US2174103A - Slip handle - Google Patents

Description

P 1939- D. L. DRISCOLL 2,174,103

SLIP HANDLE Filed May 10, 1937 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIP HANDLE Dennis L. Driscoll, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Lawrence F. Baash, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 10, 1937, Serial No. 141,700

8 Claims.

mentioned that facilitates the safe and easy ma- 7 nipulation of the slip.

When a string of drill pipe or the like is being run into a well or is being pulled from a well the portion of the string above the rotary table is engaged by an elevator for raising or lowering the string, as the case may be. Wedge-like slips are inserted in the rotary table bushing from time to time to hold the string of pipe when a string or section of the pipe is being connected to or disconnected from the upper end of the string. These slips usually have bails or handles pivoted to their upper ends to facilitate their insertion in and removal from the rotary table bushing. Quite frequently the elevator, operated by the hoisting mechanism of the drilling rig, drops or movesdown suddenly when a workman has his hands engaged on a slip handle, and the elevator strikes 25, serious injury. p 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety handle for a slip that yields or gives when the slip or a workmans hand grasping the slip is struck by an elevator so that the slip and 80, the workmans hands are not seriously injured.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a slip handle that comprises sections hingedtogether or connected in such a manner that the handle folds or collapses to swing the workmans 35-. hands or hand away from the pipe and the elevator in the event that the elevator strikes the handle or the workmans hands.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slip handle of the character mentioned that 40, automatically falls or swings away from the string of pipe when released by the operator to move out of the path of the elevator and to thereafter assume a position where it does not interfere with operations at the rotary table. 45 Another object of this invention is to provide a safety slip handle embodying a yieldable or flexible grip that prevents serious injury to the operators hands in the event that they are struck by a downwardly moving elevator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slip handle of the character mentioned that may be easily engaged or grasped when resting in the inoperative position on the rotary table. A further object of this invention is to provide 55 a, slip handle of the character mentioned that the workmans hands inflicting is simple and inexpensive and that is adapted for use on the various types of pipe gripping slips. I The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from. the following I detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

' Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed sectional view of. the

assembly of a rotary table bushing and a set of slips, illustrating one form of handle of the invention on the slips and showing the handle of one slip in the down or inoperative position and showing the handle of the other slip in a vertical position and grasped by the operator. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation view of the inner side of. one of the slip handles illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the handle in the raised or upright position. Fig. 3 is a reduced vertical detailed sectional view taken'as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevation view of the. inner side of another slip handle of the invention. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a form ofhandle embodying a flexible grip and Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 5. The handles provided by the present invention are adapted to be employed on the various classes of slips used in the rotary tables of well drilling rigs. In the following detailed description I will describethree typical preferred handles of the invention employed on slips of the type that are used in a rotary table bushing to grip drill pipe. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited to the forms or application of the invention about to be described, but is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a portion of a string of drill pipe P passing through the opening in of a typical rotary table bushing II. The collar or coupling 0 on the upper end of the pipe P is engaged by an elevator l2 which may be considered as operated by the hoist mechanism of the drilling rig. The elevator 12 engages under the coupling C and is operable to suspend and lift the pipe P. The bushing I I has the usual tapered opening I!) for receiving the pipe gripping slips. It is to be understood that the bushing II is seated in a rotary table (not shown). The slips S are wedge-like parts having inclined outer surfaces adapted to seat in the tapered opening l0 and having teeth l3 on their inner sides for gripping the pipe P. In the particular arrangement illustrated the upper ends of the slips S are below the upper surface of the bushing I I and the rotary table. The invention may provide a handle for each slip S, it being understood that the slips S are usually employed in sets. The handles of the several slips S may be identical and I will proceed with a detailed description of one handle, it being understood that such description is equally applicable to the handles of the other slips.

The safety slip handle of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, includes, gen,- erally an inner or lower section I5 connected with the slip S and an upper or outer section I6 adapted to be grasped by the operator or workman and hingedly or swingably connected, with the inner section I5 in such a manner that it-falls or swings downwardly and outwardly irr the event" that it is struck by the elevator I2.

