US2275271A - Joint breaker and cathead - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1942.

JOINT BREAKER AND CATHEAD Filed June 3, 1940 zvsheets-sheet 1 J. H. SCHREIBER 2,275,271 v March 3, 194'2- J. H. SCHREIBER Y Y JOINT BREAKER AND GATHEAD Filed June 3," 1940 2 sheets-snaai 2 Patented Mar. 3, 1942 UN I TE D STAT E S PAI`--`1ELN T O FF ICE JOINT BREAKER AND -CATHEAD John H. Schreiber, St. Louis, Mo.

Application June 3, 1940, ASerial No. 338,559

21 Claims. (CL :2M-173) This invention relates to joint breakers and catheads ofthe type adapted for breaking joints between pipe sections used in oil `iields and `elsewhere.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved mechanism of the class generically disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 148,493, iiled June 16, 1937, resultingin Patent No. 2,208,197, dated July 16, 1940, and embodysupporting means and actuator of ahard metal or alloy to withstand the forces and impacts to which the device is subjectedwhen in use; to provide an optionally operable device for adjusting or moving the actuator to a position in which it will engage the shoe during constant rotation of the drum and movement of the actuator therewith; to provide means for moving saiddevice vby the shoe during movement of lthe latter to .the initial or unoperated position of said device, leaving the drum free to continue in rotation while the shoe is returned to its rinitial or unoperated position by operation of the jerk line; and to provide means for disengaging the actuator from the shoe about the time that the shoe moves said device to its initial position, thereby coordinating release of the actuator from the shoe with `the disabling of said device.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for supporting the shoe in connection with the drum to permit `swinging or pivotal movements or adjustments of the shoe and thereby .prevent breaking of any of the windings or parts of the jerk line at its Yconnection with the shoe, as occurs in devices in which pivotal adjustment of the shoe is .not effected.

Another object of theinvention is to provide an improved removable and replaceable .support for the optionally operable device that adjusts invention will be'apparent from the following ldescription, reference being made to the annexed drawings, in'which- 4 Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the housing parallel with the axis of the draw-works shaft, a portion of the drum and the actuator support mounted thereon also being in'section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device transversely ofthe draw-works shaft.

Fig. 2a is a sectionalview showing the constructonbywhich the optionally operable device for moving the actuator to effective position 'is disabled by reverse rotary movement of the drum. j

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the device for adjusting or moving the'actuator to a position in whichitwill engage the^shoe,.and also lshowing that part of said device which is engaged by the 'shoe during movement of the shoe by the actu- Vatorto return said device to its initial or unoper- .unoperated position by the shoe.r

or moves the actuator to a position for engaging Fig. 7 is a view showing the means for Adisengaging the shoe actuator from the` shoe aboutthe timethat the shoe moves the actuator ,adjusting device to itsinitial or .unoperated position.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view showing the vremovable and replaceable support for the shoe actuator and the means for pivotallyisupporting the shoe on the drum.

:The stationary frame or housing I is generally of 4annular form, and has an end wall 25formed with an integral cylindrical bearing or bearing race 3. This frame or housing may bey rigidlysercured to the `draw-works by any appropriate attaching means (not shown) with whichy the present invention is not concerned. A rotary element or drum 4 vcooperates with the stationary housing to provide a space for enclosing parts of the present invention,fand provided with an extension 5 for attachment to the draw-,works shaft. A bushing 6 is rigid with the element 4 and extends into the bearing race 3 and is supported by anti-friction bearings 7 mounted in said race.

'The-drum 4 `is formed-with 'a pair of integral circumferential walls 8 having inwardly extended anges 9 at their peripheries forming grooves I between said iianges and the periphery of the drum. The walls 8 at one side of the drum have gaps II, and a recess is formed in the periphery of the drum having a bottom wall I2 (Fig. 8). A support comprising a base I3 adapted to seat in the recess in the periphery of the drum, and upon the wall I2, has arcuate walls I4 in continuation of the walls 8 and flanges I5 in continuation of the iianges 9. Therefore, when said support is attached to the drum by the fasteners I6, the gaps within the walls 8 and the anges 9 are closed.

