Earth boring bit with bearing sleeve

摘要

An earth boring bit having an improved two piece bearing construction using an internally tapered and threaded, cantilevered bearing lug extending obliquely inwardly and downwardly from a leg carried by the body of the bit. An internally tapered and threaded bearing sleeve is made up on the lug, and includes a mouth that engages a shoulder on a base region of the bearing lug. The mouth of the sleeve has a minimum radial thickness such that the sleeve may be made up to a selected minimum torque. The bearing sleeve has a length greater than that of the treaded portion to define a thick walled inner end region to receive a resilient retainer ring in a groove that provides a minimum section over the threads on the interior of the sleeve. The sleeve is boronized to achieve wear resistance in a manner that does not substantially reduce strength.