Patent ID: 8122979

Claim:
In an offset rock bit for use in a drill string for horizontal directional drilling, the drill string having a longitudinal axis which is centrally disposed with said offset rock bit and the drill string, and said offset rock bit having an exterior periphery with a forward portion providing a cutting face, a rearward portion providing a connection member, an intermediate portion providing a heel and a steering face, with said steering face extending intermediate said cutting face and said heel at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein said cutting face and said heel are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, offset on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, the improvement comprising: a slot formed into said steering face, centrally disposed with said steering face and extending in a general direction of said longitudinal axis; and a pull back adapter having a rearward portion for fitting within said slot, a first aperture in a first end thereof, and a second aperture defining a pull back eye disposed on an opposite end of said pull back adapter from said first aperture and adapted for receiving a shackle, wherein said pull back adapter is configured such that said second aperture defining said pull back eye is disposed along said longitudinal axis when said pull back adapter is fully fitted within said slot.