Earth engaging cutter bit

Claim 2

A cutter bit for engaging earth comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis; said cemented carbide tip having: a rounded foremost earth engaging surface; a second earth engaging surface which extends radially outwardly while extending rearwardly of said rounded foremost earth engaging surface; an annular rearmost surface facing said forward end of said ferrous body and oriented in a first plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; an inwardly facing surface extending forwardly from said annular rearmost surface while tapering inwardly; and a rearwardly facing surface located radially within said inwardly facing surface and forwardly of said annular rearmost surface; a braze joint joining said rearwardly facing surface, said inwardly facing surface and said annular rearmost surface to said forward end of said ferrous body; and wherein said braze joint has an average thickness adjacent said rearwardly facing surface which is smaller than the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface.

Claim 3

The cutter bit according to claim 1 wherein said rearwardly facing surface is planar and oriented in a second plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 4

The cutter bit according to claim 2 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 5

The cutter bit according to claim 2 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint, adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 6

The cutter bit according to claim 1 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 7

The cutter bit according to claim 1 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 8

A cutter bit for engaging earth comprising: a ferrous metal body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip for engaging said earth; wherein said cemented carbide tip being rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis and having: an annular rearmost surface facing said forward end of said ferrous body; an inwardly facing surface extending forwardly from said annular rearmost surface while tapering inwardly; and a rearwardly facing surface located radially inwardly of said inwardly facing surface and forwardly of said annular rearmost surface; a braze joint joining said rearwardly facing surface, said inwardly facing surface and said annular rearmost face to said forward end of said ferrous body; and wherein said braze joint has an average thickness adjacent said rearwardly facing surface which is smaller than the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface.

Claim 9

A cutter bit for engaging earth comprising: a ferrous metal body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip for engaging said earth; wherein said cemented carbide tip being rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis and having: an annular rearmost surface facing said forward end of said ferrous body; an inwardly facing surface extending forwardly from said annular rearmost surface while tapering inwardly; and a rearwardly facing surface located radially inwardly of said inwardly facing surface and forwardly of said annular rearmost surface; a braze joint joining said rearwardly facing surface, said inwardly facing surface and said annular rearmost face to said forward end of said ferrous body; and wherein said braze joint has an average thickness adjacent said rearwardly facing surface which is smaller than the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface.

Claim 10

The cutter bit according to claim 7 wherein said rearwardly facing surface is planar and oriented in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 11

The cutter bit according to claim 8 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 12

The cutter bit according to claim 8 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 13

The cutter bit according to claim 7 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 14

The cutter bit according to claim 7 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 15

A cutter bit for engaging earth comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip for engaging said earth; wherein said cemented carbide tip being rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis and having: a first rearwardly facing surface with a socket therein extending forwardly therefrom and having a second rearwardly facing surface located a distance, D, from said first rearwardly facing surface; said forward end of said ferrous body having a first forwardly facing surface and a second forwardly facing surface; wherein said second forwardly facing surface is radially inside of said first forwardly facing surface and located forward of said first forwardly facing surface by a distance, H; wherein said first rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said first forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body and said second rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said second forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body; and wherein H is greater than D.

Claim 16

A cutter bit for engaging earth comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip for engaging said earth; wherein said cemented carbide tip being rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis and having: a first rearwardly facing surface with a socket therein extending forwardly therefrom and having a second rearwardly facing surface located a distance, D, from said first rearwardly facing surface; said forward end of said ferrous body having a first forwardly facing surface and a second forwardly facing surface; wherein said second forwardly facing surface is radially inside of said first forwardly facing surface and located forward of said first forwardly facing surface by a distance, H; wherein said first rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said first forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body and said second rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said second forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body; and wherein H is greater than D.

Claim 17

The cutter bit according to claim 13 wherein said second rearwardly facing surface is planar and wherein said second forwardly facing surface is planar.

Claim 18

A cutter bit for use in asphalt reclamation comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis; said cemented carbide tip having: a rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; a second asphalt engaging surface which extends radially outwardly while extending rearwardly of said rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; an annular rearmost surface facing said forward end of said ferrous body and oriented in a first plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; an inwardly facing surface extending forwardly from said annular rearmost surface while tapering inwardly; and a rearwardly facing surface located radially within said inwardly facing surface and forwardly of said annular surface; a braze joint joining said rearwardly facing surface, said inwardly facing surface and said annular rearmost surface to said forward end of said ferrous body; wherein said braze joint has an average thickness adjacent said rearwardly facing surface which is smaller than the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface; and a resilient retainer means for holding said cutter bit rotatable about said longitudinal axis in a mounting block, said resilient retainer means loosely retained on said ferrous body.

