Patent Abstract:
A system for connecting a stripper rubber to drilling head equipment comprises an adapter, a stripper rubber insert and a pin assembly. The adapter includes a primary bore, a groove extending around the primary bore, drill head equipment engaging structure adjacent the primary bore, and a pin assembly housing. The stripper rubber insert includes a vertically-upstanding flange configured for being engaged within the adapter groove. The flange includes a pin receptacle and the flange cooperatively mates with the adapter groove such that the pin receptacle is alignable with the pin assembly housing. The pin assembly is housed in the pin assembly housing of the adapter. The pin assembly includes a pin movably mounted for being selectively engagable with the pin receptacle for securing the stripper rubber insert to the adapter when the flange is engaged within the adapter groove with the pin receptacle suitably aligned with the pin.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of, and claims priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/829,924, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,958, filed Apr. 22, 2004 by the present inventor, and entitled “Spring-Biased Pin Connection System”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to connectors and connector systems for making mechanical connections. More particularly, the invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for connecting or disconnecting a stripper rubber to or from equipment of a drilling head, such as the bearing assembly, to pressure-seal the interior of a well bore for the circulation, containment or diversion of drilling fluid through the well during drilling operations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Oil, gas, water and geothermal wells are typically drilled with a drill bit connected to a hollow drill string which is inserted into a well casing cemented in the well bore. A drilling head is attached to the well casing, wellhead or to associated blowout preventer equipment, for the purposes of sealing the interior of the well bore from the surface and facilitating forced circulation of drilling fluid through the well while drilling or diverting drilling fluids away from the well. Drilling fluids include, but are not limited to, water, steam, drilling muds, air, and other gases. 
     In the forward circulation drilling technique, drilling fluid is pumped downwardly through the bore of the hollow drill string, out the bottom of the hollow drill string and then upwardly through the annulus defined by the drill string and the interior of the well casing, or well bore, and subsequently out through a side outlet above the well head. In reverse circulation, a pump impels drilling fluid through a port, down the annulus between the drill string and the well casing, or well bore, and then upwardly through the bore of the hollow drill string and out of the well. 
     Drilling heads typically include a stationary body, often referred to as a bowl, which carries a rotatable spindle such as a bearing assembly, rotated by a kelly apparatus or top drive unit. One or more seals or packing elements, sometimes referred to as stripper packers or stripper rubbers, is carried by the spindle to seal the periphery of the kelly or the drive tube or sections of the drill pipe, whichever may be passing through the spindle and the stripper rubber, and thus confine or divert the pore pressure in the well to prevent the drilling fluid from escaping between the rotating spindle and the drilling string. 
     Rotating blowout preventers and diverters are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of well pressure control. Rotation of the diverter/preventer is facilitated by a sealing engaged bearing assembly through which the drill string rotates relative to the stationary bowl or housing in which the bearing assembly is seated. Typically, a rubber o-ring seal, or similar seal, is disposed between the stripper rubber and the bearing assembly to improve the connection between the stripper rubber and the bearing assembly. Pressure control is achieved by means of one or more stripper rubbers connected to the bearing assembly and disposed around the drill string. At least one stripper rubber rotates with the drill string. 
     Stripper rubbers typically taper downward and include rubber or other resilient substrate so that the downhole pressure pushes up on the rubber, pressing the rubber against the drill string to achieve a fluid-tight seal. Stripper rubbers often further include metal inserts that provide support for bolts or other attachment means and which also provide a support structure to minimize deformation of the rubber cause by down hole pressure forces acting on the rubber. 
     Stripper rubbers are connected or adapted to equipment of the drilling head to establish and maintain the pressure control seal around a down hole tubular. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of means are used to attach a stripper rubber to the equipment above it. Such attachment means include bolting from the top, bolting from the bottom, screwing the stripper rubber directly onto the equipment via cooperating threaded portions on the top of the stripper rubber and the bottom of the equipment, and clamps. 
     It will also be understood that, depending on the particular equipment being used at a drilling head, a stripper rubber at one well may be connected to equipment specific to that well, while at another well a stripper rubber is connected to different equipment. For example, at one well the stripper rubber may be connected to the bearing assembly while at another well the stripper rubber may be connected to an inner barrel or an accessory of the drilling head. While the present invention is described here in relation to connecting the stripper rubber to the bearing assembly, it will be evident that the invention contemplates connection of the stripper rubber to any selected equipment of the drilling head. 
