Rotating Bit with Integral Washer Feature

Abstract

A bit including a bit body and a shank depending from a bottom of the bit body. The bit body including an integral washer portion that extends to a rear annular flange and a tapered portion adjacent the rear annular flange. A diameter of the bit body axially and radially extending to a transition adjacent an outer diameter of the washer portion. The tapered portion includes an angle that is complementary to an angle of a countersink at a forward end of a bore of a bit holder, such that the matching contacting angles of the tapered portion and the countersink radially align the bit concentric with the bore of the bit holder. The bit includes a retainer disposed circumferentially about the shank, allowing the bit to be securely mounted in the bore of the bit holder while still allowing the bit to freely rotate within the bore. The rear annular flange of the washer portion seats against a front face of the bit holder, forming a close coupling between the rear annular flange and the front face of the bit holder, allowing minimal space between the two surfaces and reducing cutting fines and water slurry from migrating into the space between the outer diameter of the bit shank and the inner diameter of the retainer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.