Streamlining bit assemblies for road milling mining and treching equipment

Abstract

An improved bit assembly for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment includes a streamlined tip assembly that is a combination of conical and cylindrical in shape and devoid of protrusions or annular indentations that might impede the flow of removed material over and around the bit assembly or provide space for removed material to become clogged or imbedded on the tip assembly. The generally cylindrical hollow shank that mounts the bit holder to the bit block includes at least one axially aligned slot along its side wall that allows the side wall to supply radial force to maintain the bit holder in the bit block.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A bit holder comprising:
 a shank with a distal end and a forward end spaced apart from said distal end;   a body portion extending from said forward end of said shank;   a bore extending from said distal end of said shank toward said forward end thereof; and   at least one longitudinal slot extending from said distal end of said shank toward said forward end thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The bit holder as defined in  claim 16 , wherein
 said shank is generally cylindrical in shape and defines a sidewall between an outer surface of said shank and said bore, said at least one longitudinal slot communicating with and between each of said outer surface and said bore.   
     
     
         18 . The bit holder as defined in  claim 16  wherein said body portion includes a bit receiving portion thereon. 
     
     
         19 . The bit holder as defined in  claim 16  wherein said bit receiving portion defines a top surface on said body portion. 
     
     
         20 . The bit holder as defined in  claim 16  wherein said bore extends toward said forward end of said shank at least as far as said longitudinal slot extends. 
     
     
         21 . An assembly including a bit holder and a bit block comprising:
 a bit holder having a shank with a distal end and a forward end spaced apart from said distal end, said bit holder having a body portion disposed at said forward end of said shank,   a first bore extending from said distal end, toward said forward end,   at least one longitudinal slot extending from said distal end toward said forward end; and   a bit block having a second bore positioned therein, said second bore sized to receive and retain said shank thereon.   
     
     
         22 . The assembly as defined in  claim 21  wherein said shank, as a result of said longitudinal slot therein, is resiliently collapsible diametrically for providing an interference with said second bore in said bit block sufficient to maintain said bit holder on said bit block during use. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly as defined in  claim 21  wherein a shank outer diameter adjacent said body portion is smaller than said second bore on said bit block adjacent a top face of said bit block for allowing resilient absorption of radial forces directed to said bit holder. 
     
     
         24 . A bit holder and bit block assembly comprising, in combination:
 a bit holder structure including, a bit holder front portion and a generally hollow cylindrical bit holder shank portion extending axially rearwardly from said front portion defining an annular sidewall, an elongate slot radially through said sidewall extending axially from a distal end of said shank and terminating between said distal end and said front portion defining a C-shape portion of said shank,   a bit block including a top face and a bore therein in communication with said top face,   an outer surface of said C-shape portion providing interference with said bore on said bit block sufficient to maintain said bit holder on said bit block during use.   
     
     
         25 . The assembly as defined in  claim 24  wherein said C-shape portion of said shank is resiliently collapsible diametrically for providing said interference with said bit block bore. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly as defined in  claim 24  wherein said C-shape portion of said shank is resiliently collapsible when said bit holder is mounted on said bit block for absorbing radial forces directed to said bit holder. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly as defined in  claim 24  wherein a shank outer diameter adjacent said body portion is smaller than said bit block bore adjacent a top face of said bit block for allowing resilient absorption of radial forces directed to said bit holder.