Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ROTARY CUTTING MACHINE WITH REPLACEABLE
CUTTING TEETH
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a rotary
cutting machine, for example a brush mower or cutter, a
stump grinder, a shredder or grinder and the like, having
replaceable cutting teeth engaged about a rotating element
such as a disk, drum, shaft or the like.
BACKGROUND
[0002]Rotary cutting machines, particularly relatively large
ones, are used in various applications which include, but
are not limited to, felling trees and other natural plant
growth in the forestry industry, clearing brush, grinding
tree stumps, cutting rock and/or earth in the mining and
construction industries, cutting up items such as used
tires and other man-made products in various industrial
applications, and shredding or grinding all manner of
materials, both natural and man-made, such as wood, waste,
plastic, metals, rubber, etc. Relatively smaller rotary
cutting machines, such as small circular saws for example,
are further used in countless other smaller-scale
applications, from home renovation to commercial
applications, such as construction, forestry and. the like.
Depending on the type of circular saw, the central disk of
the saw either rotates (for the smaller circular saws) or
remains rotationally fixed but has teeth on linked holders
which rotate about the periphery of the saw disk, much as
per chain saws.
[0003] For rotating cutting machines which are used as brush
cutters or brush mowers (i.e. for clearing relatively small
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trees, bushes, brush, etc.), a rotating cylindrical drum
has several rows of cutting teeth disposed longitudinally
along the drum at circumferentially spaced apart intervals.
Such rotating drums are typically mounted to the end of a
boom or articulated arm, such as to permit the manipulation
of the rotating brush mower.
[0004] Regardless of the type of rotating cutting machine, a
plurality of cutting teeth rotate, whether independently
about the periphery of the rotationally-stationary
disk/drum/shaft, or together with the rotating
disk/drum/shaft when fixed thereto, in order to cut into
the workpiece material to be cut.
[0005] Particularly with known saw teeth used on large
circular saws, such as those used for felling trees or
cutting through large volumes of man-made materials, and on
large scale brush mowers, each saw tooth may be removable
from its associated holder (mounted to the disk or drum)
such that it is replaceable. Each of these saw teeth can
include several separate cutting edges thereon. Thus, when
one cutting edge wears or becomes damaged and thus
unsuitable for cutting, i.e. optimum cutting, the tooth in
question can be removed from the holder and replaced back
in place thereon with a different cutting edge in position
for contacting the workpiece. Once all the cutting edges
on any saw tooth have been used, the tooth can be removed
from the holder and either replaced with a new tooth or
repaired and/or sharpened and replaced back in position.
[0006] Some such removable saw teeth and their associated
holders are described in the following U.S. Patents:
5,205,199 issued on April 27, 1993, 5,303,752
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issued on April 19, 1994, 5,307,719 issued on May 3, 1994
and 5,664,965 issued on July 8, 1997, all to Charles D.
MacLennan. Typically, such saw teeth include up to four
cutting edges on a front face of the tooth, and have a flat
rear face, opposite said front face, which abuts with a
corresponding surface on the holder against which the tooth
is fastened in engagement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007]It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved rotary cutting machine having replaceable cutting
teeth.
[0008] Therefore, in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a rotary cutting machine
comprising: a cylindrical element rotatable about a
longitudinal axis of said cylindrical element; a plurality
of cutting teeth mounted to said cylindrical element, each
of said cutting teeth being removably fastened to said
cylindrical element; and each of said cutting teeth having
opposed first and second cutting faces each of which at
least partially defines more than two cutting edges, said
cutting teeth being reversible such as to dispose a
selected one of said first and second cutting faces in an
operable cutting position when mounted to said cylindrical
element.
[0009]In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a rotary cutting machine
comprising: a circular rotating element having a transverse
axis of rotation and being mounted to the rotary cutting
machine for rotation about the axis of rotation; a
plurality of cutting teeth mounted to the circular rotating
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element at spaced apart locations about its circumferential
periphery, the cutting teeth being reversible and removably
fastened to the circular rotating element such that at
least one cutting edge on each cutting tooth is disposed in
an operable cutting position; and wherein each of said
cutting teeth includes opposed first and second cutting
faces spaced apart by lateral surfaces extending
therebetween, each of said first and second cutting faces
defining at least four of said cutting edges thereon, such
that said cutting teeth are selectively mountable on said
circular rotating element in any one of at least eight
different positions, each of said positions providing a
different one of said cutting edges in said operable
cutting position.
[0010]In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a brush mower head adapted to
be carried by an articulated arm, the brush mower head
comprising: a body adapted to be mounted to said
articulated arm for displacement over ground to be cleared;
a cylindrical drum mounted for rotation in a casing of said
body about an axis of rotation of the drum, the cylindrical
drum being, when the brush mower head is in use, exposed to
the ground such that the axis of rotation is generally
parallel thereto; a plurality of cutting teeth fastened to
an outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical drum,
and each of said cutting teeth being removably mounted to
the cylindrical drum in a position operable for cutting
when the cylindrical drum is rotated in a direction of
rotation about said axis of rotation; and said cutting
teeth each including opposed first and second cutting faces
spaced apart by lateral surfaces extending therebetween,
each of said first and second cutting faces defining at
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least four cutting edges thereon, such that said cutting
teeth are selectively mountable on said cylindrical drum in
any one of at least eight different positions, each of said
positions providing a different one of said cutting edges
in said position operable for cutting.
[0010.1] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a rotary cutting machine
comprising: a cylindrical element rotatable about a rotation axis
of said cylindrical element; a plurality of cutting teeth mounted to
said cylindrical element, each of said cutting teeth being removably
fastened to said cylindrical element; and each of said cutting teeth
having opposed first and second cutting faces respectively disposed
on oppositely facing front and rear sides of the tooth, the
first and second cutting faces being spaced apart along a
central tooth axis extending between the first and second
cutting faces on the front and rear sides, each of said
first and second cutting faces at least partially defines
more than two cutting edges, said cutting teeth being
reversible by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis
transverse to the central tooth axis to dispose a selected
one of said first and second cutting faces in an operable
cutting position when mounted to said cylindrical element.
[0010.2] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a rotary cutting machine
comprising: a circular rotating element having a transverse
axis of rotation and being mounted to the rotary cutting
machine for rotation about the axis of rotation; a
plurality of cutting teeth mounted to the circular rotating
element at spaced apart locations about its circumferential
periphery, the cutting teeth being removably fastened to
the circular rotating element such that at least one
cutting edge on each cutting tooth is disposed in an
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operable cutting position; and wherein each of said cutting
teeth includes opposed first and second cutting faces
respectively disposed on oppositely facing front and rear
sides of the tooth, the first and second cutting faces
being spaced apart along a central tooth axis extending
between the first and second cutting faces which have
lateral surfaces extending therebetween, each of said first
and second cutting faces defining at least four of said
cutting edges thereon, said cutting teeth being reversible
by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis which is
transverse to the central tooth axis, whereby the cutting
teeth are selectively mountable on said circular rotating
element in any one of at least eight different positions,
each of said positions providing a different one of said
cutting edges in said operable cutting position.
[0010.3] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a brush mower head adapted to
be carried by an articulated arm, the brush mower head
comprising: a body adapted to be mounted to said
articulated arm for displacement over ground to be cleared;
a cylindrical drum mounted for rotation in a casing of said
body about an axis of rotation of the drum, the cylindrical
drum being, when the brush mower head is in use, exposed to
the ground such that the axis of rotation is generally
parallel thereto; a plurality of cutting teeth fastened to
an outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical drum,
and each of said cutting teeth being removably mounted to
the cylindrical drum in a position operable for cutting
when the cylindrical drum is rotated in a direction of
rotation about said axis of rotation; and said cutting
teeth each including opposed first and second cutting faces
spaced apart by lateral surfaces extending therebetween,
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each of said first and second cutting faces defining at
least four cutting edges thereon, such that said cutting
teeth are selectively mountable on said cylindrical drum in
any one of at least eight different positions, each of said
positions providing a different one of said cutting edges
in said position operable for cutting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Further features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, taken in combination with the appended
drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly
in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;
[0013] Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the saw tooth
assembly of Fig. 1, shown mounted on a disk of a rotary
cutting machine;
[0014] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a saw tooth of the saw
tooth assembly of Fig. 1;
[0015] Fig. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the saw tooth of
Fig. 3, taken through line 4-4 thereof;
[0016] Fig. 4b is a front elevation view of an alternate
embodiment of the saw tooth of Fig. 3;
[0017] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an adapter of the saw
tooth assembly of Fig. 1;
[0018] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly
in accordance with another aspect of the present invention;
[0019] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a saw tooth of the saw
tooth assembly of Fig. 6;
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[0020] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the saw tooth of
Fig. 7, taken through line 8-8 thereof;
[0021] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an adapter of the saw
tooth assembly of Fig. 6;
[0022] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a saw tooth in
accordance with another aspect of the present invention;
[0023] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an adapted for use
with the saw tooth of Fig. 10;
[0024] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a saw tooth in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] Fig. 12A is a side elevation view of a variant of the
saw tooth of Fig. 12;
[0026] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a saw tooth in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a saw tooth in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] Fig. 15 is a front elevation view of a saw tooth in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] Fig. 16 is a front elevation view of a saw tooth in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
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[0030] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031]Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] Fig. 19 is a partially sectioned, side elevation view
of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a saw tooth in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034]Fig. 20A is a cross-sectional view of the saw tooth of
Fig. 20;
[0035] Fig. 21 is a side elevation view of a saw tooth
assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the
present invention;
[0036]Fig. 22 is a partially exploded side elevation view of
a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] Fig. 23 is a side elevation view of a saw tooth
assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038]Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
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[0039] Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly
in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly
in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] Fig. 27 is a plan view of a saw disk for a rotary
cutting machine, having saw tooth assemblies thereon in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention;
[0042]Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0043] Fig. 29 is a partially sectioned, side elevation view
of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] Fig. 30 is a partially sectioned, side elevation view
of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] Fig. 31 is a partially sectioned, side elevation view
of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] Fig. 32 is a perspective view of a saw tooth of the
saw tooth assembly of Fig. 31;
[0047]Fig. 33 is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
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[0048] Fig. 34 is a side elevation view of a saw tooth
assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the
present invention;
[0049]Fig. 35 is a perspective view of a brush mower head in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention, having
a rotating drum with a plurality of reversible cutting
teeth of the present invention;
[0050] Fig. 36 is a partially sectioned side view of the
brush mower head of Fig. 35;
[0051]Fig. 37 is a lower perspective view of the brush mower
head of Fig. 35;
[0052] Fig. 38 is a schematic side view of a stump grinder,
having a rotating cutting disk with a plurality of cutting
teeth in accordance with the present invention;
[0053]Fig. 39A is a schematic, partially sectioned side view
of a shredder having a rotating drum with a plurality of
reversible cutting teeth of the present invention mounted
thereon; and
[0054]Fig. 39B is a perspective view of the rotating drum of
the shredder of Fig. 39A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0055]The term "saw tooth" is used herein to refer to a
cutting implement or tooth for use, in at least one
embodiment, in a rotary cutting machine for which
replaceable saw teeth may be provided, such as a circular
saw having a saw disk with such replaceable saw teeth
mounted about the periphery thereof, either fixed directly
thereto or through a holder. However, a cutting tooth in
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accordance with the present invention may be used in any
cutting machine for which replaceable cutting teeth may be
desired, and which can be used to cut any number of
materials and/or products. Such a rotating cutting machine
also includes brush mowers of the type having a rotating
drum upon which a number of cutting teeth are fixed, and
which are used to clear bushes, brush, and smaller trees,
for example.
