# US 4,397,494 A · Fishing tool to retrieve cables from wells > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,397,494 A - Document ID: US4397494A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/288,356 - Filed: 1981-07-30 - Granted: 1983-08-09 - Earliest claimed: 1980-10-02 - Assignees: Petroworld, Ltd. - Inventors: Herman C. Carver - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397494A ## CPC - E21B 31/125: {specially adapted for parted wire line or ropes} - E21B 31/12: Grappling tools, e.g. tongs or grabs - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A fishing tool to snag and to retrieve cables from wells. The tool includes an elongated body which has two ends, a substantial length, and peripheral boundary of lesser lateral dimensions than a well down which the tool is to be sent with the first of its ends pointed down. A snag member is pivotally mounted to the body so that its free end faces toward one of the ends and so that its free end is movable toward and away from the peripheral boundary. Bias means biases the shank to move the free end toward the peripheral boundary, and a detent is interposed between the snag member and the body releasably to hold the snag member with its free end away from the boundary in opposition to the bias force, where it can be released upon contact with an object. The body or the snag member is provided with a snag recess to receive part of the cable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fishing tool to snag and retrieve cables from wells, comprising: an elongated body having a first and a second end, a substantial length, and a peripheral boundary of lesser lateral dimensions than a well down which the tool is to be sent with said first end pointed down; a snag member comprising a shank and a free end on said shank, said shank being mounted to said body so that said free end faces toward one of said body ends and so that said free end is movable toward and away from said peripheral boundary; a snag recess in said body axially aligned with at least part of said shank, said recess being in part defined by a surface facing toward said second end and inclined away from said second end to receive and hold a cable faced into said recess by said snag member while said body is moved toward its second end, bias means biasing said shank to move said free end toward said peripheral boundary; and detent means interposed between said snag member and said body adapted releasably to hold said snag member with its free end outside of said boundary in opposition to the bias force exerted by said bias means, and upon release as the consequence of an object striking said detent means to permit said bias means to move said snag member to cause said free end to move toward said boundary in the absence of some other impediment thereto. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A fishing tool according to claim 1 in which said shank is pivotally mounted to said body, and in which said bias means is a spring yieldingly interposed between said shank and said body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A fishing tool according to claim 2 in which said shank is pivotally mounted between its ends so as to form a first class lever, said bias means comprising a compression spring disposed between said shank and said body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A fishing tool according to claim 1 in which an axially-extending slot is formed in said boundary, and said shank is mounted in said slot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A fishing tool according to claim 4 in which said shank is pivotally mounted between its ends so as to form a first class lever, said bias means comprising a compression spring disposed between said shank and said body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A fishing tool according to claim 1 in which said free end of said snag member faces toward said first end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A fishing tool according to claim 6 in which said free end includes an overhanging flange. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A fishing tool according to claim 1 in which said detent means is an arm pivotally mounted to said shank, and is in one angular position relative to the shank adapted to abut said body and hold said shank in a position with said free end spaced from the body in opposition to said bias means, said arm being exposed to objects which enter the spacing between said free end and said body to trip said detent means and enable said shank and free end to be moved toward said body to trap said object. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A fishing tool according to claim 8 in which said free end of said snag member faces toward said first end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A fishing tool according to claim 9 in which a recess is formed in said periphery of said body toward and away from which said free end is movable, and a wall partially defining said recess against which an object is brought to bear when the body is moved in the direction of its second end. ### Claim 11 A fishing tool to snag and retrieve cables from wells, comprising: an elongated body having a first and a second end, a substantial length, and a peripheral boundary of lesser lateral dimensions than a well down which the tool is to be sent with said first end pointed down; a snag member comprising a shank and a free end on said shank, said shank being mounted to said body so that said free end faces toward one of said body ends and so that said free end is movable toward and away from said peripheral boundary; bias means biasing said shank to move said free end toward said peripheral boundary; and dentent means interposed between said snag member and said body adapted releasably to hold said snag member with its free end outside of said boundary in opposition to the bias force exerted by said bias means, and upon release as the consequence of an object striking said detent means to permit said bias means to move said snag member to cause said free end to move toward said boundary in the absence of some other impediment thereto, said free end of said snag member facing toward said second end, said detent means comprising an arm pivotally mounted to said shank, which in one angular position relative to the shank is adapted to abut said body and hold said shank in a position with said free end spaced from the body in opposition to said bias means, said arm being exposed to objects which enter the spacing between said free end and said body to trip said detent means and enable said shank and free end to be moved toward said body to trap said object. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A fishing tool according to claim 11 in which a recess is formed in said periphery of said body toward and away from which said free end is movable, and a surface partially defining said recess against which an object is brought to bear when the body is moved in the direction of its second end. ### Claim 13 A fishing tool to snag and retrieve cables from wells, comprising: an elongated body having a first and a second end, a substantial length, and a peripheral boundary of lesser lateral dimensions than a well down which the tool is to be sent with said first end pointed down; a plurality of snag members each comprising a shank and a free end on said shank, said shank being mounted to said body so that said free end faces toward one of said body ends and so that said free ends are movable toward and away from said peripheral boundary; bias means biasing each said shank to move said free end toward said peripheral boundary; and detent means interposed between each said snag member and said body adapted releasably to hold each respective said snag member with its free end outside of said boundary in opposition to the bias force exerted by said respective bias means, and upon release as the consequence of an object striking said detent means to permit said bias means to move said snag member to cause said free end to move toward said boundary in the absence of some other impediment thereto, at least one said snag member pointing toward said first end, and at least one said snag member pointing toward said second end.