US Patent 7086489 Multi-lobed cutter element for drill bit

Disclosed are cutter elements for a drill bits having particular, but not exclusive, application on the nose portion of the cone cutters of a rolling cone bit. The cutter elements include a base, a cutting portion, and a plurality of cutting lobes extending radially from the cutting portion. Each lobe includes a forward-facing cutting face and trailing portion having a trailing surface that intersects the cutting face in a nonlinear cutting edge. The trailing surface is non-planar and recedes away from the cutting edge. In certain embodiments, the trailing surface is a partial dome shaped surface. The trailing portion provides strength and buttresses the cutting edge.