Modular cutting tool

A cutting head for use in a modular cutting tool, the cutting head comprising:

• a cutting portion structured to perform cutting operations on a workpiece when rotated about a central longitudinal axis;
• and
• a cylindrical skirt extending axially from the cutting portion and terminating at a contact face disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the skirt having:
• a number of curved inner surfaces which generally define a bore disposed about the longitudinal axis which is positioned and sized to receive a portion of a shank therein, and
• a number of cut-out regions which extend from the contact face toward the cutting portion between the number of inner surfaces and an outer surface, each cut-out region being bound, in-part, by a leading face, a trailing face, and by a clamping face which is formed on a portion of the skirt which extends generally circumferentially into each cutout region from the trailing face,
• wherein the clamping face of each cut-out region is oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in a tangential direction and tapered in the radial direction at an angle relative to a reference plane disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

A shank for use in a modular cutting tool, the shank comprising:

• a cylindrical portion of a first diameter disposed about a central longitudinal axis;
• a central protrusion of a second diameter less than the first diameter extending longitudinally from a contact face disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a leading end of the cylindrical portion;
• a first alcove formed in the cylindrical portion abutting the contact surface;
• a second alcove formed in the cylindrical portion abutting the contact surface opposite the first alcove;
• a transverse bore extending between the first alcove and the second alcove and disposed about a transverse axis which is disposed perpendicularly to, and intersects the longitudinal axis;
• a mechanism comprising:
• a first locking drive key;
• a second locking drive key;
• and
• a differential screw member disposed through the transverse bore and having a first threaded portion disposed at or about a first end and a second threaded portion disposed at or about a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first threaded portion includes a first plurality of threads disposed in a first direction and second threaded portion includes a second plurality of threads disposed in a second direction, opposite the first direction,
• wherein the first locking drive key and the second locking drive key each comprise:
• a main body portion generally disposed within a respective one of the first alcove or the second alcove, the main body portion having:
• an inner face facing toward the longitudinal axis;
• an outer face disposed opposite the inner face;
• a leading side face which extends between the inner face and the outer face on a leading side of the main body portion when the shank is rotated about the longitudinal axis in a cutting direction;
• and
• a trailing side face which extends between the inner face and the outer face on a trailing side of the main body portion when the shank is rotated about the longitudinal axis in the cutting direction;
• a central projection extending from the inner face of the main body portion radially inward toward the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a lateral projection extending generally tangentially with respect to a reference circle centered about the longitudinal axis from the trailing side face of the main body portion at or about an upper portion of the main body portion,
• wherein the first locking drive key further includes a threaded aperture defined through the main body portion and the central projection thereof which is threadingly engaged with the first threaded portion of the differential screw member,
• wherein the second locking drive key further includes a threaded aperture defined through the main body portion and the central projection thereof which is threadingly engaged with the second threaded portion of the differential screw member, and
• wherein the differential screw member further includes a feature formed in either or both of the first end or the second end thereof which is structured to be engaged by a correspondingly formed tool for rotating the differential screw member about a central longitudinal axis thereof;
• and
• wherein the central protrusion is generally cylindrically shaped;
• wherein the central protrusion is tapered.