Retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block. The retaining system includes at least one groove, having a first predetermined shape, formed in an outer surface of a shank portion of the cutting tool. The groove is formed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shank. There is at least one groove, having a second predetermined shape, formed in a surface of a bore formed through an axis of the support block for receiving the shank portion of the cutting tool. The at least one groove formed in the outer surface of the shank portion of the cutting tool is radially opposed to the at least one groove formed in the surface of the bore formed through the axis of the support block when the shank portion is inserted into the bore of the support block. The final essential element of the retaining system is at least one pin member engageable with each of at least one groove formed in the outer surface of such shank portion of the cutting tool and the at least one groove formed in the surface of the bore formed through the axis of the support block for securing the cutting tool to the support block.

1 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, said retaining system comprising: 
 (a) at least one groove, having a first predetermined shape, formed in an outer surface of a shank portion of said cutting tool intermediate each end thereof, said groove being formed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said shank;    (b) at least one groove, having a second predetermined shape, formed in a surface of a bore formed through an axis of said support block for receiving therein said shank portion of said cutting tool, said at least one groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion of said cutting tool being substantially radially opposed to said at least one groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block when said shank portion is inserted into said bore of said support block; and    (c) at least one rolled spring steel pin member engageable with each of said at least one groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion of said cutting tool and said at least one groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block for securing said cutting tool to said support block.    
   
   
       2 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said shank portion further includes a circumferential groove formed in said outer surface thereof closely adjacent an end of said shank portion for receiving a washer like member therein to provide additional retention of said cutting tool in such support block.  
   
   
       3 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said shank portion includes at least two grooves formed in said outer surface thereof, said at least two grooves being formed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said shank portion.  
   
   
       4 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least two grooves are formed substantially radially opposed with each other.  
   
   
       5 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 4 , wherein said predetermined shape of each of said at least two grooves formed substantially radially opposed with each other is oblong.  
   
   
       6 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one groove formed in said shank portion is formed as a circumferential groove thereby enabling rotation of said cutting tool in said support block.  
   
   
       7 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 6 , wherein said circumferential groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion has a substantially oblong shape.  
   
   
       8 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block is formed as part of at least one aperture through said support block adjacent said bore formed through said axis of said support block.  
   
   
       9 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one groove formed in said surface of said bore has a substantially round shape.  
   
   
       10 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 9 , wherein said at least one aperture has a substantially round shape.  
   
   
       11 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pin member has a substantially round shape.  
   
   
       12 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of at least one aperture formed in said support block has a substantially identical diameter as said at least one rolled spring steel pin member.  
   
   
       13 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one rolled spring steel pin member has a substantially identical diameter as said at least one groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block.  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining system further includes at least one ledge portion formed on an outer surface of said shank portion.  
   
   
       19 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining system further includes a pair of ledge portions formed on an outer surface of said shank portion.  
   
   
       20 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block, according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said pair of ledge portions formed on said outer surface of said shank portion is disposed substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said shank portion.