Granted Patent B2

US 7,021,880 · App. 10/418,267 · Granted Apr 4, 2006

Abstract

Claims (25)

1. A pipe handling apparatus for presenting sections of pipe to a raised derrick work floor comprising:

a longitudinally extending base having a proximal end and a distal end, operable in a generally horizontal position, having a longitudinal cavity between said proximal and distal ends;

guide track means extending along said longitudinal cavity;

longitudinally extending boom means having a proximal end and a distal end adapted for nestable positioning in said cavity, said distal end adapted to be guided along said cavity by said guide track means, said boom means further having a longitudinally extending trough for receiving at least one section of pipe therein, said trough having first and second opposite sides;

arm means coupled to said boom means for raising said proximal end of said boom means out of said cavity whereby said distal end of said boom means is adapted to glide along said guide track means towards said floor as said proximal end of said boom means is raised upwards and forwards to a position proximate said floor for the purpose of presenting said at least one section of pipe to said floor; and

carriage means slidably coupled to said boom means moveable longitudinally along said boom means for moving said pipe longitudinally along said trough, said carriage means comprising a base member, having a distal end and a proximal end and laterally extending across said trough between first and second opposite sides and slidably coupled to said boom means for longitudinal movement along said boom means; and pipe engaging means for engaging said at least one section of pipe to assist movement of said pipe longitudinally along said trough, said pipe engaging means comprising a rigid plate member secured to said base member in proximity to the distal end thereof for contacting said pipe, said rigid plate member comprising damage reduction means for reducing damage to said at least one section of pipe.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising carriage drive means for longitudinally moving said carriage means along said boom means.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 said carriage drive means further comprising braking means for controlling and arresting the motion of said carriage means along said boom means.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said carriage drive means comprises motor means, said motor means adapted for turning gear means to propel said carriage means along said boom means.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said carriage drive means comprises motor means, said motor means coupled by sprocket means together with chain means, to said boom means for moving said carriage means along said boom means.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said carriage drive means comprises motor means, said motor means coupled by pulley and belt means to said boom means to facilitate movement of said carriage means along said boom means.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said carriage drive means comprises motor means, said motor means coupled by spindle and cable means to said boom means to facilitate movement of said carriage means along said boom means.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 :

said boom means having a first side and a second opposite side; and

said base member having a first edge and a second edge each outwardly extending to surround respectively a portion of each of said first and second sides of said boom means so as to permit slidable securement of said base member to said boom means.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , said carriage means having means for releasably engaging said boom means so as to prevent undesired longitudinal movement of said carriage means along said boom means.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising pipe securing means for securing said at least one section of pipe to said carriage means during the movement of said base member along said boom means.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pipe engaging means comprises pipe securing means for securing said at least one section of pipe to said carriage means during the movement of said base member along said boom means.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one friction-reducing means for facilitating said movement of said base member along said boom.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said friction-reducing means comprises, a plurality of rollers.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising idler carriage means longitudinally separated along said boom means, slidably coupled to said boom means and moveable longitudinally along said boom means for assisting movement of said pipe longitudinally along said trough when said pipe is engaged with said carriage means.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising tensioning means for tensioning said chain means.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising tensioning means for tensioning said pulley and belt means.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising tensioning means for tensioning said spindle and cable means.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said damage reduction means comprises resiliently flexible elastomeric material applied to said rigid plate member to assist in preventing damage to pipe that is transported in said carriage means.

Assignments (14)