US2644713A

US2644713A - Elevator grapple

Info

Publication number: US2644713A
Application number: US115026A
Authority: US
Inventors: George E Failing
Original assignee: GEORGE E FAILING SUPPLY COMPAN
Current assignee: GEORGE E FAILING SUPPLY Co; GEORGE E FAILING SUPPLY COMPAN
Priority date: 1949-09-10
Filing date: 1949-09-10
Publication date: 1953-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 1970-07-07

Description

Patented July 7, 1953 ELEVATOR GRAPPLE George E. Failing, Enid, Okla, assignor to George E. Failing Supply Company, Enid, Okla., a. corporationof Oklahoma Applicationseptem'ber 10, 1949, Serial No. 115,026 .5 Claims. (01. 294-86) This invention relates to elevators such as is used for handling pipe, casing and the like incidental to drilling and easing of bore holes. The principal object being to provide an elevator of this type that is adapted for various sizes of pipe or casing.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an elevator that is easily operated, positive in action and which has its grip enhanced by weight of the pipe or casing engaged thereby. A further object of the invention is to provide an elevator with flexibly connected jaws so that they are self aligning with respect to the pipe.

In accomplishing these and'other'objects of the invention that is hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an elevator con structed in accordance with the present invention, the jaws being shown in open position for gripping a pipe or casing.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing the jaws in gripping engagement with a pipe or casing.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the elevator showing the jews gripping a pipe or casing of smallerdiameter.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section .on the line -4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the jaws showing the hook-like seats for engaging the toggle head of the adjusting chain.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates an elevator constructed in accordance with the present invention and which includes a plurality of jaw members 2 and 3 that are carried by bails 4 and 5 that are adapted to suspend the jaw members from the ho-okof a traveling block or the like when running in or pulling the pipe or casing. Each jaw member includes a substantially semi-circular body .6 having angularly diverging faces 1 and 8 to engage spaced points on opposite sides of the pipe or casing. The jaws are provided at'the juncture of the

faces

7 and 8 with longitudinal grooves 9 to provide clearance and the faces .have transverse recesses 10 to provide upper and lower flanges II and I2. The upper flange portions H are relatively wider and are provided with transversely arranged grooves I3 for receiving dies ['4 having teeth I5 to engage the sides of the pipe.

Extending laterally from the outer side of each jaw member is an arm I6 having outwardly opening horizontal slots ll intersecting vertical slots l8 for receiving and .seats 19 for the cross bar portions 20 of the bails 4 and 5 whereby the jaw members are adapted to .be freely movable on the bails. The bails are retained in the portions I8 of the slots by gate pins 2| that areinserted' through openings 22 and have their lower ends engaged in recesses .23 as shown in Fig. .1,

the pins being retained for example, by threading the heads thereof into the openings 22.

The exterior side of the jaw member :2 has 1 a channel-like groove 24 that extends therearound from the 'face 1 tothe intersect with the face 8 and provide upper and lower flanges 2.5 and 26 that register with the flanges II and [2 .on the face sides of the jaws. Formed in the side wall 2'! of the groove24 is a narrower groove or way 28 located below the mid point :of the heighth of the jaw member whereby the center of gravity of the jaw member is above the upper portion or above the way. The way 28 is ofirectangular cross section and has a circular face 29 and upper and lower faces .30 and 3|, Extendin through the way is a flexible connector 33 for the jaw members as later described. The way 28 continues through the arm of the jaw member 2 by way of an opening 32 as shown in Fig. 2. The outer face of the other jaw member is provided with

recesses

34 and 35 on the respective sides of the arm l6 thereof to accommodate the ends :of the member 33.. nects through a slot 36 having a narrow portion 31 formed in the end 38 of the .recess 34 on the respective sides .of the constricted portion 31 of the slot 36 are

concave seats

39 and 40. The op. posite recess 35 has the corresponding .end 4! shaped .to provide spaced apart upper and

lower hooks

42 and 43.

- The member 33 preferably comprises a chain composed of a series of links .44 interconnected by transverse pins 45. The pins extend transversely through the links and have projecting

ends

46 and 41 that engage the hooks 42 and .43 as best shown in Fig. 4. The opposite end of the chain carries a toggle bolt .48 having .a'threaded shank 49 that is adapted to be engaged in the slot '36'and which has a head 5'0 slidably mount ed thereon and secured in position by a nut "51 that bears against a flat side of the head as shown in Fig. 1. rounded as at 52 to conform with the

seats

39 and 40 of the jaw member previously described. In assembling the. chain 33 relatively to the jaw members 2 and 3 the end opposite the toggle bolt 48 is threaded throughthe opening 32 ofthe jaw member 2 and one of the end links "is The recess .34 -con- The opposite side of the head 50 is.

42 and 43' and re-engaging the chain at one of the other links so that when the jaws are engaged with the side of the pipe they are retained in substantially close contact therewith. The chain is tightened about jaws to bring the jaws into gripping contact with the pipe or casing by adjusting the nut 5i on the shank 49 of the toggle bolt 48.

When inserting casing in a bore hole two of the elevators are used, one serving as an elevator and the other as a spider. The bails '4 and'5 of one of the elevators being engaged with the hook of the traveling block (not shown) so that the elevator is connected therewith.

