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US 4,379,676 AGranted
Pipe handling system
AssigneeIngram Corporation
InventorRobert Frias
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for transferring lengths of pipe laterally between a pipe rack and a pipe handling apparatus. The system comprises two spaced apart arms located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus next to the rack. Each arm has one end pivotally coupled to support structure such that its free end may move upward and downward. The two arms are located in line with ech other with their free ends facing in opposite directions. A lug is connected to each arm close to but spaced from its free end. The lugs extend from their arms outward toward the rack and are employed for holding a length of pipe. A fluid actuated cylinder system is provided for moving the free ends of the two arms upward or downward together for transferring a length of pipe between the rack and the pipe handling apparatus.
Claims25
An apparatus for transferring lengths of pipe between a pipe handling apparatus and a pipe rack located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus comprising:
- a first arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a first axis;
- a second arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a second axis,
- said first axis and said second axis being generally parallel and positioned generally on the same horizontal plane,
- a first lug means rotatably attached to said first arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- a second lug means fixedly attached to said second arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- said first lug means and said second lug means being capable of supporting a length of pipe, and
- a pivoting means connected to said first arm member and to said second arm member for pivoting said first arm member about said first axis and said second arm member about said second axis.
4 more elements
An apparatus for transferring lengths of pipe between a pipe handling apparatus and a pipe rack located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus comprising:
- a first arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a first axis,
- a second arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a second axis,
- said first axis and said second axis being generally parallel and positioned generally on the same horizontal plane,
- a first lug means attached to said first arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- a second lug means attached to said second arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- said first lug means and said second lug means being capable of supporting a length of pipe, and
- a pivoting means connected to said first arm member and to said second arm member for pivoting said first and second arm members in an opposed reciprocal manner, said pivoting arms moving a length of pipe vertically between the pipe handling apparatus and the pipe rack and causing generally no horizontal displacement of the pipe as it moves vertically.
4 more elements
An apparatus for transferring lengths of pipe between a pipe handling apparatus and a pipe rack located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus comprising:
- a first arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a first axis,
- a second arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a second axis,
- said first axis and said second axis being generally parallel and positioned generally on the same horizontal plane,
- a first lug means attached to said first arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- a second lug means attached to said second arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- said first lug means and said second lug means being capable of supporting a length of pipe, and
- a pivoting means connected to said first arm member and to said second arm member for pivoting said first arm member about said first axis and said second arm member about said second axis,
- said first lug means comprising a first shaft connected to said first arm member and extending outward toward said pipe rack, and a first sleeve positioned around said first shaft,
- said second lug means comprising a second shaft connected to said second arm member and a second sleeve positioned around said second shaft,
- the outer surface of each of said sleeve is cylindrical in shape and is eccentrically located around its shaft, and
- each said sleeve is movable to two positions relative to its shaft and to its arm member whereby when in said first position the upper surface of said sleeve slants downward from its outer end toward its arm member and, when in said second position, the upper surface of said sleeve slants downward from its arm member toward its outer end.
8 more elements
An apparatus for transferring lengths of pipe between a pipe handling apparatus and a pipe rack located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus comprising:
- a first arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a first axis,
- a second arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a second axis,
- said first axis and said second axis being generally parallel and positioned generally on the same horizontal plane,
- a first lug means attached to said first arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- a second lug means attached to said second arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- said first lug means and said second lug means being capable of supporting a length of pipe, and
- a pivoting means connected to said first arm member and to said second arm member for pivoting said first arm member about said first axis and said second arm member about said second axis,
- said pipe handling apparatus including a catwalk along said one side, said catwalk has a first opening through which said second end of said first arm member can pass and a second opening through which said second end of said second arm member can pass.
5 more elements
An apparatus for transferring lengths of pipe between a pipe handling apparatus and a pipe rack located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus comprising:
- a first arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a first axis,
- a second arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a second axis,
- said first axis and said second axis being generally parallel and positioned generally on the same horizontal plane,
- a first lug means attached to said first arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- a second lug means attached to said second arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- said first lug means and said second lug means being capable of supporting a length of pipe, and
- a pivoting means connected to said first arm member and to said second arm member for pivoting said first arm member about said first axis and said second arm member about said second axis, said pivoting means including a first fluid actuated cylinder means connected at one end to said first arm member and a second fluid actuated cylinder means connected at one end to said second arm member,
- each of said lug means including an upper surface which slants downward from its outer unsupported end toward its arm member.
5 more elements
An apparatus for transferring lengths of pipe between a pipe handling apparatus and a pipe rack located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus comprising:
- a first arm member having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a first axis,
- a second arm having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally connected to said one side for pivotal movement about a second axis,
- said first axis and said second axis being generally parallel and positioned generally on the same horizontal plane,
- a first lug means attached to said first arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- a second lug means attached to said second arm member generally at said second end and extending towards said pipe rack,
- said first lug means and said second lug means being capable of supporting a length of pipe,
- a pivoting means connected to said first arm member and to said second arm member for pivoting said first arm member about said first axis and said second arm member about said second axis,
- a first ramp means capable of supporting a length of pipe attached to said one side and slanting towards said pipe rack, and
- each of said lug means including an upper surface which slants downward from its outer unsupported end toward its arm member.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.