US 2008/0174131 A1 · Single Joint Elevator Having Deployable Jaws

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for lifting a single joint of pipe. The single joint elevator of the present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a pair of deployable jaws cooperating with a pair of static jaws to secure a pipe within the slot of a generally horseshoe-shaped body. The deployable jaws of the single joint elevator of the present invention may be rotatably deployable or translatably deployable, or both. In one embodiment, each jaw, including the static jaws and the deployable jaws, comprises a pipe slip movably disposed within the jaw to secure a pipe segment within the slot and to self-tighten as the weight of the pipe segment secured within the single joint elevator is transferred to the slips and the jaws.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An apparatus for gripping a pipe segment to be hoisted by a hoisting member comprising:

a body having a slot for receiving a pipe;
at least one static jaw secured to the body to engage the pipe, the at least one static jaw having a pipe slip movably received therein and movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position;
and
at least one deployable jaw movable between a removed position and a deployed position within the slot, the at least one deployable jaw having a pipe slip movably received therein and movable within the deployable jaw between an engaged position and a disengaged position;
wherein the one or more deployable jaws are adapted for being powered from a removed position to a deployed position within the slot to retain the pipe within the slot of the body.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Single Joint Elevator Having Deployable Jaws

Life of this patent

Single Joint Elevator Having Deployable Jaws

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22