Tubular handling device

A method of handling a tubular member, comprising:

• interfacing a lifting apparatus into an end of the tubular member, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises:
• a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots each extending in a direction;
• a recessed member slidably coupled to the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses each tapered in the direction from a shallow end to a deep end;
• a plurality of rolling members each retained between one of the recesses and one of the slots;
• and
• a plurality of biasing elements each biasing a corresponding one of the rolling members towards the shallow end of the corresponding recess;
• wherein each rolling member partially extends through the adjacent slot when located in the shallow end of the recess;
• and
• wherein each rolling member retracts to at least within member the adjacent slot when located in a deep end of the recess;
• allowing the plurality of rolling members to become engaged between a substantially cylindrical surface of the tubular member and the plurality of recesses in the recessed member;
• and
• lifting the tubular member via the lifting apparatus.

A system, comprising:

• a tubular handling apparatus, comprising:
• a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots each extending in a direction;
• a recessed member slidably coupled to the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses each tapered in the direction from a shallow end to a deep end;
• a plurality of rolling members each retained between one of the recesses and one of the slots;
• and
• a plurality of biasing elements each biasing a corresponding one of the rolling members towards the shallow end of the corresponding recess;
• wherein each rolling member partially extends through the adjacent slot when located in the shallow end of the recess;
• and
• wherein each rolling member retracts to at least within the adjacent slot when located in a deep end of the recess;
• and
• means for lifting the tubular handling apparatus.