Patent EP0333651A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0333651A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Annular cutter having radial clearance
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-03-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-03-03
Abstract
Abstract The annular cutter (10) of the present invention has a body portion (12) with a plurality of teeth (122) circumferentially spaced about the lower end (20) thereof and a plurality of flutes (24) extending upwardly around the outer periphery of the body portion between the teeth. Each of the teeth (22) has at least two circumferentially stepped cutting edges (32, 34) with the trailing edge being the the outermost cutting edge (34). These two cutting edges are separated by a shoulder (44) which in the preferred embodiment is defined by the bottom wall (30) of the flute (24). This shoulder has a radial clearance (46) adjacent the outermost cutting edge (34) to accommodate the growth of the outermost chip (50) cut by the outermost cutting edge (34) to facilitate discharge of the chips through the flute (24).
Inventors
- 👤 Everett D. Hougen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:32
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23B; B23B51/00; B23B51/04; B23B2251/00; B23B2251/14; B23B2251/40; B23B2251/408; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/89; Y10T408/895; Y10T408/8957; Y10T408/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly in the outer periphery of said body portion between said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which, when cut, are fed into said flutes and discharged; said teeth having at least first leading and second trailing cutting edges generally radially and circumferentially separated by said bottom wall of said adjacent flute such that said first cutting edge leads said second cutting edge as said cutter is rotated with each cutting edge cutting a separate chip, said chips having a radial width when cut at least equal to the radial width of said respective cutting edges; and a radial clearance radially generally adjacent said second trailing cutting edge communicating with said adjacent flute receiving a portion of the radial width of said chip as said chip is formed by said trailing cutting edge facilitating the unobstructed feeding of said chip into said adjacent flute.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly in the outer periphery of said body portion between said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which, when cut, are fed into said flutes and discharged; said teeth having at least first leading and second trailing cutting edges generally radially and circumferentially separated by said bottom wall of said adjacent flute such that said first cutting edge leads said second cutting edge as said cutter is rotated with each cutting edge cutting a separate chip, said chips having a radial width when cut at least equal to the radial width of said respective cutting edges; and a radial clearance radially generally adjacent said second trailing cutting edge communicating with said adjacent flute receiving a portion of the radial width of said chip as said chip is formed by said trailing cutting edge facilitating the unobstructed feeding of said chip into said adjacent flute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 1, wherein said radial clearance extends upwardly from the bottom of said annular cutter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The annular cutter of claim 1, wherein said radial clearance has a radial width of at least about .010 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The annular cutter of claim 1, wherein said radial clearance extends axially upwardly from the bottom of said annular cutter with said flute having a first depth from the lower end of said cutter to a point between said lower and upper end of said cutter and a second depth from said point which is greater than said first depth and equal to the axial depth of said radial clearance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The annular cutter of claim 1, wherein said first leading cutting edge has a radially outermost corner ending in a beveled surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 1, wherein said leading cutting edge is axially lower than said trailing cutting edge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 1, wherein said leading cutting edge is axially higher than said trailing cutting edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
211 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly around the outer periphery of said body portion from the lower end thereof adjacent said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which when cut are fed into said flutes to be discharged; said teeth having at least an outer cutting edge and an adjacent inner cutting edge generally radially and circumferentially separated by a connecting wall extending generally circumferentially therebetween; each of said cutting edges cutting a chip from said workpiece with each of said chips having a radial width when cut at least as wide as the radial width of said cutting edge and a circumferential thickness; and a relief channel extending radially into said connecting wall immediately adjacent said outer cutting edge, said relief channel having a radial width sufficient to accommodate the radial width of said chip as generated upon cutting, the expansion of said chip immediately upon being cut and radial movement of said chip as said cutter rotates and a circumferential depth sufficient to accommodate said circumferential thickness of said chip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
211 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly around the outer periphery of said body portion from the lower end thereof adjacent said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which when cut are fed into said flutes to be discharged; said teeth having at least an outer cutting edge and an adjacent inner cutting edge generally radially and circumferentially separated by a connecting wall extending generally circumferentially therebetween; each of said cutting edges cutting a chip from said workpiece with each of said chips having a radial width when cut at least as wide as the radial width of said cutting edge and a circumferential thickness; and a relief channel extending radially into said connecting wall immediately adjacent said outer cutting edge, said relief channel having a radial width sufficient to accommodate the radial width of said chip as generated upon cutting, the expansion of said chip immediately upon being cut and radial movement of said chip as said cutter rotates and a circumferential depth sufficient to accommodate said circumferential thickness of said chip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The annular cutter of claim 8, wherein said relief channel has a radial width of about at least about .010 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The annular cutter of claim 8, wherein said relief channel extends axially upwardly from the bottom of said annular cutter with said flute having a first depth at said lower end of said cutter decreasing to a second depth which is greater than said first depth and about equal to the axial depth of said relief channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The annular cutter of claim 8, wherein said inner cutting edge has a radially outermost corner ending in a beveled surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 8, wherein said inner cutting edge is axially lower than said outer cutting edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 8, wherein said inner cutting edge is axially higher than said outer cutting edge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
196 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly around the outer periphery of said body portion adjacent said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which when cut are fed into said flutes to be discharged; said teeth having at least first leading and second trailing cutting edges generally radially and circumferentially separated by a shoulder with said second trailing cutting edge being the outermost cutting edge, said first cutting edge leads said second cutting edge as said cutter is rotated with each cutting edge cutting a separate chip, said chips having a radial width when cut at least equal to the radial width of said respective cutting edge; and a clearance space radially adjacent said second trailing cutting edge extending into said shoulder communicating with said adjacent flute receiving a portion of the radial width of said chip as said chip is formed by said trailing cutting edge facilitating the unobstructed feeding of said chip into said adjacent flute.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
