Sucker rod coupling extractor

A coupling extractor, comprising:

• a shaft having a longitudinal axis and opposing ends;
• a first extractor on one end of the shaft and a second extractor on the other end of the shaft for engaging the inside wall of a coupling for unscrewing the coupling from a sucker rod used in a pumping system;
• a centering flange fixed directly or indirectly to the shaft between the opposing ends for engaging with and/or resting upon a jaw assembly of a sucker rod tong, wherein the centering flange projects radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft;
• first and second driving flanges fixed to the shaft between the ends that project radially outwardly from the shaft for engaging with the jaw assembly for transmitting a rotational force to the extractor from the jaw assembly as the jaw assembly rotates;
• and
• first and second enclosures each having a cylindrical shape, wherein an end on the first enclosure is fixed to the first driving flange and an end of the second enclosure is fixed to the second driving flange such that the first enclosure surrounds the first extractor for retaining shards from a coupling in the event that the coupling breaks or shatters, and the second enclosure surrounds the second extractor for retaining shards.

A coupling extractor for use in a sucker rod tong for breaking loose a threaded connection between a sucker rod and a coupling in a sucker rod assembly used in a pumping system, the sucker rod tong having a jaw assembly that defines an opening for receiving the sucker rod assembly, the coupling extractor comprising:

• an elongated shaft having opposing first and second ends;
• an extractor on the first end for engaging the inside wall of the coupling;
• a centering flange fixed to the shaft directly or indirectly, wherein the centering flange is located between the ends and extends radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the centering flange has a generally circular shape, and wherein the centering flange engages with and/or rests upon the jaw assembly for positioning the coupling extractor with respect to the jaw assembly;
• and
• a driving flange fixed directly or indirectly to the shaft for engaging with the jaw assembly, wherein the driving flange extends radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and wherein the driving flange consists essentially of a plate that surrounds the shaft and has a first portion that extends a radius r1 and a second portion that extends farther to a radius of r2.

A retrofit kit for improving a sucker rod tong having a body and a rotatable jaw assembly engaged in the body, the jaw assembly having an opening, comprising:

• a coupling extractor tool sized to be operably received in the opening for rotation by the jaw assembly, wherein the coupling extractor tool comprises:
• a shaft having a longitudinal axis and opposing ends;
• an extractor on at least one end of the shaft for engaging the inside wall of a coupling for unscrewing the coupling from a sucker rod;
• and
• a shield fixed directly or indirectly to the shaft, wherein the shield surrounds the extractor;
• a hanger assembly sized for connection to the body of the sucker rod tong;
• and
• an upper backup wrench sized to be movably received in the hanger assembly for holding a sucker rod.

An extractor tool, comprising:

• a shaft having a longitudinal axis and opposing ends;
• an extractor on one end of the shaft, wherein the extractor has a maximum diameter;
• a driving flange in a fixed transverse relationship with respect to the shaft, wherein the driving flange is between the opposing ends, wherein the driving flange is spaced apart from each of the opposing ends,
• wherein the driving flange has an outermost edge and a maximum radius from the longitudinal axis of the shaft to the outermost edge,
• wherein the maximum radius of the driving flange is substantially greater than the maximum diameter of the extractor,
• wherein the driving flange has a maximum axial thickness as measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft,
• wherein the maximum radius of the driving flange is substantially greater than the maximum axial thickness of the driving flange,
• wherein the driving flange has a shape that comprises first and second portions,
• wherein the first portion has a first outer edge, wherein the first portion has a radius r1 as measured from the longitudinal axis of the shaft to the first outer edge,
• wherein the second portion has a second outer edge and a radius r2 as measured from the longitudinal axis of the shaft to the second outer edge, wherein the radius r2 is greater than the radius r1,
• wherein the outermost edge of the driving flange is the second outer edge of the second portion;
• and
• a shield in a fixed relationship with the shaft, wherein the shield surrounds the extractor.

An extractor tool, comprising:

• a shaft having a longitudinal axis and opposing ends;
• an extractor on one end of the shaft, wherein the extractor has a maximum diameter;
• a driving flange in a fixed transverse relationship with respect to the shaft,
• wherein the driving flange has an outer edge and a maximum radius from the longitudinal axis of the shaft to the outer edge,
• wherein the maximum radius of the driving flange is substantially greater than the maximum diameter of the extractor,
• wherein the driving flange has a maximum axial thickness as measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft,
• wherein the maximum radius of the driving flange is substantially greater than the maximum axial thickness of the driving flange;
• and
• a centering flange in a fixed transverse relationship with respect to the shaft,
• wherein the centering flange is spaced apart from the driving flange,
• wherein the centering flange extends radially outwardly from shaft,
• wherein the shaft is approximately centered in the centering flange,
• wherein the centering flange has an outermost edge and a maximum radius from the longitudinal axis of the shaft to the outermost edge, and
• wherein the maximum radius of the centering flange is substantially greater than the maximum diameter of the extractor.

An extractor tool, comprising:

• a shaft having a longitudinal axis and opposing ends;
• an extractor on at least one end of the shaft for engaging the inside wall of a coupling;
• a driving flange fixed to the shaft between the opposing ends for receiving a rotational force, wherein the driving flange projects radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and
• a shield fixed to the driving flange, wherein the shield surrounds the extractor.