Patent ID: 9702196
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. A coring tool, comprising: a core bit comprising at least one cutting structure extending from adjacent an inner bore of the core bit to an outer gage of the core bit; a drill plug configured to close the inner bore of the core bit, the drill plug comprising at least one cutting structure; and an indexing device disposed between the drill plug and the core bit, the indexing device configured to maintain a singular predetermined angular relationship between the core bit and the drill plug by the presence of a movable locking element movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the movable locking element biased toward the extended position, wherein the at least one cutting structure of the core bit and the at least one cutting structure of the drill plug form a substantially continuous cutting structure when the drill plug is located within the inner bore of the core bit at the singular predetermined angular relationship such that an exposed outer surface of the drill plug is at least substantially flush with an exposed outer surface of the core bit proximate the inner bore and the movable locking element is in the extended position, and wherein the at least one cutting structure of the core bit and the at least one cutting structure of the drill plug would form a discontinuous cutting structure if the drill plug were located within the inner bore of the core bit angularly misaligned from the singular predetermined angular relationship such that only a portion of the exposed outer surface of the drill plug was at least substantially flush with the exposed outer surface of the core bit proximate the inner bore, and the movable locking element were in the retracted position.