Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELEVATOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RUNNING
WELL BORE TUBING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to methods and
apparatus for installing and removing well bore tubing, and
more particularly to tools used to hold and lower drill
pipe or casing into a well bore.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Elevators and/or spiders are essentially functionally
identical gripping devices used cooperatively to hold and
lower drill pipe or tubular well casing into a well bore.
These tools have varied over the years, but their essential
overall design and function has remained the same. Elevator
and spider slip assemblies conventionally have hinged arms
that latch at the unhinged ends. With arms apart, they are
placed around a given section of the tubing in a tubing
string, then the arms are hinged'.' closed and latched,
forming a housing surrounding the tubing. The housing is
commonly referred to as a "bowl". The bowl contains a
plurality of slips surrounding the tubing. The radial
interior surface of the slips typically form or carry hard
metal teeth for gripping the tubing. The exterior surface
of the slips and interior, surface of the bowl usually have
opposing complementary engagement surfaces which are
inclined radially inward and downwardly. The complementary
surfaces between the slips and bowl serve to inject the
slip and gripping elements in a longitudinal and radial
direction in relation to the tubing for engagement or
disengagement of the tubing. Thus, when an elevator or slip
is engaged about a tubing and the weight of the tubing in
the tubing string is lowered into the elevator or slip, the
tubing engages the gripping elements on the slips, causing
them to move downward in relation to the bowl and radially
inward in a "self-tightening" securing of the tubing.
During traditional well-boring operations, a spider is
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located near the rotary table and is used for securing
tubing in the well. An elevator is suspended from the rig
hook, which is used for running or retrieving the tubing
string. In a typical operation, the spider remains
stationary to fix the tubing, while the elevator is lowered
and placed around the tubing and engages the tubing by
"self tightening". The spider then disengages from the
tubing when the slips are radially removed away from the
tubing string, allowing the elevator to move the tubing
string relative to the rotary table as needed. The spider
then re-engages the tubing, allowing the elevator to
continue running or removing the tubing string.
A problem associated with the use of these tools is
related to gripping the drill pipe or casing collar which
is of a larger diameter than the outside diameter of the
body of the tubing. The problem is caused when the elevator
slip assembly is not lowered sufficiently below the collar
(including, in the case of drill pipe, the portion of the
pipe transitioning from the exterior of the well casing
below the collar to the maximum exterior diameter of the
collar, sometimes called the "upset"). The slip assemblies
are designed such that the gripping forces generated are
sufficient for proper gripping only when the slips are
lowered far enough below a casing collar to completely grip
the outside diameter of the well casing and not the collar.
Tn~hen the collar is gripped, the slips will not engage with
the casing sufficiently to generate adequate gripping
forces. The result is that partial engagement of the slips
against the casing string. may result in the casing slipping
from the tool and dropping into the well bore causing
significant down time and repair.
Further, with the advent of tubing of high chromium
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content, the surface damage caused by slips has become
undesirable because it can lead to unacceptable stress
concentrations and stress corrosion in sour well
conditions. There is therefore a need for an elevator
apparatus and method of operation that can hold and
manipulate tubing without significantly damaging the
surface of the tubing and that eliminates the risk in
traditional systems of engaging the tubing collar with
resultant loss of "grip".
SU'N~!'ARY OF THE INVENTION
Breaking with the conventional slip elevator's of the
past, this invention provides a new kind of elevator for
manipulating elongate tubular goods having a collar portion
that are placed in a well bore, e.g., casing tubing and
drill pipe. All tubing or pipe that is run into a well
bore hereinafter is called "tubing" or "tube" without
distinction whether it is casing, drill pipe or other well
bore tubing; all well bore tubing is comprehended. The
"collar portion" of tubing means the collar proper as well
as any "upset" as that term is described hereinabove.
Overall Invention
This new kind of elevator overall comprises:
(A) a circular body having a top and a central cavity
around a body axis, the cavity having a diameter allowing
the collar portion of tubing to pass longitudinally
therethrough,
(B) a plurality of cavity restricting members above
the body supported on and spaced apart around the top of
the body and having proximal and distal portions in respect
to the cavity, and
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(C) one or more actuators operatively associated with
the petal plates, for moving the proximal portion of each
cavity restricting member into the cavity an extent
sufficient, in combination with the other cavity
restricting members so moved, to prevent passage of the
collar portion of the tubing through the cavity, thereby to
hold the tubing with the elevator.
The one or more actuators preferably also operate to
retract the proximal portions of the cavity restricting
members out of the cavity, to allow the collar portion of
the tubing to pass through the cavity.
The new apparatus of this invention carries out a new
method of manipulating well bore tubing having a collar,
overall comprising:
(A) introducing the tubing into the cavity of a
Circular body having a central Cavity of diameter to admit
therethrough a collar portion of the tubing,
(B) positioning said body below the collar portion of
the tubing, and
(C) moving the prbximal portions of a plurality of
Cavity restricting members supported on anal spaced apart
around the top of the body and having proximal and distal
portions in respect to the cavity, into the cavity an
extent sufficient to prevent passage of the collar portion
of the tubing through the cavity.
The method of preferably further comprised retracting
the proximal portions of the cavity restricting members out
of the cavity, to allow the collar portion of the tubing to
pass through the cavity.
A number of forms of embodying the overall invention
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are provided, each with different forms of the cavity
restricting members and different means of moving the
proximal portions of the different forms of cavity
restricting members into the cavity. Within each basic
subset of forms of the cavity restricting members, there
are variations of the form and variations of the means of
moving the forms.
For purposes of clarity, the overall invention directed
to the cavity restricting members is illustrated by a
detailed description of the numerous forms of the
invention. These are set forth in categories as "Basic
Form I of the Invention", "Basic Form II of the Invention"
and "Basic Form III of the Invention."
Bas3.c Form I of the Invention.
Basic Form I of the invention comprises: (a) a
circular body having a top and a central cavity of diameter
allowing the collar portion of the tubing to pass
longitudinally therethrough, that is, to pass the entire
width of the tubing including the collar portion, and (b)
a plurality of "petal" plates having radially, inner and
outer portions horizontally supported on and spaced apart
around the top of the body, and (c) one or more actuators
operatively associated with the petal plates, for extending
each petal plate radially inward, substantially normal to
the axis of the body cavity, over the body into the cavity
an extent sufficient, in combination with the other petal
plates so extended, to prevent passage of the collar
portion of the tubing through the cavity, that is, to allow
longitudinal passage through the cavity of the width of the
tubing except the collar portion, thereby to hold the
tubing in the elevator. Preferably, also, the one or more
actuators operate to retract the petal plates over the body
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radially out of the cavity, to allow the collar portion of
the tubing to pass through the cavity.
The plates are called "petal" plates because in their
orientation to the cavity, these plates vaguely suggest the
petals of a flower horizontally arranged about the center
of the flower. The word "petal" is not used in a literally
descriptive or restrictive sense.
With the petal plates extended, the petal plates hold
the collar portion of the well bore tubing in the elevator
and thereby support the entire weight of the well bore
tubing in the elevator body. When the weight of a well bore
tube is on the petal plates, the elevator body that
supports the plates is a fulcrum to the petal plates, and
the petal plates are a lever to the fulcrum. To oppose the
lever force on the portion of the petal plates radially
outward from the elevator body caused by the weight of the
tubing on the portion of the petal plates inside the cavity
when the petal plates are extended, the elevator preferably
includes a counterforce member in operative arrangement
with the petal plates. The counterforce member suitably is
a circular or annular member surrounding the cavity, spaced
radially outwardly from the body and located above and
adjacent the outer portion of the petal plates when they
are in the extended position. Advantageously the circular
member is secured by one or more buttresses fixed relative
to the body below the petal plates. Suitably a plurality
of buttresses are interposed between the spaced apart petal
plates.
In one form of the elevator of Basic Form I of the
invention, the actuator comprises a cam and the plate is a
cam follower. The petal plates include an aperture
receiving a cam comprising an eccentric lobe and a camshaft
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located radially outward from said body, rotatable about an
axis substantially parallel to the axis of the cavity.
Rotating the cam eccentric pushes the petal plate proximal
portion in or out of the body cavity. In another form, the
cam is elongate, is located radially outward from the
circular elevator body, and is linearly movable parallel to
the axis of the elevator cavity. The cam suitably is
received in an aperture in the petal plate between the
inner and outer portions of the petal plate.
Advantageously the cam is moved linearly parallel to the
axis of the cavity by the action of a rod of a piston in a
cylinder and piston assembly. The cylinder is fixed
relative to the body, and the piston rod attaches to the
cam at the rod end distal from the piston. The rod is
moved by force of fluid admitted into or withdrawn from a
cylinder within which the piston reciprocates.
Alternatively, the cam is moved linearly parallel to the
axis of the cavity by translation to vertical motion of
rotary motion applied by rotating a ring cam surrounding
the cavity. For this the elongate cam suitably includes a
portion above the elevation of the body when the petal
plates are retracted, and a ring is located adjacent the
cam portion between such cam portion and the'cavity over
the body. One of the cam portion and the ring contains a
helical groove facing the other and the other contains a
pin facing the helical groove, whereby, upon rotation of
the ring in one rotational direction about the cavity axis,
the pin follows the groove and moves the elongate cam in
one linear direction parallel to the axis, and upon
rotation of the ring in a rotational direction about the
cavity axis opposite to the one direction, the pin follows
the groove and moves the elongate cam parallel to the axis
in a linear direction opposite to the one linear direction.
