Patent ID: 6851758

Claim:
A drilling bit for use in conjunction with a holder having a bore, the drilling bit comprising: a drilling bit body having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end, the drilling bit body farther including a reduced diameter portion adjacent to the axial rearward end thereof defining a reduced diameter surface; a hard insert affixed to the drilling bit body at the axial forward end thereof; a resilient retainer sleeve having a first thickness and presenting an interior surface, and the retainer sleeve being carried by the drilling bit body within the reduced diameter portion; the resilient retainer sleeve being in an expanded condition when the drilling bit is not within the bore of the holder and the resilient retainer sleeve being in a compressed condition when the drilling bit being within the bore of the holder; and the clearance between the reduced diameter surface of the drilling bit body and the interior surface of the resilient retainer sleeve when the resilient retainer sleeve is in its compressed condition being at least as great as the first thickness of the resilient retainer sleeve.