Wire line soil sampler apparatus

Claim 2

For use in a drill stem having an axially outer end, an axially inner bit end and a latch seat adjacent the bit end that has an axially inwardly facing shoulder, wire line soil sampling apparatus comprising an axially elongated latch body having a tubular axially outer end portion, said latch body outer end portion having a latch slot opening transversely therethrough, a latch on the latch body end portion that is movable relative thereto between a position extending transversely outwardly through the slot for latchingly engaging the latch seat and a retracted position, said latch has a latch seat engaging portion that is movable predominately transversely as the latch is moved between its positions and is of a transverse width in a direction generally perpendicular to the predominately transverse movement thereof that is greater than 50 percent of the inside diameter of the latch body, means mountinG the latch on the latch body for pivotal movement between its positions, latch release means for moving the latch to its retracted position, said latch release means being mounted by the latch body for limited axial movement relative thereto to retract the latch as the release means is moved axially outwardly relative the latch body, and fitting means mounted on the latch body for mounting a tool axially inwardly of the latch body.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said latch release means comprises an axially elongated latch release tube mounted on the latch body for limited axial movement relative thereto and extending within said latch body tubular portion.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the latch is mounted to extend within the latch release tube, the latch release tube having a slotted latch retracting portion through which said latch portion is extendable.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that there is provided a second latch on the latch body end portion that is movable relative thereto between a position extending transversely outwardly through the slot for latchingly engaging the latch seat and a retracted position, said second latch having a latch seat engaging portion that is movable predominately transversely as the second latch is moved between its positions, means mounting the second latch on the latch body for pivotal movement between its positions, said latch release tube having a second latch retracting slotted portion for retracting the second latch, said second latch extending within the latch release tube.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that each of the means for mounting a latch includes a transverse pivot member that mounts the respective latch for movement about a transverse axis between the latch positions, said pivot members being mounted on the latch body in parallel relationship.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that each of said latch portions has an axially outwardly transverse surface portion abuttable against the drill stem shoulder, and an axially inwardly transverse surface portion, that the latch body portion has a second slot that the second latch portion is extendable through, the latch body slots in part being defined by bottom edge wall portions abuttable against the respective latch inward transverse surface portion, and the latches having pivot member apertures sufficiently large to permit the latches inward transverse surface portions being axially spaced from said edge wall portions.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the drill stem has an axially grooved landing flange axially between the drill bit end and the latch seat, further characterized in that the fitting has an axially grooved, enlarged diametric flange of a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the landing flange that is seatable on the landing flange, and a second diametric portion axially outwardly of the enlarged diametric flange that is of an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the enlarged diametric flange, and that there is provided a locking ring axially slidably mounted on the second diametric portion and having an axially inwardly extending finger extendable through the enlarged diametric flange groove and into the landing flange groove, said locking ring having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the enlarged diametric flange and spring means on the fitting for resiliently urging the locking ring toward the enlarged diametric flange.

Claim 9

For use in a drill stem having an axially outer end, an axially inner bit end and a latch seat adjacent the bit end that has an axially inwardly facing shoulder, wire line soil sampling apparatus comprising an axially elongated latch body having a tubular axially outer end portion, said latch body outer end portion having a latch slot opening transversely therethrough, a latch release member having a tubular portion axially slidably extendable into the latCh body tubular portion, said latch release tubular portion having a latch retracting slot and opposed, axially elongated pivot member slots, a transverse pivot member mounted by the latch body and slidably extended through the pivot member slots to limit the axial movement of the latch release member relative to the latch body, and a latch pivotally mounted on the pivot member for movement between a latch seat engaging position extending through the latch body slot and the latch retracting slot, and a latch retracted position.