     It is common practice to tighten the bolts or screws of the connection with heavy wrenches and sledge hammers. The practice of using heavy tools to tighten a bolt, for example, can result in over-tightening, to the point where the threads or the bolt head become stripped. The results of over-tightening include stripped heads, where the bolt or screw cannot be removed, or stripped threads, where the bolt or screw has no grip and the connection fails. Both results are undesirable. 
     Even worse, vibration and other drilling stresses can cause bolts or screws to work themselves loose and fall out. If one or more falls downhole, the result can be catastrophic. The drill bit can be ruined. The entire drillstring may have to tripped out, and substantial portions replaced, including the drill bit. If the well bore has been cased, the casing may be damaged and have to be repaired. 
     Drilling head assemblies periodically need to be disassembled to replace stripper rubbers or other parts, lubricate moving elements, and perform other recommended maintenance. In some circumstances, stripped or over tightened bolts or screws make it very difficult if not impossible to disengage the stripper rubber from the drilling head assembly to perform recommended maintenance or parts replacement. 
     As modern wells are drilled ever deeper, or into certain geological formations, very high temperatures and pressures may be encountered at the drilling head. These rigorous drilling conditions pose increased risks to rig personnel from accidental scalding, burns or contamination by steam, hot water and hot, caustic well fluids. There is a danger of serious injury to rig workers when heavy tools are used to make a stripper rubber connection at the drilling head. The connection should be made quickly and achieve a fluid-tight seal. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to obtain a connector for optionally connecting a stripper rubber assembly to a bearing assembly, or other equipment, of a drilling head that is effective, safe, simple, fast and elegant. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The present invention is further described in the detailed description that follows, by reference to the noted drawings, by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout several views of the drawings, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side, isometric-view, schematic drawing of a connector system of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is cross-section side view schematic drawing of the system of  FIG. 1 , bisected along line A-A. 
         FIG. 3A  is an isometric-view schematic drawing of a stripper rubber insert of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is an isometric-view schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of a stripper rubber insert of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a top, isometric-view, schematic drawing of a top ring of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom, isometric-view, schematic drawing of the top ring of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric bottom view schematic drawing of a connector system of the present invention, omitting the resilient substrate of the stripper rubber, and assembled but for the pin assemblies. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded, isometric-view schematic drawing of a retention pin assembly one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features or sub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of the advantages that will be evident from the description. The present invention is described with frequent reference to stripper rubbers. It is understood, however, that a stripper rubber connector is merely an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention, which is directed generically to connectors and systems and methods for making connections within the scope of the invention. The terminology, examples, drawings and embodiments, therefore, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Oil and gas wells are drilled with a drill bit attached to a hollow drill string which passes down through a well casing installed in the well bore. A drilling head attached to the top of the well casing, where it emerges from the ground, to seal the interior of the well casing from the surface, permits the forced circulation or diversion of drilling fluid or gas during drilling operations. In the forward circulation drilling mode, the drilling fluid or gas is pumped down through the interior of the hollow drill string, out the bottom thereof, and upward through the annulus between the exterior of the drill string and the interior of the well casing. In reverse circulation, the drilling fluid or gas is pumped down the annulus between the drill string and the well casing (or well bore) and then upward through the hollow drillstring. 
     Drilling heads often include a stationary body that carries a rotatable spindle such as a bearing assembly that is rotated by a kelly or top drive unit that drives the rotary drilling operation. A seal or packing, often referred to as a stripper rubber or packer, is carried by the spindle to seal the periphery of the kelly or the sections of drill pipe, whichever is passing through the spindle, and thereby confines the fluid pressure in the well bore and prevents the drilling fluid, whether liquid or gas, from escaping between the rotary spindle and the drill string. 
     Stripper packers provide rotational and slideable sealing of the drill string within the drilling head. The rotation of the kelly and drill string, the frequent upward and downward movement of the kelly and drill string during addition of drill pipe sections, and the high pressures to which the drilling head is subjected, demand that the consumable packing components of the drilling head be able to be quickly and securely replaced. As modern oil and gas wells go to greater depths having greater down hole bore pressures, ever more reliable means of sealing the drill string against release of internal drilling fluid pressure are sought. 
