Bit for use in at least one of mining, trenching and milling applications

Abstract

A bit includes a body portion having a first shape, a first length, a first end and a second end. A collar portion having a second shape, a thickness, a first surface disposed adjacent a second end of the body portion and a second surface forming a ledge for seating against a surface of a rotary cutting head of a mining machine. A shank portion, has a diameter and a second length. A first end of the shank is secured to the second surface of the collar portion. A groove formed around the shaft portion closely adjacent the second end thereof. A bit tip disposed adjacent the first end of the body portion to contact a hard surface. The bit tip tapers to a pointed end. A connecting means is disposed in the groove for connecting the bit to the working machine. A plurality of fins is disposed along an outer surface of the body portion.

1 . A bit for use in at least one of a trenching, milling and mining machine, said bit comprising:
 (a) a body portion formed from a first predetermine material and having each of a first predetermined shape, a first predetermined length, a first end and a second end;   (b) a collar portion having a second predetermined shape, a predetermined thickness, a first surface disposed adjacent said second end of said body portion and a second surface forming a ledge portion for seating against a surface of a rotary cutting head of such at least one of a trenching, milling and mining machine;   (c) a substantially cylindrical shank portion, having each of a predetermined diameter, a second predetermined length, a first end and a second end, a first end of said shank portion being secured to said second surface of said collar portion;   (d) a groove, having a predetermined axial length and a predetermined depth, formed around said shaft portion closely adjacent said second end thereof;   (e) a bit tip, formed from a second predetermined material, disposed adjacent said first end of said body portion adapted to contact a hard surface to accomplish removal of such hard surface, said bit tip tapering to a substantially pointed end;   (f) a connecting means disposed in said groove for connecting said bit to such at least one of a trenching, milling and mining machine; and   (g) a predetermined number of fins disposed along an outer surface of said body portion about a central axis thereof.   
     
     
         2 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said fins are disposed in a helical shape in an axial direction of said mining bit. 
     
     
         3 . A bit, according to  claim 2 , wherein said fins exhibit a predetermined degree of slope in an axial and radial direction. 
     
     
         4 . A bit, according to  claim 3 , wherein said predetermined degree of slope in said axial and radial direction is between about 1 degree and about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . A bit, according to  claim 4 , wherein said predetermined degree of slope is between about 6 degrees and about 15 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . A bit, according to  claim 5 , wherein said predetermined degree of slope is between about 8 degrees and about 12 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of iron, steel and tungsten carbide. 
     
     
         8 . A bit, according to  claim 7 , wherein said first predetermined shape of said body portion tapers inwardly toward said central axis from said second end thereof to said first end. 
     
     
         9 . A bit, according to  claim 8 , wherein said first predetermined length is between about 3.5 inches and about 5.00 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined diameter of said cylindrical shank portion is between about 0.75 inch and about 2.00 inches. 
     
     
         11 . A bit, according to  claim 10 , wherein said predetermined diameter of said cylindrical shank portion is between about 1.375 inches and about 1.75 inches. 
     
     
         12 . A bit, according to  claim 10 , wherein said second predetermined length is between about 3.5 inches and about 5.0 inches. 
     
     
         13 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined axial length of said groove is between about 0.25 inch and about 0.625 inch. 
     
     
         14 . A bit, according to  claim 13 , wherein said predetermined depth of said groove is between about 0.125 inch and about 0.2 inch. 
     
     
         15 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein an overall length of said body portion and said shaft portion and said thickness of said collar portion is about 7.60 inches and about 7.80 inches 
     
     
         16 . A bit, according to  claim 13 , wherein said predetermined axial length of said groove is between about 0.625 inch and about 3.00 inches. 
     
     
         17 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined material for said bit tip is selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide and diamond. 
     
     
         18 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said second predetermined shape of said collar portion is selected from the group consisting of generally round, rectangular, hexagon and octagon. 
     
     
         19 . A bit, according to  claim 18 , wherein a presently preferred shape of said collar portion is generally round. 
     
     
         20 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined diameter of the cylindrical shank portion is generally between about 1.0 inch and about 2.0 inches. 
     
     
         21 . A bit, according to  claim 20 , wherein said predetermined diameter of said cylindrical shank portion is generally between about 1.2 inches and about 1.75 inches. 
     
     
         22 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said collar portion includes a tapered portion disposed adjacent said second surface of said collar portion. 
     
