Abstract: A quick release starting device for internal combustion engines having a rotary crankshaft is shown. The device includes a case, a sliding shaft vertically disposed within the case, and a compression spring mounted about the shaft inside the case. An exchangeable socket is mounted on the lower end of the shaft to engage the engine crankshaft. Downward pressure on the sliding shaft compresses the spring and engages the socket. When the engine starts and pressure is removed from the shaft, the spring tension is released thereby assisting the operator in disengaging the socket from the crankshaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for sealing between two concentric annular surfaces whereby the sealing engagement may be disrupted in response to an excess pressure differential acting on the sealing apparatus in one axial direction sense. Elastic means restore the apparatus to its sealing configuration upon reduction of the pressure differential. Apparatus and method disclosed are particularly applicable to cementing liners in wells.

Abstract: An improved slip-type elevator locking mechanism has a lock rod which has one end connected to the slip setting yoke and a free end extending generally parallel with the direction of movement of the slips in the elevator bowl. A cam arm mounted on the elevator at a central pivot point has a cam throat on one end which is adapted to receive the lock rod free end and an opposite end and is pivotable about the central pivot point between upper and lower lock rod engaging positions and a neutral, unlocked position. A fluid cylinder is pivotally mounted by a base end to the elevator and is pivotally attached at its output shaft to the cam arm opposite end for urging the cam arm to the neutral position. The fluid cylinder output shaft is spring-biased outwardly away from the base end in the absence of fluid pressure on the cylinder.

Abstract: A hand operated snow thrower has an impeller with blade mounts that allow the blades to be easily removed, yet effectively retained with the blade mount. The impeller includes a rigid rotor that is rotatably driven by the snow thrower. The rotor has three blade mounts, each blade mount having a blade supporting surface. The blade supporting surface has an inner edge and an outer edge. A retainer extends over the inner edge of the supporting surface to define a channel. A slot extends from the supporting surface rearwardly into the rotor. The flexible blade that is mounted to the impeller has a flange that is received within the slot. The blade has an inner edge that is received within the channel.

Abstract: A rock drill apparatus has features that allow it to be attached to a conventional impact tool. The rock drill attachment has a housing that is secured to the impact tool carriage below the hammer of the impact tool. A tappet is carried in the housing of the rock drill attachment for axial movement in response to blows from the hammer. The tappet is nonrotatable with respect to the housing and is adapted to deliver blows to a tool shank. A conversion device is coupled between the tappet and the tool shank to convert downward movement of the tappet into rotation of the tool shank prior to the impact of the tappet on the tool shank. A spring moves the tappet away from the tool shank after impact for repeating the cycle. The conversion device includes a sleeve with inclined splines that engage inclined splines on the tool shank. A clutch locks the sleeve to the tappet during downward movement to rotate the tool shank. During upward movement, the clutch allows the sleeve to rotate with respect to the tappet.

Abstract: An earth boring bit particularly for use in drilling mining blast holes, has features for reducing the possibility of cutter drag and reducing wear on the bit legs. The bit is of the type having three bit legs, a bearing pin depending from each bit leg, and a cutter with a central cavity mounted on each bearing pin with roller bearings. The roller race for the roller bearings is formed in the central cavity of the cutter. The lower side of each bearing pin commences at the outer side of each bit leg, eliminating the shirttail flange. Clearances are provided between the central cavity and the bearing pin at the backface for the discharge of air in a direction parallel with the bearing pin axis.

Abstract: An improvement in blowout preventer apparatus of the type having a radially compressible annular packing mounted within a housing chamber, the housing having axially aligned upper and lower conical bores communicating with an inner bore of the annular packing, the packing axially expanding towards said upper and lower bores upon said radial compression, a plurality of rigid end ring segments attached to sectored webs of the ends of the packing and thereby individually movable axially outwardly and radially inwardly relative to the upper and lower conical bores to control the packing axial expansion during radial compression of the packing has keying means cooperating with the rigid end ring segments of the packing and the conical bores for guiding a sector-wise movement of the segments in individually separate and predetermined paths along the conical bores to a common radial position independent of the uniformity of the packing radial compression and/or axial expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for making orientation measurements in a drill string within a well bore comprising a tubular housing (22) adapted for insertion into the drill string and first (13) and second (15) measuring devices in the housing for measuring first and second orientation characteristics, respectively, of the drill string. A signal generator (23) is responsive to the two measuring devices to provide a signal which is representative of the orientation characteristics measured. The measuring devices are operated alternately so that the signal from the signal generator is alternately representative of the first and second orientation characteristics. The signal from the signal generator, when the latter is controlled by the first measuring device, is different from the signal when the latter is controlled by the second measuring device so that it is readily apparent which of the two measuring devices is reporting.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing and laying composite tape to form structural members with a shearing and compacting mechanism capable of a large variety of angular or circular severances. The severances are formed incrementally or digitally with a number of lengthwise slits of selected length. A plurality of transverse cuts are formed in the tape to intersect the slits to form a stairstepped severance. A curved chute at the discharge end of the apparatus has an endless belt to maintain the tape in alignment as it is pressed onto the work surface. The tape is compacted onto the work surface by a segmented roller system composed of several individual rollers. As the severance is reached, the rollers are selectively and individually disengaged from the work surface to correlate compaction termination with the shape of the severance.

