Patent ID: 6116359
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An earth-boring bit comprising:a bit body;at least one bearing shaft depending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body;a cutter mounted for rotation on each bearing shaft, the cutter having a cutter shell surface and a plurality of cutting elements arranged in circumferential rows on the cutter;a pair of annular surfaces extending from the cutter shell surface and converging toward each other to define a kerf ring which has a kerf crest; anda plurality of kerf ring elements located in holes formed in the kerf ring and protruding from the kerf crest, the kerf ring elements having inner and outer flanks which converge toward each other at substantially the same angles of convergence as the annular surfaces, a portion of each of the flanks extending below the kerf crest and being substantially flush with one of the annular surfaces.