Tool adapter for a rotary tool

A tool adapter comprises a body including at least one elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a flange disposed between the first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface extending along the longitudinal axis, and a collar portion defining a collar outer surface and the body defines a first groove disposed adjacent the first end extending along the longitudinal axis on the outer collar surface along the majority of the longitudinal length of the collar portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tool adapters used to attach tools such as cutting bits to rotary tools such as cutting drums used in milling machines, cold planer, and the like. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a tool adapter with features that indicate or prevent wear, ease disassembly of the cutting bit from the tool adapter, or enhance rotation of the cutting bit.

BACKGROUND

Rotary tools such as cutting drums are routinely employed by milling machines such as cold planers and the like for ripping up a work surface such as soil, loose rock, asphalt, pavement, concrete, etc. As can be imagined, these rotary tools may use cutting bits adapted to perform the necessary work. These cutting bits are subject to wear. Therefore, it is often necessary to replace these cutting bits once worn. Alternatively, it may be desirable to change out one type of cutting bit for another type of cutting bit depending on the work material. For example, one cutting bit may be well adapted for ripping up concrete while another may be better suited for ripping up asphalt.

For these reasons, tool adapters (also referred to as tool holders) have been developed so that cutting bits may be changed without needing to replace the entire cutting drum. It is desirable that these tool adapters be durable, easy to service and very reliable. Improvements in any of these three traits helps to improve the overall efficiency of a machine using cutting bits and any associated construction, agricultural, mining or earthmoving operation and the like.

It has been observed that it is sometimes difficult to remove cutting bits from tool adapters that are currently known in the art. It has also been observed that wear and particularly uneven wear is sometimes detrimental to the efficiency of a machine using rotary tools. Furthermore, it has also been determined that some tool adapters are not has reliable as desired as their attachment to a rotary cutting tool may loosen over time due to vibration. Accordingly, a tool adapter that has better performance in any of these three categories whether it be reliability, ease of service, or durability is warranted.

SUMMARY

A tool adapter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The tool adapter comprises a body including at least one elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a flange disposed between the first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface extending along the longitudinal axis. The flange divides the body into a tool retaining portion disposed between the first end and the flange, and a tool adapter attaching portion disposed between the second end and the flange, and the body defines a tool receiving bore extending from the first end toward the second end along the longitudinal axis and a cylindrical collar portion disposed proximate the first end including an outer collar surface and at least one wear indicator disposed on the outer collar surface of the collar portion. The cylindrical collar portion defines a circumferential direction and a radial direction and the body defines a first groove and a second groove disposed adjacent and spaced away from the first end, the first and second groove extending along the longitudinal axis on the outer collar surface, said first and second grooves being spaced away from each other along a direction tangential to the circumferential direction. The tool adapter attaching portion includes a shank having a tapered portion disposed adjacent the flange along the longitudinal axis and a non-tapered portion disposed adjacent the second end along the longitudinal axis, the shank also defining a shank bore. The body further defines a cross-slot extending from the exterior surface to the tool receiving bore and a clearance groove disposed between the tapered portion and non-tapered portion along the longitudinal axis.

A tool adapter for attaching tools to a rotary tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The tool adapter comprises a body including at least one elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a flange disposed between the first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface extending along the longitudinal axis. The flange divides the body into a tool retaining portion disposed between the first end and the flange, and a tool adapter attaching portion disposed between the second end and the flange, and the body defines a tool receiving bore extending from the first end toward the second end along the longitudinal axis and the tool retaining portion includes a collar portion defining a collar outer surface and the body defines a first groove disposed adjacent the first end extending along the longitudinal axis on the outer collar surface along the majority of the longitudinal length of the collar portion.

A tool adapter for attaching tools to a rotary tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The tool adapter comprises a body including at least one elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a flange disposed between the first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface extending along the longitudinal axis. The flange divides the body into a tool retaining portion disposed between the first end and the flange, and a tool adapter attaching portion disposed between the second end and the flange, and the body defines a tool receiving bore extending from the first end toward the second end along the longitudinal axis and the tool adapter attaching portion includes a shank including a tapered portion and a non-tapered portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example,100a,100bor by a prime for example,100′,100″ etc. It is to be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters and primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features, having similar or identical function or geometry, discussed within this written specification.

