A core barrel head assembly having a longitudinal axis and configured to be removably received within a drill string , comprising: a sleeve having a plurality of latch openings extending there through; a driving member positioned at least partially within the sleeve, the driving member having an outer surface defining a plurality of driving surfaces which taper toward the end of the drill string including the drill bit; and a plurality of wedge members , each wedge member of the plurality of wedge members being positioned on a portion of a respective driving surface of the plurality of driving surfaces, the plurality of wedge members extending within the plurality of latch openings about and between a released position and a locked position; wherein each wedge member of the plurality of wedge members moves between the released position and the locked position via radial displacement, and wherein axial translation of the driving member results in radial displacement of the plurality of wedge members between the released position and the locked position; wherein movement of the driving member toward the end of the drill string including the drill bit moves the plurality of wedge members radially outwardly from the released position to the locked position; wherein the driving surfaces are planar to create a circumferential taper in which the distance between an inner diameter of the drill string and the driving member varies circumferentially, whereby rotation of the drill string relative to the driving member causes the plurality of wedge members to wedge between the plurality of driving surfaces and the inner diameter of the drill string; and wherein, when the plurality of wedge members are positioned in the locked position, the driving member is configured to axially and rotationally lock the core barrel head assembly relative to the drill string. a sleeve having a plurality of latch openings extending there through; a driving member positioned at least partially within the sleeve, the driving member having an outer surface defining a plurality of driving surfaces which taper toward the end of the drill string including the drill bit; and a plurality of wedge members , each wedge member of the plurality of wedge members being positioned on a portion of a respective driving surface of the plurality of driving surfaces, the plurality of wedge members extending within the plurality of latch openings about and between a released position and a locked position; wherein each wedge member of the plurality of wedge members moves between the released position and the locked position via radial displacement, and wherein axial translation of the driving member results in radial displacement of the plurality of wedge members between the released position and the locked position; wherein movement of the driving member toward the end of the drill string including the drill bit moves the plurality of wedge members radially outwardly from the released position to the locked position; wherein the driving surfaces are planar to create a circumferential taper in which the distance between an inner diameter of the drill string and the driving member varies circumferentially, whereby rotation of the drill string relative to the driving member causes the plurality of wedge members to wedge between the plurality of driving surfaces and the inner diameter of the drill string; and wherein, when the plurality of wedge members are positioned in the locked position, the driving member is configured to axially and rotationally lock the core barrel head assembly relative to the drill string. <EOS>