Retainer for a rotating bit

Abstract

A retainer for a rotating bit and/or pick that includes a tapered body portion and a slot extending from a forward end to a distal end of the retainer. The slot includes a gap profile formed by the configuration or design of a first radial end surface of the slot and a second radial end surface of the slot. The retainer includes a reduced diameter distal section adjacent the distal end of the retainer, the reduced diameter distal section including a forward portion and a distal portion each including an outer diameter that is less than an outer diameter of a sidewall of the retainer adjacent the reduced diameter distal section. The forward portion of the reduced diameter distal section is tapered axially inwardly in the distal direction and the distal portion of the reduced diameter distal section may be cylindrical or tapered axially inwardly in the distal direction as described in the exemplary illustrated embodiments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.