Various embodiments of an apparatus and a method will be described herein regarding a tool adapter, a cutting tool assembly, and a rotary cutting tool such as a rotary cutting drum assembly or the like will be described.

In some embodiments, the tool adapter has features to allow easy bit removal such as grooves on the wear collar that allow the operator to use an air chisel to directly disengage the bit after the wear collar has worn down, opening the ends of one or more grooves to allow access to the washer of the tool adapter. Also, a cross-slot in the tool adapter can also be used with air tools and a curved punch to press the tool bit out of the tool adapter by pressing on the shank of the tool bit. In addition to the function the cross-slot performs for bit removal, the cross-slot also may also allow water to directly enter the spring clip area of the bit and enhance rotation of the bit about its longitudinal axis while seated in the tool adapter, which may lead to a longer bit life.

In other embodiments, the collar of the tool adapter has rings or wear indicators that indicate the amount of wear that has happened on the tool adapter caused by the rotation of the rotary cutting tool. It is desirable that the collar wear occurs uniformly on all the tool adapters and that the operator can readily see this relative wear in order to keep the bits all cutting at the same depth. The body of the tool adapter may be made from tough or hardened steel that provides high hardness for wear while still having a high toughness.

In yet further embodiments, a tool adapter may provide features to increase the reliability of the retention system. More specifically, the tool adapter may provide a double retention system including a tapered or conical section of the shank that becomes press fitted into the base and a cylindrical or non-tapered section that may also be press fit into the base. Vibration from service work to the rotor or certain operating conditions is known to loosen tapered connections. The tool adapter may have a cylindrical press fit on the tail of the tool adapter that will remain engaged if vibration loosens the tapered connection. This allows the tapered connection to become reengaged the next time the rotor is used in normal running conditions.

It is contemplated that any of these embodiments with features regarding ease of serviceability, durability or reliability may be combined with other features for other desirable traits to yield a host of embodiments. In some embodiments, all the features discussed herein may be used simultaneously. In other embodiments, only select features may be used.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary machine100having multiple systems and components that cooperate to accomplish a task. Machine100may embody a mobile machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, farming or agriculture, transportation, earth moving, or any other known industry. For example, machine100may be a milling machine such as a cold planer. Machine100may include a power source102and one or more undercarriage assembly104, which may be driven by power source102.

Power source102may drive the undercarriage assembly(s)104of machine100at a range of output speeds and torques. Power source102may be an engine such as, for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other suitable engine. Power source102may also be a non-combustion source of power such as, for example, a fuel cell, a power storage device, or any other source of power known in the art.

Undercarriage assembly(s)104may include crawler tracks106. The undercarriage assemblies104may be attached to the machine100via hydraulic cylinders108that may be raised or lowered or rotated to position the machine100both vertically or horizontally at a desired position relative to a work surface. Other types of undercarriages may be employed such as those employing wheels, walking mechanisms, etc.

An implement assembly110, which includes a rotary cutting drum assembly112(best seen inFIG. 2), is shown to be attached to and extend from the bottom of the machine100inFIG. 1such that it can hover a desired distance above the work surface. The implement assembly110includes two hydraulic side plates114(only one of which is shown inFIG. 1but it is to be understood that a similar side plate is on the opposite side of the machine) with position sensors (not shown) used to monitor and position the rotary cutting drum assembly112(shown inFIG. 2). A cover plate (not shown inFIG. 1orFIG. 2) extending between the side plates114is often employed to partially surround the rotary cutting drum assembly112, being positioned above and to the rear of the cutting drum. A transmission (not shown inFIG. 1) may be operatively connected to the power source102and the rotary cutting drum assembly112, allowing the power source102to drive the rotary cutting drum assembly112to rotate and rip up the work surface.