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Where the helical groove is formed in the elongate cam, the
ring cam moves a pin in the helical groove, elevating the
elongate cam when the pin is caused by ring cam rotation to
move upward in the groove, and lowering the cam when the
pin is caused by ring cam rotation to move downward in the
groove.
In another form of Basic Form I of the invention
involving the elongate cam wherein the cam includes a
portion above the elevation of the body when the petal
plates are retracted, that portion has a recess facing the
cavity, and an annular reciprocation piece is received in
such recess. The reciprocation piece upon reciprocation
moves the cam linearly parallel to the cavity axis.
In another form of Basic Form I of the invention, the
actuator comprises a link affixed to the plate. The link
may be a slide that reciprocates radially inwardly and
outwardly in a channel substantially normal to the axis of
the cavity. Suitably the slide is reciprocated by the
action of a rod of a piston moved by force of fluid
admitted into or withdrawn from a cylinder within which the
piston reciprocates, the cylinder being fixed relative to
the body and the piston rod end distal from the piston
attaching the slide.
Alternatively, the link may be a pivot member that
pivots upwardly toward the cavity and downwardly away from
the cavity on a pivot axis that is transverse to the axis
of the cavity and is located radially outwardly of the
body, for moving a petal plate radially inwardly or
outwardly on pivoting the pivot member upwardly or
downwardly, respectively. In this latter form, suitably,
a sleeve surrounds the link, the body and the petal plates.
The sleeve is linearly moveable parallel to the axis of the
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cavity. The link includes a finger that is remote from the
link pivot axis and is received within a capture located on
the interior of the sleeve, whereby, on upward movement of
the sleeve, the link pivots upwardly to move a petal plate
radially inwardly partially into the cavity, and upon
downward movement of the sleeve, the link pivots downwardly
to move the petal plate out of the cavity. Suitably the
sleeve is moved by the action of a rod of a piston moved by
force of fluid admitted into or withdrawn from a cylinder
within which the piston reciprocates, the cylinder being
fixed relative to the body and the piston rod end distal
from the piston attaching the sleeve.
The apparatus of this invention embodies forms with
which to perform a method which comprises this invention.
In accordance with this invention, a method of manipulating
well bore tubing comprises (a) introducing the tubing into
the cavity of a circular body having a central cavity of
diameter to admit therethrough the entire width of the
tubing including the collar portion, (b) positioning the
body below the collar portion of the tubing, and (c) moving
a plurality of spaced apart petal plates horizontally
supported on and spaced apart over the top of the body,
radially inward, substantially normal to the body axis,
over the body, into the cavity, to an extent sufficient to
prevent passage of the collar portion of he tubing through
the cavity.
In the form of Basic Form I of the invention in which
the petal plates include an aperture receiving an elongate
cam movable linearly parallel to the axis of the cavity for
sliding on the plate, the above described step of moving
the petal plates comprises actuating the cam to ride the
plate onto the cam. The slider cam is suitably actuated by
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a rod of a piston moved by force of fluid admitted into or
withdrawn from a cylinder within which the piston
reciprocates, the cylinder being fixed relative to the body
and the piston rod end distal from the piston attaching the
cam. Alternatively, the slider cam is actuated by rotating
a ring cam surrounding the cavity and operatively connected
to the slider cam to translate the rotary motion of the
ring cam to linear motion of the slider cam, as above
described.
In the form of Basic Form I of the invention in which
the petal plates are connected to a slide that reciprocates
radially inward and outward substantially normal to the
axis of the cavity, the above described step of moving the
petal plates comprises moving the slide radially inward.
The slide suitably is moveable by a rod of a piston moved
by force of fluid admitted into or withdrawn from a
cylinder within which the piston reciprocates, the cylinder
being fixed relative to the body and the piston rod end
distal from the piston attaching the slide.
In the form of Basic Form I of the invention in which
the petal plates are connected to a link that pivots on an
axis transverse to the axis of the cavity, the above
described step of moving the petal plates comprises
pivoting the link upwardly. Suitably the link is pivoted
upwardly by a rod of a piston moved by force of fluid
admitted into or withdrawn from a cylinder within which the
piston reciprocates, the cylinder being fixed relative to
the body and the piston rod end distal from the piston
attaching the link distal from the link pivot.
In the form of Basic Form I of the invention in which
the petal plates are connected to a link that includes a
finger received within a capture located on the interior of
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a sleeve surrounding the body and that is slidable parallel
to the axis of the cavity, the above described step of
moving the petal plates comprises sliding the sleeve
upwardly. Suitably, the sleeve is slid upwardly by the
action of a rod of a piston moved by force of fluid
admitted into or withdrawn from a cylinder within which the
piston reciprocates, the cylinder being fixed relative to
the body, the piston rod end distal from the piston
attaching the sleeve.
Basic Form II of the Invention
The elevator apparatus of Basic Form II of this
invention comprises (a) an annular body having a central
cavity around a body axis, the cavity having a diameter
allowing the collar portion of tubing to pass
longitudinally therethrough, (b) a plurality of pivotal arm
members spaced apart around the body, and (c) one or more
actuators operatively associated with the arm members. The
term "cavity" as used herein means an opening or passage
through the body and a projection of the cavity adjacent
the body.
The plurality of arm members spaced apart around the
body are pivotable at one end, around an arm member axis
parallel to the body axis, from a first position where
portions of the arm members proximal to the cavity are not
within the body cavity, to a second position where the
proximal portions of the arm members are inside the Cavity.
The one or more actuators operatively associated with the
arm members pivot each arm member about its arm member axis
to reversibly move the arm members from said first
position, where the collar portion of said tubing can pass
through the cavity, to said second position, where the
collar portion of the tubing is prevented by the proximal
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portions of the arm members from passing through the
cavity.
In one form of the invention, the plurality of arm
members comprises a plurality of arm member pairs, each arm
member of a pair having front and rear portions. The front
portion of one arm member of the pair opposes the front
portion the other arm member of the pair. One arm member
of a pair pivots clockwise, and the other arm member of the
pair pivots counterclockwise. This swings the arm members
from a first or un-deployed position where the front
portions of the arm members are removed from one another
and the proximal portions of the arm members are not within
a projection of the body cavity, to a second or deployed
position where the front portions of the arm members of a
pair are adjacent one another and the proximal portions of
the arm member pair are inside a projection of the cavity.
In another form of the invention, all arm members
pivot in the same direction to swing the arm members from
a first or un-deployed position where the proximal portions
of the arm members are not within the body cavity, to a
second or deployed position where the proximal portions of
the arm member pair are inside a projection of the cavity.
The apparatus forms of the invention perform a method
of the invention for manipulating well bore tubing having
a collar portion. The method comprises introducing the
tubing into the cavity of a circular body having a central
cavity of diameter to admit therethrough a collar portion
of the tubing, positioning said body below the collar
portion of the tubing, and pivoting a plurality of arm
members around an arm member axis parallel to the body
axis, from a first or un-deployed position where portions
of the arm members proximal to the cavity are not within
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the body cavity, to a second or deployed position where the
proximal portions of the arm members are sufficiently
inside the cavity that the collar portion but not the
remainder of the tubing is prevented by the proximal
portions of the arm members from passing through the
cavity.
In accordance with a particular of the method, the
plurality of arm members comprises a plurality of arm
member pairs. Each arm member of a pair has front arid rear
portions. The front portion of one arm member of the pair
opposes the front portion the other arm member of the pair.
The step of pivoting a plurality of said arm members
comprises pivoting one arm member of each pair of arm
members clockwise and pivoting the other arm member of the
pair counterclockwise.
In accordance with another particular of the method,
the step of pivoting a plurality of said arm members
further comprised pivoting all arm members in the same
rotational direction.
Basin Form III of the Invention
In accordance with Basic Form III of the invention, a
new elevator apparatus for manipulating well bore tubing
having a tubular body terminating in a collar portion,
comprises an annular body having an annular top and a
central cavity around a body axis, the annular top and the
cavity each having a radius allowing the collar portion of
the tubing to pass longitudinally therethrough. A
plurality of flap plates are spaced apart from the other
around the cavity. Each flap plate has radially proximal
and distal portions relative to the cavity. The distal
portion of each flap plate is pivotally connected to the
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annular body top. The proximal portion of each flap plate
rests on the annular body top and extends into the cavity
an extent, which, in combination with the other flap
plates, is sufficient to permit passage of the tubing body
through the cavity while preventing passage of the collar
portion of the tubing. One or more actuators are
operatively associated with the flap plates for pivotally
lifting the proximal portions of the flap plates out of the
cavity, thereby to permit the tubing including the collar
portion to pass longitudinally through the cavity.
Advantageously the flap plates are linked to an
annular cap plate coaxial with the body axis. The cap
plate has a peripheral skirt terminating in a rim, and the
rim rests on the body top when the flap plates extend into
the cavity. The actuators suitably comprise one or more
cylinder and piston assemblies in which a cylinder is fixed
relative to the body and a rod connected to the piston
engages the cap plate. On actuation, the piston moves in
the cylinder to extend the rod relative to the cylinder,
and the extension of the rod elevates the cap plate. The
elevation of the cap plate pivotally lifts the proximal
portions of the linked flap plates out of the body cavity.
On retraction of the rod as the piston moves in then
opposite direction in the cylinder, the rod lowers,
lowering the cap plate, thereby pivotally lowering the
linked flap plates into the cavity. A sleeve suitably is
affixed to the body surrounding the skirt to prevent
foreign objects, especially human fingers, from access to
and getting caught in the mechanisms for the flap plate
lift and lowering operations.
