Variable diameter cutting tool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cutting tool, comprising:
- a tool body defining a central axis and including;
a shank portion; and
a fluted portion having a plurality of teeth disposed about a circumference thereof, each one of the teeth defining a tooth radius;
wherein the teeth are divided into first and second tooth sections, the tooth radius of the teeth in the first tooth section being different than the tooth radius of the teeth in the second tooth section, the respective teeth in each of the first and second tooth sections being formed at substantially equal radii;
at least one tooth in the first tooth section extending as a continuation of a tooth in the second tooth section and having a cutting edge that is non-continuous with a cutting edge of the tooth in the second tooth section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cutting tool includes a tool body having proximal and distal ends and defining a central axis. The tool body includes a shank portion and a fluted portion. The shank portion may be configured to be rotatably engageable to a milling machine. The fluted portion may include a plurality of teeth disposed about a circumference thereof and being formed at a radius relative to the central axis. In one embodiment, the teeth may be divided into first and second tooth sections with the teeth in the second tooth section being formed at a reduced radius relative to the teeth in the first tooth section.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cutting tool, comprising:
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a tool body defining a central axis and including; a shank portion; and a fluted portion having a plurality of teeth disposed about a circumference thereof, each one of the teeth defining a tooth radius; wherein the teeth are divided into first and second tooth sections, the tooth radius of the teeth in the first tooth section being different than the tooth radius of the teeth in the second tooth section, the respective teeth in each of the first and second tooth sections being formed at substantially equal radii; at least one tooth in the first tooth section extending as a continuation of a tooth in the second tooth section and having a cutting edge that is non-continuous with a cutting edge of the tooth in the second tooth section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An end mill, comprising:
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a cylindrical tool body having opposing proximate and distal ends and defining a central axis and including; a shank portion disposed adjacent the proximate end and being configured to be rotatably driven; and a fluted portion disposed adjacent the distal end and having a plurality of teeth disposed about a circumference thereof, the teeth being separated by flutes, each one of the teeth defining a tooth radius as measured from the central axis; wherein the teeth are divided into first and second tooth sections, the tooth radius of the teeth in the first tooth section being different than the tooth radius of the teeth in the second tooth section the respective teeth in each of the first and second tooth sections being formed at substantially equal radii; at least one tooth in the first tooth section extending as a continuation of a tooth in the second tooth section and having a cutting edge that is non-continuous with the cutting edge of the tooth in the second tooth section. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An end mill for minimizing the occurrence of feed marks in a work piece, comprising:
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a cylindrical tool body having opposing proximate and distal ends and defining a central axis and including; a shank portion disposed adjacent the proximate end and being configured to be rotatably driven; and a fluted portion disposed adjacent the distal end and having N number of teeth disposed about a circumference thereof, the teeth being separated by flutes, each one of the teeth defining a tooth radius as measured from the central axis; wherein; the teeth are divided into a pair of diametrically opposed first tooth sections and a pair of diametrically opposed second tooth sections; each one of the first and second tooth sections comprising N/4 of the teeth; the respective teeth in each of the first and second tooth sections being formed at substantially equal radii; the teeth in the second tooth section being formed at a radius that is less than the radius of the teeth in the first tooth section; at least one tooth in the first tooth section extending as a continuation of a tooth in the second tooth section and having a cutting edge that is non-continuous with a cutting edge of the tooth in the second tooth section.
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16. A method of machining a work piece, comprising the steps of:
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providing a cutting tool having a fluted portion, the fluted portion having a plurality of teeth disposed about a circumference thereof, each one of the teeth defining a tooth radius, the teeth being divided into first and second tooth sections, the tooth radius of the teeth in the first tooth section being different than the tooth radius of the teeth in the second tooth section the respective teeth in each of the first and second tooth sections being formed at substantially equal radii; providing the cutting tool such that at least one tooth in the first tooth section extends as a continuation of a tooth in the second tooth section and having a cutting edge that is non-continuous with a cutting edge of the tooth in the second tooth section; rotating the cutting tool; and removing material from the work piece using the teeth during rotation of the cutting tool. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification