1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tubing grab assembly in order to grab, secure, lift and move a wide variety of tubing, pipes, tubulars or other cylindrical objects.
2. Prior Art
There are a number of applications that utilize metal tubing, pipes or tubulars which are connected to each other end to end. One application would be a pipeline for transportation of liquids or gases which is assembled from multiple sections. In another application, various liquids or gases are distributed through networks of pipes. In yet another application, a plurality of tubing is connected end to end for subterranean downhole exploration drilling and production activities. When a drill is lowered, successive sections of tubing are connected to the drill bit and lowered into a well. When the drill bit requires changing, the entire process is reversed. The tubing sections are often stored near the drilling operations in the horizontal position on the ground or on racks.
The sections of tubing are connected in a number of way. For threaded tubing, one end of each tubing contains an external threaded end while the opposed end contains an enlarged end with internal threads. Other connections include flanged ends which arc bolted or fastened together.
Various existing types of mechanisms are utilized at present to grab or clamp and then lift the tubing. For example, scissor type devices of various sorts are known and utilized.
The present invention provides a light, compact and portable assembly to easily secure to tubing, pipes or tubulars in order to move the tubing from a horizontal to a vertical orientation and vice versa.
The present invention also provides a tubing grab assembly that may be lowered and automatically clamped onto a tubing, pipe or tubular.
The present invention also provides a tubing grab assembly requiring no other tools to operate.
The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention.
While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the invention's construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.
Referring to the drawings in detail,
The tubing grab assembly 10 of the present invention is utilized to move the tubing 12 from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical orientation. The tubing 12 is often stored or transported in a horizontal position.
In order to move the tubing 12 from a horizontal position shown in
As the tubing 12 is transitioned from horizontal to vertical, the enlarged end 16 acts as an interference to prevent the tubing grab assembly 10 from moving axially along the tubing and slipping off.
The tubing grab assembly 10 includes a pair of opposed jaws 30 and 32. In the first preferred embodiment shown in
At least one of the opposed jaws is permitted to rotate with respect to the housing 34. The jaw 32 has a shaft 40, bolt or pin which passes through a cavity 42 in the housing 34 and through an opening 44 in the jaw 32. A nut 46 secures the bolt 40 in place. The bolt 40 acts as an axis around which the jaw 32 rotates. Other types of shaft mechanisms may be employed within the spirit or scope of the present invention.
The jaw 30 is stationary and the jaw 32 rotates between a normally closed position shown in
A coil jaw spring 50 is retained in a recess in the cavity 42 of the housing 34. The coil spring may be compressed under force. The coil jaw spring 50 extends from the recess and engages the jaw 32 to force the jaw 32 toward the closed position.
The tubing grab assembly 10 also includes a connection mechanism such as an eye 24 or a pair of eyes extending from opposed sides of the housing 34. The eye 24 would be utilized to connect to a shackle or hook.
The tubing grab assembly 10 also includes a spring trigger mechanism. The spring trigger mechanism includes a manually operated trigger 54 having a receptacle therein to receive a coil trigger spring 56 and a guide pin 58. The spring 56 and the guide pin 58 are axially aligned with each other. The diameter of the receptacle is slightly larger than the spring or guide pin. The spring 56 is normally extended but may be compressed under force. The guide pin 58 may be retained in the housing 34 by a lock pin 60 (visible in
As seen in
When the trigger 54 has been manually retracted, the jaw 32 is no longer in the locked position. As seen in
As seen in
Once in the position shown in
The tubing grab assembly 70 includes a pair of opposed jaws 72 and 74. Each of the jaws 72 and 74 has a gripping edge 76 and 78, respectively, which mate with the outside surface of the tubing 12. The gripping edges 76 and 78 may be arcuate, may have teeth, or may be angular.
Each of the jaws 72 and 74 has a shaft, pin or bolt, 80 and 82, respectively, which passes through a cavity 84 in a housing 95. The bolts 80 and 82 also pass through openings in the jaws 72 and 74, respectively. A nut 86 and 88 secures each of the bolts 80 and 82 in place. Each bolt acts as an axis around which the jaw rotates.
Each of the jaws 72 and 74 rotates between a normally closed position and an open position. Coil jaw springs 90 and 92 are retained in recesses in a cavity 84 of the housing 95. The coil jaw springs 90 and 92 engage the jaws 72 and 74, respectively, to force them toward the closed position. The coil springs may be compressed under force.
The tubing grab assembly 70 also includes a connection mechanism, such as an eye 94 or a pair of eyes extending from opposed sides of the housing 95. The eye 94 would be used to connect to a shackle or hook.
The tubing grab assembly 70 also includes a spring trigger mechanism. The spring trigger mechanism includes a manually operated trigger 96 having a receptacle therein to receive a coil trigger spring 98 and a guide pin 100. The spring 98 and the guide pin 100 are axially aligned with each other. The diameter of the receptacle is slightly larger than the spring or guide pin. The guide pin 100 may be retained in the housing 95 by a lock pin 102.
When the trigger 96 is manually retracted, the jaws 72 and 74 are no longer in the locked position. As seen in
As seen in
Thereafter, the tubing grab assembly 70 may be placed in the locked position by releasing the trigger 96. The force of extension of the trigger coil spring urges the trigger 96 into the recesses formed by the void portions in the jaws 72 and 74.
Once in the position shown in
Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
900889 | Schuster | Oct 1908 | A |
3147993 | Broderson et al. | Sep 1964 | A |
3522966 | Wood | Aug 1970 | A |
4586695 | Miller | May 1986 | A |
4702508 | Weiner et al. | Oct 1987 | A |
5141276 | McClure | Aug 1992 | A |
5340181 | Matsuyama | Aug 1994 | A |
5409280 | Hill | Apr 1995 | A |
5984025 | Phillips | Nov 1999 | A |
6327756 | Maziere | Dec 2001 | B1 |
7255381 | Komizo et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120091743 A1 | Apr 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61393087 | Oct 2010 | US |