolling cutters to the bit. The mounting apparatus includes a first member having two ends with aligned holes and a second member having its end inserted between the two ends. The end of the second member has an aperture that is spaced slightly out of alignment with the apertures in the first member, providing a generally elliptical passage. Bearing surfaces prevent them from coming into alignment. A pair of wedges are inserted into the elliptical passage and drawn together to exert a force in the direction toward alignment of the apertures. The force exerted is transmitted into the base, positively locking the two members together.

Abstract: A rock-boring machine of the type comprising a rotatable headplate having a plurality of disc cutting units mounted on the front face of the headplate. Each disc cutting unit includes an annular rotatable body having a continuous recess extending around its periphery and a plurality of cutting segments located in the recess. The segments are secured in the recess by means of removable clamping means.

Abstract: Each bucket includes a ground engaging leading portion characterized by roller cutter means alternating with scoop teeth transversely across the bucket. The scoop teeth on alternate buckets follow the path of roller cutter means on intermediate buckets. The scoop teeth on intermediate buckets follow the path of roller cutter means on alternate buckets.