As shown inFIG. 1, the implement assembly110is fitted with hydraulic hoses116to feed water that is sprayed onto the rotary cutting drum assembly112, helping to remove debris from the rotary cutting drum assembly112in use. This debris is diverted by the machine100to a foldable conveyor system118that transports the material to another vehicle or dump site where the discarded material is hauled away from the work area.

A cab120is also shown that houses a seat122and controls124for the operator to use to control the various functions of the machine100. The configuration of this machine as well as the implement assembly110may be varied as needed or desired. The machine ofFIG. 1is provided by way of an example only as other types of machines are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Looking now atFIG. 2, the rotary cutting drum assembly112includes a substantially cylindrical drum member126with a plurality of cutting tool assemblies200attached to the drum member126about its circumference in a manner known in the art. For example, the cutting tool assemblies200may have a block or base202, which is welded or otherwise adhered or fastened to the drum member126. It is contemplated that the base202may be formed integrally with the drum member126, having a unitary construction with the drum member126. A series of bolt holes206are shown on the hub204of the drum member126that are used to attach the cutting drum member126to the implement assembly110. The cutting tool assemblies200are shown to be attached to the cutting drum member126along a spiral path about the circumference of the drum member126with the cutting tool bit208of each cutting tool assembly200extending at a slightly different angle of attack than the adjacent cutting tool assembly200′ along the spiral path. It is contemplated that the arrangement, configuration, and angle of attack of each of the cutting tool assemblies may be varied as needed or desired.

FIG. 3illustrates the cutting tool assembly200removed or isolated from the drum member126. The cutting tool assembly200includes a base202, which is usually attached to the drum member126as previously described, a tool adapter300that may be attached and detached from the base202, and a cutting tool bit208that may be attached and detached from the tool adapter300. The flange314of the tool adapter300defines a keyway336that mates with a key228on the base202, helping to prevent rotation of the tool adapter300once attached to the base202.

FIG. 4is an exploded assembly view of the cutting tool assembly200illustrating how the cutting tool assembly200is assembled onto a drum member126. First, the base202is attached via welding or in some other suitable manner as previously described onto the drum member126. Then, the cutting tool bit208is assembled onto the tool adapter300by inserting its shank218into a complimentarily shaped aperture or bore324of the tool adapter300, forming a subassembly. Then, the cutting tool bit208and tool adapter300are attached to the base202via the shank302of the tool adapter300that mates with the complimentarily shaped cavity212of the base202. Alternatively, the tool adapter300may be attached first to the base202by inserting its shank302into the complimentarily shaped cavity212of the base202. Then, the cutting tool bit208may be attached to the tool adapter300as just described. Disassembling the cutting tool assembly200may be accomplished by reversing one or more of these steps.

Looking now atFIGS. 4 and 5, the cutting tool bit208is often an assembly that is designed to be attached to and detached from the tool adapter300. The cutting tool bit208includes a tip214attached to the body216. The tip214may be made of carbide, diamond, or other types of material depending on the application. The function of the tip214is to penetrate the desired working surface. A resilient or spring loaded shank218with movable halves220extends from the rear of the body216and a washer222is provided that rides up and down on the shank218. The halves220of the shank218are naturally biased apart.

When the washer222is pulled down along the shank218, these halves220are pulled together, effectively decreasing the diameter of the shank218. This allows the shank of the tool bit208to be inserted into the tool receiving bore324of the tool adapter300. As the cutting tool bit208is pressed further into the tool adapter300, the washer222is forced in the opposite direction until it reaches the stop flange224of the body216of the tool bit. At this point, the washer222is no longer surrounding the shank218or restricting the diameter of the shank218of the tool bit208, allowing the diameter to grow causing pressure to be exerted by the shank218on the wall of the tool receiving bore324. This creates friction, holding the cutting tool bit208onto the tool adapter300.

The body216of the tool bit208defines a groove226proximate the stop flange224. An extraction tool (not shown) with a C-shaped head can be inserted into this groove. When force is applied to the handle of the extraction tool, the body216and shank218of the cutting tool bit208are forced forwards, away from the tool adapter300, which then causes the washer222to once again surround the shank218of the cutting tool bit208, causing the shank218to retract in diameter. This removes the pressure and the associated friction, allowing the tool bit208to be removed from the tool adapter300.

