Quick release locking drill rod and assembly

Abstract

A quick release locking drill rod includes a hollow sleeve having opposite first and second end portions and components for quick release locking the first end portion of the sleeve of one rod to the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod. The first end portion of the sleeve of one rod receives therein the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod. The quick release locking components connect the first end portion of the sleeve of one rod to the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod and include an internal cross pin and pair of diametrically opposed L-shaped slots. The internal cross pin is disposed in the first end portion of the sleeve and is spaced inwardly from the open first end. The internal cross pin spans the first diameter and has opposite ends attached to opposite sides of the first end portion of the sleeve. The diametrically opposed L-shaped slots are defined in respective opposite sides of the second end portion of the sleeve. The L-shaped slots of the sleeve of one rod releasably retain the internal cross pin of the sleeve of another rod upon insertion of the internal cross pin into and rotation of the internal cross pin within the L-shaped slots of the sleeve of the one rod.