Patent ID: 7117939

Claim:
An apparatus for retrieving a broken, down-hole bit having a cutting end comprising: a hollow, generally cylindrical inner retainer sleeve having a collar and a knob positioned at opposite ends of said inner retainer sleeve; a holding band attached to and circumscribing said bit; a first retaining ring attached to and circumscribing said bit, said first retaining ring positioned closer to said cutting end than said holding band is positioned, and said first retaining ring having a first slot; a second retaining ring attached to and circumscribing said bit, said second retaining ring positioned closer to said cutting end than said holding band is positioned, and said second retaining ring having a second slot; said inner retainer sleeve having a larger inner radius than the outer radiuses of said first and second retaining rings and said holding band; said collar having a smaller inner radius than the outer radius of said holding band; said knob having a smaller inner radius than the outer radius of said first and second retaining rings; said knob sized to fit through said first and second slots; and said inner retainer sleeve attachable around said bit with said knob below said first and second retaining rings and said second collar above said holding band.