Conical bit penetrator pocket protector for earth displacement equipment

A bit penetrator for mounting on earth displacement equipment, said bit penetrator comprising:

• a holder defining a face and a through opening having an interior surface and opening on said face, said holder adapted to be mounted on earth displacement equipment;
• a body, said body defining:
• an upper end defining a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end defining an insert receptor, said upper end defining a substantially conical configuration reducing in diameter from said proximal end to said distal end, said upper end defining a first sloped surface at said distal end, a second sloped surface, and a radiused surface between said second sloped surface and said proximal end, said upper end further defining a cylindrical surface extending between said first sloped surface and said second sloped surface;
• a lower end defining a retainer receptor, said lower end being configured to be rotatably received within said holder through opening;
• a flange dividing said upper end and said lower end, said upper end radiused surface providing a transition from said upper end second sloped surface to a perimeter of said flange to assist in deflecting material away from said bit penetrator, said flange defining a diameter larger than a diameter defined by said lower end to prevent excavated material from entering said holder through opening, whereby said flange is a load bearing surface between said bit penetrator and said holder, and whereby said flange protects said face of said holder and said interior surface of said holder through opening and said body lower end;
• and
• an insert configured to be received within said upper end insert receptor;
• and
• a retainer configured to be mounted in said retainer receptor defined by said body lower end, said retainer preventing removal of said bit penetrator from said holder.

A method for manufacturing a bit penetrator for mounting within a through opening defined within a holder mounted on earth displacement equipment, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming a body to define:
• an upper end defining a proximal end and a distal end, said upper end defining a substantially conical configuration reducing in diameter from said proximal end to said distal end, said upper end defining a first sloped surface at said distal end, a second sloped surface, and a radiused surface between said second sloped surface and said proximal end, said upper end further defining a cylindrical surface extending between said first sloped surface and said second sloped surface;
• a lower end configured to be rotatably received through the holder through opening;
• and
• a flange dividing said upper end and said lower end, said upper end radiused surface providing a transition from said upper end second sloped surface to a perimeter of said flange to assist in deflecting material away from said bit penetrator, said flange defining a diameter larger than a diameter defined by said lower end to prevent excavated material from entering the holder through opening, whereby said flange protects the full face of the holder and the interior surface of the holder through opening and said body lower end, said body defining an elongated, cylindrical configuration;
• forming an insert receptor in said upper end distal end for receiving a cutting insert therein;
• and
• mounting an insert within said insert receptor.