It should be noted that the particulars of the cutting tool bit, its construction, configuration, method of assembly, etc. are provided by way of an example only and it is contemplated that other types of cutting tool bits may be used with any of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Now, an embodiment of a tool adapter300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with features related to ease of serviceability (i.e. ease of assembly and disassembly) will be described with reference toFIGS. 6thru9. The tool adapter300may comprise a body306including at least one elongated portion308defining a longitudinal axis L, a first end310and a second end312disposed along the longitudinal axis L, a flange314disposed between the first and second ends310,312along the longitudinal axis L, and an exterior surface316extending along the longitudinal axis L. The elongated portion308may take the form of a collar portion318or “wear” collar that may be cylindrical, and the longitudinal axis L may be the cylindrical axis L318of the collar portion318or may be coincident with the cylindrical axis L318. The longitudinal axis L of the body306may be defined by or be coincident with the axes of other portions of the body306as will be later described herein. In some cases, the longitudinal axis L is defined by the overall shape of the body as the body306extends from the first end310to the second end312. The collar portion may have other configurations other than cylindrical in other embodiments.

The flange314may divide the body306into a tool retaining portion320disposed between the first end310and the flange314, and a tool adapter attaching portion322disposed between the second end312and the flange314. The tool retaining portion is so called as it is designed to retain a cutting tool bit or the like. Thus, this portion of the body defines a tool receiving bore324(seeFIG. 9) extending from the first end310toward the second end312along the longitudinal axis L.

Returning toFIGS. 6thru9, the tool retaining portion320includes the collar portion318defining an outer collar surface326. The body defines at least a first groove328disposed adjacent the first end310extending along the longitudinal axis L on the outer collar surface326. As shown, two such grooves328,328′ may be provided to allow an air chisel access to the tool bit so that the tool bit may directly disengage the tool bit from the tool adapter after the collar has worn away a certain amount. These grooves328may be similarly or identically configured (best seen inFIG. 7) with a width W328in a direction parallel with a radial direction R and tangential to the circumferential direction C that may range from 5-15 mm and a length L328along the longitudinal axis L that may range from 10-30 mm. The end of these grooves328is spaced away from the first end310but this may not be the case in other embodiments (i.e. the grooves may extend all the way to the first end, or close enough to be in communication with the first end). In addition, these grooves may extend in the opposite direction to the end of the wear collar or substantially close.

As best seen inFIG. 9while also referencingFIGS. 6 and 7, the body306further defines a cross-slot330extending from the exterior surface316to the tool receiving bore324to provide another way to dislodge the tool bit using a curved punch or a similar tool. The cross-slot330defines an axis of extension A330, substantially parallel to its sidewalls332, and the axis of extension A330forms an acute angle α with the longitudinal axis L. In various embodiments, this angle α may range from 60 to 80 degrees, and may be approximately 70 degrees in certain embodiments (+/− 0.5 degree). As shown inFIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the cross-slot330may extend at least partially through the flange314or the area of the flange. To provide further clearance for inserting a tool into the cross-slot330, a notch334is provided in the flange314at least partially circumscribing the entrance of the cross-slot330. The width W330of the cross-slot may range from 10-20 mm in various embodiments, and may be approximately 15 mm (+/− 0.5 mm) in some embodiments.

When this tool adapter300is new, the shank of the bit only goes partially into the cross-slot330so the user can use an air punch to directly knock out the bit thru the cross-slot330. As the collar318wears back, the end of the shank moves further back into the cross-slot330, making it more difficult to knock out the tool bit with air tools thru the cross-slot330. Now, the end of the first groove328in the collar318is exposed to the washer222, making it possible to remove the bits208by using a pneumatic punch directly against the washer222.

Next, an embodiment of a tool adapter300′ according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with features related to wear detection or prevention will be described with reference toFIGS. 6thru9. This embodiment of a tool adapter300′ may comprise a body306including at least one elongated portion308defining a longitudinal axis L, a first end310and a second end312disposed along the longitudinal axis L, a flange314disposed between the first and second ends310,312along the longitudinal axis L, and an exterior surface316extending along the longitudinal axis L. The longitudinal axis L may be defined in a manner stated earlier herein.

