Cutting tool with protected joint

Abstract

A cutting tool comprising: (a) a shank being configured to connect the cutting tool to machine; (b) a body connected to and extending from the shank, the body including: (i) a longitudinal axis; (ii) a plurality of flutes, (iii) one or more pockets located in one or more of the plurality of flutes; (iv) one or more shield substrates located in each of the one or more pockets; and (v) one or more joints connecting the one or more shield substrates to the one or more pockets, the one or more joints including a leading portion; (c) a tip connected to and extending from the body, the tip including a cutting surface that extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis a distance so that a clearance cut by the tip into a substrate is sufficiently large so that the leading portion of the one or more joints extends within the clearance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.