Patent ID: 8449041
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
1. A tool pick comprising: a head portion having a diameter; a shoulder positioned rearwardly adjacent to the head portion and being joined to the head portion at a junction, the shoulder having a diameter greater than the diameter of the head portion; a shank extending rearwardly with respect to the shoulder; and two or more fins extending generally radially outward from the head portion and the shoulder in a plane, each fin having an outer surface sloping outwardly and rearwardly from the head portion at an angle with respect to an axis of the tool pick and a pair of side surfaces connecting the outer surface of the fin to the head portion, each fin having a rear end located rearward of the junction between the head portion and the shoulder, and the fins defining a maximum diameter of at least about 105% of the diameter of the shoulder such that the outer surface of the fin at an axial position aligned with the junction is located radially outward with respect to the junction, wherein the slope of the outer surface of the fin changes at the rear end of the fin so that the outer surface smoothly connects to the rear end of the shoulder, and wherein the side surfaces of each fin have a width in the radial direction that varies as a function of axial position.