The lower or inner section I5 of the handle is secured to the upper end of the slip S and carries the outer handle section I6. In the simple construction illustrated in the drawing the section I5 is a substantially U-shaped membercomprising two spaced arms I1 and a part I8 extending between and connecting the arms I1 at their outer ends. In practice the section I5.may-be integral, that is, the arms I1 and the part I8 may be formed from a single length ofarod or bar stock. The arms I1 are substantially parallel and. the part I8 may be at substantially right angles to the arms. The inner or lower ends of the arms I1 are preferably pivotally connected with the upper end of the slip S. In the typical arrangement illustrated two spaced lugs I9 project from the upper end of the slip S- and a transverse hinge pin 20 is supported in openings in the lugs. The pin 2!! projects laterally beyond the lugs I9 and the lower ends of the arms I1 have loops or eyes 2I pivotally engaged on the projecting portions of the pin. Cotter keys 22, or the like, may be provided .on the pin 20- to prevent the dis placement of the eyes 2| from the pin;

In accordance with the invention the outer or upper portions of the arms I1 are preferablyinclined upwardly and inwardlytowardthe pipe P assuming the handle to be in a substantially vertical position as illustrated in full lines-at the left hand side of Fig. 1. In practice the inclination of the outer or upper portions of the arms.

I1 with respect to the lower portions of the arms: may be slight, as illustrated, it being understood; however, that the degree of inclination of the outer parts of-the arms may be asgreat as de-' sired. A bar or tie 23 extends between and is connected to the inclined outer portions of the arms 11. The tie 23 is spaced below and is substantially parallel with the part I8. While I have shown the ends of the tie 23 welded to. the arms I1 at 24 it will be apparent that the entire section I5 including the tie 23 'may be formed in tegrally by a drop forging process, or the like.

It will be observed that the tie 23 carried by the:

inclined outer portions of the arms I1 is offset with respect to a center line X coincident with the plane of the arms I1 and the axis of thepivotal connection between the arms and the slip S. Fig; 3 of the drawing illustrates this relationship and shows the center of the transverse tie 23 offset inwardly from the center line X relative to the pipe P.

The upper or outer section I6 of the handle pivotally or swingably connected with the inner section I5. The section I6 is a loop-like part or bail-like part and may be integral, asillustrated.

In the preferred construction the section I6 includes two spaced arms 25, laterally projecting head parts 26, and a grip 21 at the outer ends of the head parts 26. The arms 25 may be straight and substantially parallel. The arms 25 of the outer section I6 may be in parallelism with the arms I1 of the inner section I5 but are spaced somewhat closer together than the arms I1. The head parts 26 project outwardly or laterally from the arms 25 and are preferably rounded or curved as best illustrated in Fig. 2. The parts 26 are provided to prevent the handle from passing through the slip opening III, the distance betwenthe extremities of the parts 26 being greater than the diameter of the opening l0 whereby the slip cannotfall into thewell. The grip 21 may be straight and may be substantially parallel with the part I8 and the tie 23.

In accordance with the invention the inner or lower ends of the arms 25 are pivotally or swingably connected with the section I5. The arms 25 pass downwardly orinwardly atthe outer'side.

of the part I8 relative to the pipe P, assumin that the handle is in a substantially vertical position. Loops or eyes 28 are providedon the lower ends of the arms 25 and surround or en-- gage on the tie 23 to pivotallyconnect the outer section I6 with the inner handle section I5. As described above, the central axis of the tie'23'is offset from the center line X of the arms I1so that the axis of the pivotal connection between the section I6 and the section I5 is offset inwardly from the center line X. When the handie is in an upright or vertical'position as illustrated in Fig. 3 the arms-25 are adapted to contact the part I8. Thus when the slip S is lifted or held by means of the handle the weight of the slip holds the sections I5 and. I6 in the relative downward blow or force applied to the upper end of the section I6 results in adownward and outward movement of the section I6 and an inward swinging of the section I5, as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 1. In this connection it will be observed that the part I8 is adapted to engage against the pipe P to limit the inward swinging of 'the inner section I5.