     
         23 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said fins are formed from STOODY 101 HC hard surfacing wire. 
     
     
         24 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said body portion further includes a hard surfacing buildup between said fins closely adjacent said first end of said body portion. 
     
     
         25 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said bit tip further includes a tapered portion behind a working forward tapered surface thereof. 
     
     
         26 . A bit, according to  claim 25 , wherein said body portion further includes a cavity formed in said first end thereof for receiving said tapered portion of said bit tip. 
     
     
         27 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein said bit tip further includes a generally cylindrical portion disposed behind a working forward tapered surface thereof. 
     
     
         28 . A bit, according to  claim 27 , wherein said body portion further includes a generally cylindrical cavity formed in said first end thereof for receiving said generally cylindrical portion of said bit tip. 
     
     
         29 . A bit, according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said body portion, said collar portion and said shaft portion are formed as a single piece. 
     
     
         30 . A method of manufacturing a mining bit having improved rotational capability, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selecting a profile for said mining bit;   (b) selecting a material said profile selected in step (a) is to be manufactured from;   (c) at least one of casting, cold heading and forging said profile selected in step (b);   (d) determining a number of fins to be attached to an outer surface of said body portion; and   (e) at least one of manually and robotically welding said number of fins determined in step (d) in a predetermined pattern on an outer surface of a body portion of said mining bit at a predetermined location.   
     
     
         31 . A method, according to  claim 30 , wherein steps (a) and (b) are be reversed. 
     
     
         32 . A method, according to  claim 30 , wherein said fins are robotically welded to said outer surface of said body portion. 
     
     
         33 . A method, according to  claim 30 , wherein said number of fins is four. 
     
     
         34 . A method, according to  claim 30 , wherein said method includes the additional step of brazing a bit tip to a working end of said bit. 
     
     
         35 . A method of reconditioning a used mining bit, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) examining said used mining bit to determine suitability for reconditioning;   (b) removing a predetermined portion of a body portion of said mining bit including a bit tip when in step (a) it is determined that said mining bit is suitable to be reconditioned;   (c) adhering a new said predetermined portion of said body portion to a remaining portion of said body portion left after said predetermined portion has been removed in step (b), said new predetermined portion of said mining bit including a new bit tip.   
     
     
         36 . A method, according to  claim 35 , wherein said method includes the additional steps of:
 (d) determining a number of fins to be attached to an outer surface of said new predetermined portion of said body portion; and   (e) at least one of manually and robotically welding said number of fins determined in step (d) in a predetermined pattern on an outer surface of a body portion of said mining bit at a predetermined location.   
     
     
         37 . A method, according to  claim 36 , wherein said adhering is accomplished by friction welding. 
     
     
         38 . A method, according to  claim 35 , wherein said welding of said fins to said body portion is accomplished by at least one of manual and robotic welding. 
     
     
         39 . A method, according to  claim 38 , wherein said welding of said fins to said body portion is accomplished by robotic welding. 
     
     
         40 . In combination with a bit holder attached to at least one of a trenching, milling and mining machine in a position to provide a predetermined attack angle such that a bit will rotate while in use, the improvement comprising a bit having:
 (a) a body portion formed from a first predetermine material and having each of a first predetermined shape, a first predetermined length, a first end and a second end;   (b) a collar portion having a second predetermined shape, a predetermined thickness, a first surface disposed adjacent said second end of said body portion and a second surface forming a ledge portion for seating against a surface of a rotary cutting head of such at least one of a trenching, milling and mining machine;   (c) a substantially cylindrical shank portion, having each of a predetermined diameter, a second predetermined length, a first end and a second end, a first end of said shank portion being secured to said second surface of said collar portion;   (d) a groove, having a predetermined axial length and a predetermined depth, formed around said shaft portion closely adjacent said second end thereof;   (e) a bit tip, formed from a second predetermined material, disposed adjacent said first end of said body portion adapted to contact a hard surface to accomplish removal of such hard surface, said bit tip tapering to a substantially pointed end;   (f) a connecting means disposed in said groove for connecting said bit to such at least one of a trenching, milling and mining machine; and   (g) a predetermined number of fins disposed along an outer surface of said body portion about a central axis thereof.   
     
     
         41 . The combination, according to  claim 40 , wherein said predetermined attack angle is generally between about 40.0 degrees and about 50.0 degrees.