The proximal portion of the flap plates ends in an arc
of radius and length effective to combine with like ends of
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the other such flap plates, similarly disposed, to form a
broken circle of smaller radius than the cavity, of larger
diameter than the external diameter of a tubular body
receivable in the cavity, and of smaller diameter than the
exterior diameter of the collar portion of the tubing. The
proximal end advantageously terminates in a concave arc of
from parallel to acute angle relative to the axis of the
cavity, such angle being selected for the type of collar
possessed by the tubing to be run into or removed from the
well bore, a parallel angle being suitable for casing, and
an acute angle being suitable for drill pipe, where the
body portion of the pipe transitions to the collar at an
"upset" as previously described. Also for drill pipe
applications, the flap plate proximal portion
advantageously angles downwardly from the level of the more
distal portion of the flap plate, to extend into the cavity
at an acute angle to the body axis. Suitably this angle is
45 degrees,
The elevator apparatus has a pair of lift arms secured
to the body on laterally opposite sides of the body for
receipt of bales of a rig draw works for raising and
lowering elevator apparatus and tubing captured in the
apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig 1 is ~ conceptual schematic side view, in partial
section of a first form of Basic Form I of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a conceptual schematic side view, in partial
section of a second form of Basic Form I of the invention.
Fig.3 is a conceptual top view of a portion of the
apparatus seen in side sectional view in Fig. 2 along the
line 2-2.
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Fig 4. is a conceptual schematic side view, in partial
section of a third form of Basic Form I of the invention.
Fig. 5 is a conceptual schematic side view, in partial
section of a fourth form of Basic Form I of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a conceptual schematic side view, in partial
section .of a fifth form of Basic Form I of the invention.
Fig. 7 is a conceptual schematic side view, in partial
section, of a sixth form of Basic Form I of the invention.
Fig. 8 is a conceptual schematic side view drawing, in
partial section, of a seventh form of Basic Form I of the
invention.
Fig. 9 is a top view of a form of the apparatus of
Basic Form II of this invention with the arm plates in un-
deployed position.
Fig. 10 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 9 with
the arm plates in deployed position.
Fig. 11 is a top view of another form of the apparatus
of Basic Form II of this invention with the arm plates in
un-deployed position.
Fig. 12 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 11 with
the arm plates in deployed position.
Fig. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of Basic Form
III of this invention, useful for manipulating well casing,
showing flap plates in elevated position.
Fig. 14 is another side view of the embodiment of Fig.
1, showing flap plates in lowered position.
Fig. 15 is another side view of the embodiment of Fig.
15, 90 degrees from the view of Fig. 14.
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Fig. 16 is a top view of the embodiment seen in Fig.
17
Fig. 17 is a side view of the flap plate used in the
embodiment of Figs. 13-16.
Fig. 18 is a top view of a flap plate of Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is a top view of an assembly of the flap plate
of Fig. 18.
Fig. 20 is a side view of another embodiment of Basic
Form III of this invention, useful for manipulating drill
pipe, showing flap plates in elevated position, and also
depicting bails used for raising and lowering the
apparatus.
Fig. 21 is another side view of the embodiment of Fig.
20, showing the flap plates in lowered position.
Fig. 22 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of
Fig. 20, viewed 90 degrees from the view of Fig. 21, with
portions of the apparatus removed for in side interior view
showing the cylinder and piston assemblies of the
embodiment.
Fig. 23 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 20.
Fig. 24 is a top view of a flap plate of the type
useful in the embodiment of Fig. 20.
Fig. 25 is a side view of the flap plate of Fig. 24.
Fig. 26 is a side view of a variation of the
embodiment of Fig. 13.
Fig. 27 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 26.
Fig. 28 is a side view of an inner panel portion. of
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the body of the apparatus of Fig. 26.
Fig. 29 is a top view of a half inner panel of Fig.
27.
Fig. 30 is a side view of a half outer panel of the
body of the apparatus of Fig. 26.
Fig. 31 is a top view of the panel of Fig. 30.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Basic Form I of the Invention
Referring to Fig. 1, an elevator apparatus for
manipulating well bore tubing having a collar is indicated
generally by the reference number 10. Fig. 1 and the other
figures that follow are conceptual drawings in which the
elements of the invention are depicted in their
relationship to one another, but in which the shape of the
elements is neither the necessary shape nor are the
elements presented in necessary scale or proportion in
which they might be present in a constructed apparatus
making use of the invention. Elements shown in section are
annular elements, those not shown in section are as seen
from the particular view.
In Fig. 1, a well bore tube shown in shadow outline
indicated by reference numeral 12 has a collar portion 14.
Apparatus 10 includes an annular body 16 having a top 18,
bottom 20, outer side 22, inner ,side 24 and a central
cavity 26. Cavity 26 is centered on body axis 28 and has
a diameter sufficient to admit through cavity 26 the entire
width of a well bore tube 12, including collar portion 14,
that is to be received and manipulated by apparatus 10.
The bottom 20 of circular body 16 is affixed to an annular
floor plate 30 that surmounts a gusseting plate 32 of a
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frusto-conical member 34 tapering inwardly toward cavity 26
to guide body 16 over a well bore tube that is to be
received within cavity 26.
Horizontally supported on the top 18 of circular body
16 is an annular petal plate 36 that has a radially inner
portion 38 and a radially outer portion 40. Fig 1 shows
one of a plurality of petal plates so disposed. The other
plates (not shown) are spaced apart around the top 18 of
circular body 16.
A flange 42 is affixed to the outer side 22 of body 16
intermediate top 18 and bottom 20 thereof. Flange 42
pivotally mounts a link 44 on a pivot pin 46. Link 44 is
notched at 48 to engage the rear 50 of petal plate 36, and
has a toothed portion (not seen) that engages a recess in
the floor of petal plate 36 intermediate its ends.
A sleeve 52 surrounds circular body 16, petal plate 36
and link 44, and is moveable parallel to cavity axis 28.
Welded interiorly to the sleeve are a pair of rings 54, 56
spaced apart to define a capture gap 58. Link 44 has a
finger portion 60 that is received in capture gap 58. Also
affixed to the interior of sleeve 52 is an annular stop
plate 62 that acts as a downstop limiting sleeve homing
travel by impinging on floor plate 30 when sleeve 52 is
moved parallel to the axis 28 in a direction traveling away
from petal plate 36 (a downward movercient in the normal
condition where the cavity axis 28 is substantially
vertical to the horizon). Annular plate 62 also acts as an
extension travel limiter when sleeve 52 is moved parallel
to the axis 28 in a direction traveling towards petal plate
36, by impingement on flange 42.
Movement of sleeve 52 towards petal plate 36 (normally
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an upward substantially vertical movement, relative to the
horizontal) engages finger portion 60 on the land 55 of
ring 56 and pushes finger portion 60 towards petal plate
36, rotating link 44 on pivot pin 46 (clockwise as viewed
in Fig. 1) , to a maximum degree limited by stop plate 62
impinging on flange 42, and causing link 44 to advance in
the direction of cavity axis 28, the notched portion 48 of
link 44 acting on the rear 50 of petal plate 36 to push
plate 36 radially inwardly towards cavity axis 28 an extent
placing the innermost portion 38 of petal plate 36 inside
cavity 26 of the body, effective, in combination with the
other plates so extended, to allow the entire width of the
tube 12 except its collar portion 14 to pass through cavity
20. Movement of sleeve 52 away from petal plate 36
(normally a downward substantially vertical movement,
relative to the horizontal) engages finger portion 60 on
the land 53 of ring 54 and pushes finger portion 60 away
from petal plate 36, rotating'link 44 on pivot pin 46
(counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 1) to a degree limited
by stop plate 62 impinging on floor plate 30, causing link
44 to move away from the direction of cavity axis 28,
drawing petal plate 36 radially outwardly from cavity axis
28, and in combination with the other petal plates also so
drawn radially outwardly, enlarging the cavity to an extent
allowing the entire width of tube 12 including the collar
portion 14 to escape grasp of apparatus 10.
A circular cap plate 64 welded to the top 51 of sleeve
52 prevents foreign bodies (including appendages of
workers) from gaining access to the working parts of
elevator apparatus 10.
Suitably sleeve 52 is moved by the action of a rod of
a piston moved by force of fluid admitted into or withdrawn
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from a cylinder within which the piston reciprocates, the
cylinder being fixed relative to the body, the piston rod
end distal from the piston attaching the sleeve. Such a
mover is well know in the art and such mover and the
connections of he mover as so described are not
illustrated.
In operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, tubing
12 is introduced into cavity of circular body 16 and the
body is positioned below the collar portion 14 of he tubing
12. Sleeve 52 is slid upwardly, thereby moving finger
portion 60 toward petal plates 36 and pivoting link 44 on
pin 46, causing each of a plurality of spaced apart petal
plates 36 horizontally supported on top 18 of body 16 to
more radially inward to an extent positioning a radially
innermost portion 40 of plates 36 within cavity 26 of body
16 sufficiently to prevent passage of collar portion 14
through cavity 26. Then to release the tubing, sleeve 52 is
slid downwardly, thereby moving finger portion 60 away from
petal plates 36 and pivoting link 44 on pin 46, causing
each of a plurality of spaced apart petal plates 36
horizontally supported on top 18 of body 16 to move
radially. outwardly to an extent removing the innermost
portion 38 of plates 36 from cavity 26 of body 16, allowing
passage of collar portion 14 through cavity 26.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a second form of an
apparatus for manipulating well bore tubing having a
collar, in accordance with this invention, is indicated
generally by the reference number 100. The same reference
numerals as used in Fig. 1 identify well bore tube 12 and
collar portion 14. Apparatus 100 includes a circular body
116 having a top 118, bottom 120, outer side 122, inner
side 124 and central cavity 126. Cavity 126 is centered on
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body axis 128 and has a diameter sufficient to admit
through cavity 126 the entire width of a well bore tube 12,
including collar portion 14, that is to be received for
manipulation by apparatus 100. The bottom 120 of circular
body 116 may be affixed to an annular floor plate as
illustrated in Fig. 1 (not illustrated in Fig. 2).