Claim 10

For use in a drill stem having an axially outer end, an axially inner bit end and a latch seat adjacent the bit end that has an axially inwardly facing shoulder, wire line soil sampling apparatus comprising an axially elongated latch body having a tubular axially outer end portion, said latch body outer end portion having a latch slot opening transversely therethrough, a latch release member having a tubular portion axially slidably extendable into the latCh body tubular portion, said latch release tubular portion having a latch retracting slot and opposed, axially elongated pivot member slots, a transverse pivot member mounted by the latch body and slidably extended through the pivot member slots to limit the axial movement of the latch release member relative to the latch body, and a latch pivotally mounted on the pivot member for movement between a latch seat engaging position extending through the latch body slot and the latch retracting slot, and a latch retracted position.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized in that the latch body slot is in part defined by an axially inner edge wall portion, that the latch has a first latch portion that has an axially outer transverse surface portion abuttable against said shoulder and an axially inward transverse surface portion abuttable against said latch body wall portion.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the latch has a second portion extending axially inwardly of the latch first portion, said pivot member being located a substantial distance axially inwardly of the latch body edge wall portion and extending within the latch release tube, said latch second portion being pivotally mounted on the pivot member.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized in that the latch body has a second latch slot diametrically opposite the first mentioned latch body slot, that the latch release member has a second latch retracting slot and second pivot member axially elongated slots, and that there is provided a second pivot member mounted by the latch body and slidably extended through the second pivot member slots, and a second latch mounted on the second pivot member transversely diametrically opposite the first latch for pivotal movement between a latch seat engaging position extending through the latch body second slot and the latch release tube second latch retracting slot, and a latch retracted position.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the drill stem has a grooved portion axially between the latch seat and the bit end, further characterized in that the fitting has an axially outwardly facing shoulder, lock means axially movable on the fitting between a first position abutting against the fitting shoulder and extendable into the drill stem groove for transmitting rotary movement from the drill stem to the fitting, and a second position axially outwardly relative the fitting shoulder, and means on the fitting for resiliently urging the lock means toward its first position.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 12 in that the fitting has an axially intermediate portion and an enlarged diametric portion joined to the intermediate portion to extend axially inwardly thereof and form said fitting shoulder, said enlarged diametric flange having a groove extending axially therethrough, and that the lock means includes an annular portion surrounding the fitting intermediate portion and means joined to the annular portion for extending through the flange groove and into the drill stem groove to transmit rotary movement from the drill stem to the fitting.

Claim 16

For use in a drill stem having an axially outer end, an axially inner bit end, an axially extending, radially inward abutment portion adjacent the bit end, and a latch seat adjacent the bit end that has an axially downwardly facing shoulder, wire line soil sampling apparatus comprising an axially elongated latch body, a latch mounted on the latch body for movement between a latch seat engaging position and a latch retracted position, a latch release member mounted on the latch body for limited axial movement for moving the latch between its positions, a fitting for mounting a tool such as a sample tube, drill bit, and the like, lock means mounted on the fitting for limited axial movement relative thereto between an axial first position for abutting against the abutment to transmit a turning force from the drill stem to the fitting to rotate the fitting with the drill stem and a second poSition relative the fitting axially outwardly of the lock means first position, and resilient means on the fitting for resiliently urging the lock means toward its first position.

Claim 17

For use in a drill stem having an axially outer end, an axially inner bit end, an axially extending, radially inward abutment portion adjacent the bit end, and a latch seat adjacent the bit end that has an axially downwardly facing shoulder, wire line soil sampling apparatus comprising an axially elongated latch body, a latch mounted on the latch body for movement between a latch seat engaging position and a latch retracted position, a latch release member mounted on the latch body for limited axial movement for moving the latch between its positions, a fitting for mounting a tool such as a sample tube, drill bit, and the like, lock means mounted on the fitting for limited axial movement relative thereto between an axial first position for abutting against the abutment to transmit a turning force from the drill stem to the fitting to rotate the fitting with the drill stem and a second poSition relative the fitting axially outwardly of the lock means first position, and resilient means on the fitting for resiliently urging the lock means toward its first position.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that the lock means comprises a lock ring having an annular portion and an axially inwardly extending finger integrally joined to the annular portion.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that said fitting has an axially inward, enlarged diametric portion having a groove extending axially therethrough, a second diametric portion joined to the enlarged diametric portion to extend axially outwardly thereof and being of a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the enlarged diametric portion, said lock means comprising a finger of a substantially greater axial length than the axial length of the enlarged diametric flange that is extendable through the flange groove to abut against the abutment and of a greater transverse radial dimension that the radial depth of the flange groove, and means slidably mounted on the second diametric portion for mounting the finger for axial movement between a position extending axially inwardly of the flange groove and an axially outer position.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that the fitting has a tool mounting portion axially inwardly of the enlarged diametric flange, that the finger mounting means is abuttable against said flange to limit the axial inward movement thereof, that the latch body comprises a tubular portion that pivotally mounts the latch for movement between the latch positions, that the latch release member has a tubular latch retracting portion slidably extended into the latch body tubular portion for retracting the latch, said latch body having a latch engaging portion for receiving an axially inward force directly through the latch in its latch seat engaging position from the drill stem shoulder and said latch extending within the latch release member tubular portion.