[0056] Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to
5, a saw tooth assembly 11 which is adapted, in at least
one application of the present invention, to be mounted
about the periphery of a circular saw disk 15 (see Fig. 2)
of a rotary cutting machine, the saw tooth assembly 11
generally comprises at least a saw tooth holder 12 and a
replaceable saw tooth 10 removably mounted thereto.
Additionally, in at least one embodiment the saw tooth
assembly 14 also includes an adapter 14 for mounting the
tooth 10 to the holder portion 12. The saw tooth holder 12
includes a main body portion 16 and a pair of parallel
plate-like legs 18 depending from opposite sides of the
body portion 16 to define a slot 20 therebetween. It is to
be understood, however, that only a single such plate-like
leg 18 may also be used. The slot 20 is adapted for
receiving a peripheral edge of the saw disk 15 therein. At
least one of the depending legs 18 includes at least one
transverse hole 22 therethrough which corresponds to at
least one aligned hole formed in the saw disk, such that a
fastening element (such as a bolt or rivet, for example)
can be disposed through the transverse hole 22 and the
corresponding aligned hole in the saw disk in order to
fasten the saw tooth holder thereto. In the embodiment
depicted, two transverse holes 22 are provided through each
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of the depending legs 18 of the saw tooth holder 12. While
this means of attaching the saw tooth holder 12 to a saw
disk or other rotating element of the cutting machine is
described, it is to be understood that other attachment
means, either permanent or removable, may be employed in
order to fasten such a saw tooth holder 12 to the necessary
components of the cutting machine for operation thereof.
In particular, a holder having only one pair of plate-like
legs 18 may be used, or conversely, having more than two
pairs of plate-like legs 18. The holder may also be
permanently fixed to, or alternately integrated into, the
saw disk. Further, in accordance with another embodiment,
the saw disk may be fashioned so as to have a holder-like
structure made or cut therein so as to directly, removably
attach a saw tooth there on, as shown in Fig. 27 for
example.
[0057]The replaceable saw teeth and the saw tooth assemblies
of the present invention as described herein are generally
intended, in one embodiment, for use in a rotary cutting
machine, such as a circular saw, particularly one used for
cutting trees in a feller/buncher employed in the forestry
industry. However, it is to be understood that the saw
teeth and the saw tooth assemblies of the present invention
may be employed in any other rotary cutting machines,
whether used for cutting wood products or other items.
Such rotary cutting machines may include, but are not
limited to, feller/bunchers, large-scale and small-scale
circular saws, chainsaws, and the like.
[0058] The saw tooth 10 is removably fastened to the saw
tooth holder 12, and is thus replaceable when dulled, (e.g.
completely dulled) and/or damaged, with a replacement saw
tooth, either the same as the one being removed or having
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an alternate configuration, such as for example one of the
other embodiments described herein. The saw tooth 10
includes at least more than four cutting edges,
particularly having more than two cutting edges defined at
least partially by two opposed faces of the saw tooth such
that the tooth is reversible in order to expose anyone of
the at least two cutting edges defined on each of the
opposed faces of the saw tooth. In one embodiment, the saw
tooth 10 includes four cutting edges defined on and/or by a
first face thereof and four additional cutting edges
defined on and/or by an opposed second face, and thus
having a total of eight cutting edges. This permits each
saw tooth 10 to be rotated, such as in 90 degree
increments, about a central axis (longitudinally extending
between opposed cutting faces) thereof in order to position
any one of the four cutting edges on the first face in an
operable cutting position relative to the tooth holder.
Subsequently for example, once all four first such cutting
edges have been dulled and/or damaged, or as required or
desired, the saw tooth is reversible by 180 about a
transverse axis, i.e. from front to back, in order to
expose the opposed second cutting face which itself defines
four more cutting edges. The 90 degree incremental
rotation, i.e. about a central longitudinal axis 42 (see
Figs. 3-4b) , may then begin such that any one of the four
cutting edges on the second face may be placed in an
operable cutting position. As may be understood, the
expression `operable cutting position' may describe the
position of a reversible tooth wherein one or alternatively
two of the cutting edges are to be employed in the cutting
action of the tooth. The saw tooth 10 will be described in
further detail below.
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[0059] Referring to Figs. 1-2, the saw tooth 10 may be
mounted either directly to the saw tooth holder 12, or may
be mounted thereto using an adapter 14 intermediately
mounted, i.e. disposed, therebetween. The adapter 14 will
be described in greater detail below, however in a
particular embodiment, the adapter 14 generally includes a
rear substantially planar face 46, which is adapted to abut
a corresponding surface 24 of the saw tooth holder 12, and
an opposed front face 48, which is configured to correspond
to the first and second cutting faces 26,28 of the saw
tooth 10 such that mating contact therebetween is possible.
Accordingly, the adapter 14 permits the saw tooth 10 having
cutting faces on two sides thereof to be mounted against at
least one planar surface 24 of the saw tooth holder 12. In
accordance with a particular embodiment, adapter 14 permits
a saw tooth 10 having cutting faces on two sides thereof to
be flush mounted against at least one planar surface 24 of
the saw tooth holder 12.
[0060]However, in a further embodiment, such an adapter 14
may be eliminated, providing that the saw tooth holder 12
is so configured such as to be able to permit the saw tooth
having opposed cutting faces 26,28 to be mounted, i.e.
securely mounted, thereagainst. For example, the saw tooth
holder 12 may be configured with a surface which
corresponds to, and mates with, the cutting faces of the
saw tooth 10, as depicted in Figs. 17 and 18 showing the
holders 112 and 212. In other words, the shape and
configuration of the adapter 14 (particularly that of the
outer face 48 thereof) maybe be integrally formed into the
surface 24 of the saw tooth holder 12. Alternatively, an
adapter 14 may be affixed to, i.e. permanently affixed, the
saw tooth holder 12 in order to achieve substantially the
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same effect as having a holder integrally formed into
surface 24 of the saw tooth holder 12. Although providing
both the corresponding surface on the saw tooth holder and
the rear face of the adapter 14 with substantially flat
planar surfaces for secure abutment therebetween is
depicted, other mating surface configurations remain
possible, providing abutment, i.e. secure abutment, between
the two surfaces is maintained. For example, mating
concave and convex surfaces between the saw tooth holder 12
and the adapter 14 are possible, thus helping to locate and
secure the adapter in place on the saw tooth holder. The
use of a key and corresponding groove in surfaces 24 and 46
may also be use.
[0061] A bolt 13 or other suitable fastening element may be
used to removably fasten both the saw tooth 10 and the
adapter 14 to the saw tooth holder 12. As may be
understood, if an adapter 14 is integrally formed with or
subsequently affixed to tooth holder 12, bolt 13 may only
removably secure saw tooth 10 to saw tooth holder 12. The
holder 12 and the adapter 14 are each provided with an
aperture therein, within which the bolt 13 is receivable
for removably fastening the saw tooth (as well as the
adapter if present) to the holder. Although the aperture
38 as depicted is a through-bore, it is to be understood
that two opposed apertures, one defined in each of the
cutting faces of the tooth, may be used without requiring
that these apertures extend fully through the body of the
tooth. As described in further detail below, saw tooth 10
may also include an aperture therethrough, in alignment
with the corresponding apertures through the holder 12 and
the adapter 14. The aperture within at least the saw tooth
may include an internal thread for engagement with the
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threaded bolt 13, such that tightening of the head of the
bolt 13 acts to draw and/or force the saw tooth 10 securely
against the tooth holder for fastening the tooth in place
thereon. As may be understood, one or both of the holder 12
and the adapter 14 may also be provided with an internal
thread. Alternately, neither the holder, adapter or saw
tooth may have such an internal thread therewithin. In
this case, the bolt or other fastening element, may fasten
these elements together using an additional nut threadably
engaged to with the bolt 13. For example, either the bolt
head or the nut may be so configured to correspond to the
shape of the cutting faces, such that it is abutted
thereagainst without unduly protruding therefrom so as not
to obstruct or otherwise reduce the effectiveness of the
cutting edges. In Fig. 1, the bolt 13 extends through the
tooth, adapter and holder, with the head of the bolt being
proximate to the saw tooth, i.e. the bolt is inserted from
the front of the cutting face of the tooth rearwardly
towards the holder. When this embodiment is used, however,
it is to be understood that the head of the bolt must not
interfere with the cutting faces and/or edges on the
exposed cutting face of the saw tooth and also must permit
the cut chips/shavings to be able to exit the cutting face.
Thus, in one embodiment (not shown) the head of the bolt is
of the type which is chamfered such that once fully
tightened it lies flush with the surrounding surface. In
the embodiment of Fig. 2, however, the bolt is mounted and
introduced in the opposite manner, such that once installed
the bolt head is proximate the rear surface of the holder.
It is understood that either mounting configuration of the
fastener (bolt or otherwise) may be used.
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[0062] Further, all of the saw tooth assemblies described
herein may includes a fastener, such as the bolt 13, either
alone or in combination with a sleeve with which the bold
can mate. The sleeve may be internally threaded, such as
to act like a nut which threadably mates with the bolt 13,
and in instructed into the aligned bores of each of the
components of the assembly from an opposite end to the head
of the bolt. Thus, when such an internally threaded sleeve
is used, the bores through the center of the saw tooth, the
adapter and/or the saw tooth holder may be smooth and thus
not threaded. A second back sleeve may also be used at the
end of the holder through which the bolt is inserted, and
through which the bolt extends.
[0063] Referring now to the saw tooth 10 in greater detail as
depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, the tooth 10 includes at least a
first cutting face 26, a second cutting face 28 opposite
the first cutting face, and a number of side faces, for
example, four main side faces 30 which extend between, and
space apart, the first and second cutting faces 26, 28.
Additional intermediate side faces 32 may extend between
the first and second cutting faces 26,28 and may be
disposed between adjacent major side faces 30.
Alternatively, fewer than four side faces 32 may be used,
for example, three side faces. Each of the first and second
cutting faces 26, 28 may define four individual cutting
edges 34 (i.e. four cutting edges 34 on the first cutting
face 26 and four cutting edges 34 on the second cutting
face 28), which are disposed about the perimeter of each of
the cutting faces 26, 28, and which may be equally spaced
thereabout in the embodiment shown. The four cutting edges
34 of each of the first and second cutting faces 26, 28 are
more precisely defined at the intersection of inner
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surfaces 36 of the cutting faces and the side faces 30, 32
of the saw tooth. In the embodiment shown, the actual
cutting edges 34 are defined specifically at the
intersection of the intermediate side faces 32 and the
inner surfaces 36 of each of the first and second cutting
faces 26, 28. Alternatively, if no intermediate side 32 is
provided, the cutting edges 34 may be defined at the
intersection of the inner surfaces 36 of the cutting faces
26, 28 and of two adjacent side faces 30. In such an
embodiment, the cutting edges, i.e. cutting surfaces, 34
may be disposed so as to finish at a point, i.e. a peak, or
alternatively the cutting edge 34 may be truncated, similar
to that shown in Figure 3. In any of the possible
embodiments, the cutting edge may also extend downwardly
along the intersection edge 37 between the inner surfaces
36 and each of the side faces 30.
