Cutting tool having replaceable cutting tip, a replaceable cutting tip therefore and a method of securing a replaceable cutting tip

A rotary cutting tool comprising:

• a cutting tip comprising:
• a cutting portion adapted to perform cutting operations on a workpiece, and
• a threaded aperture defined therein generally opposite the cutting portion;
• a generally cylindrical tool body disposed about a central longitudinal axis, the tool body having a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a machine tool and an opposite second end portion including an aperture;
• and
• a coupling mechanism comprising:
• a coupling member disposed in, and rotatable with respect to, the aperture of the tool body, the coupling member comprising:
• a first threaded portion cooperatively engaged to the threaded aperture of the cutting tip,
• a second threaded portion disposed opposite the first threaded portion, the second threaded portion being opposite-handed with respect to the first threaded portion, and
• a splined portion disposed between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion;
• and
• a geared nut having a splined portion and a toothed portion,
• wherein the geared nut is disposed about the coupling member such that the splined portion of the geared nut cooperatively engages the splined portion of the coupling member in a manner such that the splined portion of the coupling member is moveable axially with respect to the geared nut, and
• wherein the first threaded portion is moveable with respect to the tool body in a manner that selectively couples the cutting tip to the tool body.