PIPE POSITIONING AND HANDLING DEVICE

• US 3,561,615 A
• Filed: 07/16/1969
• Issued: 02/09/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert E. Smith, Terry A. Forsberg
• Original Assignee: Robert E. Smith, Terry A. Forsberg
• Inventors: Forsberg, Terry A., Smith, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US04/842,173
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• US Class Current: 29/237
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/09 for bringing two tubular members closer to each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5367 Coupling to conduit

Abstract

An hydraulically actuated pipe manipulating structure wherein a single hydraulic element imparts axial movement and cooperating selected gripping and relaxation of grip in accord with desired location of piping.

Claims

1. A pipe positioning and handling device selectively relaxing, opening and closing grapple elements made a part thereof comprising:

a tubular main frame;

a frame extension in telescoping relation over one end of said tubular main frame;

actuating means in said main frame whereby said frame extension is axially movable in respect thereto;

a rod secured to said frame extension and movable therewith in parallel offset relation;

grapple elements on said main frame selectively actuatable to opeNing, closing, and relaxing by movement of said rod in engagement therewith; and

a push plate on the end of said frame extension and movable in accord with movement of said frame extension and said rod.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said grapple is selectively engageable with stop elements selectively locatable on said rod for opening and closing said grapple elements.

3. The combination in accord with claim 2 wherein a compression buffer spring is between said stop elements and said grapple elements.

4. The combination in accord with claim 3 wherein tension springs act upon said grapple elements upon selected relaxation of said compression spring elements and apply an opening bias to said grapple elements.

5. A grapple and manipulating device for tubing and pipe comprising:

a tubular main frame;

a thrust yoke element secured to one end of said main frame;

a tubular frame extension including a depending thrust plate over said main frame at the end opposite to said thrust yoke element;

an actuating rod on said frame extension and movable therewith, said rod being parallel to and offset from said main frame;

a bail element supporting said main frame at the approximate center thereof;

a rotary motor secured to said bail element;

a lineal motor in said main frame and secured thereto and drivably connected to said frame extension;

grapple frames in spaced relation on said main frame;

jaws pivotally secured to said grapple frames;

a position expandable link between each of said jaws and on said rod; and

engaging means on said rod and in selected engagement with said position expandible links whereby selected of said jaws are opened and closed in accord with movement of said rod and said frame extension.