Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
An earth drilling rock bit comprising: a rock bit body; a plurality of rolling cone cutters mounted on the rock bit body; a plurality of recesses opening to an outer surface of such a rolling cone cutter; and a tungsten carbide insert interference fitted into each of such recesses; such a recess having a cylindrical wall portion extending away from the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter and a bottom portion for engaging the inner end of such an insert; and such an insert comprising: a cylindrical base portion with a diameter of at least about 3/4 inch, the diameter of the base portion being larger than the diameter of the cylindrical recess for providing an interference fit along the base portion of the insert; an end portion converging from the outer end of the base portion to form a work surface extending beyond the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter; and a cavity opening to the inner end of such insert in the recess opposite the work surface of such insert, the cavity extending into the cylindrical base portion a distance of at least about 40% of the diameter of the cylindrical base portion and having a volume in the range of from about 15 to 30% of the volume of the base portion of the insert, the minimal wall thickness of the base portion of such insert between the cavity and the cylindrical surface of the base portion being at least about 1/8 inch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
An earth drilling rock bit comprising: a rock bit body; a plurality of rolling cone cutters mounted on the rock bit body; a plurality of recesses opening to an outer surface of such a rolling cone cutter; and a tungsten carbide insert interference fitted into each of such recesses; such a recess having a cylindrical wall portion extending away from the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter and a bottom portion for engaging the inner end of such an insert; and such an insert comprising: a cylindrical base portion with a diameter of at least about 3/4 inch, the diameter of the base portion being larger than the diameter of the cylindrical recess for providing an interference fit along the base portion of the insert; an end portion converging from the outer end of the base portion to form a work surface extending beyond the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter; and a cavity opening to the inner end of such insert in the recess opposite the work surface of such insert, the cavity extending into the cylindrical base portion a distance of at least about 40% of the diameter of the cylindrical base portion and having a volume in the range of from about 15 to 30% of the volume of the base portion of the insert, the minimal wall thickness of the base portion of such insert between the cavity and the cylindrical surface of the base portion being at least about 1/8 inch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
226 words
An earth drilling rock bit comprising: a rock bit body; a plurality of rolling cone cutters mounted on the rock bit body; a plurality of recesses opening to an outer surface of such a rolling cone cutter; and a tungsten carbide insert interference fitted into each of such recesses; such a recess having a cylindrical wall portion extending away from the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter and a bottom portion for engaging the inner end of such an insert; and such an insert comprising: a base portion having a cylindrical grip portion with a diameter of at least about 3/4 inch, the diameter of the grip portion being larger than the diameter of the cylindrical recess for providing an interference fit along the grip portion of the insert; an end portion converging from the outer end of the base portion to form a work surface extending beyond the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter; and a cavity opening to the inner end of such insert in the recess opposite the work surface of such insert, the cavity extending into the base portion a distance more than about one-half of the length of the grip portion, the minimal wall thickness of the grip portion of such insert between the cavity and the cylindrical surface of the grip portion being at least about 1/8 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
226 words
An earth drilling rock bit comprising: a rock bit body; a plurality of rolling cone cutters mounted on the rock bit body; a plurality of recesses opening to an outer surface of such a rolling cone cutter; and a tungsten carbide insert interference fitted into each of such recesses; such a recess having a cylindrical wall portion extending away from the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter and a bottom portion for engaging the inner end of such an insert; and such an insert comprising: a base portion having a cylindrical grip portion with a diameter of at least about 3/4 inch, the diameter of the grip portion being larger than the diameter of the cylindrical recess for providing an interference fit along the grip portion of the insert; an end portion converging from the outer end of the base portion to form a work surface extending beyond the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter; and a cavity opening to the inner end of such insert in the recess opposite the work surface of such insert, the cavity extending into the base portion a distance more than about one-half of the length of the grip portion, the minimal wall thickness of the grip portion of such insert between the cavity and the cylindrical surface of the grip portion being at least about 1/8 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rock bit as recited in claim 2 wherein the cavity has a volume in the range of from about 15 to 30% of the volume of the base portion of the insert.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rock bit as recited in claim 3 wherein the cavity extends into the base portion a distance of at least about 40% of the diameter of the cylindrical base portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rock bit as recited in claim 4 wherein the bottom of the cavity is at least 3/16 inch below the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
196 words
An earth drilling rock bit comprising: a rock bit body; a plurality of rolling cone cutters mounted on the rock bit body; a plurality of recesses opening to an outer surface of such a rolling cone cutter; and a tungsten carbide insert interference fitted into each of such recesses; such a recess having a cylindrical wall portion extending away from the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter and a bottom portion for engaging the inner end of such an insert; and such an insert comprising: a cylindrical base portion with a diameter of at least about 3/4 inch, the diameter of the base portion being larger than the diameter of the cylindrical recess for providing an interference fit along the base portion of the insert; an end portion converging from the outer end of the base portion to form a work surface extending beyond the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter; and a cavity opening to the inner end of such insert in the recess opposite the work surface of such insert, the cavity extending into the base portion a distance of at least about 40% of the diameter of the cylindrical base portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
196 words
An earth drilling rock bit comprising: a rock bit body; a plurality of rolling cone cutters mounted on the rock bit body; a plurality of recesses opening to an outer surface of such a rolling cone cutter; and a tungsten carbide insert interference fitted into each of such recesses; such a recess having a cylindrical wall portion extending away from the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter and a bottom portion for engaging the inner end of such an insert; and such an insert comprising: a cylindrical base portion with a diameter of at least about 3/4 inch, the diameter of the base portion being larger than the diameter of the cylindrical recess for providing an interference fit along the base portion of the insert; an end portion converging from the outer end of the base portion to form a work surface extending beyond the outer surface of the rolling cone cutter; and a cavity opening to the inner end of such insert in the recess opposite the work surface of such insert, the cavity extending into the base portion a distance of at least about 40% of the diameter of the cylindrical base portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rock bit as recited in claim 6 wherein the cavity has a volume in the range of from about 15 to 30% of the volume of the base portion of the insert.