Horizontally supported on top 118 of circular body 116
is a petal plate 136 that has a radially~inner portion 138
and a radially outer portion 140. Fig 2 shows one of a
plurality of petal plates so disposed. The other petal
plates are spaced apart around top 118 of circular body
116, as partially shown in the cutaway of Fig. 3. Circular
body 116 that supports petal plates 136 is a fulcrum when
the weight of a well bore tube 12 is impressed on the
innermost portion 138 of the petal plates 136. This occurs
when the petals 136, in extended position, as hereinafter
described, support the weight of the well bore tube 12. To
counter the force moment of such load on petal plates 130,
a circular counterforce member or ring 166 surrounds body
116, horizontally spaced radially outward from body 116,
and is positioned above and adjacent the top of the outer
portion 140 of petal plates 136 including when they are
extended into the cavity. Counterforce ring 166 is secured
atop pedal plates 136 by a buttress member 168 affixed
relative to the body 116 at the inner side 122 and top 118
of body 116. As seen in Fig. 3 in combination with Fig. 2,
each buttress 168 is interposed between adjacent spaced
petal plates 136.
A flange 142 is affixed to the outer'side 122 of body
116 intermediate top 118 and bottom 120 thereof. Flange
142 pivotally mounts the cylinder 172 of a piston and
cylinder assembly 170 on a pivot pin 146, pivotally fixing
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the cylinder relative to the body. Extending from the
piston of the cylinder and piston assembly 170 is a rod
174, the end 176 distal to the piston being pivotally
mounted on a pin 175 fastened to a link 144 that is affixed
to petal plate 136. A slideway substantially normal to
axis 128 of cavity 126 is provided for link 144 to slide
radially inwardly and outwardly respectively to and from
cavity 126 by opposing channel members, one of which,
indicated by referer~.ce numeral 178, is viewable in Fig. 2.
Slide link 144 is reciprocated by the action of rod 174,
connected to the piston of cylinder and piston assembly 170
moved by force of fluid admitted into or withdrawn from the
cylinder within which the piston reciprocates. On
retraction of rod 174, pin 175 moves link 144 radially
inward, causing a petal plate 136 among the plurality of
such plates horizontally supported on top 118 of body 116
to move radially inward to an extent positioning a radially
innermost portion 138 of plates 116 within cavity 126 of
body 116 sufficiently to prevent passage of collar portion
14 through cavity 120. To release the tubing, rod 174 is
extended from cylinder and piston assembly 170, thereby
moving link slide 144 radially away from cavity 120,
causing petal plate 136 among the plurality of such plates
to move radially inwardly to an extent removing the
innermost portion 138 of plates 116 from cavity 120 of body
116, allowing passage of Collar portion 14 through cavity
120.
Referring now to Fig. 4, a third form of an apparatus
for manipulating well bore tubing having a collar, in
accordance with this invention, is indicated generally by
the reference number 200. The same reference numerals as
used in Fig. 1 identify well bore tube 12 and collar
portion 14. includes a circular body 216 having a top 218,
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bottom 220, outer side 222, inner side 224 and central
cavity 226. Cavity 226 is centered on body axis 228 and
has a diameter sufficient to admit through cavity 226 the
entire width of a well bore tube 12, including collar
portion 14, that is to be received for manipulation by
apparatus 200. The bottom 220 of circular body 216 is
affixed to an annular floor plate 230 that surmounts a
gusseting plate 232 of a frusto-conical member 234 tapering
inwardly toward cavity 226 to guide body 216 over a well
bore tube 12 that is to be received within cavity 226.
Horizontally supported on top 218 of circular body 216
is a petal plate 236 that has a radially inner portion 238
and a radially outer portion 240. Fig. 4 shows one of a
plurality of petal plates so disposed. The other plates
(not shown) are spaced apart around top 218 of circular
body 216. Circular body 216 that supports petal plates 236
is a fulcrum when the weight of a well bore tube 12 is
impressed on the innermost portion 238 of the petal plates
236. This occurs when the petal plates 236, in extended
position., as hereinafter described, support the weight of
the well bore tube 12. To counter the force moment of such
load on petal plates 230, a circular counterforce member or
ring 266 surrounds body 216, horizontally spaced radially
outward from body 216, and is positioned above and adjacent
the top of the outer portion 240 of petal plates 236
including when they are extended into the cavity.
Counterforce ring 266 is secured atop pedal plates 236 by
a buttress member 268 affixed relative to the body 216, as
seen in Fig. 4 at the inner side 222 and top 218 of body
216. Each buttress 268 is interposed between adjacent
spaced petal plates 236.
A flange 242 is affixed to floor plate 230. Flange
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242 pivotally mounts the cylinder 272 of a piston and
cylinder assembly 270 on a pivot pin 246, pivotally fixing
the cylinder relative to the body. Extending from the
piston of the cylinder and piston assembly 270 is a rod
274, the end 276 distal to the piston being pivotally
mounted on a pin 275 fastened to a link 244 that is affixed
to petal plate 236. A slideway substantially normal to
axis 228 of cavity 226 is provided for link 244 to slide
radially inwardly and outwardly respectively to and from
cavity 226 by opposing channel members, one of which,
indicated by reference numeral 278, is viewable in Fig. 4.
Slide link 244 is reciprocated by the action of rod 274,
connected to the piston of cylinder and piston assembly 270
moved by force of fluid admitted into or withdrawn from the
cylinder within which the piston reciprocates. On
retraction of rod 274, pin 275 moves link 244 radially
inward, causing a petal plate 236 among the plurality of
such plates horizontally supported on top 218 of body 216
to move radially inward to an extent positioning a radially
innermost portion 238 of plates 216 within cavity 226 of
body 216 sufficiently to prevent passage of collar portion
14 through cavity 220. To release the tubing, rod 274 is
extended from cylinder and piston assembly 270, thereby
moving link slide 244 radially away from cavity 220,
causing petal plate 236 among the plurality of such plates
to move radially inwardly to an extent removing the
innermost portion 238 of plates 216 from cavity 220 of body
216, allowing passage of collar portion 14 through cavity
220.
Referring now to Fig. 5, a fourth form of an apparatus
for manipulating well bore tubing having a collar, in
accordance with this invention, is indicated generally by
the reference number 300. The same reference numerals as
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used in Fig. 1 identify well bore tube 12 and collar
portion 14. Apparatus 300 includes a circular body 316
having a top 318, bottom 320, outer side 322, inner side
324 and central cavity 326. Cavity 326 is centered on body
axis 328 and has a diameter sufficient to admit through
cavity 326 the entire width of a well bore tube 12,
including collar portion 14, that is to be received for
manipulation by apparatus 300. Although not illustrated in
Fig. 5, suitably, as shown by Figs. 1 and 4, the bottom 320
of circular body 316 may affixed to an annular floor plate
that surmounts a gusseting plate of a frusto-conical member
tapering inwardly toward cavity 326 to guide body 316 over
a well bore tube 12 that is to be received within cavity
326.
Horizontally supported on top 318 of circular body 316
is a petal plate 336 that has a radially inner portion 338
and a radially outer portion 340. Fig. 5 shows one of a
plurality of petal plates so disposed. The other plates
(not shown) are spaced apart around top 318 of circular
body 316; see and compare Fig. 3. Circular body 316 that
supports petal plates 336 is a fulcrum when the weight of
a well bore tube 12 is impressed on the innermost portion
338 of the petal plates 336. This occurs when the petal
plates 336, in extended position, as hereinafter described,
support the weight of the well bore tube 12. To counter
the force moment of such load on petal plates 330, a
circular counterforce member or bolster ring 366 at least
partially surrounds body 316, horizontally spaced radially
outward from body 316, and is positioned above and adjacent
the top of the outer portion 340 of petal plates 336
including when they are extended into cavity 326.
Counterforce bolster ring 366 is secured atop pedal plates
336 by a buttress member 368 affixed relative to the body
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316, as seen in Fig. 5 at the inner side 322 of body 316.
Each buttress 368 is interposed between adjacent spaced
petal plates 336 (compare Fig. 3).
A flange 342 is affixed to body 316 near the bottom
320 thereof. Flange 342 pivotally mounts the cylinder 372
of a piston and cylinder assembly 370 on a pivot pin 346,
pivotally fixing the cylinder relative to the body.
Extending from the piston of the cylinder and piston
assembly 370 is a rod 374, the end 376 distal to the piston
being pivotally mounted on a pin 375 fastened to~ an
elongate cam 3'44 that slidingly engages petal plate 336.