[0064]The remaining angled intersection edge 37 defined at
the intersection of each of the side faces 30 and the inner
surfaces 36 of the cutting faces 26 and 28 may act as a
raking edge. Thus, as may be understood, most of the
cutting action of the saw tooth 10 into the material to be
cut, such as wood for example, may occur mainly or
principally at the cutting edges 34, such as those in the
embodiment depicted, disposed at the outermost tips of each
of the four triangular prisms or projections which in part
define each of the first and second cutting faces, in the
illustrated embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4. While the
outermost tips provide a majority of the cutting action,
the inner cutting tips also help maintain a satisfactory
width of the kerf produced in the material being cut. This
is described in further detail in US Patent 5,481,952
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issued January 9, 1996.
[0065] As may be understood, alternative embodiments,
configurations and shapes of the cutting faces 26, 28 are
contemplated. For example, the four prisms, triangular or
otherwise, may have a flat surface or may have a curved
surface, for example a concave surface, or an inverted
toroidal surface. Further, one or more of said prisms may
have a different configuration from the others. Each of the
first and second cutting faces 26, 28 are identical in the
embodiment depicted. However providing that the adapter 14
(or the holder 12 in the case when no adapter is employed)
is capable of adequately mating with both of the first and
second cutting faces 26,28 these may differ in shape,
configuration and/or cutting edge location. Additionally,
the adapter 14 may have its two opposed faces, i.e. front
and back, which are not identical, such that one face of
adapter 14 may mate with one face 26, while the other face
of adapter 14 may mate with the other face 28. Further,
each of the major side faces 30 defines a plane which may
be perpendicular to the plane of the next adjacent side
face 30, and has a perimeter thereabout in each such plane
which may form a planar shape. This planar shape, for the
cutting tooth 10 depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, defines an
angular hourglass-like shape. Regardless of the particular
planar shape so formed, it may be identical for each of the
side faces 30. Thus, each of the side faces 30 may be of
similar dimensions, such that the saw tooth 10 may define a
substantially square cross-sectional area taken through a
plane 41 transversally extending through the tooth 10
between the spaced apart first and second cutting faces 26,
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28. The plane 41 may be perpendicular to the central axis
42 extending through the saw tooth 10.
[0066] As illustrated in Figs. 3, 4a and 4b, first cutting
face 26 may further comprise bottom surfaces 31 which are
disposed intermediate the aperture 38 and the triangular
prisms 44 disposed at each corner of the cutting tooth. As
shown, the bottom surfaces are concave, however it is
understood that they may be flat, i.e. substantially devoid
of curvature. Further, said bottom surfaces 31 may be
inclined, i.e. their outermost edge may be higher than
their innermost edge or alternatively, both outer and inner
edges may be at the same level, with an intermediate point
being lower than either of the outer or inner edge. In
addition to bottom surfaces 31, first cutting face 26 may
also comprise further interior surfaces 33, which interior
surfaces 33 are illustrated as being bound by two adjacent
bottom surfaces 31 and aperture 38. Said bottom surfaces 33
may be flat, i.e. substantially devoid of curvature,
concave or otherwise. However it is understood that they
may be curved, i.e. concave. Further, said bottom surfaces
31 may be inclined, i.e. their outermost edge may be higher
than their innermost edge or alternatively, both outer and
inner edges may be at the same level.
[0067] Central aperture 38 extends, in the embodiment shown,
completely through the saw tooth 10 between the first and
second cutting faces 26,28. The aperture 38 is provided
with an internal thread therein, such that the bolt 13 (see
Fig. 2) is threadably engageable therewith to removably
fasten the saw tooth 10 in place on the holder 12. The
aperture 38 has a central longitudinal axis 40 extending
therethrough which is coaxial with the central axis 42 of
the saw tooth 10. Alternatively, aperture 38 may be
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replaced by two apertures disposed respectively through
each of face 26 and 28, wherein each of said apertures is
not in communication with the other. In an alternative
embodiment, the saw tooth 10 may be provided with an
aperture which is not threaded, i.e. for example, it may
have a smooth inner wall. In such an embodiment, the bolt
13 may be sized and configured so as to releasably engage a
nut which will cause the tooth 10 (and adapter 14, if
needed) to be held to the holder 12. When the saw tooth 10
is in use, this nut may be disposed in threaded engagement
with the bolt on the cutting face (either 26 or 28)
disposed in an operable cutting position, as shown in Fig.
1 for example.
[0068] According to a particular embodiment, each of the side
faces 30 and 32 of the saw tooth may be substantially
parallel to the central tooth axis 42. In this manner the
tooth is not tapered relative to the central axis 42, i.e.
there is no taper of the side faces 30 and 32 from one
cutting face 26 to the other cutting face 28 or vice versa.
The saw tooth 10 may further be symmetric about two
perpendicular planes of symmetry which intersect along this
central axis 42, said two planes being both normal to the
transverse plane 41. Further, when rotated about the
central axis 42 in increments of about 90 degrees, the saw
tooth 10 may remain symmetric about the transverse plane 41
as well as both the aforementioned two perpendicular
planes. Alternatively, the tooth may be tapered relative
to the central axis 42, i.e. there may be a taper of all or
some of the side faces 30 and 32 from one cutting face 26
to the other cutting face 28 or vice versa. Further, the
side faces 30 and 32 may taper inwardly in both directions
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towards the central plane 41, such that the side surfaces
of the tooth form a V-shaped configuration.
[0069] The saw tooth 10 is rotatable about the central axis
42 in order to selectively position one of the cutting
edges 34 in an operable cutting position when the tooth 10
is mounted on the saw tooth holder 12. Thus, once one
cutting edge is (substantially) worn and/or damaged, or as
required or desired, the tooth 10 can be rotated in
increments of 90 (i.e. 90 , 180 , or 270 relative to a
starting point) about the central axis 42 in order to
position any one of the other three cutting edges 34 of the
respective cutting face in the operable cutting position.
In the embodiment depicted, this would entail loosening the
bolt 13 sufficiently to permit the tooth 10 to be
substantially removed from engagement therewith, such that
it can be rotated as described. However, it remains
possible that the tooth can be rotated in place on the
holder 12, once the bolt, fastening element or other
retaining means is sufficiently loosened to permit rotation
of the tooth in place on the holder (i.e. without having to
completely disengage the tooth from contact with the
holder). This however requires that the tooth can be
adequately re-fastened in place on the holder in a secure
and well supported configuration for cutting operation.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, those cutting edges 34 disposed
furthest away from the saw tooth holder 12, and therefore
from the center of the saw disk to which the holder may be
mounted, are those which are located in an operable cutting
position. Generally, one of these two outside cutting
edges performs the majority of the cutting action, and thus
it is this one cutting edge which is said to be in the
operative cutting position.
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[0070] The four major side faces 30 may include a first pair
of faces which are parallel to each other, spacing apart a
second pair of faces which are parallel to each other, all
of which are parallel to the central longitudinal axis 42
of the tooth. In at least one embodiment, such as the saw
tooth 10 in Fig. 3, the first and second pairs are parallel
to each other, and thus each side face of the first pair of
faces meets the side faces of the second pair of faces at
substantially a right angle. However, in an alternate
embodiment, the saw tooth 110, as depicted in Fig. 4b, may
be provided with a slightly skewed offset, such that a
first pair 17 of side faces 30 and a second pair 19 of side
faces 30 are not parallel to each other, and thus each side
face does not meet the next adjacent side face at right
angles. (Regardless, these side faces remain parallel to
the central axis 42 of the tooth.) In other words, the saw
tooth 110 of Fig. 4b defines a transverse cross-sectional
shape which is a. rhombus-like (with or without chamfered
corners), rather than substantial square as per the saw
tooth 10. The saw tooth 110, said to be "offset", thus has
one of the two pairs of side faces (for example the pair of
faces 19 in Fig. 4b) which is angled relatively to a plane
21 (i.e. faces 19 are not parallel with plane 21) which
plane 21 is normal to the other of the two pairs of faces
(i.e. the pair of faces 17), while remaining parallel to
the central axis 42 (extending into the page in Fig. 4b).
Thus, the relative angle between each adjacent side face 30
is one of 90 a, where a is an angle greater than about 0
and less than or equal to about 5 degrees, for example
89.1 /90.9 (where a is 0.1) , 88 /92 (where a is 2 ) or
85 /95 (where a is 5 ). In accordance with a further
embodiment, a is between about greater than 0 and less than
or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with yet a further
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embodiment, a is between about greater than 0 and less than
or equal to 25 degrees. The saw tooth on each next adjacent
holder about the periphery of the saw disk 15 of the
cutting machine may thus be alternately or randomly angled
about opposite sides of a plane within which the disk lies,
such that the cutting edges are staggered. A tooth in a
first holder may be positioned such that the offset angle
extends the cutting edge toward one side of the disk, and a
tooth in the next adjacent holder about the periphery of
the disk may be positioned such that the offset angle
extends its cutting edge towards the other side of the
disk, and so on This may hereby create a staggered cross-
cut effect on the work piece being cut. Alternatively,
however, the cutting edges may not be staggered or
alternated, and in a further embodiment, there may be no
pattern to the staggering of the tooth 10.
[0071] Referring back to Figs. 3 and 4a, the raking edges 37
of the saw tooth 10 are substantially rectilinear between,
at one end, the point at which adjacent raking edges 37
intersect (for example, at the midpoint of each cutting
face perimeter edge), and at an opposite end, the
intersection point between the raking edges 37 and each
adjacent cutting edge 34. The first and second cutting
faces 26,28 are recessed, creating recessed center portions
thereof generally defining inner surfaces 36 thereon, and
outwardly extending triangular prisms 44 at each corner of
the tooth's cutting faces.
[0072] In use, once all four cutting edges 34 on a first one
of the first and second cutting faces 26,28 have been
dulled and/or damaged, or as required or desired, the tooth
can subsequently be unfastened completely from
interconnection with the tooth holder 12 and reversed (such
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as by being rotated 180 degrees about reversing axis 29 in
Fig. 2, or from front to back) in order to dispose the
other one of the cutting faces 26,28 in an outward or
exposed position relative to the tooth holder 12, thereby
providing four new cutting edges 34 for use. Therefore,
regardless of which of the two opposed first and second
cutting faces 26,28 is used, the tooth is releasably
fastenable to the tooth holder 12 in substantially the same
location thereon.
[0073]As best seen in Fig. 2, the saw tooth 10 is mounted on
the holder 12 within an opening defined therein between
substantially perpendicular surfaces 24 and 25 which create
a seat within the body of the tooth holder within which the
tooth 10 is received for secure fastening to the holder.
