IP Library Granted Patent US 7,921,926
Granted Patent B2
US 7,921,926 · App. 12/349,431 · Granted Apr 12, 2011

Jointed spearhead assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,921,926
App. No.
12/349,431
Granted
Apr 12, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A jointed spearhead assembly can include a base portion that is adapted to be connected to a down-hole object and a spearhead portion having a first end and a second. The second end includes a follower tab with a non-convex first follower interface. The spearhead portion can be pivotally coupled to the base portion.

Claims (41)

1. A jointed spearhead assembly, comprising:

a base portion adapted to be connected to a down-hole object, the base portion comprising a recess that receives a follower and a biasing member; and

a spearhead portion having a first end and a second end, the second end including a follower tab with a non-convex first follower interface, the spearhead portion being pivotally coupled to the base portion.

2. The jointed spearhead assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spearhead portion is pivotally coupled to the base portion so as to have a plurality of detent positions.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the follower tab is pivotally received within a slot that is defined by arms disposed on the base portion.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein follower tab further includes a second and a third follower interface which are disposed on lateral sides of the follower tab.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the follower contacts the first, the second, and the third follower interfaces to create the detent positions.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the non-convex first follower interface has a substantially planar shape.

7. A jointed spearhead assembly, comprising:

a base portion containing a recess that opens into a slot defined by a plurality of arms, wherein a follower and a bias portion are at least partially disposed within the recess; and

a spearhead portion comprising an overshot connector and a follower tab, wherein the follower tab comprises a first follower interface that is substantially flat and disposed at a first end,

wherein the follower tab is pivotally connected between the plurality of arms of the base portion, and wherein the follower contacts the first follower interface to provide the spearhead portion with a detent position.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein follower tab further includes a second and a third follower interface which are disposed on lateral sides of the follower tab.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the follower contacts the first, the second, and the third follower interfaces to create multiple detent positions.

10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the spearhead portion has at least three hard detent positions.

11. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the follower tab further comprises a first and a second corner follower interface, wherein the first corner follower interface is disposed between the first and the second follower interfaces, and wherein the second corner interface is disposed between the first and the third follower interfaces.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the spearhead portion has at least two three hard detent positions.

13. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first follower interface, the first corner interface, and the second corner interface includes a recess defined therein.

14. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein each of the first follower interface, the first corner interface, and the second corner interface includes a recess defined therein.

15. A drilling system, comprising:

a jointed spearhead assembly containing:

a base portion containing a recess that opens into a slot defined by a plurality of arms, wherein a follower and a bias portion are substantially disposed within the recess; and

a spearhead portion comprising an overshot connector and a follower tab, wherein the follower tab comprises a first follower interface that is substantially flat and disposed at a first end,

wherein the follower tab is pivotally connected between the plurality of arms of the base portion, and wherein the follower contacts the first follower interface to provide the spearhead portion with a detent position; and

a downhole object connected to the base portion.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein follower tab further includes a second and a third follower interface which are disposed on lateral sides of the follower tab.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the spearhead portion has at least three hard detent positions.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the follower contacts the first, the second, and the third follower interfaces to create multiple detent positions.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the spearhead portion has at least two three hard detent positions.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the follower tab further comprises a first and a second corner follower interface, wherein the first corner follower interface is disposed between the first and the second follower interfaces, and wherein the second corner interface is disposed between the first and the third follower interfaces.

21. A method for drilling, comprising

providing a jointed spearhead assembly containing a base portion containing a recess that opens into a slot defined by a plurality of arms, wherein a follower and a bias portion are substantially disposed within the recess, and a spearhead portion comprising an overshot connector and a follower tab, wherein the follower tab comprises a first follower interface that is substantially flat;

pivotally connecting the follower tab of the spearhead portion between the plurality of arms of the base portion so that the follower contacts the first follower interface to provide the spearhead portion with a detent position;

coupling the spearhead assembly to an overshot assembly; and

raising or lowering the coupled spearhead assembly and overshot assembly in a borehole.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein follower tab further includes a second and a third follower interface which are disposed on lateral sides of the follower tab.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the follower contacts the first, the second, and the third follower interfaces to create multiple detent positions.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the spearhead portion has at least three hard detent positions.

25. The method of claim 22 , wherein the follower tab further comprises a first and a second corner follower interface, wherein the first corner follower interface is disposed between the first and the second follower interfaces, and wherein the second corner interface is disposed between the first and the third follower interfaces.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the spearhead portion has at least three hard detent positions.

27. The method of claim 21 , further comprising connecting the base portion to a downhole object.

Assignments (19)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2025
From: BOART LONGYEAR COMPANY
To: BOART LONGYEAR MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION INC.
Reel/Frame 070480/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 057632/0481 Recorded Apr 11, 2024
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 067097/0641 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2023
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: BOART LONGYEAR COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065708/0633 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 057676/0056 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 057687/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 057675/0705 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 057675/0405 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 057675/0461 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 057878/0718 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2021
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 057632/0481 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2018
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 047995/0475 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2018
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 047995/0550 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2017
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 043790/0390 →
SECURITY INTEREST (TERM LOAN B) Recorded Oct 29, 2014
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, N.A.
Reel/Frame 034085/0775 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 030775/0609 Recorded Oct 29, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
Reel/Frame 034084/0436 →
SECURITY INTEREST (TERM LOAN A) Recorded Oct 29, 2014
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, N.A.
Reel/Frame 034085/0704 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 27, 2013
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031306/0193 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 11, 2013
From: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 030775/0609 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2009
From: DRENTH, CHRISTOPHER L.; IBRAHIM, GEORGE; LACHANCE, ANTHONY
To: LONGYEAR TM, INC
Reel/Frame 022436/0633 →