     The attachment of the stripper packer to the inner barrel of the drilling head is important in the containment or diversion of drilling fluid under bore hole pressure. Typically, the stripper packer includes an elongated generally cylindrical hard-rubber packer having an annular mounting collar secured to its upper end. The mounting collar of the packer, in turn, is secured onto the lower end of the spindle by any one of a variety of means, including bolting from the top, bolting from the bottom, screwing on with cooperating threaded potions or with a mounting clamp that is screwed or bolted tight for a positive mechanical interlock between the spindle mounting flange and the stripper rubber collar. 
     The art has not produced many viable alternatives to the above-described structures due, in part, to the difficulty of forming a suitable releasable yet reliable connection between a drilling head and a stripper rubber. This has been particularly true in those cases where the frictional engagement between the stripper rubber and the drill string provides the rotary driving force for the rotary spindle in the drilling head. In such instances, the stripper rubber is under constant torque loading and this tends to accelerate wear and ultimate failure of the rubber-to-spindle seal. 
     The present invention provides a stripper rubber connector system that eliminates the aforementioned bolts, screws, threads, and clamps, and which is selectively detachable from the drilling head. When assembled, a top ring, or adapter, of the present invention optionally bolts to the bottom of the spindle of the drilling head, and the stripper rubber connects to the top ring by the selectively lockable engagement of one or more spring-loaded pins or plungers. Additionally, seals such as o-rings, for example, which function between the stripper rubber and the adapter, effectively prevent pressurized fluids from leaking around the stripper rubber and compromising the fluid containment of the drilling head. The stripper rubber thereby maintains compressive engagement with the drillstring to provide a fluid-tight and pressure-tight seal therebetween, and supports the rotary torque loads transmitted via the stripper rubber from the rotating drill string to the rotary spindle. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a side, isometric view schematic drawing of a connector system of one embodiment of the present invention. The depicted embodiment is that of a stripper rubber. The stripper rubber embodiment provides top ring  100  and bottom stripper rubber  102 . Annular shoulder  104  circumscribes the interior of top ring  100  and provides one or more mounting bores  106  disposed around shoulder  104  and extending therethough. 
     Mounting bores  106  facilitate the attachment of top ring  100  to an article of equipment, such as an inner barrel or bearing assembly of a drilling head. For example, top ring  100  may be bottom-bolted to the equipment by inserting bolts, through the bottom of top ring  100 , which extend beyond shoulder  104  and threadedly connect to corresponding bores in the equipment. Alternative embodiments provide screws for mounting top ring  100 , or top ring  100  may be threaded so as to screw on to the equipment directly. Those skilled in the art will appreciate a variety of means for mounting top ring  100  on to equipment. 
     Disposed around the side of top ring  100  are one or more plunger or pin assembly housings  108  that each receives a rotatable pin  110 A/B (generically referred to herein from time to time as  110 ). The view provided by  FIG. 1  depicts pin  110 A in an engaged or locked position and pin  110 B in a disengaged or unlocked position. Whether or not pin  110  is engaged or disengaged depends on the rotational orientation of pin handle  112 . 
     Each pin assembly housing  108  provides slots  114  substantially on opposite sides of bore  108 . Slots  114  cooperate with co-linear handle recesses  116  to accommodate handle  112  when pin  110 A, for example, is in the engaged position. 
       FIG. 2  is cross-section side view schematic drawing of the system of  FIG. 1 , bisected along line A-A. Stripper rubber  102  is sealed against top ring  100 . Mounting bores  106  extend axially through top ring  100  and provide bolt shaft housing  132 , which may or may not be threaded, to retain a threaded bolt, and bold head receptacle  134 . The recommended embodiment of bolt shaft housing  132  is to be unthreaded. Bolt head receptacle  134  serves as both a bolt stop and as a recess that receives the bolt head so that the bolt head is approximately flush with stripper rubber  102 . 
     Insert  120  is at least partially embedded in stripper rubber  102  and disposed toward the top of stripper rubber  102 , proximate to top ring  100 . Insert shoulder  128  extends radially outward and is provided with a plurality of at least partial perforations  130 , which enhance the strength of the bond between stripper rubber  102  and insert  120 . Insert flange  122  extends axially upward out of stripper rubber  102  and is received by stripper rubber insert flange groove  140  ( FIG. 4B ) of top ring  100 . One or more pin or plunger receptacles  124  are positioned around insert flange  122  so that each pin receptacle aligns with a corresponding pin assembly housing  108 . Each pin receptacle  124  is adapted to receive and retain pin  110 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , receptacle  124  consists of a lateral bore or hole, sized to fit pin  110 . Alternative embodiments may provide pin receptacles or varying size, shape, depth or form. 
