Retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block

Abstract

An improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block rigidly attached to an outer surface of a carrier. The retaining system includes a first groove formed in an outer surface of a shank portion of the cutting tool in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shank portion. There is a second groove formed in a surface of a bore formed through an axis of the support block for receiving the shank portion of the cutting tool and formed generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of such carrier. The first groove is radially opposed to the a second groove when the shank portion is inserted into the bore of the support block. The final essential element of the retaining system is a pin member engageable with each of the first groove and the second groove for securing the cutting tool to the support block.

1 . A retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block rigidly attached to an outer surface of a rotating carrier having a rotational axis, said retaining system comprising: 
 (a) a first groove, having a first predetermined shape, formed in an outer surface of a shank portion of said cutting tool intermediate each end thereof, said first groove being formed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said shank portion;    (b) a second 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 first groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion of said cutting tool being substantially radially opposed to said second 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, said second groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through an axis of said support block has a longitudinal axis aligned generally perpendicular to each of said outer surface and said rotational axis of said carrier; and    (c) a pin member engageable with each of said first groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion of said cutting tool and said second 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 . The retaining system, 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 said support block.  
   
   
       3 . The retaining system, 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 . The retaining system, according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least two grooves are formed substantially radially opposed to each other.  
   
   
       5 . The retaining system, according to  claim 4 , wherein said predetermined shape of each of said at least two grooves formed substantially radially opposed to each other is generally oblong.  
   
   
       6 . The retaining system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first groove formed in said shank portion is formed as a circumferential groove thereby enabling rotation of said cutting tool in said support block.  
   
   
       7 . The retaining system, according to  claim 6 , wherein said circumferential groove formed in said outer surface of said shank portion has a generally oblong shape.  
   
   
       8 . The retaining system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said second 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 . The retaining system, according to  claim 8 , wherein said second groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block has a substantially round shape.  
   
   
       10 . The retaining system, according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one aperture formed in said support block has a size slightly less than identical to a size of said at least one pin member while enabling passage thereof into and from said second groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block.  
   
   
       11 . The retaining system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said pin member is formed from at least one of metal, plastic, ceramic and various combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The retaining system, according to  claim 11 , wherein said pin member is formed of metal.  
   
   
       13 . The retaining system, according to  claim 12 , wherein said pin member is formed from rolled spring steel.  
   
   
       14 . The retaining system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said pin member has a substantially round shape.  
   
   
       15 . The retaining system, according to  claim 14 , wherein said pin member has a slightly larger diameter as said at least one groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block, whereby said pin member grips a surface of said second groove formed in said surface of said bore formed through said axis of said support block for frictional retention therein.  
   
   
       16 . The retaining system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining system further includes at least one ledge portion formed on an outer surface of said shank portion.  
   
   
       17 . The retaining system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining system further includes a pair of ledge portions formed on an outer surface of said shank portion.  
   
   
       18 . The retaining system, according to  claim 17 , 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.