While these seats 24,25 on the holder 12 are disposed in
two perpendicular planes, these may each be respectively
inclined relative to a radial and tangential axis of the
circular saw disk 15, which may in a particular embodiment
correspond to the radial and tangential axis of the holder
12 when in use. This may thus create a slight forward kerf
clearance for the cutting edges 34 of the tooth. This
forward clearance attack angle is represented by angle 0 in
Fig. 2. This attack angle may be, in at least one
embodiment, only several degrees (for example from about 0
to less than or equal to about 5 in one embodiment and
about 2 in the embodiment depicted). Alternatively, this
angle may be less than or equal to about 10 . In a further
alternative, this angle may be less than or equal to about
25 . When the angle 0 is made to be 0 , no attack angle
(at least relative to the tangential axis of the saw disk
15) is provided. However, in either case (i.e. angle 0 is
equal to zero or is greater than zero) a kerf clearance may
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also be provided by forming the tooth and/or the holder
with a suitable angle on at least one face thereof (such as
the radially outermost faces in Fig. 2 for example), thus
effectively creating a clearance attack angle without
having to actually angle the tooth (i.e. the central axis
42 thereof) relative to the holder and/or the tangential
axis of the saw disk.
[0074] Referring now to Fig. 5, the adapter 14 which, in one
embodiment of the present invention, may be used in order
to mount the saw tooth 10 to the saw tooth holder 12, is
intermediately disposed therebetween when the saw tooth is
fastened in place on the holder 12 as depicted in Figs. 1
and 2. The adapter 14 may include a substantially planar
rear face 46 which may abut the rear planar surface 24 of
the tooth holder 12 when the adapter is mounted thereon,
and has a front face 48 which may be configured to
substantially correspond to one or both of the cutting
faces 26 and 28 of the saw tooth 10 such that the
protruding front face 48 of the adapter 14 can mate within
the generally recessed inner surfaces 36 of the cutting
faces 26,28 of the saw tooth for mating abutment therewith.
Thus, when the adapter 14 and saw tooth 10 are mated
together, at least two perpendicularly oriented flat faces
may be provided on the subassembly of the tooth-and-adapter
(namely, one of the side faces 30 and the planar rear face
46 of the adapter 14) for respective abutment against the
perpendicular surfaces 25 and 24 defining the saw tooth
receiving opening in the holder 12. When so positioned,
the bolt 13 or alternate fastening means can then be used
to releasably secure the adapter 14 and the saw tooth 10 to
the holder 12. In order to permit this, a central aperture
50 extends through the adapter 14, in alignment with the
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aperture 38 defined in the saw tooth 10 and the aperture
extending through the holder 12. Alternatively, as depicted
in Fig. 22 for example, the tooth-and-adapter subassembly
may be releasably affixed together, independently of the
bolt 13, and subsequent to said attachment, the tooth-and-
adapter subassembly may then be releasably affixed ( i.e.
attached) to the holder 12. In yet a further alternative,
the adapter 14 may first be releasably affixed to the
holder 12, following which the saw tooth 10 may be
releasbly affixed to the holder-adapter subassembly.
Referring now to the saw tooth assembly 211 depicted in
Figs. 6 to 9, the saw tooth assembly 211 comprises a saw
tooth holder 12, as described above with reference to the
embodiment of Figs. 1 to 2, to which is releasably
mountable a saw tooth 210, either with or without an
associated adapter 214. As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the
saw tooth 210 differs from the saw tooth 10 previously
described at least in the shape and configuration of the
cutting faces and their associated raking edges, however it
remains similar to the saw tooth 10 in many other aspects.
For example, the saw tooth 210 includes opposed first and
second cutting faces 226 and 228, each of which includes at
least more than two cutting edges 234 thereon. In the
embodiment depicted, four cutting edges 234 are located on
each of the first and second cutting faces 226 and 228.
The cutting faces 226,228 are spaced apart by side faces
which all extend therebetween and may be substantially
parallel to a central axis 242 of the tooth, the side faces
include four major side faces 230 and may further include
four intermediate side faces 232 which are disposed between
adjacent major side faces 230. In accordance with an
alternative embodiment, saw tooth 210, as well as saw tooth
may not have major side faces 230 which are parallel to
- 26 -
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central axis. In particular, major side faces 230 may not
be flat but may include a variety of configurations. In
particular, one or more of said major side faces may
comprise a curve, i.e. for example it may be concave or
convex. Naturally, the corresponding portion of holder 12
may be shaped to allow for a fit therewith. Alternatively,
major side faces 230 may include a gradually inclined
section, for example to the halfway point of the major side
face 230, followed by another inclined portion so as to
create a v-shaped side, either projecting outwardly or
internally. Further, as described above with respect to saw
tooth 10, intermediate side faces 232 may be omitted. The
intermediate side faces 232 are angled relative to each of
the two immediately adjacent side faces 230, and may be
disposed on one or more, i.e. on each of the four corners
defined by the generally square saw tooth 210.
Alternatively, one or more of the intermediate side faces
232 may be curved. A transversely extending plane 241
defined through the center of the saw tooth 210 body
between the spaced apart cutting faces 226,228 thus defines
a transverse cross-sectional area which is generally square
in shape (at least the outer perimeter thereof). The
transversely extending plane 241 is substantially normal to
the central axis 242 of the saw tooth. The central axis
242 of the tooth may be substantially coaxial with a
central longitudinal axis of the aperture 238 which extends
through the saw tooth 210 between the first cutting face
226 and the second cutting face 228.
[0075] As per the saw tooth 10 described above, when rotated
about the central axis 242 in increments of about 90 or 180
degrees, the saw tooth 210 may remain symmetric about the
transverse plane 241, as well as to two other planes of
- 27 -
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symmetry which are both perpendicular to the transverse
plane 241 and which intersect along the central axis 242.
The saw tooth 210 is thus similarly rotatable about the
central axis 242 in order to selectively position one or
two of the four cutting edges 234 per each cutting face
226,228 in an operable cutting position when the tooth 210
is mounted on the saw tooth holder 12. Once the four
cutting edges on one of the cutting faces have been worn or
damaged, or as required or desired, the tooth 210 can then
similarly be reversed such that the opposite cutting face
is exposed (i.e. away from the tooth holder 12) in order to
permit use of the other four cutting edges 234.
[0076]The first cutting face 226 (it is to be understood
that the opposed second cutting face 228 may be identical
to the first cutting face 226, and thus only one will be
described in detail herein) includes a substantially square
perimeter 235 therearound which includes the cutting edges
234 at each (equally) spaced apart corner thereof and
raking edges 237 extending between each of the rectilinear
cutting edges 234. The raking edges 237 of the saw tooth
210 are curved and more particularly define a continuous
curve having a substantially constant radius.
Alternatively, the curve may not be constant in radius, or
may comprise two or more substantially constant radii. In
a further alternative, the raking edges may comprise two
straight portions spaced apart by a curved section, for
example disposed substantially in the middle of the raking
edge. The four cutting edges 234 are defined at the
intersection of a substantially frustoconical inner surface
236 of the cutting face 226 and the four intermediate side
faces 232. The cutting face 226 may further include, in
addition to the frustoconical inner surface 236 which may
- 28 -
CA 02588927 2007-05-16
extend about the full periphery of the cutting face 226
(bounded by the peripheral edge 235), an inner surface
portion 243, which may be a substantially flat annulus and
may be parallel to plane 241, radially disposed between the
central aperture 238 and the surrounding frustoconical
inner surface 236. The inner surface portion 243 may
alternately be inclined or may also be shaped to have a
curve, i.e. for example a concave curve. In a further
embodiment, inner surface portion 243 may be eliminated.
[0077] Each of the major side faces 230 defines a plane and
has a perimeter thereabout in each such plane which forms a
planar shape. This planar shape, for the cutting tooth
210, defines a bi-concave shape, wherein top and bottom
edges are rectilinear and parallel to each other while the
other two edges (i.e. the raking edges 237) are curved
inward towards each other. The bi-concave shape may be
identical for each of the side faces 30, which may all be
of substantially similar dimensions, such that the saw
tooth 210 defines a substantially square cross-sectional
area taken through plane 241.
[0078] Referring now to Figs. 9 and 9A, the adapter 214 used,
in one embodiment, to fasten the saw tooth 210 to the
holder 12 includes a substantially planar rear face 246
which abuts the rear planar surface 24 of the tooth holder
12 when the adapter 214 is mounted thereon. The adapter 214
has a front face 248 which is configured to correspond to
the cutting faces 226 and 228 of the saw tooth 210, such
that the protruding front face 248 of the adapter 214 can
mate with the inner surfaces 236 and 243 of the cutting
faces 226,228 of the saw tooth for mating abutment
therewith. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the
mating of the inner surfaces 236 and 243 of the cutting
- 29 -
CA 02588927 2007-05-16
faces 226,228 with the front face 248 may result in a
perfect match of said surfaces. Thus, when the adapter 214
and saw tooth 210 are mated together to form a subassembly
which is fastenable to the holder 12, at least two
perpendicularly oriented flat faces are provided (namely,
one of the side faces 230 of the saw tooth 210 and the
planar rear face 246 of the adapter 214) for respective
abutment against the perpendicular surfaces 25 and 24
defining the saw tooth receiving opening in the holder 12.
Accordingly, the adapter 214 permits the saw tooth 210 to
be mounted flush against at least one planar surface 24 of
the saw tooth holder 12. However, as noted above with
respect to the adapter 14 for the saw tooth 10, such an
adapter may be eliminated providing that the saw tooth
holder 12 is so configured such as to be able to permit the
saw tooth 210 having opposed cutting faces 226,228 to be
securely mounted thereagainst. For example, the saw tooth
holder may be configured, i.e. fabricated, with a surface
which corresponds to, and mates with, the cutting faces of
the saw tooth. Alternatively, a piece substantially similar
to adapter 14 may be permanently fitted, i.e. for example
through welding or other means, onto surface 24 and/or 25.
[0079] Referring now to the embodiment of the present
invention depicted in Figs. 10-11, an alternately shaped
saw tooth 310 is shown. The saw tooth 310 includes opposed
first and second cutting faces 326 and 328 which are spaced
apart by four lateral side faces 330 that extend axially
between the two cutting faces. Adjacent side faces 330
meet along rounded (axially-extending) edges 332 located at
each corner of the substantially square saw tooth 310
between each of the planar side faces 330. The cutting
edges 334 of the saw tooth 310 are defined along the edges
- 30 -
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formed at the intersection of the side faces 330 (including
the rounded corner edges 332) and the outermost inner
surface 336 which extends around the periphery of the
cutting faces 326,328. The cutting edges 334 may be
defined either only at the corners of the cutting face
(i.e. at the intersection of the corner edges 332 and the
inner surface 336) and/or alternately along the length of
long edge 337 of the cutting face (i.e. at the intersection
of the side faces 330 and the inner surface 336). The long
edges 337, which are substantially rectilinear extending in
a straight line between adjacent corners of the saw tooth,
can thus act either as principle cutting edges or as raking
edges.
