Patent 7416035 was granted and assigned to Smith International on August, 2008 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A shaped insert that includes a top portion, and a grip length, wherein the grip length is modified to have a non-uniform cross sectional area is disclosed. In another case, a shaped insert includes a top portion, and a grip length, wherein the grip length is modified such that the insert is non-cylindrical. In another case, a shaped insert includes a top portion, and a grip length, wherein the grip length is coated in a non-uniform manner.