The flange314may divide the body306into a tool retaining portion320disposed between the first end310and the flange314, and a tool adapter attaching portion322disposed between the second end312and the flange314as previously described. The tool adapter attaching portion is so called as this portion is inserted into the cavity of a base, attaching the tool adapter to the base.

Furthermore, the body306may define a tool receiving bore324extending from the first end310toward the second end312along the longitudinal axis L and a collar portion318disposed proximate the first end310including an outer surface326and at least one wear indicator338disposed on the outer surface326of the collar portion318. For this embodiment, the collar portion has a substantially cylindrical configuration defining an outer circumferential surface340, a circumferential direction C, and a radial direction R and the wear indicator338extends circumferentially and may extend completely circumferentially around the collar, forming a ring.

The wear indicator338may be proud (e.g. a rib) or recessed (e.g. a groove). For this embodiment, one or more of the wear indicators338may be a ring-shaped groove342. A plurality of wear indicators338(e.g. three grooves) may be provided that are spaced along the longitudinal axis L on the outer surface326of the collar portion318. As best seen inFIG. 8, the ring-shaped grooves342include a v-shaped configuration with a sixty degree included angle β centered about the radial direction R in a plane defined by the radial and longitudinal directions R, L318of the collar portion318and define a depth D342of approximately 0.5 mm (+/− 0.1 mm) measured along the radial direction R. The plurality of wear indicators338are spaced from each other by a distance344that is approximately 4 mm (+/− 0.2 mm) measured along the longitudinal axis L318and the wear indicator338disposed nearest the first end310is spaced away from the first end by a distance344′ that is also approximately 4 mm (+/− 0.2 mm). After one or more wear indicators338have been worn away and noticed by the user, the user may replace the tool adapter300′.

In order to slow down the rate of wear, it is contemplated that the body may have a high surface hardness and a high toughness.

The timing or relative positioning of various features in some embodiments may be described as follows. The keyway336is positioned in a diametrically opposite manner to the cross-slot330, the first and second grooves328,328′, and the notch334. So, when the tool adapter300is mated with the key228on the base202, the cross-slot330, the first and second grooves328,328′, and notch334are on the top of the tool adapter300(seeFIG. 3), allowing the user to more easily access these features of the tool adapter with maintenance tools. Regardless of the positioning of the keyway or if such a feature is provided, the first and second grooves may be positioned on the same side of the tool adapter as the cross-slot. Put another way, the first and second grooves may be said to be substantially aligned circumferentially with the cross-slot.

An embodiment of a tool adapter300″ according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with features related to reliability will now be described with reference toFIGS. 6thru9. The tool adapter300″ may comprise a body306including at least one elongated portion308defining a longitudinal axis L, a first end310and a second end312disposed along the longitudinal axis L, a flange314disposed between the first and second ends310,312along the longitudinal axis L, and an exterior surface316extending along the longitudinal axis L. Again, the longitudinal axis L may be defined by or be associated with various portions of the body306as previously described.

The flange314divides the body306into a tool retaining portion320disposed between the first end310and the flange314, and a tool adapter attaching portion322disposed between the second end312and the flange314. The body306defines a tool receiving bore324extending from the first end310toward the second end312along the longitudinal axis L and the tool adapter attaching portion322includes a shank346including a tapered portion348and a non-tapered portion350. The flange314helps to prevent the shank346from entering too deep into the cavity212of the base202(best seen inFIG. 3). That is to say, the tapered portion348and non-tapered portion350are often used to produce a press-fit. If the shank346is pressed in too far, the tool adapter300″ may become stuck or create too much stress in the base302of the cutting tool assembly200.