[0080] Each of the side faces 330 defines a plane which is
substantially perpendicular to that of the next adjacent
side face 330, and which has a perimeter thereabout in each
such plane that forms a planar shape. However, as
described below, the planes of each adjacent side face 330
may alternately not perpendicular to each other, wherein
the tooth is provided with a skewed offset such as tooth
110 of Fig. 4b. The planar shape defined in each plane of
the side faces 330, for the cutting tooth 310, defines a
square which may be identical for each of the side faces
30. All of the side faces 330 have substantially similar
dimensions, such that the saw tooth 310 defines four
substantially square side faces 330 about the lateral
surface thereof. Thus, when the tooth 310 is rotated about
its central axis 342 in increments of about 90 or 180
degrees, one or more of the cutting edges 334 is disposed
in an operative cutting position. The saw tooth 310 may
also have a substantially square cross-sectional area taken
through a central plane (as per planes 41 and 2410 disposed
- 31 -
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between the opposed cutting surfaces 326 and 328 and being
perpendicular to the central tooth axis 342. The saw tooth
310 may thus form a cube, however with recesses formed
therein in the first and second cutting faces 326 and 328.
Each of the two cutting faces may define a substantially
square perimeter edge 335 therearound, which comprises at
least the four cutting edges 334 and the four raking edges
337 disposed therebetween. The perimeter edge 335 bounds
the inner surfaces of the cutting faces 326,328. These
inner surfaces include four inwardly angled, radially-
outermost inner surfaces 336 which extend about the
periphery of each cutting face, as well as a flat inner
surface portion 343 disposed between the central aperture
338 (extending through the saw tooth 310 between the
opposed first and second cutting faces 326 and 328) and the
four surrounding surfaces 336. The flat inner surface
portion 343 may be substantially square-shaped.
[0081] As seen in Fig. 11, an adapter 314 may also be
provided for use with the saw tooth 310. The adapter 314
corresponds to the shape and configuration of the saw tooth
310, having a front face 348 which is configured to
correspond to the cutting faces 326 and 328 of the saw
tooth 310, such that the protruding front face 348 of the
adapter 314 can mate within the inner surfaces 336 and 343
of the cutting faces 326,328 of the saw tooth for mating
abutment thereagainst. As per the previously described
adapters, the adapter 314 includes a substantially planar
rear face 346 which abuts against the rear planar surface
24 of the tooth holder 12 when the adapter 314 is mounted
thereon. Accordingly, when the adapter 314 and saw tooth
310 are mated together to form a subassembly which is
fastenable to the holder 12, at least two perpendicularly
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oriented flat faces are provided (namely, one of the side
faces 330 of the saw tooth 310 and the planar rear face 346
of the adapter 314) for respective abutment against the
perpendicular surfaces 25 and 24 defining the saw tooth
receiving opening in the holder 12. The adapter 314
therefore permits the saw tooth 310 to be mounted flush
against at least one planar surface 24 of the saw tooth
holder 12. However, as noted above, such an adapter may be
eliminated providing that the saw tooth holder 12 is so
configured such as to be able to permit the saw tooth 310
having opposed cutting faces 326,328 to be securely mounted
thereagainst. As may be understood, however, the use of an
adapter may allow a common saw tooth holder (such as the
holder 12 of Figs. 1-2 and 6 for example) to be used for
selectively mounting thereto any one or combination of
several different tooth types, embodiments or variants,
such as any one of the saw teeth 10, 110, 210 or 310 for
example.
[0082]As described above relative to the tooth 110 as
depicted in Fig. 4b, the saw teeth 210 and 310 may
similarly be provided with a slightly skewed offset, such
that a first pair of the side faces 230/330 and a second
pair of the side faces 230/330 are not parallel to each
other, and thus such that each side face does not meet the
next adjacent side face at right angles. In other words,
the saw tooth 210 and the saw tooth 310 may, in alternate
embodiments not depicted, define a transverse cross-
sectional shape which is more rhombus-like (with or without
chamfered corners), rather than substantial square as per
teeth depicted. The saw teeth 210 and 310 can thus be
skewed as per the tooth 110, i.e. said to be "offset", such
that one of the two pairs of side faces is angled
- 33 -
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relatively to a plane which is normal to the other of the
two pairs while remaining parallel to the central axis of
the tooth. Thus, a non-90 degree relative angle between
each adjacent side face 230/330 is provided.
[0083] Referring now to Fig. 12, an alternate embodiment of
the present invention is shown, in which the saw tooth 410
is similar to those previously described, however differs
in the shape and configuration of the cutting faces/edges
and their associated raking edges. Particularly, the
reversible saw tooth 410 includes opposed first and second
cutting faces 426 and 428, each of which includes at least
more than two cutting edges 434 thereon. In fact, in the
embodiment depicted, each cutting face includes four
cutting tips 434, which are in fact cutting tips in the
present embodiment. The four cutting tips 434 are located
at four opposed corners of each cutting face 426,428, which
are coincident with the side edges 433 that extend between
the first and second cutting faces 426,428 at each remote
corner of the square-sections body of the saw tooth 410.
[0084] The cutting faces 426,428 are spaced apart by side
faces 430 which all extend therebetween and may be
substantially parallel to a central axis 442 of the tooth.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment, saw tooth 410
may not have side faces 430 which are parallel to central
axis 442. The side faces 430 extend in a fore-aft
direction of the tooth between the first and second cutting
faces 426, 428 and in a direction substantially normal
thereto between the side edges 433. The side faces 430
each thus define a plane which may be perpendicular to the
plane of the next adjacent side face 430, and which has a
perimeter thereabout in each such plane which forms a
planar shape. This planar shape, for the cutting tooth 410
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depicted in Figs. 12 and 12A, defines an hourglass-like
shape having a flat truncated top and bottom (i.e. the side
edges 433), and opposed smoothly curved sides (i.e. the
raking edges 437). This shape is clearly seen in Fig. 12A.
In the depicted embodiment, the raking edges 437 (of which
there are four on each of the first and second cutting
faces 426, 428) have a substantially constant radius about
their full length between the cutting tips 434.
[0085] Regardless of the particular planar shape so formed by
the sides 430, it may be identical for each of the side
faces 430. Thus, each of the side faces 430 may be of
similar dimensions, such that the saw tooth 410 may define
a substantially square cross-sectional area taken through
the plane 441 transversally extending through the tooth 410
between the spaced apart first and second cutting faces
426, 428. Alternately, of course, and as described above,
each of the major side faces 430 may not be flat but may
include a variety of configurations. In particular, one or
more of said major side faces may comprise a curve, i.e.
for example it may be concave or convex. Naturally, the
corresponding portion of holder corresponding to the tooth
410 for use therewith may be shaped to allow for a fit
therewith. Alternatively still, major side faces 430 may
include a gradually inclined section, for example to the
halfway point of the major side face 430, followed by
another inclined portion so as to create a v-shaped side,
either projecting outwardly or internally. The
transversely extending plane 441 defined through the center
of the saw tooth 410 body between the spaced apart cutting
faces 426,428 thus defines a transverse cross-sectional
area which is generally square in shape (at least the outer
perimeter thereof). The transversely extending plane 441
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is substantially normal to the central axis 442 of the saw
tooth. The central axis 442 of the tooth may be
substantially coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of
the aperture 438 which extends through the saw tooth 410
between the first cutting face 426 and the second cutting
face 428.
[0086]As per the saw teeth described above, when rotated
about the central axis 442 in increments of about 90 or 180
degrees, the saw tooth 410 may remain symmetric about the
transverse plane 441, as well as to two other planes of
symmetry which are both perpendicular to the transverse
plane 441 and which intersect along the central axis 442.
The saw tooth 410 is thus similarly rotatable about the
central axis 442 in order to selectively position one or
two of the four cutting edges (tips) 434 of each cutting
face 426,428 in an operable cutting position when the tooth
410 is mounted on the saw tooth holder. Once the four
cutting edges on one of the cutting faces have been worn or
damaged, or as required or desired, the tooth 410 can then
similarly be reversed such that the opposite cutting face
is exposed (i.e. away from the tooth holder 12) in order to
permit use of the other four cutting edges 434.
[0087] The first cutting face 426 (it is to be understood
that the opposed second cutting face 428 may be identical
to the first cutting face 426, and thus only one will be
described in detail herein) includes a substantially square
perimeter therearound when viewed from the front of the
cutting face, which includes the cutting edges 434 at each
equally spaced apart corner thereof and raking edges 437
extending therebetween. As noted above, the raking edges
437 of the saw tooth 410 are curved and more particularly
define a continuous curve having a substantially constant
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radius extending between each of the cutting tips 434.
Alternatively, the curve may not be constant in radius, or
may comprise a compound curve having two or more curves,
whether of substantially constant radii or not. The four
cutting tips 434 are defined at the intersection of a
substantially frustoconical, curved inner surface 436 of
the cutting face 426 and two of the curved raking edges 437
at the periphery of the cutting face. The cutting face 426
may further include, in addition to the frustoconical inner
surface 436 which may extend about the full periphery of
the cutting face 426 (bounded by the peripheral edge
thereof), an inner surface portion 443, which may be a
substantially flat annulus having a diameter 440. The
annular and flat inner surface 443 of the cutting face may
be parallel to transversal plane 441 and is radially
disposed between the central bore or aperture 438 and the
surrounding frustoconical inner surface 436. The inner
surface portion may alternately be inclined or may also be
shaped to have a curve, i.e. for example a concave curve,
rather than being flat and thus parallel to the plane 441.
In a further embodiment, as shown in Fig. 16, the inner
surface portion 243 may be eliminated completely, in which
case the frustoconical inner surface 436 extends inwardly
from the outer periphery of the cutting face (defined by
the four raking edges 437) all the way to the central
bore/aperture 438.
[0088] As seen in Fig. 12A, the saw tooth 410 may also be
formed for two portions, in this case two identical halves,
which abut together to form the full saw tooth 410. It is
to be understood that the tooth 410, as well as all of the
saw teeth described above, can be so formed to two
interlocking portions. In the embodiment of Fig. 12A, the
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saw tooth 410 is split along the transverse plane 441 such
as to divide the whole tooth into two equal halves which
each have inner surfaces 449 that abut each other at this
midpoint transverse plane.
[0089] Referring to Fig. 13, a cross-section of a saw tooth
510 in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the
present invention is shown, wherein the opposed first and
second cutting faces 526 and 528 of the tooth differ from
each other (i.e. are not identical as per the opposed
cutting faces of the other saw teeth described above). It
is to be understood that all of the above-mentioned teeth
10, 210, 310, 410 can similarly include first and second
cutting faces thereof which differ, whether slightly or
more significantly, from each other. The saw tooth 510 of
Fig. 13 includes a first cutting face 526 which includes an
annular inner surface portion 543, which may be
substantially parallel to a central transversal plane
extending through the body of the tooth, and a
substantially flat (but inclined relative to the inner
surface portion 543) frustoconical outer surface 536
disposed radially outward therefrom. The opposed second
cutting face 528, in contrast, includes a similar annular
inner surface portion 543 which is substantially parallel
to the same surface 543 on the first cutting face 526. The
radially outer surface of the second cutting face 528,
however, comprises a curved frustoconical surface 537.
