Cutter bit and support therefor having resilient detent means

Claim 1

IN A CUTTING MECHANISM, THE COMBINATION WITH A SUPPORT HAVING A SOCKET AND A CUTTER BIT HAVING A SHANK RECEIVABLE IN SAID SOCKET, OF IMPROVED MEANS FOR HOLDING THE BIT IN CUTTING POSITION ON THE SUPPORT COMPRISING A TRANSVERSE BORE IN SAID SUPPORT AND ENTERING THE REAR SIDE OF SAID SOCKET, A ROTARY LOCK ARRANGED IN SAID BORE FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT AND HAVING A LOCKING ELEMENT CONSTANTLY URGED ARCUATELY TOWARD A COMPLEMENTAL LOCKING SURFACE ON THE REAR SIDE OF THE INNER PORTION OF THE BIT SHANK, SAID LOCKING ELEMENT BEING MAINTAINED AGAINST TRANSLATORY MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID LOCKING SURFACE OF SAID BIT SHANK DURING MOVEMENT OF THE LATTER INTO BIT HOLDING POSITION, AND RESILIENT MEANS FOR CONSTANTLY URGING SAID LOCK TOWARD SEATED POSITION AND AGAINST WHOSE RESILIENT YIELDING ACTION THE LOCK IS RELEASABLE.