Compensating rig elevator

A compensating rig elevator, comprising:

• a first upper portion rotatable about a hinge axis relative to a second upper portion, wherein the first upper portion is rotatable between an open position and a closed position;
• a first lower portion rotatable about the hinge axis relative to a second lower portion, wherein the first lower portion is rotatable between the open position and the closed position;
• a first hoist assembly connected to the first upper portion and connected to the first lower portion, and a second hoist assembly connected to the second upper portion and connected to the second lower portion, each hoist assembly having a bias member operably connected to a bail arm and operably connected to the respective upper portion to dampen motion of the bail arm toward the respective upper portion;
• a latch of said second upper portion, wherein the latch is configured to selectively interconnect to a latch catch on the first upper portion to secure the first upper portion in the closed position;
• an opening ram connected to the second upper portion, wherein the opening ram extends to selectively connect the latch to the latch catch in the closed position, and the opening ram compresses to disengage the latch from the latch catch in the open position;
• at least one guide plate connected to the second upper portion;
• a locking mechanism connected to the first hoist assembly and to the first upper portion, wherein the locking mechanism translates the movement of the bail arm of the first hoist assembly towards the first upper portion to a lock pin that extends through the at least on guide plate and the first upper portion to secure the first upper portion in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
• a push rod connected to the bail arm of the first hoist assembly;
• and
• wherein the push rod translates the movement of the bail arm of the first hoist assembly to the proximal end of the push rod, and the push rod rotates about the lock axis such that the distal end of the push rod moves the lock pin through the at least one guide plate and the first upper portion to secure the first upper portion in the closed position.

A compensating rig elevator, comprising:

• a first lower portion rotatable about a hinge axis relative to a second lower portion, wherein the first lower portion is rotatable between an open position and a closed position;
• a first middle portion rotatable about the hinge axis relative to a second middle portion, wherein the first middle portion is rotatable between the open position and the closed position;
• at least one compensating ram connecting the middle portions to the lower portions, the at least one compensating ram configured to vary a distance between the middle portions and the lower portions;
• and
• a plurality of slip rods connected to the middle portions, each slip rod having a slip positioned at a distal end, wherein the plurality of slips form an initial inner diameter when the middle portions are an initial distance from the lower portions, and wherein the plurality of slips form a final inner diameter when the middle portions are a final distance from the lower portions such that the final inner diameter is smaller than the initial inner diameter to secure a tubular.