Patent ID: 6935441

Claim:
A drill bit for subterranean drilling, comprising: a bit body including a longitudinal centerline, a leading end having a face for contacting a subterranean formation during drilling, and a trailing end having a structure associated therewith for connecting the bit body to a drill string, the face of the leading end including a bearing surface sized and configured to transfer a range of weight-on-bit from the bit body through the bearing surface to the subterranean formation, wherein the range of weight-on-bit comprises any weight-on-bit which results in the bearing surface contacting the subterranean formation without substantial indentation of the bearing surface thereinto; wherein the bearing surface is structured so that an area of the bearing surface in contact with the subterranean formation remains substantially constant within the range of weight-on-bit; and at least one superabrasive cutter secured to a selected portion of the face of the leading end of the bit body and configured for engaging the subterranean formation during drilling.