Patent ID: 8316954

Claim:
An apparatus for separating a downhole tubular string into two parts, the apparatus comprising: a receptacle operably associated with a first part of the downhole tubular string, the receptacle having a profiled surface; a mandrel operably associated with a second part of the downhole tubular string, the mandrel slidably positioned relative to the receptacle; a first sleeve slidably positioned between the receptacle and the mandrel, the first sleeve operable to be securably coupled to the mandrel in first and second positions relative to the mandrel, the first sleeve having a profile; a second sleeve positioned between the receptacle and the mandrel, the second sleeve having a profile; a first ring slidably positioned between the profile of the first sleeve and the profiled surface of the receptacle; and a second ring slidably positioned between the profile of the second sleeve and the profiled surface of the receptacle, the first and second rings initially limiting longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel in first and second directions; wherein, upon application of a predetermined longitudinal force between the mandrel and the receptacle, the receptacle engages the second ring such that the second ring engages the first ring which shifts the first sleeve from the first position to the second position and allows the second ring to slide off the profile of the second sleeve such that the receptacle engages the first ring, thereby limiting longitudinal movement of the receptacle in the first direction; and wherein, upon subsequent movement of the receptacle in the second direction relative to the mandrel, the receptacle engages the first ring such that the first ring slides off the profile of the first sleeve, thereby allowing longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel in both the first and second directions.