Various Improvements to Stump Cutting Tool Discs and Elements Thereof

Abstract

A rotating disc assembly for use on a stump grinder includes a rotating disc defining a peripheral edge, a first side and a second side, and a central axis positioned through a central position of the rotating disc; a first cutting bit mechanically connected to a first position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc; and a first shield assembly mechanically connected to a second position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc in front of the first cutting bit, wherein the first shield assembly comprises a first footprint formed by a first portion extending a first radial distance from the central position and extending a first axial distance from at least the first side or the second side, wherein a footprint of the first cutting bit is at least partially shielded by the first footprint of the first portion of the first shield assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotating disc assembly for use on a stump grinder comprising:
 a rotating disc defining a peripheral edge, a first side and a second side, and a central axis positioned through a central position of the rotating disc;   a first cutting bit mechanically connected to a first position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc; and   a first shield assembly mechanically connected to a second position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc in front of the first cutting bit, wherein the first shield assembly comprises a first footprint formed by a first portion extending a first radial distance from the central position and extending a first axial distance from at least the first side or the second side, wherein a footprint of the first cutting bit is at least partially shielded by the first footprint of the first portion of the first shield assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second cutting bit mechanically connected to a third position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first shield assembly further comprises a second footprint formed by a second portion extending a second radial distance from the central position and extending a second axial distance from at least the first side or the second side, wherein a footprint of the second cutting bit is at least partially shielded by the second footprint of the second portion of the first shield assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a third cutting bit mechanically connected to a fourth position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first shield assembly further comprises a third footprint formed by a third portion extending a third radial distance from the central position and extending a third axial distance from at least the first side or the second side, wherein a footprint of the third cutting bit is at least partially shielded by the third footprint of the second portion of the first shield assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first cutting bit, the second cutting bit and the third cutting bit is structured, positioned and configured to cut in at least two directions. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first cutting bit, the second cutting bit and the third cutting bit is structured, positioned and configured to cut in three directions. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the first shield assembly tapers in a direction away from the first cutting bit from the first axial distance to a distance less than the first axial distance on at least the first side or the second side. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion of the first shield assembly is cobra head-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first shield assembly is wider at a front portion and narrower at a back portion closer to the first cutting bit. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the back portion forms a first surface extending in the radial direction, wherein the first surface intersects a second surface of the first cutting bit extending in the axial direction. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a channel formed between the first portion of the first shield assembly and the second portion of the first shield assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second cutting bit mechanically connected to the first side of the rotating disc. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first shield assembly further comprises a second footprint formed by a second portion extending a second radial distance from the central position and extending a second axial distance from the first side, wherein a footprint of the second cutting bit is at least partially shielded by the second footprint of the second portion of the first shield assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a second shield assembly mechanically connected to the first side of the rotating disc. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second shield assembly further comprises a second footprint extending a second axial distance from the first side, wherein a footprint of the second cutting bit or the footprint of the first cutting bit is at least partially shielded by the second footprint of the second shield assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first shield assembly is separately mechanically connected to a first shoulder formed on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first cutting bit further comprises a perimeter portion comprising at least one cutting surface.