Abstract: A transmitter housing apparatus for the containment of a probe in a directional underground drilling device, the transmitter housing having a housing with first and second ends and a longitudinally extending bore for receiving the probe, the housing having a first detent near the first end. A cover member is slidingly engaged by the first by the first detent to cover the bore and to secure the probe in the housing. A sub member engages the second end of the housing to secure the cover member on the housing. A positioning member is disposed in the bore and engages the probe for rotationally positioning the probe in a desired orientation in the bore of the housing. A plurality of slots or the like are provided in the housing for selectively orienting the probe. Also, the housing has a passageway for fluid flow, and has a plurality of slots to permit signal transmission by the probe.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for pipe tongs is provided to grip and rotate a pipe. The gripping assembly includes a pair of jaw assemblies that exert counteracting forces on the pipe. Each jaw assembly has a body with a cylindrical hollow defined in the body and having longitudinal slots formed in the body. The slots are separated from one another by longitudinal struts. In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical hollow, flat faces of the slots form portions of a regular polygon. Each jaw assembly also has toothed tong die inserts that fit into the slots and provide for frictional engagement of the jaw assembly with the pipe. Each jaw assembly also has a first and a second end plate for retaining the tong dies in the slots with at least one of the end plates being removably attached to the body.

Abstract: A core sampler apparatus for use at the end of a drill string of a drilling rig having a hollow barrel assembly for receiving a subterranean core sample, a shoe supported at a bottom end of the barrel assembly, and a connector member providing a pinned attachment of the barrel assembly to the drill string.