Patent ID: 8261857

Claim:
A core barrel head assembly configured to engage with an outer casing, the core barrel head assembly having a longitudinal axis, comprising: a body having an inner surface and a connector portion, the inner surface of the body defining a central channel and a receiving opening in communication with the central channel, the receiving opening being axially opposed from the connector portion, the connector portion configured for engagement with a core barrel assembly; a spearhead having a frustoconical point, an opposed bit end, and an elongate shaft extending between the frustoconical point and the bit end, at least a portion of the elongate shaft of the spearhead being positioned within the central channel of the body, the frustoconical point of the spearhead being positioned external to the body and configured for engagement with a wireline assembly, the spearhead being operatively associated with said body and configured to translate axially relative to said body; a spring operatively associated with said spearhead, the spring being positioned within the central channel of the body such that at least a portion of the elongate shaft of the spearhead is positioned within the spring, wherein said spring axially biases said spearhead toward the connector portion of said body along the longitudinal axis of the core barrel head assembly to oppose axial movement of the spearhead away from the connector portion of the body along the longitudinal axis; and at least two latches operatively associated with said spearhead and said body and being positioned proximate the receiving opening of the body, said at least two latches being configured to translate between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said body in response to axial translation of said spearhead relative to said body, wherein in an extended position, said at least two latches cover more than 25% of the circumference of said body adjacent said at least two latches; wherein said at least two latches prevent the core barrel head assembly from moving axially upward and axially downward relative to the outer casing when in the extended position.