Abstract: An oil well blowout preventer includes a radially compressible annular packing having radially-sectored end portions in a housing having axially aligned upper and lower bores communicating with the inner bore of the packing and with the sectored ends, and also includes hydraulic means for radially constricting the packing, thereby causing it to axially expand. A plurality of circumferentially-arranged rigid wedge members carried by the sectored end portions are individually movable radially into the bores to control the axial expansion whereby radial sectors of the packing may move sequentially inward to effect a seal between the upper and lower bores in response to progressive axial expansion of the packing as the packing undergoes nonuniform sector-wise radial compression. The inward radial movement of the rigid members are limited by stops to a common radial position independent of the uniformity of the radial compression.

Abstract: A depth determining device has features for informing the operator of the depth of the cutting tool of a hydraulic drilling machine. The drilling machine is for earth boreing and has a piston carried in a cylinder and secured to a driven kelly. The device has a transducer mounted at the top of the cylinder for transmitting a sound wave through hydraulic fluid to the tap of the piston and detecting the return of the wave at the top of the cylinder. A counter determines the elapsed time for the sound travel. The elapsed time is converted into depth and displayed.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving stands of pipe in a derrick having a powered turret mounted in a selected position relative to the derrick and a vertical leg supported and rotated by the turret. A powered dolly is mounted on the vertical leg and moves one end of a power arm to selected positions along the vertical leg. A pipe gripping head is mounted to the opposite end of the power arm. A scissor arm is rotatably connected at one end in mid-region of the power arm and at the other end to the vertical leg. As a consequence, the pipe gripping head moves reciprocally in a straight line to engage, move, and disengage stands of pipe.

Abstract: An emergency deflation tool intended for use in an inflatable packer system. The mechanism comprises a cylindrical axially extending member adapted to be fixed against axial movement, another hollow cylindrical member surrounding a portion of the length of said member with a vent through the wall thereof, an inflation fluid passageway, and an expendable tension sleeve joining the two members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a well packer for releasable setting within a well conduit, including a seal assembly for sealing the packer to the conduit and an anchor assembly for anchoring the packer to the conduit. The packer is set in stages by hydraulic pressure. The seal assembly is extended, and locked, in sealing configuration; the anchor assembly is then set, and locked, in gripping engagement with the conduit. The packer is released by longitudinal movement of a central mandrel relative to the seal and anchoring assemblies. The release of the packer also occurs in stages, with the seal assembly unlocked and released from its set configuration followed by like operations relative to the anchor assembly. A hold-down system prevents premature release of the packer by securing the mandrel against such relative longitudinal movement.

Abstract: An inflatable packer system for use in a well testing or treating tool which is attached to a drill string. The inflatable packer system comprises a pump subassembly operated by rotation of the drill string, a check/relief valve subassembly, valve subassembly, packer deflate subassembly, at least one inflatable packer, at least one flow subassembly, at least one recorder subassembly, and a drag spring unit. The packer system may also incorporate a straddle by-pass extension assembly for additional spacing between packers in a two packer straddle test. The inflatable packer system is used to isolate any desired zone or zones in a well bore so that multiple tests involving inflation and deflation of the packer(s) without removing the tool from the well may be performed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an earth boring bit of otherwise conventional construction except for the bearing and cutter retention. A snap ring is used to retain the cutter, the grooves that receive the ring and the ring construction being such that the ring is forced into the retainer groove when the cone is thrust inward. The ring cannot therefore accidentally return to its assembly position to permit cutter loss. This enables the use of exclusively frictional bearings and retainer means of exceptional strength and reliability.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit has staggered rows of wear resistant inserts that are positioned to provide more inserts in the rows without sacrificing insert supporting metal. The staggered rows include a first or heel row of inserts that is positioned next to the gage surface of the cutter. The second or adjacent row is located farther from the gage surface and staggered with the first row so that the first and second row inserts alternate in contacting the bottom of the borehole. Each insert has a centerline that intersects the cutter axis. The first row inserts intersect the cutter axis at a greater angle than the second row inserts. This positioning results in a more uniform section of metal between the holes of the first and second row inserts, enabling a closer spacing.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated earth boring machine, improved with a flowmeter and indicator to show the instantaneous and the greatest depth of the drilling tool.