Cam 344 is located radially outward from body 316 and is
linearly moveable parallel to cavity axis 326. Cam 344 is
received in an aperture 337 in petal plate 336 between
inner portion 338 and outer portion 340 and in aperture 367
in counterforce bolster ring 366. Cam 344 is reciprocated
by the action of rod 374, connected to the piston of
cylinder and piston assembly 370 moved by force of fluid
admitted into or withdrawn from the cylinder within which
the piston reciprocates. On retraction of rod 374, pin 375
moves cam 344 downward, parallel to axis 328, causing the
radially inward surface of aperture 337 of petal plate 336,
among the plurality of such plates horizontally supported
on top 318 of body 316, to slide up cam ramp 345, and,
pushed by cam 344, move petal plate 336 radially inward,
positioning radially innermost portion 338 of petal plate
316 within cavity 326 of body 316 sufficiently, with the
other petal plates, similarly actuated, to prevent passage
of collar portion 14 through cavity 320. To release tubing
12, rod 374 is extended from cylinder and piston assembly
370, thereby moving cam 334 to slide petal plate 336 down
cam ramp 345 and, relieved from displacement by ram 345,
move radially away from cavity 320, and with the similar
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actuation of the plurality of the other such petal plates
336, to move radially outwardly to an extent removing the
innermost portion 338 of petal plates 316 from cavity 320
of body 316, allowing passage of collar portion 14 through
cavity 320.
Referring now to Fig. 6, a fifth form of an apparatus
for manipulating well bore tubing having a collar, in
accordance with this invention, is indicated generally by
the reference number 400. The well bore tube 12 and collar
portion 14 in are to be understood to be present in the
positions depicted in Figs. 1-5, although not illustrated
in Fig. 6. Apparatus 400 includes a circular body 416
having a top 418, bottom 420, outer side 422, inner side
424 and central cavity 426. Cavity 426 is centered on body
axis 428, as in the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1-5,
and has a diameter sufficient to admit through cavity 426
the entire width of a well bore tube 12, including collar
portion 14, that is to be received for manipulation by
apparatus 400. Although not illustrated in~Fig. 6,
suitably, as shown by Figs. 1 and 4, the bottom 420 of
circular body 416 may affixed to an annular floor plate
that surmounts a gusseting plate of a frusto-Conical member
tapering inwardly toward cavity 426 to guide body 416 over
a well bore tube 12 that is to be received within cavity
426.
Horizontally supported on top 418 of circular body 416
is a petal plate 436 that has a radially inner portion 438
and a radially outer portion 440. Fig. 6 shows one of a
plurality of petal plates so disposed. The other plates
(not shown) are spaced apart around top 418 of circular
body 416; see and compare Fig. 3. Circular body 416 that
supports petal plates 436 is a fulcrum when the weight of
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a well bore tube 12 is impressed on the innermost portion
438 of the petal plates 436. This occurs when the petal
plates 436, in extended position, as hereinafter described,
support the weight of the well bore tube 12. To counter
the force moment of such load on petal plates 430, a
circular counterforce member or bolster ring 466 at least
partially surrounds body 416, horizontally spaced radially
outward from body 416, and is positioned above and adjacent
the top of the outer portion 440 of petal plates 436
including when they are extended into cavity 426.
Counterforce ring 466 is secured atop pedal plates 436 by
a buttress member 468 affixed relative to the body 416, as
seen in Fig. 6, at the inner side 422 of body 416. Each
buttress 468 is interposed between adjacent spaced petal
plates 436 (compare Fig. 3).
Elongate cam 444 is located radially outward from body
416 and is linearly moveable parallel to cavity axis 426.
Cam 444 is received in an aperture 437 in petal plate 436
between inner portion 438 and outer portion 440 and in
aperture 467 in counterforce bolster ring 466. Elongate cam
444 includes a portion 443 above the elevation of petal
plate 436 when the petal plates 436 are retracted. Ring
cam 474 is located adjacent elongate cam portion 443
between elongate cam portion 443 and cavity 426 over body
416. One of elongate cam portion 443 and ring cam 474
contains a helical groove facing the other of 443 and 474,
and the other of 443 and 474 contains a pin facing the
helical groove, whereby upon rotation of ring cam 474 in
one rotational direction about cavity axis 428, the pin
follows the groove and moves elongate cam 444 in one linear
direction parallel to axis 428, and upon rotation of ring
cam 474 in a rotational direction about cavity axis 428
opposite to the one direction, the pin follows the groove
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and moves the elongate cam 444 parallel to axis 428 in a
linear direction opposite to the one linear direction. In
Fig. 6, the helical groove (not seen) is formed in elongate
cam portion 443, and ring cam 474 moves a pin 475 in the
helical groove, elevating elongate cam 444 when pin 475 is
caused by rotation of ring cam 474 to move upward in the
groove, and lowering elongate cam 444 when pin 475 is
caused by rotation of ring cam 474 to move downward in the
groove.
Referring now to Fig. 7, a sixth form of an apparatus
for manipulating well bore tubing having a collar, in
accordance with this invention, is indicated generally by
the reference number 500. The well bore tube 12 and collar
portion 14 in are to be understood to be present in the
positions depicted in Figs. 1-5, although not illustrated
in Fig. 7. Apparatus 500 includes a circular body 516
having a top 518, bottom 520, outer side 522, inner side
524 and central cavity 526. Cavity 526 is centered on body
axis 528, as in the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1-5,
and has a diameter sufficient to admit through cavity 526
the entire width of a well bore tube 12, including collar
portion 14, that is to be received for manipulation by
apparatus 500. Although not illustrated in Fig. 7,
suitably, as shown by Figs. 1 and 4, the bottom 520 of
circular body 516 may affixed to an annular floor plate
that surmounts a gusseting plate of a frusto-conical member
tapering inwardly toward cavity 526 to guide body 516 over
a well bore tube 12 that is to be received within cavity
526.
Horizontally supported on top 518 of circular body 516
is a petal plate 536 that has a radially inner portion 538
and a radially outer portion 540. Fig. 6 shows one of a
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plurality of petal plates so disposed. The other plates
(not shown) are spaced apart around top 518 of circular
body 516; see and compare Fig. 3. Circular body 516 that
supports petal plates 536 is a fulcrum when the weight of
a well bore tube 12 is impressed on the innermost portion
538 of the petal plates 536. This occurs when the petal
plates 536, in extended position, as hereinafter described,
support the weight of the well bore tube 12. To counter
the force moment of such load on petal plates 530, a
circular counterforce member or bolster ring 566 at least
partially surrounds body 516, horizontally spaced radially
outward from body 516, and is positioned above and adjacent
the top of the outer portion 540 of petal plates 536,
including when they are extended into cavity 526.
Counterforce bolster ring 566 is secured atop pedal plates
536 by a buttress member 568 affixed relative to the body
516, as seen in Fig. 7 at the inner side 522 of body 516.
Each buttress 568 is interposed between adjacent spaced
petal plates 536 (compare Fig. 3).
Elongate cam 544 is located radially outward from body
516 and is linearly moveable parallel to cavity axis 526.
Cam 544 is received in an aperture 537 in petal plate 536
between inner portion 538 and outer portion 540 and
aperture 567 of bolster ring 566. Elongate cam 544 includes
a portion 543 above the elevation of petal plate 536 when
the petal plates 536 are retracted. Portion 543 includes
a recess 547 facing cavity 526. An annular reciprocation
piece 574 is received in recess 543. Upon reciprocation of
said annular reciprocation piece 574, cam 533 is moved
linearly parallel to cavity axis 526.
Referring to Fig. 8, a seventh form of the invention
is indicated by the reference numeral 600. The same
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reference numerals as used in Fig. 1 identify well bore
tube 12 and collar portion 14. Apparatus 600 includes a
circular body 616 having a top 618, bottom 620, outer side
622,, inner side 624 and central cavity 626. Cavity 626 is
centered on body axis 628 (not shown, but understood;
compare Fig. 1) and has a diameter sufficient to admit
through cavity 626 the entire width of a well bore tube 12,
including collar portion 14, that is to be received for
manipulation by apparatus 600. The bottom 620 of circular
body 616 is affixed to an annular gusseting plate 632 of a
frusto-conical or funnel guide plate 634 that tapers
inwardly toward cavity 626 to guide body 616 over a well
bore tube 12 that is to be received within cavity 626.
Horizontally supported on top 618 of circular body 616
is a petal plate 636 that has a radially inner portion 638
and a radially outer portion 640. Fig. 8 shows one of a
plurality of petal plates so disposed. The other plates
(not shown) are spaced apart around top 618 of circular
body 616; see and compare Fig. 3. Circular body 616 that
supports petal plates 636 is a fulcrum when the weight of
a well bore tube 12 is impressed on the innermost portion
638 of the petal plates 636. This occurs when the petal
plates 636, in extended position, as hereinafter described,
support the weight of the well bore tube 12. To counter
the force moment of such load on petal plates 630, a
circular counterforce member or bolster ring 666 at least
partially surrounds body 616, spaced radially outward from
body 616, and is positioned above and adjacent the top of
the outer portion 640 of petal plates 636 including when
they are extended into cavity 626. Counterforce bolster
ring 666 is secured atop pedal plates 636 by a lower
portion thereof 668 affixed relative to the body 616, as
seen in Fig. 8, at the inner side 622 of body 616. An
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inner ring 668 vertically restrains petal plates 636 and
guides then for radial movement.
Received within an aperture 637 in petal plate 636
between inner portion 638 and outer portion 640 is an
eccentric cam lobe 645 on cam shaft 644 substantially
parallel to body axis 628 and supported in bearing 680 .
Cam shaft 644 terminates in a sprocket 682 held from
bearing 680 by spacer 684. Sprocket 682 may be turned
manually or by hydraulic, electric or pneumatic motors.
