Gripper assembly for a coiled tubing injector

A coiled tubing injector, comprising:

• a frame, wherein a drive sprocket is coupled to the frame;
• a chain driven by the drive sprocket, wherein a plurality of gripper assemblies are coupled to the chain;
• a traction skate configured to apply a clamping force against the plurality of gripper assemblies;
• wherein at least one gripper assembly of the plurality of gripper assemblies comprises:
• a gripper block configured to grip a tubular member, wherein the gripper block comprises a pair of gripper lateral sides, a gripper key, and a channel;
• a carrier configured to couple to the chain of the coiled tubing injector, wherein the carrier comprises a carrier key, wherein the carrier key is receivable within the channel of the gripper block whereby the gripper block encloses the carrier key and the gripper key interlocks with the carrier key;
• and
• a clip coupled to the carrier and comprising a first end coupled to the carrier, a second end opposite the first end, a handle located at the second end, and a curved indent positioned between the first end and the second end and receivable within a receptacle extending into one of the pair of gripper lateral sides to lock the gripper block to the carrier.

A method of assembling a gripper assembly for a coiled tubing injector, comprising:

• (a) displacing a gripper block of the gripper assembly relative to a carrier of the gripper assembly in a first direction whereby a gripper key of the gripper block of the gripper assembly is displaced through a gap formed between adjacently positioned carrier keys of the carrier;
• and
• (b) displacing the gripper block relative to the carrier in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction whereby at least one of the carrier keys is received in a channel of the gripper block such that the gripper block encloses the at least one carrier key received in the channel and the gripper key interlocks with the at least one carrier key;
• (c) applying a force to a handle of a clip as the gripper block is displaced relative to the carrier, the clip extending between a first end coupled to the carrier and a second end opposite the first end and comprising the handle;
• and
• (d) releasing the handle of the clip following (c) whereby a curved indent positioned between the first end and the second end of the clip is received within a receptacle extending into one of a pair of gripper lateral sides of the gripper block to lock the gripper block to the carrier.