Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A drill bit for use in rotary drilling a borehole through a material and adapted for interconnection to a source of rotary motion, comprising: a generally cylindrical bit body having a lower end surface; a plurality of cutting elements extending outward from the lower end surface including: at least one first set of cutters disposed at substantially an equal radius from a central axis of the bit body to create a groove in the material, the first set of cutters extending a maximum distance X from the lower end surface; at least two cutters forming a second set of cutters in overlapping radial relationship and extending a maximum distance Z from the lower end surface, wherein X is greater than Z; and at least one of the at least two cutters in the second set being in overlapping radial relationship with at least one cutter within the first set of cutters; and at least two cutters forming a third set of cutters in overlapping radial relationship and extending a maximum distance Y from the lower end surface with Y being less than X, and at least one of the at least two cutters in the third set being in overlapping radial relationship with at least one cutter within the first set of cutters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A drill bit for use in rotary drilling a borehole through a material and adapted for interconnection to a source of rotary motion, comprising: a generally cylindrical bit body having a lower end surface; a plurality of cutting elements extending outward from the lower end surface including: at least one first set of cutters disposed at substantially an equal radius from a central axis of the bit body to create a groove in the material, the first set of cutters extending a maximum distance X from the lower end surface; at least two cutters forming a second set of cutters in overlapping radial relationship and extending a maximum distance Z from the lower end surface, wherein X is greater than Z; and at least one of the at least two cutters in the second set being in overlapping radial relationship with at least one cutter within the first set of cutters; and at least two cutters forming a third set of cutters in overlapping radial relationship and extending a maximum distance Y from the lower end surface with Y being less than X, and at least one of the at least two cutters in the third set being in overlapping radial relationship with at least one cutter within the first set of cutters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drill bit of claim 1 wherein the second set of cutters and the third set of cutters being disposed on either side of the first set of cutters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
8 words
A drill bit of claim 1 wherein x>y≧z.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
8 words
A drill bit of claim 1 wherein x>z≧y.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A drill bit of claim 1 wherein at least one cutter in the second set of cutters has a positive side rake angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A drill bit of claim 1 wherein at least one cutter in the third set of cutters has a negative side rake angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A drill bit of claim 1 wherein at least one cutter in the first set of cutters has a positive side rake.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A drill bit of claim 1 wherein the first set of cutters comprises a plurality of individual groups of cutters, with cutters within each grouping disposed in overlapping radial relationship.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A drill bit of claim 8 wherein at least one cutter of each grouping of cutters disposed at an inner radial position has a positive side rake angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A drill bit of claim 8 wherein at least one cutter of each grouping of cutters disposed at an outer radial position has a negative side rake angle.