Apparatus for handling pipe at well site

Abstract

A pipe handling apparatus for transporting pipe, drill collars, or similar elongate members between the elevated drilling floor of a well derrick and a lower storage area is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of support cables forming a cable track extending between the rig floor and the storage area with a rear bucket that receives and holds the lower end of the pipe riding on the support cables. The rear bucket is movable along the cable track by a third cable which controls the transporting of the pipe from the rig to the storage area in a pipe lay-down operation. A series of support buckets is anchored proximate the rig floor and is extendable along the cable track as the pipe is being transported, providing support to the intermediate portion of the pipe. A draw works, typically in the vicinity of the storage area, secures one end of the cable track and is provided with a take-up mechanism for the support cables to enable them to be slackened to permit the pipe to be laid down for unloading from the rear bucket and the chain of buckets in the storage area. The take-up mechanism also enables the cable track to be tensioned to facilitate the transportation of a pipe to the elevated rig floor and includes a mechanism for equalizing the tension in the support cables.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.