The invention preferably includes support parts orrests 29 to support the grip 21 above the upper surface of the rotary table to be conveniently grasped when the handle is in the down position, as illustrated at the right hand side of Fig. 1. The rests 29 may be in the nature of downwardly or outwardly bowed rods extending between the end portions of the grip 21 and the inner portions of the head parts 26. When the handle is inthe down or reclining position the rests 29 engage against the upper surface of the bushing I I or the rotary table to support the section I6 in a substantially horizontal position where its grip 21 may be conveniently grasped.w

S may be lifted and moved about by means of of slip handleillustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the slips.

the handles in the usual manner. The grip 21 of a handle is always conveniently accessible for engagement and grasping by the operator. When a slip S is to be inserted in the bushing opening [0 it is lifted by means of its handle and passed downwardly into the opening to grip the pipe P. As described above, the handle sections I5 and I6 are pivotally connected together so that the handle assumes a substantially vertical position when the slip is lifted and the arms 25 engage against the part I8 to limit the inward swinging of the section I6 relative to the section The operator may conveniently insert the slip S in the opening I I] in the manner illustrated at the lefthand side of Fig. L

In the event the elevator I2 drops or suddenly moves downwardly when the operator is inserting the slip S the operators hand or hands or the upper end of the handle may be struck by the downwardly moving elevator. If this occurs the force of the engagement of the elevator against the hand or hands of the operator, or the grip 27, swings the upper handle section I6 downwardly and outwardly and swings or tends to swing the lower handle section I5 inwardly toward the pipe P. The broken lines in Fig. 1 of the drawing illustrate the positions that may be assumed by the sections I5 and I6 when the handle folds or collapses due to the elevator I2 striking the handle or the workmans hands. The intensity of the blow of the elevator I2 against the operators hands or the handle, as the case may be, is greatly reduced because the section I6 swings downwardly and outwardly moving in the same general direction as the elevator. The downward and outward movement of the handle section I6 prevents the workmans hand or hands from becoming seriously injured by the elevator I2 and prevents the elevator from damaging the handle. When the slip S is in its final position in the slip opening ID the handle may be lowered to its reclining position illustrated at the right hand side of Fig. 1. When in this position the rests 29 engage the upper surface of the rotary table and support the grip 21 where it may be conveniently grasped. The form of handle illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing greatly facilitates the easy manipulation of the slip and positively prevents serious injury to the operator or workman and damage to the slip handle.

Fig. 4 of the .drawing illustrates a form of the invention in which the outer section I6 of the slip handle is in the nature of a flexible loop or bail of cable, rope or the like. The slip handle illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing includes, generally, an inner section I5 to be pivotally connected with a slip S and the bail-like outer section i The inner section I5 includes two spaced substantially parallel arms Il laterally projecting head parts 26 and a transverse outer part 21*. The arms I"! and the parts 26 and 2'! may be integral. Eyes 2 I or other suitable means are provided on the inner ends of the arms I'I for facilitating the connection of the handle with the slip. Downwardly or outwardly bowed rests 29 extend between the part 21 and the inner portions of the head parts 26 A transverse rod or tie 23 extends between and connects the arms I! adjacent their outer ends. The tie 23 may be welded to the arms I! and strengthens the handle structure.

The outer handle section I6 may be formed of any suitable flexible material having the required strength. In practice the section Ili may be formed of cable, rope, reinforced rubber, or the like. The section It is in the form of a loop and its inner ends are connected with the tie 23 In the case illustrated loops or eyes 28 are provided on the inner ends of the sections I6 to swingably or pivotally connect it with the tie 23 Collars or stops 3| may be provided on the tie 23 to prevent movement of the eyes 28 along the tie. The section l6 extends outwardly from the tie '23 to pass below or at the outer side of the part 21 The section l6 is of sufficient length to have its outer portion conveniently grasped beyond the part 21.

The handle illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing has substantially the same uses and features as the previously described form of the invention. In lifting or manipulating a slip S the outer portion or the grip portion of the section I6 may be grasped for the purpose of handling the slip. When the slip S is to bezlowered into the bushing opening III the handle may assume a substantially vertical position with the section I6 engaging against the outer side of the part 21*. In the event that the elevator I2 moves downwardly against the operators hands grasping the section I6 the section I6 gives or flexes so that the hands are not injured. Being flexible the section I6 readily gives and moves outwardly so that the elevator striking against the workmans hands does not seriously injure them. When the handle is in its reclining position, with the slip S in the bushing II, the rests 29 support the section I5 so that the bail section I6 may be conveniently engaged.

Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing illustrate a form of the invention in which the grip of the handle is flexible or yieldable. The handle illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing includes two spaced arms I l a tie 23 extending transversely between the arms I1 and laterally projecting head parts 26 at the outer ends of the arms. The arms I'I may be identical with the arms II except that they may be of greater length than the arms Il The head parts 26 are curved or bowed laterally at the outer ends of the arms II and terminate at their outer ends in inwardly facing stubs or shanks 32. Downwardly bowed rests 29. extend between the shanks 32 and the inner portions of the head parts 26 The rests 29 strengthen the construction and prevent the shanks 32 from flexing inwardly toward one another and from flexing in vertical directions.

