Patent ID: 7686106

Claim:
A cutter element for a drill bit, comprising: a base portion; a cutter element axis; a cutting portion extending from the base portion and having a cutting surface with an apex; wherein the cutting surface comprises: at least three ribs angularly spaced apart about the cutter element axis, each rib extending from a first end at the apex to a second end proximal the base portion; at least three continuously contoured concave depressions angularly spaced apart about the cutter element axis, each depression being circumferentially positioned between two of the ribs and axially positioned between the apex and the base portion; and wherein each rib has a continuously contoured convex outer surface extending the entire length of the rib from the first end of the rib to the second end of the rib; and wherein the cutting surface defines an outer periphery in profile view that is continuously arcuate moving lengthwise along the convex outer surface of each rib from the first end of the rib to the second end of the rib.