Both the curved frustoconical surface 537 of the second
cutting face 528 and the flat (but inclined) frustoconical
surface 536 of the first cutting face 526 extend about the
full periphery of the respective cutting face.
[0090] Fig. 14 shows a saw tooth 610 in accordance with
another possible alternate construction, in which rather
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than being formed of a single block of metal from which the
various faces, edges, surfaces, etc. are formed, the
cutting faces are created by adding outwardly extending
prisms 644 (whether triangular, or otherwise) onto a core
body 616 of the saw tooth. Each prism 644 includes a
cutting edge (or tip) 634 thereon, as well as at least one
raking edge 637. Although only a single such prism 644 is
depicted in Fig. 14, four of these may be fastened to the
main core body 616 on each of the two opposed surfaces of
the body which will become the opposed first and second
cutting faces.
[0091]Fig. 15 depicts a saw tooth 710 in accordance with
another alternate embodiment, which has opposed cutting
faces that each include a first annular inner surface 743
which may be either flat (i.e. substantially devoid of
curvature) or curved (either concavely or convexly), and
which surrounds the central aperture or bore 738 defined in
the tooth 710. A second inner surface 746 is disposed
radially outwardly from the first inner surface 743, and
may be substantially frustoconical and extend about the
full perimeter of the annulus defined by the first inner
surface 743. The saw tooth 710 further includes outwardly
projecting cutting prisms 744, but which are disposed along
the side edges 735 defining the perimeter of the square
tooth body within which the first and second inner surfaces
743, 746 are defined on each of the opposed cutting faces.
Each of these substantially triangular protruding prisms
744 includes a cutting edge or cutting tip 734 and at least
one (but generally two) raking edges 737.
[0092] Referring now to Figs. 17 and 18, two alternate saw
tooth holders 112 and 212 are shown, which are similar to
the saw tooth holder 12 described above, however include
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adaptor portions 114 and 214, respectively, directly
integrated therewith on the seat surfaces 124 and 224. In
other words, the shape and configuration of the adapter
(particularly that of the outer face thereof) is integrally
formed into the surface 124,224 of the saw tooth holders
112,212. Thus, the saw tooth used in conjunction with the
tooth holders 112 and 212 is mounted directly onto the
adaptor portions 114 and 214 thereof, using a fastener as
required, within the need for a separate adaptor 14.
[0093]Referring to Fig. 19, a saw tooth assembly 811 in
accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present
invention is shown, and includes generally a saw tooth
holder 812 to which a pair of saw teeth 810 are fastened
using a bolt 813. The adapter portion 814 is integrated
directly into the body of the saw tooth holder 812 and is
configured to correspond to the shape and configuration of
the cutting faces of the saw teeth 810 such that these may
be fastened securely to the body of the saw tooth holder.
In this embodiment, two saw teeth 810 are provided and
either integrally formed together or merely being distinct
individual saw teeth which are abutted back to back when
fastened in place on the saw tooth holder. Each of the saw
teeth 810 comprises a substantially C-shaped
cross-sectional shape which extends horizontally to define
a curved half pipe-shaped tooth. A central bore 838 is
defined through each of the saw teeth 810 through which the
bolt 813 extends for removably fastening the saw teeth to
the holder. An intermediate mounting member 840 may also
be provided between each of the abutted rear surfaces 815
of the curved saw teeth 810 such as to more securely
interlock the abutted curved surfaces together when
fastened in place on the holder. As per the replaceable
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saw teeth described above, each saw tooth 810 may be
rotated (for example, by 1800 about the axis of the bolt)
such as to expose at least another cutting edge thereof in
the operative cutting position. When all cutting edges on
the forward cutting face saw tooth 810 are dulled and/or
the when desired or required, the forward saw tooth may
either be removed and replaced or both saw teeth 810
mounted to the holder may be disengaged therefrom by
loosening the attachment bolt 813 and the pair of saw teeth
810 are reversed as described above such as to switch
positions of their respective cutting faces in order to
place a new cutting face of the other saw tooth in the
operative cutting position.
[0094]Fig. 20 depicts a saw tooth in accordance with another
alternate embodiment of the present invention.
Particularly, saw tooth 910 is very similar to the saw
tooth 210 as described above and depicted in Fig. 7 and 8,
however the configuration of the opposed cutting faces 926
and 928 are slightly different. In particular, referring
to the visible cutting face 926 in Fig. 20, each cutting
face includes a curved outer surface portion 936 which
extends about the full periphery of the cutting face within
the outer cutting and raking edges and extends radially
inward all the way to the central bore 938 defined through
the center of the cutting tooth 910. Accordingly, no
additional or distinct inner surface portion exists as per
some of the other saw teeth described above. As best seen
in Fig. 20A, this curved outer surface portion 936 of the
cutting faces 926 and 928 defines a non-constant radius of
curvature such that the outermost (i.e. furthest away from
the central bore 938) edges of the surface 936 are more
steep and thus define a smaller radius of curvature and as
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the surface 936 extends towards the central bore 938, this
radius of curvature increases such that the curve begins to
flatten out (however, never fully defines a completely flat
surface) before increasing in slope again upwards towards
the central bore 938. Accordingly, the effect is that the
entrance to the central bore 938 is slightly raised
relative to the lowest-most point of the curved outer
surfaces 936 of each cutting face.
[0095] Referring now to Fig. 21, the saw tooth assembly loll
includes a saw tooth holder 1012 to which a saw tooth 1010
is mounted via an intermediate adapter 1014. In this
embodiment, the adapter portion 1014 is either permanently
fastened or integrally formed with the saw tooth holder
1012, and the saw tooth 1010 is removably fastened to the
holder 1014 via a fastening member 1013 which protrudes
from each of the opposed cutting faces 1026 and 1028 of the
saw tooth 1010. The fasteners 1013 protruding from each of
the opposed cutting faces can either be opposite ends of a
common threaded fastener extending through a central bore
of the saw tooth, or alternatively can be individual
threaded fasteners which protrude outwardly from each of
the cutting faces and to which each is permanently engaged,
whether by welding, etcetera. Thus, in order to mount the
reversible saw tooth 1010 to the holder 1012, it is rotated
such as to thread the fastener 1013 into the mating
threaded bore 1038 defined within the adapter portion 1014.
Accordingly, the adapter portion 1014 includes a rounded or
curved outer surface such as to be able to permit the
rotation of the saw tooth until it is fully abutted
thereagainst. Thus, in this embodiment further clearance
is provided between the bottom of the saw tooth lower face
1032 and the opposed surface 1025 defined on the holder in
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the opening or seat portion within which the tooth is
received. However, as described with respect to the
embodiment of the saw tooth assembly 11 shown in Fig. 2,
the saw tooth 1010 is preferably provided with an outwardly
inclined angle of attack such as to permit clearance on the
radially outermost face 1032 of the saw tooth for the kerf.
Thus, the distance D2 defined between the holder surface
1025 and the forward edge of the saw tooth 1010 is greater
than the distance Dl defined between this surface 1025 and
an innermost edge of the saw tooth and the holder 1014 to
which it is abutted, thereby providing a slight outward
inclined angle to the saw tooth such as to create kerf
clearance on the outer surface of the saw tooth.
[0096] Fig. 22 depicts an embodiment similar to that of Fig.
21, however the adapter 1114 is removably fastened to the
holder 1112, such as by a rearwardly mounted bolt 1113
which extends through the central body of the holder and
into a mating threaded opening 1117 defined in the adapter.
The saw tooth 1010 mounted to the adapter 1114 is otherwise
similar to that previously described with respect to Fig.
21.
[0097] In the embodiment of Fig. 23, a saw tooth assembly
1211 is shown, which includes a saw tooth 1210 which is
mounted directly to a corresponding saw tooth holder 1212
using a suitable fastening means, such as the rearwardly
mounted bolt 1213 which extends through the body of the
holder and through a central bore defined in the saw tooth
in order to fasten same to the holder. In this embodiment,
the holder is provided with seating faces 1224 which are
shaped and configured such as to receive at least a portion
of the cutting face of the saw tooth abutted directly
thereagainst when the saw tooth 1210 is mounted to the
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holder. Thus, these seating faces 1224 are curved and
provide a cut-out for receiving the outermost inner surface
portions of the cutting face as well as the cutting and
raking edges thereagainst.
[0098]Fig. 24 depicts the saw tooth holder 1212 to which the
saw tooth 1210 is fastened, the holder 1212 includes a
smaller adapter portion 1214 at the lower edge of seating
face 1224 which is used to mate with the correspondingly
opposed surfaces of the saw tooth's cutting face, such that
the saw tooth 1210 can be mounted directly to the holder in
a secure manner. As noted above, cut-outs 1227 at the
outer mating edges of the seating surfaces 1224 and 1225
are provided such that the inner cutting tips or edges of
the saw tooth do not interfere with the holder during
mounting of the cutting tooth or during use of the entire
saw tooth assembly.
[0099] Fig. 25 depicts the saw tooth assembly 11 as
previously described and depicted in Figs. 2-5. However,
the saw tooth 1310 mounted thereto is slightly different
from the saw tooth 10 as described above, in that the saw
tooth 1310 is formed of two halves which abut together back
to back before being fastened to the saw tooth holder 12
via the corresponding adapter 14. As described above with
respect to the saw tooth 410 shown in Fig. 12A, the saw
tooth 1310 is formed of two identical halves which
interlock and/or abut together to form the full saw tooth.
Thus, either the whole saw tooth or only one half thereof
may be rotated as desired such as to expose a different
cutting edge in a principle operative cutting position, and
as described above, the entire saw tooth may be detachable
from the holder and reversed such as to expose the second
cutting face having the four cutting edges thereon.
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Although the saw tooth 1310 is preferably split into two
equal halves in a transversal plane approximately midway
between the first and second cutting faces of the saw
tooth, it is to be understood that the saw tooth could
alternately be split into two or more portions of differing
sizes provided that they correspond to one another and abut
and/or interlock such as to create a whole saw tooth having
cutting faces on at least opposed first and second faces
thereof.
[00100] Fig. 26 depicts an alternate saw tooth assembly
1311 which includes a saw tooth holder 1312 to which are
removably fastened a plurality of saw teeth 1310 which
interlock to form a stacked set of saw teeth which can all
be mounted to the saw tooth holder via a suitable fastener
such as a bolt 1313. Each of the saw teeth 1310 may in
fact only comprise a single cutting face 1326 which
includes at least more than two cutting edges thereon and,
in a more preferable embodiment, four cutting edges 1334
thereon at each of the four outer corners of the generally
square cutting tooth 1310. The cutting faces 1326 are as
described above with respect to the saw tooth 10, however
rather than having an opposed and mirror image cutting face
on the tooth, the rear tooth face 1328 defined on the other
side of the saw tooth from the forward cutting face 1326 is
in fact shaped and configured such as to be able to mate
and abut against the next opposed cutting face 1326 of the
next saw tooth 1310. Thus, this creates a stacked set of
saw teeth, each of which can be rotated such as to expose a
different one of the cutting edges thereon in an operative
cutting position. When the outermost saw tooth 1310 is
dulled, damaged, or it is otherwise desired to replace
same, the foremost saw tooth can simply be removed (i.e.