Claim 19

A cutter bit for use in asphalt reclamation comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis; said cemented carbide tip having: a rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; a second asphalt engaging surface which extends radially outwardly while extending rearwardly of said rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; an annular rearmost surface facing said forward end of said ferrous body and oriented in a first plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; an inwardly facing surface extending forwardly from said annular rearmost surface while tapering inwardly; and a rearwardly facing surface located radially within said inwardly facing surface and forwardly of said annular surface; a braze joint joining said rearwardly facing surface, said inwardly facing surface and said annular rearmost surface to said forward end of said ferrous body; wherein said braze joint has an average thickness adjacent said rearwardly facing surface which is smaller than the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface; and a resilient retainer means for holding said cutter bit rotatable about said longitudinal axis in a mounting block, said resilient retainer means loosely retained on said ferrous body.

Claim 20

The cutter bit according to claim 15 wherein said rearwardly facing surface is planar and oriented in a second plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 21

The cutter bit according to claim 16 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 22

The cutter bit according to claim 16 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 23

The cutter bit according to claim 15 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 24

The cutter bit according to claim 15 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 25

A cutter bit for use in asphalt reclamation comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis; said cemented carbide tip having: a rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; a second asphalt engaging surface which extends radially outwardly while extending rearwardly of said rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; an annular rearmost surface facing said forward end of said ferrous body and oriented in a first plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; an inwardly facing surface extending forwardly from said annular rearmost surface while tapering inwardly; and a rearwardly facing surface located radially within said inwardly facing surface and at a distance, D, forwardly of said annular rearmost surface; said forward end of said ferrous body having a first forwardly facing surface and a second forwardly facing surface; wherein said second forwardly facing surface is radially inside of said first forwardly facing surface and located forward of said first forwardly facing surface by a distance, H; wherein said annular rearmost surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said first forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body and said rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said second forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body by a braze joint; wherein H is greater than D; wherein said braze joint has an average thickness adjacent said rearwardly facing surface which is smaller than the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface; and a resilient retainer means for holding said cutter bit rotatably about said longitudinal axis in a mounting block, said resilient retainer means loosely retained on said ferrous body.

Claim 26

A cutter bit for use in asphalt reclamation comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis; said cemented carbide tip having: a rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; a second asphalt engaging surface which extends radially outwardly while extending rearwardly of said rounded foremost asphalt engaging surface; an annular rearmost surface facing said forward end of said ferrous body and oriented in a first plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; an inwardly facing surface extending forwardly from said annular rearmost surface while tapering inwardly; and a rearwardly facing surface located radially within said inwardly facing surface and at a distance, D, forwardly of said annular rearmost surface; said forward end of said ferrous body having a first forwardly facing surface and a second forwardly facing surface; wherein said second forwardly facing surface is radially inside of said first forwardly facing surface and located forward of said first forwardly facing surface by a distance, H; wherein said annular rearmost surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said first forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body and said rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said second forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body by a braze joint; wherein H is greater than D; wherein said braze joint has an average thickness adjacent said rearwardly facing surface which is smaller than the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface; and a resilient retainer means for holding said cutter bit rotatably about said longitudinal axis in a mounting block, said resilient retainer means loosely retained on said ferrous body.

Claim 27

The cutter bit according to claim 21 wherein said rearwardly facing surface is planar and oriented in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 28

The cutter bit according to claim 22 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 29

The cutter bit according to claim 22 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 30

The cutter bit according to claim 21 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least twice the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 31

The cutter bit according to claim 21 wherein the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said annular rearmost surface is at least three times the average thickness of said braze joint adjacent said rearwardly facing surface.

Claim 32

A cutter bit for engaging asphalt comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip for engaging said asphalt; wherein said cemented carbide tip being rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis and having: a first rearwardly facing surface with a socket therein extending forwardly therefrom and having a second rearwardly facing surface located a distance, D, from said first rearwardly facing surface; said forward end of said ferrous body having a first forwardly facing surface and a second forwardly facing surface; wherein said second forwardly facing surface is radially inside of said first forwardly facing surface and located forward of said first forwardly facing surface by a distance, H; wherein said first rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said first forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body and said second rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said second forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body; and wherein H is greater than D; and a resilient retainer means for holding said cutter bit rotatable about said longitudinal axis in a mounting block, said resilient retainer means loosely retained on said ferrous body.

Claim 33

A cutter bit for engaging asphalt comprising: a ferrous body having a longitudinal axis and a forward end; a cemented carbide tip for engaging said asphalt; wherein said cemented carbide tip being rotationally symmetric about said longitudinal axis and having: a first rearwardly facing surface with a socket therein extending forwardly therefrom and having a second rearwardly facing surface located a distance, D, from said first rearwardly facing surface; said forward end of said ferrous body having a first forwardly facing surface and a second forwardly facing surface; wherein said second forwardly facing surface is radially inside of said first forwardly facing surface and located forward of said first forwardly facing surface by a distance, H; wherein said first rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said first forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body and said second rearwardly facing surface of said cemented carbide tip is bonded to said second forwardly facing surface of said ferrous body; and wherein H is greater than D; and a resilient retainer means for holding said cutter bit rotatable about said longitudinal axis in a mounting block, said resilient retainer means loosely retained on said ferrous body.

Claim 34

The cutter bit according to claim 27 wherein said second rearwardly facing surface is planar and wherein said second forwardly facing surface is planar.