An actuator comprising a body I1 is mounted for rocking movements in the support I3 about an axis parallel with the axis of rotation of the drum. A notch I8 is formed in the actuator I1 and has a bottom wall I9, preferably formed on the same radius of curvature as the periphery of the drum 4. The body of the actuator I1 is cylindrical and its axis is approximately on or at the center of the'arcuate wall I9 so that, when said actuator is turned to the position shown in Fig. 2, said wall I9 is in continuation of the peripheral wall of the drum; and, when said actuator is turned to the position shown in'Fig. 8, the wall I9 is angularly disposed and the forward edge of the actuator I1 constitutes a shoulder extending beyond the periphery of the the detent 30 is engaged in the recess 33 The contacting surfaces of the detent 30 and the recesses 32 and 33 are inclined so that the arm 29 may be moved from one position to another by application of pressure against a projection 35 on the free end of the arm 29. attached to the wall 2 in a position to be engaged by the projection 35 when the arm 29 is latched in its inner position by engagement of the detent 30 in the recess 32 (Fig. 7).

As shown, the drum 4 is constantly rotating in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. '1), the arm 29 extending rearwardly beyond the actuator I1. When the projection 35 engages the cam 35 during continued rotation of the drum, the arm 29 is forced outwardly to engage the detent 39 within the recess 33, thereby turning the actuator I1 to a position in which the outer wall I9 thereof is in alinement with the periphery of the drum 4 far enough to engage the jerk line shoe during rotation of the drum 4.

The jerk line shoe 29 is mounted in the groove between the walls 8 and has a pair of lateral projections 2| engaging in the grooves l0. These projections 2I constitute pivotal supports for the shoe on the drum and permit the shoe to adjust itself so that its does not sharply bend the attached jerk line 22 at the end of the shoe. By the projections 2l, the shoe is entirely supported by the drum during movement of the shoe by the drum, thus facilitating operation of the shoe and substantially eliminating friction between the shoe and the supporting frame or housing. When the shoe is at rest and in its initial or unoperated position, it is supported substantially out of engagement with the drum by an inclined flange 23 (Fig. 2) attached to` a removable and replaceable plate 24 at the bottom of the housing or frame I. In its initial or operated position, the shoe 20 is held against an abutment 25 and on the supporting flange 23 by a spring 25 mounted on the jerk line between the outer end of the stationary jerk line guide 21 and an abutment 28 attached to the jerk line (Fig. 2); and in this position, the projections 2I are substantially out of contact with the anges 9, leaving the drum free to rotate without moving the jerk line shoe.

An arm 29 is rigid with one end of the actuator I1 and is adjacent to the side of one of the walls I4.v A detent 30 is mounted in the free end of the arm 29 and actuated by a spring 3I. The adjacent wall I4 has a pair of spaced recesses 32 and 33 (Figs. 2 and 5) adapted to be engaged by the detent 33. When the arm 29 is moved inwardly to extend the forward edge of the actuator I1 beyond the periphery of the drum 4, as in Fig. 8, the detent 39 is engaged within the recess 32, and will thereby retain the actuator` I1 in said effective position for engagement with a shoulder 34 on-the shoe 29; and, when said arm 29 is moved outwardly to turn the actuator I1 to a position in which the curved wall -I9 is alined with the peripheral wall of the drum '4,

drum 4. This will release the actuator I1 from the shoulder 34 on the shoe 20, leaving the said shoe4 free to be movedby the spring 23 to its initial`or unoperated position on the flange 23 and against the abutment 25. In said position, the projections 2I of the shoe are substantially out of contact with the drum.

My invention comprises an optionally operable device `for adjusting or moving the actuator I1 to a position in which it will engage the shoulder 34 during constant rotation of the drum and movement of the actuator therewith, and also means for moving said device to its initial or unoperated position by the shoe during movement of the latter, thereby leaving the drum 4 free to continue in rotation while the shoe is returned to its initial or unoperated position by the spring 26 and jerk line 22. The operation of the actuator I1 to disengage the shoe is timed so that said optionally operable device is moved to its initial or unoperated position by the shoe before the shoe is disengaged by said actuator. The said device comprises a unitary member 31 mounted on a pivot 38 supported by the plate 24. The member 31 is formed with a cam 39 and is operative to move said cam from the effective pofsition shown in Fig. 3 to the ineiTective position shown in Fig. 6, and vice versa. The cam 39 is adjacent to the periphery of one of the drum walls 8 and, when said cam is located in its effectiveposition (Fig. 3), it will be engaged by the shoe 20 and moved thereby from said effective position to its inelective position as shown in Fig. 6. The member 31 is formed with another cam 40 adapted to be engaged by the projection 35 and thereby move the arm 29 inwardly and thereby the actuator I1 to its effective position as shown in Fig. 8.