     One or more rubber o-rings, or other suitable sealing means, disposed within groove  140 , enhance the seal between flange  122  and top ring  100 . Annular or-ring housing  138 , around the outer surface of the interior surface of groove  140 , and o-ring housing  142 , around the interior surface of groove  140 , house rubber o-rings to provide a fluid-tight seal between top ring  100  and stripper rubber insert  120 . 
     Turning now to the operation of pin assembly  600  (see  FIG. 6 ) in pin assembly housing  108  (see  FIG. 1 ),  FIG. 2  shows pin  110 A engaged with pin receptacle  124 , and handle  112  resting in recesses  116  so as to be approximately flush with exterior side surface  126 . Spring  602  is disposed around pin  110 A in the annular space between the exterior surface of pin  110 A and the interior surface of pin assembly sleeve  608 . Flange  604  extends from the surface of sleeve  608  and acts as a spring stop. Spring  602  exerts force against flange  604 , which biases pin  110 A toward receptacle  124 . 
     In contrast, pin  110 B is disengaged from receptacle  124 B. Handle  112 B of pin  110 B is oriented approximately perpendicular to handle  112  of pin  110 A, so that handle  112 B rests on surface  126 , rather than being flush therewith. Pin flange  606  stops spring  602 , which is disposed around pin  110 B, and compresses spring  602  against bore flange  604 . Comparison of spring  602  in position A and in position B reveals that spring  602  is relatively extended in position A and is relatively compressed in position B. Additionally, void  125  appears between pin  110 B and receptacle  124 B when pin  110  is in a disengaged position. 
     To selectively change pin  110  from an engaged to a disengaged position, an operator simply slides his or her fingers in finger recesses  118 , which provide sufficient clearance between handle  112 A (in handle recesses  116 ) and the bottom of finger recesses  118  to accommodate the operator&#39;s fingers. The operator grasps handle  112 A and pulls outward, compressing spring  602 , until pin  110  clears receptacle  124  and withdraws into bore  108 . The operator then rotates handle  112  obliquely to slots  114  and  116 . Upon letting go of handle  112 , spring  602  biases pin  110  so that handle  112  rests on surface  126  in a disengaged position and pin  110  is clear of insert flange  122 . When all pins  110  are in a disengaged position, stripper rubber  102  slides off or out of top ring  100  with relative ease. 
       FIG. 3A  is an isometric-view schematic drawing of stripper rubber insert  120  of one embodiment of the present invention. During manufacture of stripper rubber  102 , a substantially elastomeric material is in a fluid state so that the material flows through perforations  130 . Upon curing, the fluid elastomeric material partially hardens to form an at least partially resilient sealing element—the “rubber” of the stripper rubber. The elastomeric material partially hardens around the insert  120  and through perforations  130  to substantially embed shoulder  128  in the resilient sealing element. One or more axial perforations  130 , disposed around shoulder  128 , are recommended to enhance the mechanical bond between insert  120  and the stripper rubber&#39;s resilient substrate. Bonding agents may also be used during manufacture to further enhance the bond between the insert and the rubber. 
     Insert flange  122  extends upward from insert shoulder  128 , which is at least partially embedded in the resilient sealing substrate (not shown) of stripper rubber  102 . Shoulder  128  and flange  122  cooperatively define primary bore  136 . 
     Flange  122  extends out of the resilient substrate. At least one of substantially lateral pin receptacle bores  124 , adapted to receive a pin  110 , is positioned around flange  122  to align with at least one pin assembly housing  108  of top ring  100 . Seal boss  144 A of flange  122  is formed where the transverse width of the upper portion of flange  122  is narrower than the width of the lower portion (proximate to shoulder  128 ). An o-ring or other suitable sealing element seats around seal boss  144 A to enhance the fluid-tight seal between insert  122  and top ring  100 . 
       FIG. 3B  depicts an alternative embodiment of the insert of  FIG. 3A . The seal boss provides one or more o-ring groove  144 B to retain a sealing element, such as a rubber o-ring (not shown), that seals flange  122  against the walls of flange receptacle  140  in top ring  100 . See the discussion, below, of  FIG. 4B  to understand the sealing engagement of the insert  120  of  FIG. 3B  with top ring  100 . One or more sealing elements between insert  120  and top ring  100  achieve a fluid-tight seal for effective performance of the invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is an isometric top view schematic drawing of top ring  100  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Annular shoulder  104  provides at least one mounting bore  106  for mounting top ring  100  to a piece of equipment such as a drilling head bearing assembly or inner barrel. Pin handle recesses  116  are adapted to accommodate pin handle  122  (not shown) so that handle  122  rests substantially flush with side surface  126 . 
