Cutting tool and method of assembling the cutting tool

Abstract

A cutting tool assembly includes a tool body having a major flare diameter portion disposed adjacent the cutting end of the cutting tool and a puller groove disposed below the major flare diameter portion. A compressible sleeve is disposed about a shank portion of the cutting tool, which is mounted in a tool holder. A washer is fitted about the compressible sleeve, and acts as one of the sides of the puller groove. The location of the puller groove below the major flare diameter portion allows for the cutting tool to be made by cold forming, or the like.

1 . A cutting tool for insertion into a tool holder, comprising: 
 a tool body having a first end for receiving a cutting tip and a second end for mounting in the tool holder, the tool body including a tapered forward cutting end;    a major flare diameter portion disposed adjacent the forward cutting end;    a reduced diameter portion disposed adjacent the major flare diameter portion;    a shank disposed adjacent the reduced diameter portion;    a compressible sleeve disposed about the shank; and    a washer disposed adjacent to the reduced diameter portion when the cutting tool is retained within the tool holder.    
   
   
       2 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced diameter portion is sized to receive a standard extractor tool.  
   
   
       3 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced diameter portion is cylindrical.  
   
   
       4 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced diameter portion is formed by forging.  
   
   
       5 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the washer includes a bevel that tapers away from a surface adjacent the reduced diameter portion thereby minimizing contact between the washer and the reduced diameter portion.  
   
   
       6 . The cutting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the bevel of the washer is about 45 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a stepped portion adjacent the shank and the reduced diameter portion, wherein a diameter of the stepped portion is greater than a diameter of the shank and the diameter of the stepped portion is less than a diameter of the reduced diameter portion.  
   
   
       8 . A method of assembling a cutting tool assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cutting tool having a tool body having a first end for receiving a cutting tip and a second end for mounting in a tool holder, the tool body including a tapered forward cutting end, a major flare diameter portion disposed adjacent the forward cutting end, a reduced diameter portion disposed adjacent the major flare diameter portion, and a shank disposed adjacent the reduced diameter portion;    fitting a compressible sleeve about the shank of the cutting tool; and    providing a washer about the cutting tool.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting tool is cold formed.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the washer is disposed on the compressible sleeve approximately midway along the compressible sleeve.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 inserting the second end of the cutting tool into a bore of a tool holder until a first end of the washer abuts a front face of the tool holder; and    applying force to the first end of the cutting tool until a second end of the washer abuts against the reduced diameter portion.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the washer tapers away from the reduced diameter portion at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the cutting tool.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting tool is removed by grasping the reduced diameter portion of the cutting tool with jaws of an extractor tool.  
   
   
       14 . A cutting tool and holder, comprising: 
 a tool body having a first end for receiving a cutting tip and a second end mounted in a tool holder, the tool body including a tapered forward cutting end;    a cutting tip disposed in the first end of the tool body;    a major flare diameter portion disposed adjacent the forward cutting end;    a reduced diameter portion disposed adjacent the major flare diameter portion;    a shank disposed adjacent the reduced diameter portion;    a compressible sleeve disposed about the shank; and    a washer disposed adjacent to the reduced diameter portion when the cutting tool is retained within the tool holder.    
   
   
       15 . The cutting tool and holder of  claim 14 , wherein the reduced diameter portion is sized to receive a standard extractor tool.  
   
   
       16 . The cutting tool and holder of  claim 14 , wherein the reduced diameter portion is cylindrical.  
   
   
       17 . The cutting tool and holder of  claim 14 , wherein the reduced diameter portion is formed by forging or other means.  
   
   
       18 . The cutting tool and holder of  claim 14 , wherein the washer includes a bevel that tapers away from a surface adjacent the reduced diameter portion thereby minimizing contact between the washer and the reduced diameter portion.  
   
   
       19 . The cutting tool and holder of  claim 18 , wherein the bevel of the washer is about 45 degrees.  
   
   
       20 . The cutting tool and holder of  claim 14 , further comprising a stepped portion adjacent the shank and the reduced diameter portion, wherein a diameter of the stepped portion is greater than a diameter of the shank and the diameter of the stepped portion is less than a diameter of the reduced diameter portion, the washer being disposed about the stepped portion when retained in the tool holder.