Locking device for well tools

Abstract

An improved device for releasably anchoring a well tool, or the like, in a well conduit, the device having locking keys thereon which are spring-pressed outwardly, each key having a pair of oppositely facing abrupt lock shoulders which are engageable with a corresponding pair of oppositely facing lock shoulders in a landing receptacle in the well conduit, the locking device including a key retractor sleeve with cam surfaces thereon which coact with corresponding cam surfaces on the locking keys to retract the keys responsive to upward movement of the retractor sleeve. The device can be run into the well on a variety of running tools; it can be secured in its locked condition before running it into the well, in which case it will automatically lock in the landing receptacle upon entering the same, after which it can be unlocked only after shearing or otherwise rendering ineffective the securing means; or, it can be run into the well in its released condition, actuated to set condition after passing downwardly through the landing receptacle, and then lifted into the receptacle from below and becoming latched therein automatically upon reaching the proper position; and it can be installed in any selected one of a plurality of landing receptacles in a well conduit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.