Patent ID: 7094032

Claim:
A turbine blade having reduced bending stresses at a blade tip region, said turbine blade comprising: an attachment extending generally parallel to an axis and having a plurality of serrations generally parallel with said axis; a neck extending radially outward from said attachment; a platform of generally planar shape extending radially outward from said neck; an airfoil extending radially outward from said platform and having a generally radially extending stacking line; a shroud extending radially outward from said airfoil, said shroud comprising: a first surface fixed to said airfoil opposite said platform; a second surface in spaced relation to and generally parallel to, said first surface; a plurality of radially extending sidewalls, generally perpendicular to, and connecting said first and second surfaces; at least one knife edge extending outward from said second surface, said knife edge extending across said second surface, having a first height, and knife ends at said sidewalls; and, at least one tooth positioned immediately adjacent said at least one knife edge inward of said knife ends and a distance from said stacking line.