Patent ID: 6659199
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: B33Y,E21B

Abstract:
A drill bit for subterranean drilling, comprising:a bit body having a centerline and including a leading end for contacting a formation during drilling and a trailing end having structure associated therewith for connecting the drill bit to a drill string; at least one cutter secured to the bit body over the leading end at a radial distance from the centerline; and at least one elongated bearing element over the leading end positioned at about the same radial distance from the centerline as the at least one cutter, the at least one elongated bearing element being dimensioned, positioned and oriented so as any transverse cross-section thereof lies substantially completely within, but at most only partially coincident with an associated transverse cross-section of a path cut in a subterranean formation by the at least one cutter by rotation of the drill bit.