Patent ID: 7036890

Claim:
A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata and wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced-apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core, the core breaker comprising: a support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums, and the support containing at least one bore, the bore being defined in part by an axial forward frusto-conical wall, and the bore being further defined by an axial rearward cylindrical wall; the axial rearward cylindrical wall containing a groove therein; an elongate cutting tool adapted to impinge upon the earth strata of the core, and the elongate cutting tool having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end, the cutting tool having a head adjacent to the axial forward end and a shank adjacent to the axial rearward end, and a frusto-conical shoulder mediate of the head and the shank; the shank containing a reduced diameter portion; the cutting tool further including a resilient retainer; and when the cutting tool is retained within the bore, the resilient retainer is received within the groove in the bore and the frusto-conical shoulder of the cutting tool is closely adjacent to the frusto-conical wall of the bore.