To grip a joint of well casing, the head 50 of that elevator is disengaged from the

seats

39 and 40, to free that end of the chain so that the jaw members can be moved apart to pass them into engagement with the respective sides of a joint of casing with the dies M on the diverging faces contacting spaced points on opposite diametri'cal sides. The head on the toggle bolt is then re-enga'ged with the jaw 3 and the nut BI is tightened. When the elevator is lifted, the

jaws are held together by the chain, and the gripping action of the jaws is supplemented since thejaws may rock on the chain by reason of the lever action of the arms [6. The dies thus firmly grip the joint of easing as the traveling block moves toward the top of the derrick. When the casing is suspended over the bore hole it is lowered thereinto until the elevator seats upon a support provided over the bore hole. The traveling block hook is then released from the bails and the traveling block is moved to connect with the bailsof the second elevator which has been applied to a second joint of casing to raise and lower the joint into coupling relation with the joint in the bore hole. After the coupling of the joints is completed the first elevator is removed and the coupled casings are lowered until the second'elevator is in position to engage the sup{ port. The first elevator is then used for handling a succeeding joint and the operations are continued to complete the casing of the borehole. Theelevators might also be used for handling stands of drill pipe and lowering the drill pipe when it is run into the well. The elevators are used to withdraw the casing or drill pipefrom the bore hole by reversing the operations.

when smaller or larger pipe or casing is used, the elevator is readily adapted by adjustment of the chain 33. I V j From the foregoing, it is obvious, that'I have provided an elevator of simple and inexpensive construction and which is adapted for handling various size pipe or casing in an expedious and safe mannerf 7 What I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: v

1. An elevator including jaw members having opposed gripping faces for engaging opposite sides of a member to be axially supported by the ele: vator when the elevator isin use, arms D QJfectfonone side or the other jaw member with the hooks being located with one hook above and the other below said way, said other jaw member having a slot on the opposite side in registry with said way and intersecting ashoulder of said other law member, a chain in said way having projections on opposite sides thereof for engagement with said hooks when a portion of one end of the chain is placed between said hooks, a toggle on the other end of said chain and having a shank portion extending through said slot, and a member on said shank portion of the toggle engaging LII said shoulder for retaining the jaws in contact with the member to be lifted.

2. An elevator including jaw members having opposed gripping faces for engaging opposite sides of a member to be axially supported bythe ele-e vator when the elevator is in use, arms project.- ing from the jaws on sides thereof opposite said gripping faces, bails having transverse portions connected with the arms and formingpivotal supports on'which the jaw members rock into contact with said member to be lifted, one of said jaws having a way for passage of a chain around the arm side of said jaw member, hooks on one side of theother jaw member with the hooks being located withone hook above and the other below said way, said other jaw member having a slot on the opposite side in registry with said way and intersecting a shoulder of said other jaw member, a chain insaidway having links and pins connecting the links, said pins having'projecting ends on opposite sides of the chain for engagement with said hooks when a portion of one end of the chain is placed-be tween said hooks, a toggle on the other end'of said chain'iandfa shank portion removably engageable in said slot, and a member on said shank portion of the toggle engaging said shoulder for retaining the jaws incontact-with the'member to be lifted. "1-, 3. An elevator-including'jaw members having opposed gripping faces for engaging opposite.

sides of a member to be axially supported by'the elevator when th elevator is in use, arms projecting from the jawson sides thereofoppos'i'te said gripping faces, bails having transverse por tions connected with said arms and forming pivotal supports above centers of gravity of the jaw -members and on which the jaw members rock into contact with said member to be lifted, on of said jaws having a way for passage of chain around the arm side of said jaw memberbelow the'centers of gravity of the jaw members, hooks onone side of the other jaw member with the hooks being located with one'hook'above' and the otherbelow said way, "said other jaw member having. a slot onthe'opposite side "in registry with said wayand'intersectin'g. a shoulider of said other jaw member, achain in said wayhaving links andlpins connecting the links said pins I having projecting ends on opposite sides of the chain for engagement with said'hook's when a portion of oneend of the chain is placed betweensaid hooks, a toggle on the other end of said chain and having "ashank portion remov ably engageable in said slot, and a member on (2 for retaining the jaws in contact with the member to be lifted.

4. An elevator including opposed jaw members having gripping face for engaging respective opposite sides of a member to be elevated, one of said jaw members having a transverse way extending therethrough and the other jaw member having chain attaching means on respective sides thereof, a chain extending freely through the way of said one jaw member and having ends engaged With the connecting means of the other jaw member for retaining the. jaw members in contact with the member to be elevated, arms projecting from the jaw members on sides thereof opposite said gripping faces, and bails having transverse portions connected with said arms.

5. An elevator including opposed jaw members having upper and lower portions for engaging the respective opposite sides of a member to be elevated, said jaw members having means below the center of gravity of the jaw members for connecting a flexible member, a flexible means engaging said connecting means of the jaw mem= References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 827,079 Clark July 31, 1906 909,909 Keller Jan. 19, 1909 953,234 Rountree Mar. 29, 1910 1,204,374 Benson Nov. 14, 1916 1,967,517 Rogers July 24, 1934