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completely disconnected from the remainder of the stacked
saw teeth), thus exposing the subsequent unused saw tooth
1310 at the top of the stack. This removed tooth is then
replaced at the rear of the stack before the indexed stack
of teeth is then re-placed on the holder and re-fastened
thereto. Referring now to Fig. 27, a portion of a saw
disk 415 is shown which includes a plurality of saw tooth
holders 412 integrally formed directly thereon (rather than
being separate elements fastened thereto such as for the
saw tooth holder 12 described above). To each of the
integral saw tooth holders 412 is similarly mounted a saw
tooth 10, either with or without an intermediate adapter
14.
[00101] Referring now to Fig. 28, an alternate saw tooth
holder 512 is depicted which includes an adapter portion
514 integrated therewith on the generally radially
extending seat surface 524 against which the saw tooth is
fastened via a suitable fastener such as bolt 13. The
adapter portion 514 integrated with the holder 512
generally defines a substantially square shape having a
central square recess 548 defined therein within which a
portion of the saw tooth is received when mounted to the
saw tooth holder. A central threaded bore extends through
the body of the saw tooth holder as per the previously
described holders above, such that the bolt 13 may fasten
the reversible saw tooth to the saw tooth holder 512.
Within the recess 548 of the adapter portion 514 is defined
an inner substantially flat surface 549 against which a
mating surface of the saw tooth is abutted as shown in Fig.
29. Therefore, the saw tooth 1410 employed with the saw
tooth holder 512 includes a correspondingly shaped and
configured central shank portion 1443 which is adapted for
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mating within the square recess 548 of the adapter portion
514 when the saw tooth is fastened to the holder.
Therefore, as both the shank portion 1443 and the mating
recess 548 within which it is received are both, at least
in this embodiment, provided with a substantially square
configuration, these two portions interlock such as to help
prevent unwanted rotation of the saw tooth 1410. The
adapter portion 514 protrudes outwardly from the seat
surface 524 such as to create inner and outer clearance
gaps 551 within which are received the cutting edges of the
saw tooth such as to prevent unwanted contact between the
saw tooth edges and/or cutting face and the tooth holder
during operation of the entire assembly. As seen in Fig.
29, the saw tooth 1410 is similar to the saw tooth 410 as
described above, however with the addition of the
protruding central shank portion 1443 on both of the
opposed cutting faces 1426 and 1428. Although the central
shank portion 1443 as depicted is substantially square for
receipt into the correspondingly shaped recess 548 in the
associated adapter 514 of the saw tooth holder 512, it is
to be understood that alternate configurations may be
provided as long as the mating shank and recess and/or
opening in the adapter or holder are complimentary and
similarly configured such that they can securely mate one
within the other. Although in this embodiment the
protruding shank is provided on the saw tooth and is
received within the recess or opening within the holder,
the converse may also of course be provided wherein the
protruding shank is disposed on the adapter and/or holder
and which is received within a correspondingly sized and
shaped opening in the cutting face of the saw tooth about
the central bore thereof.
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[00102] Fig. 30 depicts a saw tooth holder 612 which is a
slight variant of the holder 512 depicted in Figs. 28 to
29. The saw tooth holder 612 similarly receives a saw
tooth 1410 for fastening thereto, however the seating
surfaces 624 are configured slightly differently such that
the entire cutting face is abutted against and within the
saw tooth holder 612 when fastened thereto. Accordingly,
greater contact between the inner cutting face approximate
the holder and the seating surfaces 624 exists. Thus, no
separate adapter portion is provided as the seating
surfaces of the holder 612 are shaped and configured such
as to snugly receive the saw tooth therein.
[00103] Figs. 31 and 32 depict another alternate
embodiment of the present invention, particularly
comprising a saw tooth assembly 1511 which includes a saw
tooth 1510 and its associated saw tooth holder 1512.
Although not shown, a suitable fastener such as a bolt
previously described may be used to removably fasten the
saw tooth 1510 to its holder 1512 via a suitable adapter
1514. The saw tooth 1510 is reversible includes opposed
first and second cutting faces 1526 and 1528 respectively.
In contrast to the majority of the above-described saw
teeth however, the saw tooth 1510 comprises a substantially
cylindrical configuration with the first and second cutting
faces disposed at either end thereof. Each of the first
and second cutting faces 1526, 1528 thus defines a single,
substantially circular, and continuous cutting edge 1534
which extends about the full periphery of each of the
cutting faces. The saw tooth 1510 remains reversible, in
that when all or a portion of the single continuous cutting
edge 1534 on the exposed cutting face is worn, damaged or
wished to be replaced, the entire saw tooth 1510 may be
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disengaged from the holder 1512 and inverted such that the
other of the first and second cutting faces (previously
inwardly facing towards the holder) is now exposed and
positioned in an outer operable cutting position when the
saw tooth is replaced back on the holder. Further, much as
the above-described saw teeth can be rotated up to four
times such as to expose a different one of the four cutting
edges in an operative cutting position, the saw tooth 1510,
given its circular configuration, can be rotated almost an
infinite number of times about its central axis extending
through the through or central bore 1538 thereof such as to
expose a different portion of the continuous circular
cutting edge 1534 in a position relative to the holder
which performs the majority of the cutting action. Thus,
as each arcuate portion of the cutting edge 1534 is worn,
the tooth may be slightly rotated such as to expose the
next circumferentially adjacent arcuate portion of the same
cutting edge 1534 in the operable or most effective cutting
location relative to the holder. This procedure can thus
be repeated until such time as the cutting edge 1534 has
been worn about its full circumference, at which point the
whole saw tooth 1510 can then be inverted as described
previously such as to dispose the circular cutting edge on
the other cutting face for use. Each of the first and
second cutting faces 1528 and 1526 includes a substantially
curved inner surface 1536 which extends radially inward
from the outer cutting edge 1534 towards the central bore
1538. A central annular substantially flat portion 1543 of
the inner surfaces of the cutting face may also be provided
about the central bore 1538.
[00104] All of above-described tooth holders, whether
integrated into the saw disk or mounted thereon, may be
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configured such that they accept (i.e. are able to have
removably mounted thereto) either a reversible or double-
sided saw tooth as described herein or a standard (i.e.
single-sided) saw tooth having only a single cutting face
thereon for fastening thereto. Accordingly, the seating
surfaces of the saw tooth holder to which the saw teeth are
mounted may be configured such that a standard single-
cutting face saw tooth may be abutted directly thereagainst
and fastened in place to the holder, while a reversible saw
tooth as described above may also be fastened thereagainst,
whether using an intermediate adaptor or not.
[00105] In at least one such embodiment, a tooth holder
712 as depicted in Fig. 33 is so configured to be able to
accept either a standard (i.e. one-sided) saw tooth or a
reversible saw tooth as described above. The saw tooth
holder 712 includes a step 727 disposed at the inner end of
the seat surface 724 at the junction of the seat surface 25
which may be perpendicularly disposed relative to the
surface 724, and which together define an opening
therebetween within which the saw tooth is received for
fastening to the holder. This step 727 extends the full
width of the opening defined between these perpendicular
surfaces 724 and 725. As noted above, while these seats
724,725 on the holder 712 are disposed in two perpendicular
planes, these may each be respectively inclined relative to
a radial and tangential axis of the circular saw disk to
which the holder 712 is mounted, which may in a particular
embodiment correspond to the radial and tangential axis of
the holder when in use, such as to create a slight forward
kerf clearance for the cutting edges of the tooth. In at
least one embodiment, however, the radially outer surface
729 of the step 727 may also inclined relative to the
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seating surface 725, such as to permit the retro-fit of a
standard (i.e. one sided) saw tooth which may have an
overall tapered configuration (i.e. truncated pyramidal
shape) between a base end thereof and the opposed cutting
face. The step 727 thus permits the inner cutting edges
of the standard saw tooth to clear (preferably without
touching) the seating surface 725 without interference
being caused therebetween. Thus, the outwardly inclined
angle of attack (i.e. a forward clearance attack angle of
between about 0 and 5 degrees for example) may thus be
maintained for a standard tooth when used with the holder
712 which can also accommodate reversible saw teeth of the
present invention. When such a reversible saw tooth is to
be mounted to the holder 712, a corresponding adapted may
be employed which has at least a portion thereof which is
shaped and configured to complement and correspond to the
step 727, such that a rear surface of the holder may
nevertheless abut the rear seating surface 724 of the
holder, without the step 727 interfering with this
abutment. This may include, for example, a cut-out region
corresponding to the step 727, taper side walls
corresponding to the inclination (if any) of the step 727
relative to the two perpendicular seating surfaces, etc.
For example, the adaptor employed may have a reverse taper
thereon at a rearward end thereof, which is adapted to abut
the inclined step 727, and forward portion which is
configured for mating with both of the opposed cutting
faces of the saw tooth in question. The adapter may also
be stepped itself, having a first side wall portion which
is adapted to sit on the step 727 of the holder, and
another side wall portion which is adapted to overly the
base seating surface 725. It is understood that
regardless, the rear face of the adapter is configured to
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abut against the rear seating surface 724 of the holder,
and includes a bore therethrough as necessary for the
attachment of the saw tooth and adapter to the holder. It
is also to be understood that the step 727 may also be 90
degrees relative to each of the seating surfaces 725 and
724 (i.e. the step is not inclined).
[00106] Referring now to Fig. 34, the saw tooth assembly
1611 in accordance with yet another embodiment is depicted.
The saw tooth assembly 1611 includes a saw tooth holder
1612, an adapter 1614 and a saw tooth 10 as previously
described. Of course, any of the other reversible saw
teeth described hereinabove may similarly be used with the
adapter 1614 and the holder 1612 of this embodiment. The
saw tooth assembly 1611 differs from those above in that
the adapter 1614 includes, on a side thereof oppose a
forward face 1648 which is configured and complementary to
the cutting faces 26 and 28 of the saw tooth 10, a rear
shank 1647 which is disposed about the central bore 1650
extending through the adapter 1614, and protrudes
rearwardly from a main rear surface 1646 of the adapter
which is adapted to abut the seating surface 1624 of the
holder. The central shank 1647 is thus adapted to extend
into and be received within a corresponding opening 1621
defined within the holder 1612. The shank 1647 of the
holder 1614 may be cylindrical, square or rectangular in
cross-sectional shape, or may be similarly define any
number of other polygonal cross-sectional shapes, both
regular and irregular. The holder 1614 having such a shank
1647 provides improved strength to the overall assembly,
thereby reducing the likelihood of the fastener 13 which
retains the assembly together to bend or break in the event
that the saw tooth and/or the entire saw disk to which the
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holder is mounted, strikes a rock or another hard object
which can cause damage to the saw tooth assemblies of the
rotary cutting machine's saw disk. Further, this
configuration readily permits the reversible saw tooth 10
and the associated adapter 1614 to be removed, if desired,
from the holder 1612 and replaced with a standard (i.e. a
single-sided saw tooth having only one cutting face) saw
tooth, which includes on a rear surface thereon a shank
portion similar to the shank 1647 of the adapter 1614 for
receipt within the corresponding opening 1621 of the holder
1612.