The cam shafts for all the petal plates 636 are
interconnected by~a chain so that motivational force is
applied to all of them together to move cam lobes 645 in
unison. Cam lobe 645 rotates on the axis of shaft 644 and
engages the radially inward surface of aperture 637 of
petal plate 636, all cam lobes 645 doing the same for all
the petal plates horizontally supported on top 618 of body
616. Followingly pushed by cam lobe 645, petal plate 636
is moved radially inward, positioning radially innermost
portion 638 of petal plate 616 within cavity 626 of body
616 sufficiently, with the other petal plates, similarly
actuated, to prevent passage of collar portion 14 through
cavity 620. To release tubing 12 from apparatus 600, cam
shafts 644 are rotated to move the eccentric of cam lobe
645 away from the radially inner surface of aperture 637
towards the radially outer surface of aperture 637, to
impress eccentric lobe 645 onto the radially outer surface
of petal plate aperture 637 and push petal plate 636
radially outward. The similar and coincident actuation of
the other such petal plates 636, moves all petal plates 636
radially outwardly to an extent removing the innermost
portion 638 of petal plates 636 from. cavity 626 of body
616, allowing passage of collar portion 14 through cavity
620. In the foregoing fashion petal plates 636 at their
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apertures 637 function as a cam follower.
From the foregoing, it will be understood that in
operation the embodiments of Figs. 1-8 perform a method of
the invention for manipulating well bore tubing, that
comprises: introducing tubing 12 into the cavity 26, 126,
226, 326, 426, 526 or 626, respectively, of a circular body
16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 516 or 616 having a central cavity
of diameter to admit therethrough a collar portion 14 of
tubing 12; positioning body 16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 516 or
616 below collar portion 14 of tubing 12; and moving a
plurality of petal plates, respectively, 36, 136, 236, 336,
436, 536 or 636 horizontally supported on and spaced apart
around the top, respectively 18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518 or
618 of body 16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 516 or 616 radially
inward, substantially normal to body axis 28, 128, 228,
328, 428, 528 or 628, respectively, over body, 16, 116,
216, 316, 416, 516 or 616, into the cavity 26, 126, 226,
326, 426, 526 or 626, respectively, an extent sufficient to
prevent passage of the collar portion 14 of tubing 12
through cavity 26, 126, 226, 326, 426, 526 or 626,
respectively.
In respect to the invention in the forms described in
respect to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, petal plates 336, 436 and 536,
respectively include apertures 337, 437 and 537 receiving
elongate cams, respectively 344, 444, and 555, movable
linearly parallel to the axes 328, 428 and 528,
respectively, of cavitys 326, 426, and 526, for sliding on
plates 336, 436 and 536, and the step of moving petal
plates 336, 436 or 536 comprises actuating elongate cam
344, 444, or 555, respectively, to ride plates 336, 436 or
536, respectively, on cam 344, 444, or 555. In the form of
the invention described in respect to Fig. 5, the elongate
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cam 344 is actuated by a rod 374 of a piston moved by force
of fluid admitted into or withdrawn from a cylinder within
which the piston reciprocates, the cylinder being fixed
relative to the body 316 and the piston rod end 376 distal
from the piston attaching cam 344. In the embodiment
depicted in Fig. 6, elongate cam 444 is actuated by
rotating a ring cam 474 surrounding cavity 426 and
operatively connected to said elongate cam 444 to
translation the rotary motion of ring cam 474 to linear
motion of elongate cam 444. In the form of the invention
described in reference to Fig. 7, elongate cam 544 is
actuated by reciprocating a ring 574 received in a recess
547 of an extended portion 543 of elongate cam 544.
In respect to the invention in the form described
relative to Fig. 8, wherein petal plates 636 include an
aperture 637 receiving a cam comprising an eccentric lobe
645 and a camshaft 644, located radially outwardly from
body 616 and rotatable about shaft 644 axis substantially
parallel to axis 628 of cavity 626, petal plates 636 are
operated by rotating the cam eccentric 645 to push the
proximal portion 638 of petal plates 636 in or out of body
cavity 626.
In respect to the invention in the form of Figs. 2, 3
and 4, where petal plates 136 and 236 are connected to a
link 144 and 244, respectively, that reciprocates radially
inwardly and outwardly substantially normal to the axis of
cavitys 126 and 226 respectively, the step of moving petal
plates 136 and 236 comprises moving links 144 and 244,
respectively, radially inwardly to the extent sufficient to
prevent passage of the collar portion 14 of tubing 12
through cavity 126 and 226, respectively. In these
embodiments, links 144 and 244 are moved by a rod 174 and
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274, respectively, of a piston moved by force of fluid
admitted into or withdrawn from a cylinder within which the
piston reciprocates, the cylinder being fixed relative to
body 116 and 216, respectively, and the piston rod end 176
and 276, respectively, distal from the piston, attaching
link 144 and 244 respectively.
In the embodiment described in respect to Fig. 1,
petal plates 36 are connected to link 44 that pivots on an
axis 46 transverse to the axis 28 cavity 26, and the step
of moving comprises pivoting link 44 upwardly. Link 44
includes a finger 60 received within a capture 58 located
on the interior of a sleeve 52 surrounding body 16 and
moveable parallel to axis 28 of cavity 26, and the step of
moving comprises moving sleeve 52 upwardly, suitably by the
action of a rod of a piston moved by force of fluid
admitted into or withdrawn from a Cylinder within which the
piston reciprocates, the cylinder being fixed relative to
body 16, the piston rod end distal from the piston
attaching sleeve 52.
As mentioned above, Figs. 1-8 are conceptual drawings
in which the elements of the invention are depicted in
their relationship to one another, but in which the shape
of the elements is neither the necessary shape nor are the
elements presented in necessary scale or proportion in
which they might be present in a constructed apparatus
making use of the invention. For example, the body 16,
116, 216, 316, 416, 516, or 616 might (but need not) take
the shape of the annular body depicted in the apparatus
described in Basic Form III of the Invention.
In one application of the invention, the forms of the
inventions Could have a body ~ 16, 116, 216, 316, 416, or
516 of cavity (respectively, 26, 126, 226, 326, 426 or 526)
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diameter of 33 inches, with a petal plate in extended
position in the cavity having an inner diameter of 30 3/a
inches for manipulating tubing whose body is 30 inches in
outside diameter and that has a collar 32 inches in
diameter. For further example, cylinder 370 of Fig 5 might
have an external diameter of 4 inches. In accordance with
the invention, the forms of the invention can use
interchangeable petal plates of different inner diameters
to manipulate tubing of different external diameters,
whether tubing body or collars or both.
Basic Form II of the Invention
Referring to Fig. 9, a first form of an elevator
apparatus of Basic Form II of this invention for
manipulating well bore tubing having a collar is indicated
generally by the reference numeral 700. Elevator apparatus
700 comprises an annular body 716 having a top 718 and a
central cavity 726 around a body axis 728 (not shown, but
understood to be in the center of the cavity). The cavity
726 has a diameter allowing the collar portion of the well
bore tubing to pass longitudinally therethrough. A
plurality of arm members, 736a, 736b, 736c and 736d are
spaced apart around the top of body 716.
Arm members 736a, 736b, 736c and 736d each have an
proximal portion, respectively, 738a, 738b, 738c and 7384,
a distal portion, respectively, 740a, 740b, 740c and 740d,
a front portion, respectively, 742a, 742b, 742c and 742d,
and a rear portion, respectively 744a, 744b, 744c and 744d,
and are each pivotal at their proximal portion around an
arm member axis, respectively, 746a, 746b, 746c and 746d,
parallel to body axis 718. Arm members 736x, 736b, 736c
and 736d pivot from a first position, where proximal
portions 738a, 738b, 7380 and 738d of arm members 736a,
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736b, 736c and 736d are not within a projection of body
cavity 716, for example, as shown in Fig. 9, to a second
position where the proximal portions 738a, 738b, 738c and
738d of arm members 736a, 736b, 736c and 736d are inside a
projection of the cavity, for example, as shown in Fig. 10.
In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9, one arm
member 736a of an arm member pair 736a, 736b pivots
clockwise and the other arm member 736b of pair 736a, 736b
pivots counterclockwise, to swing arm members 736a, 736b
from a first or un-deployed position, as exemplified in
Fig. 9, where the front portions 742a and 742b of arm
members pair 736a, 736b (and the front portions 742c and
742d of arm member pair 736c, 736d) are removed from one
another and the proximal portions 738a and 738b of arm
member pair 736a, 736b (and the proximal portions 738c,
738d of arm member pair 736c, 736d) are not within a
projection of body cavity 718, to a second or deployed
position, as exemplified in Fig. 10, where the front
portions 742a and 742b of arm member pair 736a, 736b (and
the front portions 742c and 742d of arm member pair 736c,
736d) are adjacent one another and the proximal portions
738a and 738b of arm member pair ~736a, 736b (and the
proximal portions 738c, 738d of arm member pair 736c, 736d)
are inside a projection of cavity 718.
An actuator operatively associated with arm members
736a, 736b, 736c and 736d suitably is a sprocket chain
engaging toothed members affixed to a base of a shaft
coincident with axes 746a, 746b, 746c and 746d (and
indicated by the same reference numerals). Sprocket chain
on the toothed members on shafts 746a, 746b, 746c and 746d
comprises a chain drive suitably powered by hand or powered
by pneumatic, hydraulic or electric motor (not depicted),
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a type of drive mechanism well known to those skilled in
the art to which this invention pertains. The chain drive
for shafts 746a and 746b suitably is a figure 8
configuration to provide the counterclockwise pivotation of
arm member 736a and the clockwise pivotation of arm member
736b. Similarly, the chain drive for shafts 746c and 746d
suitably is a figure 8 configuration to provide the
counterclockwise pivotation of arm member 736d and the
clockwise pivotation of arm member 336c. Alternatively,
shafts 746c and 746b can be operated on one chain driven in
a clockwise manner, and shafts 746a and 746d can be drive
by another chain driven in a counterclockwise manner. When
powered, the chain drive pivots each arm member 736a, 736b,
736c, and 736d about shafts 746a, 746b, 746c and 746d,
respectively, to reversibly move the arm members from the
first (un-deployed) position, where the collar portion of
the tubing can pass through cavity 716, to the second
(deployed) position, where the collar portion of the tubing
is prevented by the proximal portions 738a, 738b, 738c and
738d of arm members 736a, 736b, 736c and 736d from passing
through cavity 716. In the second (deployed) position,
the proximal portions 738a, 738b, 738c and 738d of arm
members 736a, 736b, 736c and 736d are seen to extend into
cavity 716 allowing passage of the body 712 of tubing but
preventing the passage of a collar portion of the tubing
which is of material external diameter larger than the
tubing body 712.