196 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly around the outer periphery of said body portion adjacent said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which when cut are fed into said flutes to be discharged; said teeth having at least first leading and second trailing cutting edges generally radially and circumferentially separated by a shoulder with said second trailing cutting edge being the outermost cutting edge, said first cutting edge leads said second cutting edge as said cutter is rotated with each cutting edge cutting a separate chip, said chips having a radial width when cut at least equal to the radial width of said respective cutting edge; and a clearance space radially adjacent said second trailing cutting edge extending into said shoulder communicating with said adjacent flute receiving a portion of the radial width of said chip as said chip is formed by said trailing cutting edge facilitating the unobstructed feeding of said chip into said adjacent flute.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The annular cutter of claim 14, wherein said clearance space has a radial width of about .015 and .020 inches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
The annular cutter of claim 14, wherein said clearance space extends axially upwardly from the bottom of said annular cutter with said flute having a first depth from the lower end of said cutter to a point between said lower and upper end of said cutter and a second depth from said point which is greater than said first depth and equal to the axial depth of said clearance space.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The annular cutter of claim 14, wherein said first leading cutting edge has a radially outermost corner ending in a beveled surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 14, wherein said leading cutting edge is axially lower than said trailing cutting edge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 14, wherein said leading cutting edge is axially higher than said trailing cutting edge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
188 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly around the outer periphery of said body portion between said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which when cut are fed into said flutes to be discharged; said teeth having at least first leading and second trailing cutting edges generally radially and circumferentially separated by said bottom wall of said adjacent flute such that said first cutting edge leads said second cutting edge as said cutter is rotated with each cutting edge cutting a separate chip, said chips having a radial width when cut at least equal to the radial width of said respective cutting edge; and a clearance space radially adjacent said second trailing cutting edge communicating with said adjacent flute receiving a portion of the radial width of said chip as said chip is formed by said trailing cutting edge facilitating the unobstructed feeding of said chip into said adjacent flute.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
188 words
An annular cutter comprising a body portion having a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the lower end thereof and a plurality of flutes extending upwardly around the outer periphery of said body portion between said teeth, said flutes being defined by leading and trailing side walls and a bottom wall, said teeth being configured to cut a plurality of chips which when cut are fed into said flutes to be discharged; said teeth having at least first leading and second trailing cutting edges generally radially and circumferentially separated by said bottom wall of said adjacent flute such that said first cutting edge leads said second cutting edge as said cutter is rotated with each cutting edge cutting a separate chip, said chips having a radial width when cut at least equal to the radial width of said respective cutting edge; and a clearance space radially adjacent said second trailing cutting edge communicating with said adjacent flute receiving a portion of the radial width of said chip as said chip is formed by said trailing cutting edge facilitating the unobstructed feeding of said chip into said adjacent flute.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The annular cutter of claim 20, wherein said clearance space has a radial width of about .015 and .020 inches.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The annular cutter of claim 20, wherein said clearance space extends axially upwardly from the bottom of said annular cutter with said flute having a first depth at said lower end of said cutter decreasing to a second depth which is greater than said first depth and equal to the axial depth of said clearance space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The annular cutter of claim 20, wherein said first leading cutting edge has a radially outermost corner ending in a beveled surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annular cutter of claim 20, wherein said leading cutting edge is axially lower than said trailing cutting edge.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The annular cutter of claim 20, wherein said first leading cutting edge is axially higher than said trailing cutting edge.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of making an annular cutter, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a cutter blank, said blank having a tubular body having a free end and an opposed end with an attaching means at said opposed end for attaching said blank to a motor; (b) providing a grinding wheel for grinding said blank, said wheel having opposed sides and a periphery; (c) dressing a contour onto the periphery of said grinding wheel, said contouring comprising a raised surface beginning on one side of said periphery said raised surface ending in a generally concave portion; (d) rotating said grinding wheel at a high speed about an axis substantially perpendicular to the center line of said blank while simultaneously rotating said cutter blank about its center line; (e) axially moving said blank with respect to said grinding wheel such that said grinding wheel grinds a flute within said body; (f) repeating step (e) for each required flute; (g) grinding teeth into said free end, said teeth having cutting edges thereon with at least two circumferentially spaced edges, said raised portion of said grinding wheel and said adjacent side of said grinding wheel defining a channel and adjacent outer cutting edge of each respective tooth.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of making an annular cutter, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a cutter blank, said blank having a tubular body having a free end and an opposed end with an attaching means at said opposed end for attaching said blank to a motor; (b) providing a grinding wheel for grinding said blank, said wheel having opposed sides and a periphery; (c) dressing a contour onto the periphery of said grinding wheel, said contouring comprising a raised surface beginning on one side of said periphery said raised surface ending in a generally concave portion; (d) rotating said grinding wheel at a high speed about an axis substantially perpendicular to the center line of said blank while simultaneously rotating said cutter blank about its center line; (e) axially moving said blank with respect to said grinding wheel such that said grinding wheel grinds a flute within said body; (f) repeating step (e) for each required flute; (g) grinding teeth into said free end, said teeth having cutting edges thereon with at least two circumferentially spaced edges, said raised portion of said grinding wheel and said adjacent side of said grinding wheel defining a channel and adjacent outer cutting edge of each respective tooth.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said raised portion is approximately .015 to .020 inches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said concave portion of said grinding wheel has a radius of approximately .15 to .30 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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