Tool bit assembly with offset tooth

Abstract

The present invention relates to impact-type cutting tools used to pulverize and displace road construction materials, aggregate, earth strata, or the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a rotatable tool bit and assembly for use in such impact-type cutting tools, wherein tool bit life is improved and tool bit change-out time is reduced.

1 . A rotatable cutting tool bit for use with impact-type aggregate cutting tools, the bit comprising: 
 a cylindrical shank defining a central longitudinal axis;    a bit head connected to the shank, the bit head having a mouth opposite the shank; and    a cutting tooth mounted within the mouth of the bit head such that the cutting tooth defines a central longitudinal axis;    wherein the central longitudinal axis of the cutting tooth is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis of the shank.    
   
   
       2 . The tool bit of  claim 1 , wherein the offset is not less than 0.03 inch.  
   
   
       3 . The tool bit of  claim 1 , wherein a trailing section of the shank, opposite the bit head, forms a clip groove.  
   
   
       4 . The tool bit of  claim 1 , wherein the mouth of the bit head and the cutting tooth share a common central longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . The tool bit of  claim 1 , wherein the bit head defines a crown and a shoulder, the shoulder being located nearer to the shank.  
   
   
       6 . The tool bit of  claim 5 , wherein the central longitudinal axis of the shank is laterally offset from a central longitudinal axis of the shoulder of the bit head.  
   
   
       7 . The tool bit of  claim 5 , wherein the central longitudinal axis of the shank is laterally offset from a central longitudinal axis of the crown of the bit head.  
   
   
       8 . The tool bit of  claim 5 , wherein the central longitudinal axis of the shank is laterally offset from a central longitudinal axis of the mouth of the bit head.  
   
   
       9 . A tool bit assembly for a rotating aggregate cutting machine comprising: 
 a mounting block pocket for use with a rotating aggregate cutting machine; and    a cutting tool bit including: 
 a cylindrical shank defining a leading section and a trailing section,  
 a bit head connected to the leading section of the shank,  
 a cutting tooth disposed in the bit head,  
   wherein the tool bit is disposed within the mounting block pocket such that the cutting tooth is free to rotate relative to the mounting block pocket about an axis of rotation; and    wherein the tool bit is transversely secured within the mounting block pocket such that a central longitudinal axis of the cutting tooth is laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the cutting tooth.    
   
   
       10 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a clip including a generally annular clip body and a sidewall extending from the clip body, wherein the clip body defines an open and a closed end and further wherein the tool bit is transversely secured within the bit pocket via the clip.    
   
   
       11 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the bit head defines a shoulder, and further wherein upon final assembly the shoulder of the bit head contacts a first end of the mounting block pocket and the clip contacts a second end of the mounting block pocket located opposite the first end.  
   
   
       12 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the sidewall of the clip extends from the annular clip body at least 0.1 inch.  
   
   
       13 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the clip body is arcuate in a z-plane.  
   
   
       14 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the sidewall is generally arcuate in an x-y plane.  
   
   
       15 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the shank of the tool bit is rotatably disposed within the mounting block pocket.  
   
   
       16 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a central longitudinal axis of the bit head is laterally offset from a central longitudinal axis of the shank.  
   
   
       17 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the central longitudinal axis of the tooth is laterally offset from a central longitudinal axis of the bit head.  
   
   
       18 . The tool bit assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bit head defines a crown and a shoulder, the shoulder being located adjacent to the shank, wherein the shoulder defines a central longitudinal axis and the crown defines a central longitudinal axis, and further, wherein the two axes are laterally offset.  
   
   
       19 . A method of un-assembling a rotatable bit from a mounting block pocket of an impact-type aggregate cutting machine comprising: 
 providing a mounting block pocket for use with an impact-type aggregate cutting machine,    providing a cutting tool bit disposed within the mounting block pocket, the tool bit including: 
 a cylindrical shank defining a leading section and a trailing section forming a clip groove,  
 a bit head connected to the leading section of the shank,  
 a cutting tooth disposed within the bit head, wherein the cutting tooth is free to rotate relative to the mounting block about an axis of rotation, and further wherein a central longitudinal axis of the cutting tooth is laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the cutting tooth;  
   wherein the shank of the cutting tool bit is disposed within the mounting block pocket such that the tooth protrudes from a first end of the mounting block pocket and a portion of the second end of the shank including the clip groove protrudes from a second end of the pocket;    providing a clip captured within the clip groove, wherein the clip forms a generally annular body, and further wherein the body defines an open end and a closed end, opposite the open end, forming a sidewall for grasping the clip;    removing the clip by grasping the sidewall of the clip; and    removing the tool bit from the mounting block pocket.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the bit head defines a shoulder, and further wherein prior to removing the tool bit from the mounting block pocket, the shoulder of the bit head contacts a first end of the mounting block pocket.