Gripping tool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gripping tool, comprising:
- at least one body including an associated load adaptor adapted to be connected to and interact with one of a drive head or reaction frame;
a gripping assembly carried by the at least one body, having at least one grip surface adapted to move from a retracted position to an engaged position to radially engage the grip surface with at least one of an interior surface or an exterior surface of a work piece upon relative axial displacement of the at least one body relative to the grip surface in at least one axial direction;
a linkage acting between the at least one body and the gripping assembly which translates at least one range of rotational movement in at least one rotational direction into axial movement that tends to urge the grip surface into the engaged position and upon engagement exerting an axial force which increases with increased rotation and correlatively activates radial tractional engagement of the grip surface with the work piece; and
a fluid activated assembly to control operation of the linkage by inducing or limiting at least one of rotational movement or axial movement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gripping tool includes a body assembly and gripping assembly with a grip surface adapted to move from a retracted position to an engaged position to radially engage a work piece in response to relative axial displacement. A linkage is provided to act between the body assembly and the gripping assembly which, upon relative rotation in at least one direction, of the body relative to the grip surface results in relative axial displacement of the grip surface to activate the gripping elements. This tool was developed for use on drilling and service rigs having top drives, and supports rapid engagement and release, hoisting, pushing, and rotating.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A gripping tool, comprising:
-
at least one body including an associated load adaptor adapted to be connected to and interact with one of a drive head or reaction frame; a gripping assembly carried by the at least one body, having at least one grip surface adapted to move from a retracted position to an engaged position to radially engage the grip surface with at least one of an interior surface or an exterior surface of a work piece upon relative axial displacement of the at least one body relative to the grip surface in at least one axial direction; a linkage acting between the at least one body and the gripping assembly which translates at least one range of rotational movement in at least one rotational direction into axial movement that tends to urge the grip surface into the engaged position and upon engagement exerting an axial force which increases with increased rotation and correlatively activates radial tractional engagement of the grip surface with the work piece; and a fluid activated assembly to control operation of the linkage by inducing or limiting at least one of rotational movement or axial movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
7. The gripping tool of 6, wherein the power retract assembly comprises:
-
a power retract body having a first end and a second end, the first end being coaxial with and mounted to the body for relative rotation and axial sliding movement and the second end being coaxial with and mounted to the gripping assembly, an annular bore being defined between the power retract body and the body; and a fluid port for introduction of fluids into the annular bore wherein the introduction of fluids into the annular bore causes relative axial displacement of the body and the gripping assembly in a second direction to overcome the biasing force of a mechanical or gas spring in a first direction urging the gripping surface into engagement.
-
Specification