A rod 4I is supported for turning'movements above the guide 21, and has an arm 42 attached to one end thereof adjacent to the member 31. A spring 43 has its upper end engaged in a spring seat in the underside of the arm 42 and its lower end seating upon an arm 44 projecting inwardly from the member 31 beyond the pivot 38. The spring 43 imparts upward pressure against the arm 42 and downward pressure against the arm 44, thereby tending to move the member 31 inwardly to place the cam 40 in position to be engaged by the projection 35 and thereby turn the A cam 36 is angular bend'of the line 22 at 'the end of the shoe 20. This is becausethe'line 22-extends into a hole in the shoe 29, and said shoe `adjusts itself so that the hole latthe end of vthe 'Shoe from which the line 22 extends is tangential to the adjacent Yperipheral surface of the drum. This prevents breaking of the'strands of thejerk line, as wouldoccur if there were an angular bend in the jerk line at the end ofthe shoe.

The shoe 26 yis moved around with the drum until the projection 35 engages the cam 36 land at or about thesame time the shoe engages the cam 39 and immediately moves said cam toward the right from the positionshown in Fig. 3 'to the position shown in Fig. 6, which is the position Iin which it will not be engaged by the projection 35. The lower end 45 of the cam 39 extends across the arm 42 and limits upward movement of said arm by the spring 43. A shoulder formation 46 on the lower edge of the cam 39 adjacent to the member 31 is arranged to engage over the arm 42 in the inward position vof the member 31 (Fig. 3), thereby holding the arm 42 downward while the spring '43 holds the cams 39 and 49 in positions to be engaged by the shoe 2D and the projection 35, respectively. An arm 41 attached to the end of the rod 4I opposite from the arm 42 provides means for turning said rod 4l to move said arm 42 downwardly beyond the shoulder 46 and cause the spring 43* to move the member 31 inwardly toward the arm 42 and thereby place the cam 49 in position to beengaged by the projection 35 when said projection is carried around to the cam 40. The actuator I1 is thereby turned to its engaging position (Fig. 8) in which it will engage against the shoulder 34 on the shoe 20 and carry said shoe around with the drum. The shoe turns upon its supporting projections 2| to prevent sharp bending of the jerk line 22adjacent to the shoe. When the shoe is carried around with the drum in this manner, it engages the cam39 and forces the member 31 laterally away from the drum to a position in which the cam 46 will not be engaged by the projection 35. At or about the time that the member 31 is moved laterally by the shoe 29, the projection 35 engages the cam 36 and disengages the actuator I1 from the shoe, whereupon the spring 26 immediately acts to return the shoe to its initial or unoperated position upon the support 23 and against the abutment 25. Thus, the engagement ofthe actuator I1 with the shoe may be optionally effected and the disengagement thereof is automatically effected, and the parts are automatically restored to their initial or unoperated positions, leaving the drum free to rotate continuously without moving the shoe 20 until the rod 4| is again turned to cause inward swinging movement of the member 31.

One side of the housing I is formed with an opening 48 which is closed by a removable and replaceable plate 49 attached tothe housing by fasteners 59. The opposite side of the housing I is provided with an opening I and a removable and replaceable closure plate 52 therefor. The plate 52 may support a high pressure lubrieating fitting 53 for delivering lubricant into a passage 54 leading to the bearing 1.

The actuator I1 is held from axial displacement in one direction by contact of the arm 29 with the adjacent wall I4 of the actuator support; and is held from endwise displacement in the opposite direction by anextension 55 of the arm 29 engaging a ange56 on said lwall I4.

I1 turned far enough to disengage the extension 55 from the ilange '56 and permit withdrawal rof the actuator from said support. When the device is in position on the drum, extent of such movement of the arm 29 and of such turning movement of the actuator I1 is limited by a formation 51 on the arm -29 contacting with` the bearing race 3.