Lift appendages 768 and 769 are fixed to the lateral
portions of body 716 for receipt of well draw work bails
799 from rig hook, to allow the draw works to raise or
lower elevator body 716 in a well known manner.
Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12, another form of the
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invention is indicated by reference numeral 800. Elevator
apparatus '800 comprises an annular body 816 having a top
818 and a central cavity 826 around a body axis 828. The
cavity 826 has a diameter allowing the collar portion of
the well bore tubing to pass longitudinally therethrough.
A plurality of arm members 836a, 836b, 836c and 836d are
spaced apart around the top 818 of body 816.
Arm members 836a, 836b, 836c and 836d each have an
proximal portion, respectively, 838a, 838b, 838c and 838d,
an distal portion, respectively, 840a, 840b, 840c and 840d,
a front portion, respectively, 842a, 842b, 842c and 842d,
and a rear portion, respectively 844a, 844b, 844c and 844d,
and are each pivotal at their rear portion around an arm
member axis, respectively, 846a, 846b, 846c and 846d that
is parallel to body axis 828. Referring to arm members
836a and 836b as an example, the front portion 842a of arm
member 836a is adjacent the rear portion 844b of a next
adjacent arm member 836b. Similarly, the front portion
842b of arm member 836b is adjacent the rear portion 844c
of a next adjacent arm member 836c, the front portion 842c
of arm member 836c is adjacent the rear portion 844d of
next adjacent arm member 836d, and the front portion 842d
of arm member 836d is adjacent the rear portion 844a of a
next adjacent arm member 836a. All arm members 836a, 836b,
836c and 836d pivot in the same direction (in Figs. 11 and
12, clockwise) to swing the arm members from a first (un-
deployed) position, as exemplified in Fig. 11, to a
deployed position as exemplified in Fig. 12. Referring to
Fig. 11, in the un-deployed position of arm members 836a,
836b, 836c, and 836d, the front portions 842a, 842b, 842c,
and 842d, respectively, are removed from the rear portions,
respectively, 844b, 844c, 844d and 844a, of the next
adjacent arm members in the direction of swing, and the
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a type of drive mechanism well
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proximal portions, respectively 838a, 838b, 838C and 838d,
of arm members 836a, 836b, 836C and 836d, are not within a
projection of body cavity 826. In the second or deployed
position, exemplified in Fig. 12, the front portions 842a,
842b, 842c, and 842d, respectively, are adjacent the rear
portions, respectively 844b, 844c, 844d and 844a, of the
next adjacent arm members in the direction of swing, and
proximal portions respectively 838a, 838b, 838c and 838d,
of arm members 836a, 836b, 836C and 836d, are inside a
projection of body cavity 826. ,
An actuator operatively associated with arm members
836a, 836b, 836C and 836d suitably is a sprocket chain
engaging toothed members affixed to a base of a shaft
coincident with axes 846a, 846b, 846c and 846d (and
indicated by the same reference numerals). Sprocket chain
on the toothed members on shafts 846a, 846b, 846c and 846d
comprises a chain drive suitably manipulated by hand or
powered by pneumatic, hydraulic or electric motor (not
depicted), a type of drive mechanism well known to those
skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The
chain drive for shafts 846a, 846b, 846C and 846d can be
operated on one chain driven in a clockwise manner, for the
arrangement shown in Figs. 11 and 12, to moue the arm
members into the deployed position, and reversed to move
the arm members into the un-deployed position. More
particularly, when powered, the chain drive pivots each arm
member 836a, 836b, 836C, and 836d about shafts 846a, 846b,
846c, and 846d, respectively, to reversibly move the arm
members 836a, 836b, 836c and 836d from the first (un-
deployed) position., where the collar portion of the tubing
can pass through cavity 826, to the second (deployed)
position, where the collar portion of the tubing is
prevented by the proximal portions 838a, 838b, 838c and
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838d of arm members 836a, 83&b, 836c and 836d from passing
through cavity 826.
Lift appendages 868 and 869 are fixed to the lateral
portions of body 816 for receipt of well draw work bails
899 from rig hook, to allow the draw works to raise or
lower elevator body 816 in a well known manner.
As mentioned above,.the term "cavity" as used for
Basic Form II of the invention means an opening or passage
through the body and a projection of the cavity adjacent
the body, Thus, while the embodiments depicted in Figs. 9-
12 position the arm members 736a, 736b, 736c and 736d on
top 718 of body 716 (and position the arm members 836a,
836b, 836c and 836d on top 818 of body 816), such that the
proximal portions 738a, 738b, 738c, and 738d of arm members
736a, 736b, 736c, and 736d are within. a projection of the
opening or passage 726 through body 716 (and the proximal
portions 838a, 838b, 838c, and 838d of arm members 836a,
836b, 836c, and 836d are within a projection of the opening
or passage 826 at the top of body 716), it is within the
scope of the invention to position arm members 736a, 736b,
736c, and 736d within body 716 (and arm members 836a, 836b,
836c and 836d within body 816), such that the proximal
portions 738a, 738b, 738c, and 738d of arm members 736a,
736b, 736c, and 736d are within of the opening or passage
726 itself (and the proximal portions 838a, 838b, 838c, and
838d of arm members 836a, 836b, 836c, and 836d are within
the opening or passage 826 itself), or to position arm
members 736a, 736b, 736c, and 736d at the bottom of body
716 (and arm members 836a, 836b, 836c and 836d at the
bottom of body 816), such that the proximal portions 738x,
738b, 738c, and 738d of arm members 736a, 736b, 736c, and
736d are within a projection of the opening or passage 726
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at the bottom of body 716 (and the proximal portions 838a,
838b, 838c, and 838d of arm members 836a, 836b, 836C, and
836d are within a projection of the opening or passage 826
at the bottom of body 816), so long as the arm members are
spaced apart around the body and pivotable at one end of
the arm member around an arm member axis parallel to the
body axis, from a first or un-deployed position where
portions of the arm members proximal to the cavity are
outside the body "cavity", to a second position where the
proximal portions of the arm members extend into the
"Cavity".
Figs. 9-12 are conceptual drawings in which the
elements of the invention are depicted in their
relationship to one another, but in which the shape of the
elements is neither the necessary shape nor are the
elements presented in necessary scale or proportion in
which they might be present in a constructed apparatus
making use of the invention. In accordance with the
invention, the forms of the invention can use arm plates of
different inner diameters to manipulate tubing of different
external diameters, whether tubing body or collars or both.
Basin Form III of the Invention
Referring to Figs. 13 through 15, an embodiment
of the invention is indicated by the reference numeral
1000. Elevator apparatus 1000 is useful for manipulating
well bore tubing, in particular, casing, schematically
indicated, having a tubular body 1012 terminating in a
collar portion (not shown) of larger diameter than casing
body 2012. Elevator apparatus comprises an annular body
indicated generally by 1016. Body 1016 includes an annular
inner panel 1017 and an annular outer panel 1018. Panels
1017 and 1018 are welded at the base of each to an annular
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base plate 1019 and at the top of each to an annular top
plate 1020. Panel 1017 is chamfered at the top, as shown at
1021, and bottom, as shown at 1022, for purposes of
welding. Panel 1018 is similarly chamfered, as shown at
1023 and 1024, for welding. Annular base plate 1019 is
fastened to an annular bottom plate 1030. Annular inner
panel 1017 and annular top and base plates 1020 and 1019
and annular bottom plate 1030 surround body cavity 1026
having a body axis 1028. Annular inner panel 1017, annular
top plate 1020, annular base plate 1019 and annular bottom
plate 1030 have an identical radius from body axis 1028.
The diameter of body cavity 1026.is sufficiently large to
allow longitudinal passage of casing 1011, including not
only the tubular body portion 1012 but also the collar
portion.
Affixed to bottom plate 1030 is an annular
frustoconical guidance plate 1034 braced by a plurality of
gussets 1032 Circumferentially spaced about guidance plate
1034 between it and bottom plate 1025. The base 1031 of
guidance plate 1034 is wider than its top 1033, to
facilitate centering of casing when elevator apparatus 1000
is lowered onto the collar portion of the casing and thence
downwardly about the tubular body 1012 of the casing.
Affixed to the periphery of annular top plate 1020 is
an annular sleeve 1025, the bottom of which is chamfered as
at 1027 for welding purposes. Within sleeve 1025 a
plurality of swivel mounts 1029 (1029a, 1029b, 10290, 1029e
and 1029f) are affixed to annular top plate 1020 spaced
circumferentially around the inner diameter of top plate
1020.
