# US 8,783,339 B2 · Tubular member adaptor apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,339 B2 - Document ID: US8783339B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/007,263 - Filed: 2011-01-14 - Published: 2011-07-21 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-15 - Assignees: Frank's International, LLC - Applicants: Edward Sinclair; Guy Hustinx; Patrick Neil Sibille - Inventors: Edward Sinclair; Guy Hustinx; Patrick Neil Sibille - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783339B2 ## CPC - E21B 19/08: Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables (E21B19/22 takes precedence; automatic feed E21B44/02); Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods - E21B 3/022: {Top drives} - E21B 17/00: Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; {Cables;} Casings; Tubings - E21B 19/06: Elevators, i.e. rod- or tube-gripping devices - E21B 31/18: gripping externally, e.g. overshot - E21B 31/20: gripping internally, e.g. fishing spears - E21B 43/10: Setting of casings, screens, liners {or the like} in wells - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Apparatuses, systems, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The system includes a gripping tool operatively connected to and suspended from the top drive assembly, in which the gripping tool includes an axis defined therethrough and a gripping member, and an adaptor apparatus having a first end and a second end. The at least one gripping member engages the adaptor apparatus, and the second end includes a connection member to connect with the tubular member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system to connect a top drive drilling assembly to a tubular member, the system comprising: a gripping tool operatively connected to and suspended from the top drive assembly, wherein the gripping tool comprises an axis defined therethrough and a gripping member; an adaptor apparatus comprising a first end and a second end and a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a nominal outer diameter larger than a nominal outer diameter of the tubular member; wherein the gripping member engages the adaptor apparatus; and wherein the second end comprises a connection member to connect with the tubular member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gripping member of the gripping tool grips an internal surface of the adaptor apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the gripping member of the gripping tool moves radially outward with respect to the axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gripping member of the gripping tool grips an external surface of the adaptor apparatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the gripping member of the gripping tool moves radially inward with respect to the axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gripping tool is operatively connected to and suspended from a quill of the top drive assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second end of the adaptor apparatus comprises one of a male threaded connection member and a female threaded connection member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the adaptor apparatus further comprises a bell guide disposed adjacent to the connection member of the adaptor apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the axes of the gripping tool, adaptor apparatus, and tubular member are coaxial. ### Claim 10 An apparatus to allow a gripping tool of a top drive assembly to connect to a tubular member, the apparatus comprising: a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical body having a nominal outer diameter larger than a nominal outer diameter of the tubular member; wherein the first end is configured to be engaged by the gripping tool; and wherein the second end comprises a connection member to threadably connect to the tubular member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a bore at least partially formed therethrough, wherein the gripping tool is at least partially disposed within the bore, wherein a gripping member grips an inner wall surface of the cylindrical body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connection member of the adaptor apparatus comprises one of a male thread and a female thread. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adaptor apparatus further comprises a bell guide disposed adjacent to the connection member of the adaptor apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second end of the apparatus comprises a hole formed therein such that the apparatus is in fluid communication with the tubular member. ### Claim 15 A method to run a tubular member with a top drive assembly, the method comprising: providing a gripping tool between the top drive assembly and the tubular member, the gripping tool having a gripping member and an axis defined therethrough; gripping an adaptor apparatus with the gripping member of the gripping tool, the adaptor apparatus comprising a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a nominal outer diameter larger than a nominal outer diameter of the tubular member; and connecting the adaptor apparatus to the tubular member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: rotating the gripping tool using the top drive assembly, wherein the gripping tool is operatively connected to a quill of the top drive assembly; wherein the adaptor apparatus is rotated with gripping tool; and wherein the tubular member is rotated with the adaptor apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein gripping the adaptor apparatus comprises: moving the gripping member of the gripping tool radially inward with respect to the axis of the gripping tool to grip the adaptor apparatus. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein gripping the adaptor apparatus comprises: moving the gripping member of the gripping tool radially outward with respect to the axis of the gripping tool to grip the adaptor apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: disconnecting the adaptor apparatus from the tubular member; disengaging the gripping member of the gripping tool from the adaptor apparatus; and gripping another tubular member with the gripping member of the gripping tool. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the adaptor apparatus comprises one of a male connection member and a female connection member to connect to the tubular member.