Earth bit having a retaining ring

Abstract

An earth bit includes an earth bit body which carries a lug. The lug is repeatably attachable to and detachable from the earth bit body. A retaining ring retains the lug to the earth bit body and restricts the movement of the lug in response to a force applied to it. The retaining ring has a height less than its diameter.

1 . An earth bit, comprising:
 an earth bit body;   a lug; and   a retaining ring which retains the lug to the earth bit body, wherein the retaining ring has a height that is less than its diameter.   
   
   
       2 . The earth bit of  claim 1 , wherein the lug is repeatably attachable to and detachable from the earth bit body. 
   
   
       3 . The earth bit of  claim 1 , wherein the lug is fastened to the earth bit body with a fastener. 
   
   
       4 . The earth bit of  claim 3 , wherein the retaining ring covers the fastener. 
   
   
       5 . The earth bit of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of lugs retained to the earth bit body by the retaining ring. 
   
   
       6 . The earth bit of  claim 1 , further including a weldment which welds the lug and earth bit body together. 
   
   
       7 . An earth bit, comprising:
 an earth bit body;   a lug carried by the earth bit body; and   a retaining ring which restricts the movement of the lug in response to a force applied to it.   
   
   
       8 . The earth bit of  claim 7 , wherein the retaining ring has a diameter that is greater than its height. 
   
   
       9 . The earth bit of  claim 7 , wherein the retaining ring is repeatably moveable between positions engaging and disengaging the lug and earth bit body. 
   
   
       10 . The earth bit of  claim 7 , wherein the lug is fastened to the earth bit body with a fastener and/or weldment. 
   
   
       11 . The earth bit of  claim 10 , wherein the retaining ring covers the fastener and/or weldment. 
   
   
       12 . The earth bit of  claim 7 , wherein the retaining ring is frictionally engaged with the lug and earth bit body. 
   
   
       13 . The earth bit of  claim 7 , wherein the retaining ring is threadingly engaged with the lug and/or earth bit body. 
   
   
       14 . The earth bit of  claim 7 , further including a cutting cone coupled to the lug, the retaining ring being positioned to restrict the movement of the lug in response to a force applied to the cutting cone. 
   
   
       15 . A tri-cone earth bit, comprising:
 an earth bit body;   a lug carried by the earth bit body, the lug being repeatably attachable to and detachable from the earth bit body; and   a retaining ring threadingly engaged with the earth bit body.   
   
   
       16 . The earth bit of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining ring has a height less than its diameter. 
   
   
       17 . The earth bit of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining ring restricts the movement of the lug in response to a force applied to it. 
   
   
       18 . The earth bit of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining ring is threadingly engaged with the lug. 
   
   
       19 . The earth bit of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining ring covers an interface between the lug and earth bit body. 
   
   
       20 . The earth bit of  claim 19 , further including a weldment which extends through the interface.