[00107] Although the saw teeth described above include
opposed cutting faces which each include at least two
cutting edges thereon (in most of the above described
embodiments, for example, each cutting faces includes four
cutting edges thereon). Although at least more than two
cutting edges are provided on each cutting face of the
present invention (for the embodiment of Fig. 32, the
continuous circular cutting edges is considered to include
a plurality of cutting portions about the full
circumference thereof, and thus comprising more than a
single cutting edge portion), it is to be understood that
any number of cutting edges may be provided on each of the
two cutting faces. For example, the cutting faces of the
saw tooth may comprise an octagonal shape (wherein 8
cutting edges are defined on each of the two cutting
faces), a hexagonal shape (where 6 cutting edges are
defined on each of the two cutting faces), a pentagonal
shape (where 5 cutting edges are provided on each of the
two cutting faces), etc. Further, the cutting faces may be
provided with non-regular polygonal shape, for example may
comprise a rectangular shape (i.e. having four cutting
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edges on each of two opposed cutting faces). It is
understood that in this embodiment, when the saw teeth are
rotated about 180 degrees (i.e. about their central axes),
they will remain in the same relative position with respect
to the holder, however if they are rotated by 90 degrees
they may protrude more or less (depending on the starting
point) relative to the holder. Much as described above,
regardless of the shape and configuration of the cutting
face, the saw tooth remains invertible such as to expose
the opposite cutting face and locate the cutting edges
thereon in an operable cutting position.
[00108] Referring now to Figs. 35 to 37, a rotary cutting
machine in accordance with another embodiment comprises a
brush mower head 2000. Brush mowers, also often called
brush cutters, are typically used to clear small
vegetation, such as bushes, small trees, etc. A
cutting/mowing head is displaced and manipulated by an
articulated traveling crane, or other articulated arm, such
as to move and position the cutting head relative to the
brush, undergrowth, etc. to be cut. The brush mower head
2000 of the present invention includes a plurality of
reversible cutting teeth 10,210,etc. such as those
described above, however the cutting teeth are mounted to a
rotating drum (or shaft) rather than a saw disk.
[00109] Referring more specifically to Figs. 35-37, the
brush mower head 2000 includes a casing or body 2002 which
is adapted to be mounted to an articulated arm 2004, such
as of a travelling crane, via an attachment mechanism 2006.
The head body 2002 supports, and at least partially
encloses, a rotating cylindrical drum 2008 that is mounted
within the casing for rotation about its own central
longitudinal axis 2010 (see Fig. 36), which thus acts as
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the axis of rotation of the drum 2008. In the embodiment
shown, the cylindrical drum 2008 is mounted between opposed
end posts 2010 of the head body 2002, each of which have
skid plates 2012 on their lower ends 2014 which are adapted
to contact the ground when the mower head 2000 is in use.
The transverse space between the lower ends 2014 of the end
posts 2010 is open, such that upon rotation of the drum
2008, the cutting teeth 10 mounted thereon are unobstructed
and exposed to the ground, and can thus engage and cut
through the brush, trees, undergrowth, etc. to be cleared.
In use, the axis of rotation 2010 of the cylindrical drum
2008 is substantially horizontal, i.e. generally parallel
to the ground over which the brush mower head 2000 is
displaced. Although in the present embodiment the drum
2008 is a generally hollow cylindrical tube, it is to be
understood that the drum can also comprise a solid shaft,
for example having a smaller overall diameter, to which the
reversible cutting teeth 10 are mounted.
[00110] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 35-37, a series
of parallel rows 2016 of cutting teeth 10 are mounted to
the rotating drum 2008, each row 2016 extending
longitudinally along the cylindrical drum and being
circumferentially spaced apart from the next adjacent row
2016 of cutting teeth. In the depicted embodiment, four
such rows 2016 of cutting teeth are provided on the
rotating drum 2008, however it is to be understood that
more or less rows of cutting can also be provided.
Further, the cutting teeth 10 may also be arranged in
alternate configurations on the drum 2008 (i.e. they do not
have to be arranged in longitudinally extending, parallel
rows). For example, the cutting teeth may be arranged in
an angled row, such that each tooth is stepped apart from
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the next longitudinally adjacent tooth (i.e. they are not
disposed at the same circumferential position on the outer
curved circumferential surface of the cylindrical drum
2008). Thus, the cutting teeth 10 mounted to the drum 2008
can be staggered, and can be more or less widely spaced
apart, both longitudinally and circumferentially.
Regardless, the cutting teeth 10 are preferably all mounted
such that they face in a common direction, whereby when the
drum is rotated about the axis of rotation 2010 in a
determined driving direction, such as counter-clockwise in
Fig. 36, the cutting faces of each of the cutting teeth 10
are all oriented in a cutting position. For example, the
central axis 2020 of each of the cutting teeth 10 may be
approximately tangential to the cylindrical drum 2008, or
slightly more or less depending on the desired kerf
clearance angle desired.
[00111] Each of the cutting teeth 10 which are mounted to
the cylindrical drum 2008 of the mower head 2000 may be
mounted thereto either directly (i.e. the cutting tooth is
fastened directly to an appropriately shaped portion of the
outer surface of the drum 2008 itself) or via a cutting
tooth holder 2022 that is itself fixed to the outer surface
of the drum 2008. In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 35-
37, each of the cutting tooth assemblies 2011 (best seen in
Fig. 36) includes such a tooth holder 2022 which is fixed
in a predetermined position on the outer cylindrical
surface 2009 of the drum 2008. The cutting tooth holder
2022 is otherwise the same as the saw tooth holders 12,etc.
described above. Thus, the reversible cutting teeth 10,
having for example four cutting edges on each of the two
opposed cutting faces of the tooth 10, is removably
fastened in place to the tooth holder 2022, with or without
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an intermediately disposed adapter 14. A bolt 13 or other
fastener may be used to removably fasten the cutting 10 in
place on the tooth holder 2022. If such separate cutting
tooth holders 2022 are not used, and the cutting teeth 10
are fastened directly to an appropriately shaped portion of
the outer surface 2009 of the drum 2008 itself, such
appropriately shaped portions to which the cutting teeth 10
are removably fastened will nonetheless replicate the
function of tooth holders 2022.
[00112] Referring now to Figs. 36 and 37, an additional
feature of the mower head 2000 is that an anvil 2030 is
provided proximate the rotating drum 2008 having the
cutting teeth thereon. The anvil 2030 is fixed to an inner
surface of an casing or enclosure 2032 surrounding at least
an upper portion of the rotating drum 2008, the anvil 2030
being disposed in a position sufficient close to the
rotating cutting teeth 10 such that any vegetation or other
material to be cut which is caught up by the rotating
cutting drum 2008 will be severed as the cutting teeth spin
past the adjacent anvil 2030. Thus, the anvil 2030 helps
to rip/chip/tear or otherwise break up the vegetation as
the spinning cutting teeth move past it. In the present
embodiment, the anvil 2030 is an elongated strip, made of a
sufficient hard and durable material for example, which
extends the longitudinally length of the drum 2008 and is
disposed at a position where the cutting teeth 10 rotate
back into the casing of the mower body 2002.
[00113] Referring now to Figs. 38, 39A and 39B, several
alternate embodiment of cutting machines of the present
invention are depicted. A stump grinder 2100 is depicted
in Fig. 38, which may be used to grind down and remove tree
stumps 2101 which remain in the ground after the tree has
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been cut down. Such stump grinders are thus used to
eliminate tree stumps for land clearing, and are capable of
producing chips and sawdust. Such as stump grinder 2100
may be a hand operated one as shown, i.e. which is pushed
around and operated manually by a user, or may be a larger
and driven machine, such one on which the operator rides.
They can also include both attachments to larger machines,
and purpose built stump grinding machines. In all cases,
the stump grinder 2100 includes a rotating grinding wheel
2110, which acts much as a vertically oriented saw disk.
The grinding wheel 2110 includes a plurality of cutting
teeth 10 about the perimeter thereof. The cutting teeth,
as described above, are removably mounted to
correspondingly shaped tooth holders 2112, which in this
case are preferably formed directed in the circumferential
edge 2114 of the grinding wheel 2110. As described above,
the cutting teeth 10 include at least four cutting edges on
each of two opposed cutting faces, either of which can be
disposed in the cutting position on the grinding wheel.
Thus, the teeth 10 can be rotated such as to expose a
different one of the four cutting edges of a cutting face,
and can be reversible (i.e. by detaching the tooth from the
holder 2112, and reversing it before re-fastening it in
place. The grinding wheel 2110 may be displaced by a
suitable arm 2116, which may be actuated hydraulically,
mechanically, pneumatically, or otherwise.
[00114] Referring to Figs. 39A and 39B, a shredder, or
recycler, 2200 is depicted. Such a shredder 2200 may be
used to reduce industrial or municipal waste, to
chop/chip/shred a variety of materials such as wood, paper,
cardboard, plastic, textiles, carpet, tires, metals, etc.
Such machines, although generally quite large, can be
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either mobile (for example mounted on a truck), or
stationary. The shredder 2200 includes a rotating drum
2210 to which is fastened a plurality of cutting teeth 10,
such as those described above. The cutting teeth 10 are
removably mounted to corresponding supports, or tooth
holders, 2212 formed directly into the surface of the drum
2210. However, separate tooth holders, which are fixed in
place on the drum rather than being incorporated directly
therein, can also be used, much as for the brush cutting
2000 described above. While the shredder 2200 is said to
comprise a rotating drum 2210, it is to be understood that
this drum can also comprise a rotating shaft, to which the
cutting teeth 10 are removably fastened. Such shredders
are sometimes called "single shaft shredders". However, it
is also to be understood that several drums or shafts may
be provided in the shredder 2200, each of which having a
plurality of the cutting teeth 10 mounted thereto.
[00115] As best seen in Fig. 39B, in at least one
embodiment of the shredder 2200, the cutting teeth 10 are
arranged on the rotating drum 2210 in staggered, or
circumferentially offset, groups. Each group may also be
circumferentially offset from the next adjacent group about
the circumference of the drum 2210. However, alternate
tooth arrangements and configurations are also possible,
such as parallel rows of teeth as per the embodiment
described above for the brush cutter 2000.
[00116] It is to be understood that all of the various
embodiments of cutting teeth, and cutting teeth assemblies,
including the cutting teeth, the tooth holders, the
adapters, etc, are able to be used in each of the rotary
cutting machine embodiments depicted in Figs. 35-39B,
namely the brush mower/cutter, the stump grinder, and the
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shredder/grinder, in addition to their use on a rotating
circular saw. Further, the rotary cutting machines of
Figs. 35-39B all include a rotating circular element, which
is understood to include either a disk, a drum or a shaft,
to which the cutting teeth are mounted. Further, it is to
be understood that the term cylindrical element is to
include either or both of such a drum or a shaft.
[00117] The embodiments of the invention described above
are intended to be exemplary. Those skilled in the art
will therefore appreciate that the forgoing description is
illustrative only, and that various alternatives and
modifications can be devised without departing from the
spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present
is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications
and variances which fall within the scope of the appended
claims.
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