# US 10,119,342 B2 · Rope socket > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,342 B2 - Document ID: US10119342B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/671,791 - Filed: 2015-03-27 - Published: 2016-09-29 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-27 - Applicants: Downhole and Design International Corp - Inventors: Aaron Breaux; Keith Fry; Lance Fry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119342B2 ## CPC - E21B 17/023: {Arrangements for connecting cables or wirelines to downhole devices} - E21B 23/00: Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells (setting of casings, screens or liners E21B43/10) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract An improved rope socket for downhole operations, capable of separating within the wellbore to permit removal of upper components and attached wireline, while lower components including an uphole-facing fishing neck remain attached to a tool string or fish within the wellbore. Also, an improved drop bar for actuating a release mechanism of the improved rope socket. The improved drop bar includes wheel assemblies having integrated axles to provide a stronger axle capable of offset placement along the circumference of the drop bar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rope socket, comprising: a first subassembly comprising: a cavity, at least one opening in a wall surrounding the cavity, a moveable release plunger comprising a continuous longitudinal wireline passage therethrough, and at least substantially disposed within the cavity and comprising at least one indent formed in an external sidewall thereof; and at least one wireline connection mechanism disposed in a lower portion of the first subassembly beneath the moveable release plunger; a second subassembly comprising an internal fishing neck and configured to accept the lower portion of the first subassembly; and at least one lug at least partially disposed within the opening in the wall surrounding the cavity, the at least one lug moveable between a first position protruding into the internal fishing neck, and a second position that does not substantially protrude into the internal fishing neck. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rope socket of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the internal fishing neck comprises a tapered shoulder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rope socket of claim 1, comprising at least one power spring configured to assist separation of the first subassembly from the second subassembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rope socket of claim 1, wherein the second subassembly comprises a fish neck sub comprising the internal fishing neck, operatively connected to a lower sub comprising at least one connection component configured to operatively connect to a tool string. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The rope socket of claim 4, wherein the at least one connection component comprises threads. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The rope socket of claim 4, wherein the at least one connection component comprises a crossover sub. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rope socket of claim 1, wherein the lug comprises at least one rounded surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rope socket of claim 1, wherein the first subassembly comprises an external fishing neck. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rope socket of claim 1, further comprising a release plunger spring configured to push the moveable release plunger towards an upper end of the cavity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rope socket of claim 1, wherein at least one selected from the first subassembly, the second subassembly, the cavity, and the release plunger, has a generally cylindrical configuration. ### Claim 11 A method of separating a wireline from a tool string within a wellbore, comprising: operatively connecting an actuating device to the wireline; lowering the actuating device into the wellbore; actuating a separation mechanism of a rope socket with the actuating device, the rope socket comprising an upper subassembly at least partially nested in a lower subassembly and having at least one wireline connection mechanism disposed in a lower nested portion of the upper subassembly; and removing the actuating device and separated upper subassembly of the rope socket from the wellbore via the wireline, leaving a separated lower subassembly of the rope socket connected to the tool string, the separated lower subassembly comprising an uphole-facing internal fishing neck. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein actuation of the separation mechanism comprises moving of a lug from a first position protruding into the internal fishing neck, to a second position that does not substantially protrude into the internal fishing neck, to permit separation of the upper subassembly from the lower subassembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein moving of the lug from the first position to the second position is preceded by moving of a release plunger from a first position blocking movement of the lug, to a second position permitting movement of the lug into an indent of the release plunger. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the actuating device is a drop bar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the drop bar comprises a plurality of wheels connected to the drop bar by a plurality of inserts, the inserts each comprising at least one integrated axle on which one of the plurality of wheels is disposed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the tool string comprises a fish.