       FIG. 4B  is an isometric bottom view schematic drawing of top ring  100  of  FIG. 4A . A plurality of mounting bores  106  each provide bolt head receptacle  134  to receive the head of a bolt, screw, or other fastener, used to bottom-bolt top ring  100  to a piece of equipment. 
     Top ring  100  may be considered and adapter or collet to receive and retain flange  122  of stripper rubber insert  120 . Flange receptacle  140  provides a concentric groove or recess adapted to fit insert flange  122  of stripper rubber  102  (see  FIG. 2 ). Receptacle  140  is adapted to receive insert flange  122 . O-ring grooves  138  and  142  circumscribe the outer and inner the surfaces, respectively, of receptacle  140  to seat rubber o-rings, or other suitable sealing members, to enhance the fluid-tight seal between top ring  100  and insert flange  122 . In the case of the embodiment of  FIG. 3B , groove  138  is replaced by groove  144 B on insert  120  to obtain the fluid tight seal by cooperative sealing engagement of top ring  100  and insert flange  122 . 
     Traversing laterally through top ring  100 , is at least one pin assembly housing  108 , which is adapted to receive pin  110 . Pin assembly housing  108  extends to, and opens into, flange receptacle  140 , but does not extend to shoulder  104 . Bore  108  provides slots  114  and recesses  116  to receive pin handle  112  in the engaged position. Opposite each other across bore  108  are finger receptacles  118 , which accommodate the fingers of an operator to facilitate pulling pin  110  into the disengaged position. 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric, bottom-view schematic drawing of a connector system of the present invention, omitting the resilient substrate of stripper rubber  102 , and assembled but for the pin assemblies (see  FIG. 6 ). Top ring  100  defines primary bore  136 , which extends axially through the interior void of ring  100  to receive a drillstring or tool. A portion of mounting bores  106 , specifically bolt head receptacles  134 , can be seen in this view. From the perspective of this  FIG. 5 , one can see that, when top ring  100  is seated on insert  128 , ring  100  extends radially inward of primary bore  136 , so that mounting bores  106  are clear of stripper rubber insert  128  to receive mounting bolts (not shown). 
     Concentrically around top ring  100  is insert shoulder  128  having perforations  130  to enhance the bond between insert  120  and the resilient substrate (not shown), such as rubber, of stripper rubber  102 . One or more pin assembly housings  108  perforate top ring  100  substantially perpendicularly to primary bore  136 , and extend to, and aligned with, pin receptacles  124  disposed around insert flange  122  seated in flange receptacle  140  of top ring  100 . Insert flange  122 , insert flange receptacle  140 , and pin receptacles  124  are obscured in the view of this  FIG. 5 . As described above, top ring  100  further provides slots  114 , finger recesses  118 , and handle recesses  116 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view schematic drawing of spring-biased pin assembly  600  of one embodiment of the present invention. Pin  110  provides pin flange  606 , which stops spring  602 . Pin  110  is rotatably disposed within pin insert or sleeve  608 . Sleeve  608  may provide external threads so that sleeve  608  may be screwed into pin assembly housing  108  of top ring  100 . Pin  110  extends out of the distal end of insert  608  so that pin handle bore  610  is exposed and pin handle  112  can be inserted through bore  610 . 
     Spring  602  is disposed around pin  110  in the annular space between pin  110  and sleeve  608  and between sleeve flange  604  and pin flange  606 . Spring  602  is compressed between pin flange  606  and sleeve flange  604  within insert  608  to provide a bias that impels pin  110  perpendicularly to primary bore  136  and toward pin receptacle  124 . 
     The entire pin assembly  600  is inserted within pin assembly housing  108  of top ring  100 . Top ring  100  is mounted on stripper rubber  102  so that pin assembly housings  108  align with corresponding pin receptacles  124 . Pin handle  112  may then be rotated by an operator so that pin handle  112  aligns with slots  114 . Letting go of handle  112  partially releases compressed spring  602  to push pin  110  toward pin receptacle  124  so that the proximate end of pin  110  is received by pin receptacle  124  and secured in position by compression forces from spring  602 . 
