Abstract: A drilling tool, for example a core barrel inner tube assembly, includes a latch body mounting latches for movement into a latch seat to removably retain the assembly adjacent to a drill string bit end and to impart rotary movement to the latch body as the drill string is rotated. A spindle subassembly is connected to the axial inner end of the latch body, to in turn, mount a vibrational subassembly for imparting axial reciprocal movement to a core receiving tube as the drill string is rotated to facilitate entry of core into the tube. The vibrational assembly converts rotary motion of the spindle subassembly to axial reciprocal movement of the core receiving tube while the core receiving tube is not being rotated but is moved axially inwardly over the core.

Abstract: An orientation-operated cursor control device having a housing which is hand-holdable by a user. The housing rotatably carries a orientation maintaining member having a center of rotation which is offset from a center of gravity. An encoder generates input information for the computer in response to relative rotation of the housing and orientation maintaining member.

Abstract: A drilling tool, for example a core barrel inner tube assembly or a drilling bit, is attached to the inner end of a latch body which is removably seatable on a landing shoulder of a drill string. The inner end of the latch body mounts a drilling tool such as a core receiving tool or a drag bit. An overcenter toggle latch assembly is mounted to the latch body, the latch assembly including a pair of latches having inner ends pivotally mounted to the latch body, toggle links that at their one ends are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the latches and at their opposite ends have a retractor link extended through elongated slots. The retractor pin is extended through an axially elongated slot in the latch body to limit the axial movement of the pin between a position that the latches are locked in a latch seated position and a position retracting the latch body and the drilling tool attached thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to large diameter raise bore rock bits. The invention comprises a means in which extensions may be attached to the outer diameter of the body of the rock bit, thus providing a variable diameter raise bore rock bit. The extensions are mounted to the primary body of the bit such that compressive loads are imposed on the attachment means. These compressive loads are transmitted from the extensions of the body by designing the extension portions of the bit such that they interlock to the basic bit body. The mating surfaces of the attachment means transmit predominantly compressive loads acting substantially normal to the load bearing surfaces. The attachment means are further designed to increase the grip of the extended bit portions as increased loads are applied to the body of the rock bit.

Abstract: A non-rotating stabilizer for raise boring having a diameter substantially equal to the raise head and which is positioned below the raise head so as to follow it as the hole is bored is disclosed. A second raise head having a larger diameter than the stabilizer may be positioned below the stabilizer.