The drum 4 may be rotated in the reverse direction from that described and indicated by the arrow 58 (Fig. 5). Such reverse rotation of the drum will release the member 31 from latching engagement with the arm 42 and move said member outwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to its unoperated position as shown in` Fig. 6. The member 31 is formed with a cam v59 which willbe engaged by the projection 35 during reverse turning movement of the drum when the arm 29 is held in its outer position by engagement of the detent in the recess 33 and the member 31 occupies the position shown in Fig. 3. Such engagement of the projection 35 with the cam 59 moves the member` 31 outwardly in opposition to the spring 43 to the position shown in Fig. 6, in which the shoulder formation '4,6 engages against the outer side of the arm 42. Thereafter, manual operation of the arm 41 is required to set the member 31 in its inwardly latched positionin which the cam 40 will set the actuator I1 in position to engage the shoe shoulder 34 and the cam 39 in position to be engaged b-y the shoe, in the manner before described.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that this invention attains all of its intended objects and purposes efciently and satisfactorily. Friction between the shoe and other parts is reduced to a minimum, and the optionally adjustable device for moving the actuator I1 to effective position is also moved to ineffective position automatically and as an incident to operation of the shoe by the drum. The device may be varied as widely as the equivalent limits will permit without departure ,from the nature and principle of the invention.

I claim: y

1. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum having a circumferential groove, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drum within said groove, a shoe attached to said jerk line and extending into said groove, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative thereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to wind said jerk line on said drum, means for moving said actuator to and from said position, and means for pivotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe andsaid jerk line.

2. yMechanism ofthe character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a device carried by and movable relative to said drum for engaging and moving said shoe in a direction to windsaid jerk line on said drum, a member settablein a position to movesaid device relative to said drum to eflect a driving vengagement between said device and said shoe, 'and means operated by said shoe duringl movement thereof by said device for moving' said member out of position to move said device to said engaging position.

3. Mechanism of the characterv described-comprising a vrotary drum, afjerk'line adapted vtobe Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative thereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to wind said jerk line on said drum, a member movable from and to a position to move said actuator into said position for engaging said shoe, and means for pvotally supporting said shoe in connection With said drum and alining said shoe and said jerk line during movement of said shoe b-y said actuator.

4. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line arranged to be Wound Onsaiddrum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a support detachably secured to said drum, an actuator movably mounted relative to said support and being removable from said drum with said support, a member for moving said actuatorto a position to engage said shoe during rotation of said drum, and means operated by said shoe during movement thereof by said actuator for moving said member to a position in which it will not move said actuator.

5. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum having a circumferential groove, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum within said groove, a shoe attached to said jerk line, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative thereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to Wind said jerk line on said drum, parts for moving said actuator to and from said position, respectively, means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said actuator, and means for supporting said shoe substantially out of engagement with said drum during rotation of said drum when said actuator is out of position for engagement with said shoe.

6. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line arranged to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, means supported by said drum for movement relative thereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to wind said jerk line on said drum, means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe and said jerk line and to prevent detachment of said shoe from said drum during movement of said shoe by said rst named means, and a device for disengaging said rst named means from said shoe.

'7. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a device mounted on and movable relative to said drum for engaging and moving said shoe in a direction to Wind said jerk line on said drum, means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe and said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said device, and means for supporting said shoe in an unoperated position out of substantial engagement with said drum.

8. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line arranged to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a support detachably secured to said drum, an actuator movably mounted relative to said support for engaging and moving said shoe with said drum, a member for moving said actuator to a position to engage said shoe during rotation of said drum, an element for disengaging said actuator from said shoe, and means operated by said'shoe for moving said Ymember from said position in which it moves said actuator.

'9. Mechanism of the character described comprising a constantly rotating drum, a jerk line arranged to' be Wound directly on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, an actuator mounted on said drum for movement relative thereto to engage and move said shoe to Wind said jerk line on said drum, pivot means for supporting said shoe in connection with said drum, and a stationary supportfor holding said shoe normally out of substantial contact with said drum.

10. Mechanism of the character described comprising arotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative thereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to Wind said jerk line on said drum, a cam for moving said actuator into said position, means for setting and retaining said cam in a position to move saidractuator relative to said drum as aforesaid, and means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said actuator.

11. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative thereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to Wind said jerk line on said drum, a cam for moving said actuator into said position, means for setting and retaining said cam in a position to move said actuator relative to said drum as aforesaid, means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said actuator, and a support for holding said shoe out of substantial engagement vvith said drum when said actuator is out of position to engage said shoe.

12. In a device of the character described, a stationary housing, a rotary drum mounted Within said housing, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a fshoe attached to said jerk line within said housing, means attached to said housing for supporting said shoe in an unoperated position'substantially out of contact with said drum, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative thereto to engage and move said shoe along with said drum to wind said jerk line on the drum, means for moving said actuator relative to said drum to position to engage said shoe, and means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said actuator.

13. In a device of the character described, a stationary housing, a rotary drum Within said housing, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a detachable element supported by said housing for y supportingv said shoe in an unoperated position substantially out of engagement with said drum, an actuator mounted on and movable relative to said drum to and from position to engage said shoe and move said shoe along With said drum, a member for moving said actuator to position to engage said shoe during rotation of said drum, means for holding said member in an adjustment to move said actuator as aforesaid, and means operated by said shoe during movement thereof byfsaid actuator for moving said member from said adjustment.

14. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line and supported in an unoperated position substantially out of engagement with said drum, mechanism supported by said drum for movement relative thereto to engage and move said shoe along with said drum to Wind said jerk line on the drum, and means for pivotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said mechanism.

15. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a stationary support for holding said shoe substantially out of engagement with said drum during rotation of the latter, a device supported by said drum for movement to position to engage said shoe and move said shoe along with said device to wind said jerk line on said drum, optionally operative means apart from any mechanism that rotates said drum for moving said device to position to engage said shoe, and means for supporting said shoe on said drum 'to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said device.

16. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a stationary support for holding said shoe substantially out of engagement with said drum during rotation of the latter, a device supported by said drum for movement to position to engage said shoe and move said shoe along with said device to Wind said jerk line on said drum, optionally operative means for moving said device relative to said drum to position to engage said shoe, interengageable parts on said shoe and drum for supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said device, and a cam for disengaging said device from said shoe.

17. Mechanism of the character described comprising a stationary housing, a rotary drum in said housing, a detachable support in connection With said housing, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line and normally held on said support by said jerk line, an actuator on said drum for movement relative to said drum to engage and operate said shoe to wind said jerk line on said drum, pivotal means for supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said actuator, and mechanism mounted on said support for controlling engagement of said actuator with said shoe.

18. Mechanism of the character described comprising a stationary housing, a rotary drum in said housing, a detachable support in connection with said housing, a jerk line adapted to be wound on lsaid drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line and normally held on said support by said line, an actuator on said drum for engaging and operating said shoe to wind said jerk line on said drum, pivotal means for supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said actuator, mechanism mounted on said support for controlling engagement of said actuator with said shoe, and means operated by the shoe during movement thereof by said actuator for restoring said mechanism to its unoperated position.

19. Mechanism 0f the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be Wound directly on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line and unattached to said drum, a support for said shoe in its unoperated position, means movably mounted relative to the drum for engaging and moving said shoe to Wind said jerk line directly on said drum, devices for pivotally engaging and supporting said shoe and alining said shoe With said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said means, and mechanism for moving said means relative to said drum to release said means from said shoe after a predetermined movement of said jerk line and said shoe With said drum.

20. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a support for said shoe in its unr operated position, means movably mounted relative to the drum for engaging and moving said shoe along with said drum to wind said jerk line on the drum,V means for pivotally supporting said shoe on said drum during movement of said shoe by said means, and a device for moving said means relative to said drum and thereby'releasing said means from said shoe after a predetermined movement of said shoe With said drum.

21. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum having a circumferential groove, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drum Within said groove, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a device carried by and movable relative to said drum for optional engagement with said shoe to move said shoe and wind said jerk line on said drum during constant rotation of the drum, projections on said shoe pivotally engaging said drum to aline said shoe and said jerk line and to prevent detachment of said shoe from said drum, and means for moving said device relative to said drum to disengage said device from said shoe.

JOHN H. SCHREIBER.

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