Claim 21

For use in a drill stem having an axially outer end, an axially inner bit end, an annular landing flange adjacent the bit end that has an axially extending groove opening radially into the interior of the drill stem and axially upwardly, and an annular portion joined to the landing flange to extend axially outwardly thereof and that has an inner diameter that is substantially greater than the inner diameter of the landing flange, a soil sampler head assembly for mounting a tool adjacent the drill stem bit end and withdrawing the tool through the drill stem, comprising a tool mounting fitting, a wire line overshot coupling member, means for joining the coupling member to the fitting, said fitting having a flange adapted to seat on the landing flange to limit the axial inward movement of the fitting relative the landing flange and a lock member mounting portion of a smaller diameter than the fitting flange extending axially outwardly thereof, and a lock member mounted on the lock member mounting portion for axial movement relative the fitting to transmit a turning movement of the drill stem to the fitting, said lock member having a first portion in a lock member axially inward position extendable into the landing flange groove to rotate with the landing flange, and a second portion abuttable against the fitting flange to limit the axial inward movement of the lock member relative the fitting.

Claim 22

For use in a drill stem having an axially outer end, an axially inner bit end, an annular landing flange adjacent the bit end that has an axially extending groove opening radially into the interior of the drill stem and axially upwardly, and an annular portion joined to the landing flange to extend axially outwardly thereof and that has an inner diameter that is substantially greater than the inner diameter of the landing flange, a soil sampler head assembly for mounting a tool adjacent the drill stem bit end and withdrawing the tool through the drill stem, comprising a tool mounting fitting, a wire line overshot coupling member, means for joining the coupling member to the fitting, said fitting having a flange adapted to seat on the landing flange to limit the axial inward movement of the fitting relative the landing flange and a lock member mounting portion of a smaller diameter than the fitting flange extending axially outwardly thereof, and a lock member mounted on the lock member mounting portion for axial movement relative the fitting to transmit a turning movement of the drill stem to the fitting, said lock member having a first portion in a lock member axially inward position extendable into the landing flange groove to rotate with the landing flange, and a second portion abuttable against the fitting flange to limit the axial inward movement of the lock member relative the fitting.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that the lock member second portion extends around the fitting mounting position.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 19 further characterized in that the means joining the coupling member to the fitting includes a latch body attached to the fitting and a latch release tube mounted by the latch body for limited axial movement relative thereto, that there is provided a latch mounted on the latch body that is movable between a latch seat engaging position and a retracted position, said latch being mounted for retraction by the latch relEase tube being moved axially outwardly relative the latch body, said coupling member, latch body, latch release tube and fitting having a fluid channel extending axially therethrough and spring means acting against the latch body and lock member for resiliently urging the lock member axially inwardly.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 19 further characterized in that the means for joining the coupling member to the fitting includes a latch body attached to the fitting remote from the fitting flange, that the lock member second portion has an inner diameter smaller than the maximum outer diameter of each of the latch body and the fitting flange and greater than the outer diameter of the fitting second portion, and that the fitting second portion is of an axial length greater than the axial length of the lock member first portion and smaller than the maximum axial length of the lock member.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the landing flange has a plurality of circumferential spaced, axially extending grooves, further characterized in that the fitting has a third portion joined to the fitting flange to extend inwardly thereof, said third portion being of an axial length at least nearly as great as that of the landing flange, of an outer diameter slightly less than the diameter of the landing flange, and of a diameter substantially greater than the inner diameter of the lock member second portion and substantially smaller than the fitting flange, the fitting flange and fitting protions having a plurality of axially coextensive grooves extending axially the length thereof to open radially outwardly and being circumferentially spaced so that the third portion grooves are radially alignable with the fitting flange grooves, and that the lock member first portion is an axially elongated finger and that the lock member includes additional axially elongated fingers, there being a finger for each landing ring groove, the fingers in the lock member axially inward position extending radially into the fitting grooves, radially outwardly of the third portion to be extendable a substantial distance radially into the landing flange grooves and extendable at least the major portion of the axial length of the third portion grooves and the landing flange grooves when the fitting flange seats on the landing flange.