Retainer for rotatable cutting bit

Abstract

A retainer for mounting and retaining a rotatable cutting tool or bit in a block bore. The cutting tool contains an annular channel. The retainer has an unstressed diameter greater than the diameter of the bore so that when the cutting tool is inserted into the bore, the retainer expands against the bore so as to be held therein along with the cutting tool. The retainer comprises a cylindrical sleeve having an engaging member extending circumferentially around the sleeve and having a constant cross section shape which projects into the annular channel of the cutting tool and which annular channel has an inward rectangular surface corresponding to the inward engaging member of the retainer for receiving and retaining the retainer to the cutting tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cutting tool for mounting in the bore of a block, the cutting tool, comprising:
 an elongated body generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion terminating in a front end at which there is a cutting tip, the rearward portion being of a generally constant diameter and terminating in a rear end;   the rearward portion containing an annular channel adjacent the rear end;   a resilient retainer surrounding substantially the rearward portion, the retainer comprising a cylindrical sleeve being axially split along the entire length thereof, the sleeve having opposite front and rear ends, and having an inward engaging member received within the annular channel so that the elongated body and retainer are retained together; and   wherein the inward engaging member of the resilient retainer comprises a constant cross sectional shape extending circumferentially around the cylindrical sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the annular channel has generally the same cross sectional shape as the inward engaging member. 
     
     
         3 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the inward engaging member has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         4 . The cutting tool of  claim 3 , wherein the annular channel of the rearward portion of the elongated body of the cutting tool has an inward rectangular surface corresponding to the generally rectangular cross sectional shape of the inward engaging member of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the inward engaging member of the cylindrical sleeve is an annular radial projection extending around the circumferential inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve and the inward engaging member of the cylindrical sleeve form a T-shape configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer has an unstressed diameter greater than the diameter of the bore so that when the cutting tool is inserted into the bore the retainer expands against the bore so as to be held therein. 
     
     
         8 . A resilient retainer for rotatably mounting a rotatable cutting bit in the cylindrical bore of a block, comprising:
 an elongate cylindrical sleeve being axially split along the entire length thereof, the sleeve having opposite front and rear ends, an inward engaging member extending substantially around an inner periphery thereof, wherein the inward engaging member has a constant cross sectional shape.   
     
     
         9 . The retainer of  claim 8 , wherein the inward engaging member has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         10 . The retainer of  claim 8 , wherein the inward engaging member of the cylindrical sleeve is an annular radial projection extending around the circumferential inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The retainer of  claim 8 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve and the inward engaging member of the cylindrical sleeve form a T-shape configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . A cutting tool for mounting in the bore of a block, the cutting tool, comprising:
 an elongated body generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion terminating in a front end at which there is a cutting tip, the rearward portion being of a generally constant diameter and terminating in a rear end;   the rearward portion containing an annular channel adjacent the rear end;   a resilient retainer surrounding substantially the rearward portion, the retainer comprising a cylindrical sleeve being axially split along the entire length thereof, the sleeve having opposite front and rear ends, and having an inward engaging member received within the annular channel so that the elongated body and retainer are retained together; and   wherein the inward engaging member of the resilient retainer has a generally symmetrical shape about a central longitudinal axis thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The cutting tool of  claim 12 , wherein the annular channel has generally the same cross sectional shape as the inward engaging member. 
     
     
         14 . The cutting tool of  claim 12 , wherein the inward engaging member has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         15 . The cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the annular channel of the rearward portion of the elongated body of the cutting tool has an inward rectangular surface corresponding to the generally rectangular cross sectional shape of the inward engaging member of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The cutting tool of  claim 12 , wherein the central longitudinal axis of the inward engaging member extends generally parallel to a wall of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . A resilient retainer for rotatably mounting a rotatable cutting bit in the cylindrical bore of a block, comprising:
 an elongate cylindrical sleeve being axially split along the entire length thereof, the sleeve having opposite front and rear ends, an inward engaging member extending substantially around an inner periphery thereof, wherein the inward engaging member has a generally symmetrical shape about a central longitudinal axis thereof.   
     
     
         18 . The retainer of  claim 17 , wherein the inward engaging member has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         19 . The retainer of  claim 17 , wherein the central longitudinal axis of the inward engaging member extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The retainer of  claim 17 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve and the inward engaging member of the cylindrical sleeve form a T-shape configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sleeve.