Abstract: High-low speed rotary drive mechanism for rotatably driving driven elements of a tool, for example a hydraulic chuck, while permitting axial movement of the driven elements relative thereto, said mechanism including a housing, a tubular spindle rotatably mounted by the housing top and bottom walls, drive lugs joined to the spindle inner peripheral wall for driving the driven elements, an axially lower main drive gear fixed to the spindle to drive the spindle, a reversible hydraulic motor mounted on the housing for driving the main drive gear at high speed, low torque, an upper gear mounted on the spindle between the lower gear and the top wall for rotation relative the spindle, an elongated rack having teeth intermeshing with the upper gear for driving the upper gear at high torque, low speed, and a poppet type ratchet assembly mounted by the upper gear to rotate therewith.

Abstract: Basket type core retainer apparatus that includes a core receiving tube having an axially inner end, an annular drill bit or tubular extension connected to the inner end of the core receiving tube and a core retainer cooperatively mounted by the tube and the bit or tubular extension to permit passage of core into the tube and retain a core or a soil sample in the tube. The core retainer includes a mounting ring that mounts a pair of spring finger assemblies to extend axially outwardly thereof. The finger assemblies are each formed from a single sheet of material, the fingers of the assemblies in a closed (core retaining) position having each finger of one assembly in partial overlapping relationship to an adjacent finger of the other assembly and in partial underlapping relationship to an adjacent finger of said other assembly. The fingers are movable to permit passage of a core or a soil sample into the receiving tube.

Abstract: Wire line core barrel apparatus that includes a wire line core barrel inner tube assembly movable through a drill stem to be seated in a latched core taking position adjacent the drill stem core bit, and a main overshot assembly that is coupled to a lowering overshot assembly for lowering the inner tube assembly and alternately coupled to a retracting overshot assembly for withdrawing the inner tube assembly. The inner tube assembly includes a generally annular overshot coupling member secured to a latch release tube that is mounted on a latch body to retract a pair of latches when said tube is moved axially outwardly relative the latch body, and an overshot coupling rod secured to the latch body and extended through the coupling member. The lowering overshot assembly has a lock coupling for releasably couplingly engaging the coupling rod that upon pulling on the lowering assembly with more than a given force will release coupling engagement of the lowering with the coupling rod.