With continued reference toFIGS. 6thru9, the tapered portion348includes an outer conical portion352with a conical axis L352, and the non-tapered portion350includes an outer cylindrical portion354being disposed immediately adjacent the second end312and the outer conical portion352is disposed between the flange314and the outer cylindrical portion354. The outer cylindrical portion354defines a cylindrical axis L354. Either of the conical or cylindrical axes L352, L354may define the longitudinal axis L or be coincident therewith. The taper angle γ (seeFIG. 9) of the conical portion352may range from 2-7 degrees, and may be approximately 4.5 degrees in some embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the body306may define a separating or clearance groove356separating the outer conical portion352from the outer cylindrical portion354. Also, the outer cylindrical portion352may define an outer cylindrical surface358and at least one flat360extending along the cylindrical axis L354on the outer cylindrical surface358of the outer cylindrical portion354. The body306may define a shank bore362extending from the second end312to the tool receiving bore324being in communication therewith. A plurality of flats are shown to be provided such as eight flats. The size, shape, number and placement of these flats may be varied as needed or desired.

In some embodiments such as the one shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the body306may define a third groove364on the surface326,358of the cylindrical portion354. The third groove364extends from the second end312and a fourth groove366and a fifth groove368also extend longitudinally from the second end312that are in communication with the shank bore362. The fourth and fifth grooves366,368straddle the third groove364along the circumferential direction C.

For the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, the flat360reduces the press fit area, easing assembly and disassembly. For the embodiment shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the arrangement of the third, fourth and fifth grooves364,366,368thins out the wall of the cylindrical portion354, making it more flexible, which also may ease press-fitting. To that end, the depth of these grooves364,366,368extend longitudinally to the clearance groove356or even therewith, thereby thinning out the cylindrical wall as much as desired longitudinally. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, groove364may extend radially completely through the wall of the cylindrical portion, thereby eliminating the need for the fourth and fifth grooves to make the wall of the cylindrical portion suitably pliant.

As best seen inFIG. 9, the shank bore362and the tool receiving bore324may both be substantially cylindrically shaped and be concentric with the longitudinal axis L of the body306of the tool adapter300. For the embodiments shown inFIGS. 6thru10, all the various portions of the body306of the tool adapter306including the collar portion318, the conical portion352, the cylindrical portion354, the tool receiving bore324and the shank bore362are created by revolving the geometry about the longitudinal axis L of the body306. The diameter D362of the shank bore362may be greater than the diameter D324of the tool receiving bore324. This may not be the case for other embodiments.

The arrangement, function, and dimensions of the various features of any embodiment of a tool adapter as discussed herein may be altered as needed or desired.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, a tool adapter, a cutting tool assembly, a rotary cutting tool assembly, an implement assembly or a machine using a tool adapter according to any embodiment described herein may be sold, bought, manufactured or otherwise obtained in an OEM or after-market context.

Thus far, various embodiments have been discussed focusing on particular features associated with certain desirable traits. Focusing now onFIGS. 10 and 11, with reference toFIG. 9, an embodiment of a tool adapter300′″ that incorporates multiple features associated with a plurality of desirable traits will now be described. It is to be understood that the embodiment ofFIGS. 10 and 11is similarly or identically configured to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 6thru9except that the geometry nearest the tail end or second end312of the body306is slightly different.

This embodiment of a tool adapter300′″ may comprise a body306including at least one elongated portion308defining a longitudinal axis L, a first end310and a second end312disposed along the longitudinal axis L, a flange314disposed between the first and second ends310,312along the longitudinal axis L, and an exterior surface316extending along the longitudinal axis L.

The flange314divides the body306into a tool retaining portion320disposed between the first end310and the flange314, and a tool adapter attaching portion322disposed between the second end312and the flange314. The body306also defines a tool receiving bore324extending from the first end310toward the second end312along the longitudinal axis L and a cylindrical collar portion318disposed proximate the first end310including an outer collar surface326,340and at least one wear indicator338disposed on the outer collar surface326,340of the collar portion318. This cylindrical collar portion318defines a circumferential direction C and a radial direction R and the body306defines a first groove328and a second groove328′ disposed adjacent the first end310extending along the longitudinal axis L on the outer collar surface326,340, said first and second grooves328,328′ being spaced away from each other along a direction parallel with the radial direction R and tangential to the circumferential direction C. This distance370may range from 3-8 mm for certain embodiments. For this embodiment, the first and second groove extend along the majority of the longitudinal length of the collar. As a result, these grooves interrupt one or more of the wear indicators. More specifically, the first and second grooves interrupt all three of the ring-shaped grooves, which act as the wear indicators. This arrangement may be different in other embodiments.

