Clamping means for trough of pipe handling apparatus

A pipe clamping apparatus for clamping a length of pipe or the like to a trough of a pipe handling apparatus comprising:

• a pair of arms pivotally coupled to said trough on opposite sides thereof,
• said trough having a top surface for receiving a length of pipe,
• each said arm including a clamping portion and an opposite end,
• said arms being adapted to move toward each other to closed positions such that said clamping portions clamp a length of pipe to said top surface of said trough and to move away from each other and from said top surface to open positions such that a length of pipe can be positioned between or removed from between said clamping portions, and
• a pair of cylinders pivotally coupled to opposite sides of said trough,
• each said cylinder having a piston rod pivotally coupled to said opposite end of said arm on its associated side such that when said piston rods are extended said arms are moved to said closed positions and when said piston rods are retracted said arms are moved to said open positions,
• said cylinders each having first and second opposite ends with said piston rods extending out of said second ends, and
• said second ends of said cylinders being pivotally coupled to said trough such that said first ends are free to move as their piston rods are moved to their retracted or extended positions.