Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Patent
1999-08-04
2000-10-31
Scherbel, David A.
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
81 5734, E21B 1916
Patent
active
061385298
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an apparatus for gripping a tubular member.
During the construction of oil and gas wells it is necessary to connect and disconnect a large number of tubular members. A great many devices have been developed for this purpose. However, there is still a need for an inexpensive, reliable and quick apparatus particularly for those areas of the world where skilled technical labour is often not readily available.
It is believed that preferred embodiments of the present invention will help satisfy this need.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for gripping a tubular member, which apparatus comprises a housing having an opening for receiving a tubular member, characterised in that said apparatus further comprises at least one passive jaw pivotally mounted on said housing and pivotable between a first position in which said tubular member can enter said apparatus via said opening and a second position in which exit of said tubular from said apparatus is inhibited, an arm displaceable to prevent said passive jaw pivoting to its first position, an active jaw displaceable into engagement with said tubular member, and means which act between said active jaw and said arm so that, in use, when a tubular member is in said apparatus and said active jaw is advanced towards said tubular member said arm is displaced to prevent said passive jaw moving to its first position before said active jaw engages said tubular.
Preferably, said apparatus includes means to bias said passive jaw towards said second position.
Advantageously, said apparatus includes a pin on one of said housing and said passive jaw, and an elongate slot in the other of said housing and said passive jaw, said pin projecting into said elongate slot and co-operating therewith to limit movement of said passive jaw relative to said housing.
Preferably, said apparatus includes two passive jaws pivotally mounted on said housing on opposite sides of said opening, each passive jaw being pivotable between a first position in which said tubular member can enter said apparatus via said opening and a second position in which exit of said tubular member from said apparatus is inhibited, an arm associated with each passive jaw and displaceable to prevent its passive jaw pivoting to its first position.
Advantageously, said arms form part of a yoke.
Preferably, said means which act between said active jaw and said arms comprise at least one spring.
Advantageously, said apparatus includes a hydraulic piston and cylinder to displace said active jaw.
For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified top plan view, partly in section, of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention about to grip a tubular; and
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the apparatus in gripping engagement with the tubular.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown an apparatus in accordance with the present invention which is generally identified by the reference numeral 100.
The apparatus 100 comprises a housing 101 which accommodates two passive jaws 102, 103 which are pivotally mounted on pivot shafts 104, 105 respectively which extend through the housing 101. The movement of each passive jaw 102, 103 is limited by a pin which is mounted on the housing 101 and which projects into an elongate slot in the passive jaw 102, 103.
Thus, as shown in the drawing, the pivotal movement of the passive jaw 102 is limited by a pin 106 which is mounted on the housing 101 and projects upwardly into an elongate slot 107 in the passive jaw 102.
Each passive jaw 102, 103 is biased inwardly by a leaf spring 108 which is mounted on a guide plate 109 which is bolted to the housing 101.
A yoke 110 which comprises a cross member 111 and two arms 112, 113 is arranged in the housing 101 so that it can be slid between an inoperative position as shown in FIG. 1 and an operative position as shown in FIG. 2 in which the free extremities of the a
REFERENCES:
patent: 2536458 (1951-01-01), Munsinger
patent: 2544639 (1951-03-01), Calhoun
patent: 2615681 (1952-10-01), True
patent: 2618468 (1952-11-01), Lundeen
patent: 2784626 (1957-03-01), Paget
patent: 2985455 (1961-05-01), Powell
patent: 3021739 (1962-02-01), Grundmann
patent: 3023651 (1962-03-01), Wallace
patent: 3522966 (1970-08-01), Wood
patent: 3760658 (1973-09-01), Guier
patent: 3892140 (1975-07-01), Fox et al.
patent: 3937514 (1976-02-01), Langowski
patent: 3937515 (1976-02-01), Langowski
patent: 3982449 (1976-09-01), Choate, Jr.
patent: 4079640 (1978-03-01), Golden
patent: 4082017 (1978-04-01), Eckel
patent: 4192206 (1980-03-01), Schulze-Beckinghausen
patent: 4200010 (1980-04-01), Hewitt
patent: 4273010 (1981-06-01), Farr et al.
patent: 4304433 (1981-12-01), Langowski
patent: 4346629 (1982-08-01), Kinzbach
patent: 4402239 (1983-09-01), Mooney
patent: 4574664 (1986-03-01), Curvy
patent: 4716811 (1988-01-01), Johnson
patent: 4811635 (1989-03-01), Falgout, Sr.
patent: 5060542 (1991-10-01), Hauk
patent: 5386746 (1995-02-01), Hauk
patent: 5537900 (1996-07-01), Schaar
patent: 5669653 (1997-09-01), Pennisson
patent: 5671961 (1997-09-01), Buck
patent: 5740702 (1998-04-01), Smith
patent: 5791206 (1998-08-01), Daigle et al.
patent: 5842390 (1998-12-01), Bouligny et al.
"Clincher," Superior Manufacturing & Hydraulics, 1997.
McClung Guy
Ojini Anthony
Scherbel David A.
Weatherford / Lamb, Inc.
LandOfFree
Apparatus for gripping a tubular member does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for gripping a tubular member, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for gripping a tubular member will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2039867