The tool adapter attaching portion322includes a shank346having a tapered portion348disposed adjacent the flange314along the longitudinal axis L and a non-tapered portion350disposed adjacent the second end312along the longitudinal axis L. The body306further defines a cross-slot330extending from the exterior surface316to the tool receiving bore324and a clearance groove356disposed between the tapered portion348and non-tapered portion350along the longitudinal axis L. The tapered portion348includes a conical configuration concentric with the longitudinal axis L and the non-tapered portion350includes a cylindrical configuration concentric with the longitudinal axis L. Other configurations for the tapered and non-tapered portions are possible. As best seen inFIG. 9, the tapered portion348with a conical configuration defines a first minimum diameter D348along the longitudinal axis L and the non-tapered portion350defines a first maximum diameter D350that is less than the first minimum diameter D348.

The body further defines a flat360(seeFIG. 7) or third groove364(seeFIGS. 10 and 11) on the non-tapered portion350that extends approximately from the second end312to the clearance groove356, that is to say, the third groove is in communication with the second end312and the clearance groove356. The flat360may measure a distance D360that ranges from 7-9 mm along a direction tangential to the circumferential direction C while the third groove364may measure 7-14 mm along the same direction. As best seen inFIG. 11, fourth and fifth grooves366,368may be provided on either side of the third groove364circumferentially to thin out the wall of the non-tapered portion350of the shank346of the tool adapter300, making that area more flexible or resilient so assembly and disassembly of the tool adapter into a base is eased.

As mentioned previously, the body306inFIG. 10defines at least a first and a second wear indicator338,338′ and the first wear indicator338is disposed between the first end310and the second wear indicator338′. The first wear indicator338is spaced away from the first end310a first distance along the longitudinal axis L and the first wear indicator338is spaced away from the second wear indicator338′ a second distance along the longitudinal axis L and the first and second distances are approximately the same (as previously explained with reference toFIG. 8).

The cross-slot330extends at least partially through the flange314or the area of the flange defining an entrance and the flange314defines a notch334that at least partially surrounds the entrance of the cross-slot330. The flange314defines at least one pry slot372disposed between the flange314and the tool adapter attaching portion322along the longitudinal axis L. For the embodiment shown in the figures, two such pry slots372are provided in a diametrically opposite fashion and these pry slots are out of phase circumferentially with the cross-slot330and the keyway336by ninety degrees. The body of the tool adapters ofFIGS. 6 and 10are symmetrical about a plane374shown inFIG. 7. The features of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 6thru10may be used as follows. The pry slots may have an angled surface (reference numeral372points to this surface inFIG. 6) relative to the longitudinal axis forming an angle (similar to angle α shown inFIG. 9) that is approximately 100 degrees. This allows an implement to be used against this angled surface to dislodge the tool adapter from the base.

If a tool bit wears down or it becomes desirable to change the tool bit for any reason, the first and second grooves or cross-slot may be used to remove the tool bit from the tool adapter. On the other hand, if the tool adapter becomes worn, it may be removed from the base using the pry slots located on the flange of the tool adapter using a prying tool. Water used to remove debris from an implement assembly may cause the tool bit to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tool adapter by entering the cross-slot and impinging on the tool bit. This may promote even wear of the tool bit over the course of its useful life. When installing the tool adapter, the tapered and non-tapered sections may cooperate to aid in assembly and disassembly and preventing the unwanted loosening of the tool adapter to the point where the tool adapter may fall off the base of a cutting tool assembly over time.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may be constructed and function differently than what has been described herein and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an order that is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variations or modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodiments may be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments in order to provide still further embodiments.

Accordingly, it is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention(s) being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.