Patent ID: 8381844

Claim:
An earth-boring rotary drill bit comprising: a bit body comprising at least one cavity formed in a portion of the bit body, the bit body predominantly comprising a pressed and sintered particle-matrix composite material comprising a plurality of hard particles dispersed throughout a matrix material; an insert having a substantially annular shape and comprising at least one engagement feature formed on an inner surface of the insert, the at least one engagement feature at least partially disposed within the at least one cavity, wherein the insert comprises at least one surface feature protruding from an outer surface of the insert toward a cylindrical inner wall of the bit body to provide a gap having a predefined thickness between the insert and the bit body; a bonding material bonding the outer surface of the insert to the bit body; and a shank assembly comprising at least one engagement feature engaged with the at least one engagement feature of the insert, mechanical interference between the at least one engagement feature of the insert and the at least one engagement feature of the shank assembly at least partially securing the shank assembly to the bit body.