A flexible or yieldable grip 2'! extends between and is secured to the shanks 32. In this form of the invention the grip 2'! is adapted to yield or flex to a position such as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 5, in the event that the elevator strikes the operators hand or hands grasping the grip. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention the grip 21 may be formed of any suitable flexible material that is capable of yielding in the desired manner. For example the grip 2'! may be formed of rubber vulcanized or otherwise fixed to the shanks 32. In the particular case illustrated in the drawing the grip 27 includes an helical spring 33 having its opposite ends secured to the shanks 32 and a sleeve 34 of rubber or the like on the spring. The opposite end portions of the tubular spring 33 may be passed over the shanks 32 and may be welded to the shanks as at 35. The sleeve 34 encloses the spring 33 and may be vulcanized or otherwise secured to the spring. The sleeve 34 prevents the operators or workmans hands from being pinched or caught between the convolutions of the spring 33 when the grip 21 flexes. It is believed that it will be understood how the grip 21 is adapted to yield or give when the hand or hands of the operator are struck by a downwardly moving elevator. By flexing or yielding in this manner the grip 2! prevents the elevator from seriously injuring the workmans hand or hands.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific forms and applications herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A handle for a slip including, a lower section, means pivotally connecting the lower section with the slip, an upper section having a grip at its upper end to be grasped by the operator, and means pivotally mounting the upper section on the lower section to swing downwardly relative to the lower section in response to a downward blow, the last named means including a part on the lower section and a part on the upper section swingable on the first mentioned part about a generally horizontal axis laterally offset from a longitudinal center line of the lower section which passes through the axis of its pivotal connection with the slip and which passes through the said grip when the upper section is in its uppermost extended position.

2. A handle for a slip including, a lower section, means pivotally connecting the lower section with the slip, a grip section to be grasped by the operator, and a pivotal connection between the grip section and the lower section whereby the grip section may swing downwardly relative to the lower section in response to a downward blow, the axis of the pivotal connection being offset from the center line of the lower section which passes through the axis of the connection between the lower section and the slip.

3. A handle for a slip including, a lower section, means pivotally connecting the lower end of the lower section with the slip to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis and to be movable to a substantially Vertical position, a grip section to be grasped by the operator, means connecting the grip section with the upper portion of the lower section to extend upwardly therefrom and to swing downwardly in one direction relative to the lower section in response to a downward blow, and engaging parts on the sections for preventing downward swinging of the gripsection relative to the lower section in the other direction.

4. A handle for a slip including, a lower section,.means pivotally connecting the lower part of the lower section with the slip topivot about a substantially horizontal axis and to be movable to a substantially vertical position, a. grip section to be grasped by the operator, means pivotally connecting the grip section with the upper portion of the lower section to extend upwardly therefrom and to swing downwardly about a horizontal axis in one direction relative to the lower section in response to a downward blow, and means for preventing downward swinging of the grip section relative to the lower section in the other direction, the last mentioned means comprising a part on the lower section engaged by the grip section when the two sections are approximately aligned vertically,

5. A handle for a slip including, an inner hanv dle section pivotally connected with the clip, and an outer handle section of flexible material swingably secured to the inner section and adapted to be grasped by the operator.

6. A handle for a. slip including, an inner handle section pivotally connected with the slip, a handle loop of flexible material adapted to be grasped by the operator, and means swingably securing the ends of the loop to the inner section.

7. A handle for a slip including, an inner handle section pivotally connected with the slip, a handle loop of flexible material adapted to be grasped by the operator, means securing the loop to the inner section to swing downwardly in one direction, and means for limiting downward swinging of the loopin the other direction.

8. A handle for a slip comprising a lower handle section, a pivotal connection between the lower end of the lower section and the slip providing for swinging of the section about a horizontal axis whereby the section may assume a substantially vertical position, a grip section to be grasped by the operator, means pivotally con necting the grip section with the lower section to extend upwardly therefrom when lifted by the operator, and means for stopping the grip section in a substantially vertical position where it is slightly inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the lower section whereby a downward blow on the grip section causes the grip section to freely swing downwardly relative tothe lower section.

DENNIS L. DRISCOLL.

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