     The connector system of the present invention provides a spring-loaded pin-type connection between an article of drilling head equipment and a stripper rubber. More generically, however, the present invention provides a system for circular connections, such as connecting tubes together, connecting a tool to a tube, connecting a tube to a flange or for connecting a tool to a flange. The combination of the top ring or adapter with the stripper rubber insert, of the stripper rubber embodiment described above as a mere example of a connection system of the present invention, is easily generalized by those of ordinary skill in the art to a wide variety of mechanical connection applications, including but not limited to those identified above. 
     The present invention further provides a connection system for connecting parts of an apparatus. A first part having one or more pin receptacles cooperatively mates to a second part having one or more spring-biased pin assemblies. The second part further provides one or more pin assembly housings. The first and second parts assemble such that at least one pin assembly housing aligns with at least one pin receptacle. At least one pin assembly disposed through the at least one pin assembly housing selectively engages the pin receptacle to secure the connection of the first part to the second part of the apparatus. 
     Each pin assembly may include a pin assembly sleeve having a spring stop; a spring seated within the sleeve; a pin, also having a spring stop, rotatably disposed through the spring, and a removable pin handle connected to the pin distally from the pin spring stop. The pin selectively engages the retention pin receptacle with a spring-loaded bias to secure the connection of the first part to the second part of the apparatus. 
     An alternative embodiment of the pin assembly provides a spring-biased pin assembly with a pin assembly sleeve having a distal spring stop, and also having at least one slot to receive a pin handle. A spring seated within the sleeve has axially disposed through it an at least partially rotatable pin that has a proximate spring stop. A pin handle connected to the pin distally from the pin spring stop operates so that the handle is selectively disposable in and withdrawable from the slot of the sleeve to selectively extend the pin at least partially out of, or retract the pin at least partially into, the sleeve. 
     The first part of the apparatus may be, for example, drilling head equipment, such as an inner barrel or a bearing assembly. Alternatively, the first part may be a connection adapter, such as the top ring described above, that provides means for connecting the adapter to a part of the apparatus and also provides the connector system of the present invention to connect the adapter to another part of the apparatus. Whether the first part is an article of equipment or an adapter, or something else, the first part, generally speaking, is a collet that receives a flange, or extension, of the second part. 
     The second part may be a stripper rubber, which typically includes an insert that provides means for connecting the rubber to a piece of drilling head equipment such as an inner barrel or a bearing assembly. The insert provides one more receptacles to receive one or more biased retaining pin to secure the connection between the parts. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the top ring serves as an adapter to facilitate the connection between the stripper rubber and drilling head equipment such as, for example, a bearing assembly. In certain contexts, however, the drilling head equipment includes the adapter (or top ring) itself, such that the stripper rubber insert couples with the adapter. In such instances, the adapter (or “equipment”) is further adapted to connect to a third part of the apparatus, such as the inner barrel of a drilling head. 
     Particular embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly for connecting a stripper rubber to drilling head equipment. The assembly includes, but is not limited to, an adapter that is connectable to the stripper rubber, and means for connecting the adapter to the drilling head equipment. The adapter further provides one or more pin assembly housings to receive at least one spring-biased pin assembly. A stripper rubber having one or more pin receptacles, cooperatively mates with the adapter such that at least one pin assembly housing aligns with at least one pin receptacle. At least one pin assembly, disposed through the at least one pin assembly housing, selectively engages the pin receptacle to secure the connection of the adapter to the stripper rubber. 
     Additionally, the present invention provides an adapter for connecting parts of an apparatus. The adapter includes means for connecting the adapter to a first part of the apparatus. Such means include, for example, bores parallel to the primary bore and disposed through the adapter to receive bolts or screws so that the adapter can be bolted onto the apparatus. The adapter provides one or more pin assembly housings that are adapted receive a spring-biased pin assembly. 
     The present invention yet further provides a stripper rubber insert adapted to seat an adapter of the present invention and to receive and secure one or more spring-biased pins. Inserts are commonly made of metal, but other materials, such as composite, synthetic, or hardened resin materials, may provide comparable functionality. Likewise, the components of the pin assembly and the top ring or adapter may be composed of metal, composite, synthetic, or hardened resin, or any suitable material to obtain the desired function. 
     The present invention contemplates that operation of the described connector system may be performed automatically and be remotely controlled. Remote control may be implemented by hydraulic, pneumatic or electronic means that selectively cause the one or more pins to be in an engaged or disengaged position. Electronic automatic operation may be accomplished, for example, by a programmable microprocessor to control motors connected to the pin assemblies. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4