Cutting Tool Holding Apparatus And Method Of Use

Abstract

A cutting tool holding apparatus ( 10 ), including in combination a cutting tool holder ( 14 ); a retainer ( 18 ) adapted to be positioned adjacent to the tool holder ( 14 ), the retainer including an aperture ( 18 c ), a base ( 16 ) including an aperture ( 16 c ) linked to the retainer aperture ( 18 c ), the base ( 16 ) adapted to support the holder ( 14 ) and the retainer ( 18 ), and a fastener ( 20 ) adapted to be inserted through the linked apertures, wherein securing the fastener in the linked apertures wedges the holder, retainer and base together and wherein at least two components of the tool holder, retainer and base contact via mating curved faces.

1 - 35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . A cutting tool holding apparatus, including: 
 a cutting tool holder;    a retainer adapted to be positioned adjacent to the tool holder, the retainer    including an aperture,    a base including an aperture linked to the retainer aperture, the base    adapted to support the holder and the retainer, and    a fastener adapted to be inserted through the linked apertures,    wherein securing the fastener in the linked apertures wedges the holder,    retainer and base together and wherein at least two components of the tool    holder, retainer and base contact via complementary mating faces.    
   
   
       37 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the secured fastener provides a wedging force between the three components of the holder, retainer and base which enables a pre-loading on the complementary mating faces that assists in self-alignment of the three components irrespective of impacting movement forces.  
   
   
       38 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36  wherein the complementary mating faces are located on the holder and base.  
   
   
       39 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the complementary mating faces are curved.  
   
   
       40 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein, the curved face of the base is a partial spherical ball and the mating curved face on the holder is a matching partial spherical indent.  
   
   
       41 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein, the centre of the partial spherical ball is approximate to the radius path between tip of the cutting tool and centre of the drum, wheel, conveyor or other rotating apparatus.  
   
   
       42 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, the base and retainer and/or the retainer and holder also include mating curved faces.  
   
   
       43 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein, there are additional contact points between the three components when securely fastened.  
   
   
       44 . A cutting tool as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, the tool holder includes two curved beveled legs straddling each side of the partial spherical ball of the base.  
   
   
       45 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, the base includes two curved partial spherical saddles each side of the partial spherical ball of the base.  
   
   
       46 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, the tool holder has one or more additional curved face/s mating to a curved face/s on the retainer, wherein the curved matching faces further assist in self aligning of the three major components of the tool holder apparatus namely, the tool holder, retainer and base.  
   
   
       47 . A cuffing tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein, additional curved faces on the base match opposing curved faces of the retainer.  
   
   
       48 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, all of the mating curved faces of the components assist in self alignment of the cutting tool holder despite rotational movement stresses.  
   
   
       49 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36  wherein, the securing fastener asserts an initial force aligning the tool holder, retainer and base.  
   
   
       50 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein, the securing fastener is a bolt utilised with a washer having a partially spherical underside, wherein the underside assists in aligning the securing bolt and assists in maintaining a large contact surface between the mating faces of the washer and retainer.  
   
   
       51 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, the cutting tool holding apparatus includes a replaceable cuffing tool which may be a tooth or a bit depending on the type of ground surface that needs to be excavated.  
   
   
       52 . A cuffing tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, the base of the cutting tool holder assembly has a contacting face that matches the surface of the drum, wheel, or conveyor on which the tool holder apparatus is mounted.  
   
   
       53 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein, the cutting tool holding apparatus is attached to the surface of the drum, wheel, or conveyor or the like by a weld.  
   
   
       54 . A cuffing tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the base is manufactured as an integral part of the drum, wheel or conveyor.  
   
   
       55 . A cuffing tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein, the components of the cutting tool holding apparatus, being the tool holder, retainer and base, all have complementary. mating faces that enable a matching fit so that the impact from the ground is passed from the cutting tool to each mating face to the drum or other rotation means which substantially eliminates any movement between the components.  
   
   
       56 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claim in  claim 54 , wherein, all mating faces are smooth and blemish free.  
   
   
       57 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein, the mating faces of the components do not substantially cause misalignment, even if there is some dirt or grit between the components.  
   
   
       58 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 36  attachable to a rotatable ground engaging drum, wheel or conveyor, said cutting tool holding apparatus including one or more replaceable cuffing tools.  
   
   
       59 . A cutting tool holding apparatus, including: a cuffing tool holder, a retainer adapted to be positioned adjacent to the tool holder, said retainer including an aperture, a base including an aperture linked to the retainer aperture, said base adapted to support the holder and the retainer, and a fastener adapted to be inserted through the linked apertures, wherein securing the fastener in the linked apertures wedges the holder, retainer and base together, wherein at least two or more components of the tool holder, retainer and base contact via mating curved faces, wherein there are at least two paired mating curved faces between two or more of the components, and wherein the two pairs of mating curved faces radii have the same centre point.  
   
   
       60 . A cuffing tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein, there are paired sets of mating curved faces between the tool holder and the base and retainer and base.  
   
   
       61 . A cuffing tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein there are complementary sets of mating curved faces between the retainer and the tool holder.  
   
   
       62 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 59 , having a sacrificial wear component that can be replaced.  
   
   
       63 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 62 , whereby the sacrificial wear component has legs that fit into slots or ribs in the base.  
   
   
       64 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein, the sacrificial wear component is cast.  
   
   
       65 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein when the tooth holder is secured into position the sacrificial wear component cannot be removed from the slots or ribs by the obstruction of the tooth holder.  
   
   
       66 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 62 , whereby, the sacrificial wear component is replaced by removal of the retainer and tooth holder.  
   
   
       67 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein, the wear component is preferably of a high alloy steel or equivalent material.  
   
   
       68 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein, the tooth holder has a slot in the rear of the tooth holder which allows for the insertion of a tooth punch or drift.  
   
   
       69 . A cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein, the punch or drift is used as a lever to release the retainer from a tightened position by tapping the punch with a hammer to apply an impact force sufficient to release the taper lock between the components.  
   
   
       70 . A method of excavating a ground surface utilizing a road, mining or trenching machine having plurality of cutting tool holding apparatus as claimed in  claim 59.