Sheave block with retractable sheave guards

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• and
• at least one releasable lock capable of retaining at least one of said retractable sheave guards in said closed position, wherein said releasable lock includes at least one cam rod.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• and
• wherein at least one of said first and second opposing walls includes a guide slot, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard includes at least one guide member moveable upwardly and downwardly within said guide slot.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• and
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein at least one of said first and second opposing walls includes a guide slot, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard includes at least one guide member moveable upwardly and downwardly within said guide slot;
• wherein said guide member is rotatable and includes a guide portion having a non-circular cross-section, wherein said guide portion is selectively moveable upwardly and downwardly within said guide slot.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• and
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• and
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• wherein said first retractable sheave guard is connected to said second and third retractable sheave guards.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• wherein said first retractable sheave guard is connected to said second and third retractable sheave guards;
• and
• at least one coupler connecting said first retractable sheave guard to said second and third retractable sheave guards.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• wherein said first retractable sheave guard is connected to said second and third retractable sheave guards;
• and
• at least one coupler connecting said first retractable sheave guard to said second and third retractable sheave guards, wherein said coupler includes at least one link.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• and
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• wherein said first, second and third retractable sheave guards are cooperatively moveable between said open and closed positions.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• and
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• wherein said first, second and third retractable sheave guards are independently moveable relative to one another between said open and closed positions.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• and
• at least one releasable lock capable of retaining said first, second and third retractable sheave guards in said closed positions.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• and
• at least one releasable lock capable of retaining said first, second and third retractable sheave guards in said closed positions, wherein said releasable lock includes at least one cam rod.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• and
• at least one releasable lock capable of retaining said first, second and third retractable sheave guards in said closed positions;
• wherein said releasable lock includes a first rotatable cam rod engageable with said second retractable sheave guard, and a second rotatable cam rod engageable with said third retractable sheave guard.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• and
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• wherein each of said second and third retractable sheave guards includes a plurality of fingers and a plurality of wireline passages enabling said retractable sheave guards to be movable between said open and closed positions while the wireline is engaged with at least one said grooved sheave.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least one grooved sheave disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• and
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• wherein a first one of said retractable sheave guards includes first and second ends, and wherein said first retractable sheave guard is moveable downwardly relative to said grooved sheaves from said closed position to said open position;
• wherein a second one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said first end of said first retractable sheave guard, and a third one of said retractable sheave guards is disposed adjacent said second end of said first retractable sheave guard;
• wherein said second and third retractable sheave guards are pivotably movable between said open and closed positions.

A sheave block having a housing containing a plurality of sheaves engageable with a wireline comprising;

• first and second side sheave guards moveably connected with the housing;
• and
• a lower sheave guard movably connected with the housing, said lower sheave guard disposed between said first and second side sheave guards;
• wherein each said sheave guard is moveable between an open and a closed position, wherein at least a portion of each said sheave guard is farther from the sheaves when said sheave guard is in said open position than when said sheave guard is in said closed position.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least two grooved sheaves disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• a plurality of retractable sheave guards movably connected to said first and second opposing walls;
• means for connecting said retractable sheave guards to said first and second opposing walls, wherein said retractable sheave guards are capable of being moved between open and closed positions while the wireline is engaged over at least one of said grooved sheaves, and wherein at least one said retractable sheave guard is capable of preventing a wireline engaged upon at least one said grooved sheave from moving to another said grooved sheave when said at least one retractable sheave guard is in said closed position;
• and
• means for guiding said retractable sheave guards between open and closed positions.

A method of rereeving a wireline through a sheave block without having to completely remove the wireline from the sheave block, the sheave block having a plurality of sheaves, at least three retractable sheave guards movable between open and closed positions, and at least one releasable sheave guard lock capable of securing at least one retractable sheave guard in the closed position, the wireline passing through the sheave block and being reeved over at least one sheave in the sheave block comprising:

• releasing at least one sheave guard lock;
• moving at least three retractable sheave guards into open positions independent of the wireline;
• moving a free end of the wireline through the sheave block to change the number of reeves of the wireline over the sheaves in the sheave block;
• moving at least one retractable sheave guard into a closed position;
• and
• engaging the sheave guard lock.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least two grooved sheaves disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave engageable with the wireline;
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, said open position allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• and
• at least one releasable lock capable of retaining at least one of said retractable sheave guards in said closed position, said releasable lock including at least one cam rod.

A sheave block for use with a wireline comprising;

• first and second opposing walls;
• a shaft extending between said first and second opposing walls and having at least two grooved sheaves disposed thereon, each said grooved sheave capable of engagement with the wireline;
• and
• at least one retractable sheave guard movably connected to said first and second opposing walls and moveable between open and closed positions, wherein at least one said retractable sheave guard is capable of preventing a wireline engaged with at least one of said grooved sheaves from disengaging from said at least one grooved sheave when said retractable sheave guard is in said closed position.

A retractable lower sheave guard device for use with a sheave block, the sheave block including first and second opposing walls, at least one grooved sheave disposed on a shaft extending between the opposing walls and at least one retractable side sheave guard, the grooved sheave capable of engaging a wireline, comprising:

• a curved guard portion movably connected with the first and second opposing walls of the sheave block, said curved guard portion movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said curved guard portion is capable of preventing a wireline disposed on at least one grooved sheave in the sheave block from disengaging the grooved sheave when said curved guard portion is in said closed position, further wherein said curved guard portion is capable of allowing the wireline to be rereeved around at least one of said grooved sheaves without entirely removing the wireline from the sheave block;
• and
• at least one connector engageable with said curved guard portion and the at least one retractable side sheave guard;
• and
• at least one lock associated with the sheave block and capable of maintaining said curved guard portion in said closed position.