Patent ID: 9624730
Date: 2017-04-18
CPC Classifications: B05D,E21B

Claim:
1. A drill bit comprising: a distal cutting end; and a proximal mounting end; wherein the distal cutting end includes a plurality of pockets, each pocket of the plurality of pockets configured to support a cutting tooth such that the tooth is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the tooth and relative to the distal cutting end, wherein the distal cutting end defines a cutting face and wherein hardfacing is provided on at least seventy-five percent of the cutting face; wherein at least some of the hardfacing is within 1/32 of an inch (0.79 millimeters) of a periphery edge of one of the plurality of pockets; and wherein each one of the plurality of pockets includes an inside surface that is free of hardfacing such that the hardfacing does not contact the tooth, the tooth being allowed to rotate without interference with the hardfacing.