Referring to Fig. 19, a flap member 1036 (2036a,
1036b, 10360, 1036d, 1036e) is fastened by a pin 1035 to a
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swivel mount 1029. Pin 1035 is secured by a cotter key
1037. As so fastened and as seen in Figs 13-16, flap
plates 1036 are laterally spaced apart from each other
around cavity 1026. Referring to Figs. 17-19 in
conjunction with Figs. 13-16, flap plate 2036 comprises
proximal portions 1038 and distal portions 1040 in relation
to cavity 1026 with respect to which it is disposed when
mounted on pin. 1035 to swivel mounts 1029. Distal portion
1040 includes a yoke 1041, 1042 drilled to provide a
passage for pin 1035. Affixed to the top of flap plate
1036 intermediate the distal portion 1040 and the proximal
portion 1038 is a swivel mounting pair 1039 drilled to
provide a passage 2043. The proximal portion of flap plate
1036 describes arcs 1044, 1044'. Arc 1044' has a longer
radius than arc 1044. Arcs 1044, 1044' are beveled on the
underside of flap plate 1036 at undercut 1045.
Distal portion 1040 affixed to a swivel mount 1029 by
a pin 1035 is pivotally connected to top plate 1020 of body
1016. As depicted in Figs 14, 15 and 16 a flap plate 1036
lays on top plate 1020, with proximal portion 1038
extending into cavity 1026. As best seen in Fig. 16, the
proximal portion of flap plate 1036a extends into cavity
1026, normal to body axis 1028, sufficiently, in
combination with other flap plates 1036b, 1036c, 1036d,'
1036f and 1036e so extended, to form a broken circle,
comprised of the combination of arcs 1044a, 1044b, 1044c,
1044d, 1044e and 1044f. The radius of flap plate arcs
1044a-1044f and the lengths of such arcs, form a circle
having a diameter larger.than the external diameter of the
tubular body 1012 of the casing but smaller than the
external diameter of the collar portion of the casing.
Thus with the flap plates extended into Cavity 1026, the
casing is unable to pass through cavity 1026 of elevator
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apparatus 1000.
Actuators are provided to lift proximal portions 1038
of flap plates 1036 out of cavity 1026, thereby to allow
the collar portion of casing 1011 to pass through cavity
1026 of elevator apparatus 1000. The actuators comprise an
annular cap plate 1046, linkages from cap plate 1046 to
flap plates 1036a-1036f, and a cylinder and piston assembly
for elevating cap plate 1036 causing the linkages to raise
flap plates 1036a-1036f. More particularly, annular cap
plate 1046 has a peripheral skirt 1047 that terminates in
a rim 1048, which rests on annular top plate 1020 when flap
plates 1036a-1036f rest on top plate 1020 normal to body
axis 1028 with proximal portions 1038a-1038f extending into
cavity 1026. Skirt 1047 is chamfered as at 1048 for
welding it to cap plate 1046. A plurality of flange swivel
mount pairs 1049a-1049f equal in number to the number of
flap plates 1036a-1036f is affixed circumferentially spaced
around skirt 1047 projecting radially inward and normal to
body axis 1028 (in Fig. 16 only the flange swivel plates
1049a and 1049d are shown, for clear views of the structure
relative to flap plates 1036b, 1036c, 1036 a and 1036f) .
A pin opening is transversely provided through each swivel
mounting pair 1049a-1049f for receipt of a pin 1051 for
each opening. A plurality of links 1052a-1052f equal in
number to the number of flap plates 1036a-1036f receive
pins 1051a-1051f to pivot links 1052a-1052f from swivel
plates 1049a-1049f. At the opposite end of links 1052a-
1052f, each of the links is provided with another
transverse opening for receipt of a pin 1053. This end of
links 1052a-1052f is received between the trunnions of
opposed flap plate swivel mounts 1039a-1039f, and pivotally
fastened to swivel mounts 1039a-1039f by pins 1053a-1053f
respectively, with pins 1053a-1053f being secured by cotter
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keys 1054a-1054f. Thus when cap plate 1046 is elevated,
links 1052a-1052f pivotally lift flap plates 1036a-1036f
off annular top plate 1020, rotating flap plates 1036a-
1036f about the axis of pins 1035a-1035f in top plate
swivel mounts 1029a-1029f, respectively, to remove the
proximal portions 1038a-1038f of the flap plates out of
'cavity 1026, as depicted in Fig. 13.
Referring to Fig. 15, a pair of cylinder and piston
assemblies 1055, 1056 are disposed in body 1016 between
annular base plate 1019 and annular top plate 1020 spaced
180 degrees apart. The base of each cylinder and piston
assembly 1055 and 1056 rests on a block 1057 (see also Fig.
22, which shows a like block 1157 in side view in another
embodiment of the invention). Block 1057 sits in well 1058
(Fig. 16, see also Fig. 22, which is similar) formed on the
upper surface of base plate 1019. The tops of cylinder and
piston assemblies 1055 and 1056 are secured by bolts 1059
to the bottom of top plate 1020. Apertures 1060 are
provided 180 degrees apart in top plate 1020 centered
within bolts 1059 fastening cylinder and piston assemblies
1055 and 1056 to top plate 1020. Received within apertures
1060 are rods 1061, 1062 connected to the pistons of
cylinder and piston assemblies 1055, 1056. The rods
engagingly reach the underside of annular cap plate 1046
when cap plate skirt 1025 rests on the top of top plate
1020. The rod is moved by force of fluid admitted into or
withdrawn from a cylinder within which the piston
reciprocates. Fluid, either air for an air cylinder or
liquid for a hydraulic cylinder, is Circulated above and
below the piston in the cylinder admitted through fluid
lines 1063, 2064. Openings 1065, 1067 are provided in base
plate 1019 and bottom plate 1030 for passage of fluid lines
1063a, 1064a (through 1065) and 1063b, 1064b (through
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1067).
Upon movement of the pistons in the Cylinders of
assemblies 1055, 1056 (upward movement in the orientation
of the drawings) the rods 1061 and 1062 connected to the
pistons extend upwardly, elevating annular cap plate 1046
parallel to body axis 1028. The elevation of cap plate
1046 pivotally lifts flap plates 1036a-1036f linked to cap
plate 1046 by links 1052a-1052f. On reverse movement of
the pistons in the cylinders of assemblies 1055 and 1056,
rods 1061 and 1062 retract, lowering cap plate 1046 and
pivotally lowering linked flap plates 1036a-1036f into
cavity 1026. Skirt 1047 of cap plate 1046 is of slightly
smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of sleeve
1025. In the most elevated position of cap plate 1046, the
rim of skirt 1047 does not raise above the top of sleeve
1025. This and the close approximation of skirt 1047
within sleeve 1025 shields the flap plates 1036a-1036f and
links 1052a-1052f are shielded from access by foreign
objects, and, as well, fingers or apparel of workers.
A pair of lift arms 1068, 1069 are secured
substantially normal to body 1016, spaced 180 degrees apart
and 90 degrees from cylinder and piston assemblies 1055,
1056. Referring to Figures 26-31, the manner by which lift
arms 1068 and 1069 are secured is described in connection
with a variation of the drill pipe elevator apparatus of
Figs. 20-25. The same method of securing lift arms 1068,
1069 is suitably employed for the embodiment of Figs. 13-19
as for the embodiment of Figs. 26-31. Fig. 29 is a top
view of a half 1217a of inner panel 1217 (corresponding to
half of inner~panel 1017 of Figs. 13-16). Fig. 28 is a
side view of the half 1217a of panel 1217. The chamfer
1223 of half panel 1217a corresponds to the chamfer 1023 at
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the top of panel 1017. Chamfer 1224 of half panel 1217a
corresponds to chamfer 1024 at the bottom of panel 1017.
The lateral ends 1270a and 1271a of half panel 1217a are
chamfered for welding. Between ends 1270a and 1271a, half
panel 1217a is arced at recess 1273a in a radius that
accepts the outer diameter of a half of lift arms 1268 and
1269 at respective innermost portions 1274, 1275 of the
lift arms (Fig. 26). Similarly a mirror image 1217b (not
depicted) of half panel 1217a fits around the other half of
the innermost portions 1274, 1275 of respective lift arms
1270, 1271. The recesses 1273a and 1273b of the two half
panels 1217a and 1217b are welded to lift arms 1268, 1269
at innermost portions 1274, 1275, respectively, and the
ends 1270a and 1271a of half panel 1217a are welded to the
corresponding ends 1270b and 1271b of half panel 1271b. So
welded up, the half panels 1217a and 1217b form inner panel
1217.
Fig. 31 is a top view of a half 1218a of outer panel
1218 (corresponding to half of outer panel 1018 of Figs.
13-16). Fig. 30 is a side view of the half 1218a of panel
1218. The chamfer 1222 of half panel 1218a corresponds to
the chamfer 1022 at the top of panel 1018. Chamfer 1221 of
half panel 1218a corresponds to chamfer 1021 at the bottom
of panel 1018. The lateral ends 1276a and 1277a of half
panel 1218a are chamfered for welding. Between ends 1276a
and 1277a, half panel 1218a is arced at recess 1277a in a
radius that accepts the outer diameter of a half of lift
arms 1268 and 1269 at respective intermediate portions
1278, 1279 of the lift arms (Fig. 26). Similarly a mirror
image 1218b (not depicted) of half panel 1218a fits around
the other half of the intermediate portions 1278, 1279 of
respective lift arms 1270, 1271. The recesses 1277a and
1277b of the two half panels 1218a and 1218b are welded to
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lift arms 1268, 1269 at intermediate portions 1278, 1279,
respectively, and the ends 1276a and 1277a of half panel
1218a are welded to the corresponding ends 1276b and 1277b
of half panel 1218b. So welded up, the half panels 1218a
and 1218b form outer panel 1218.
Keeps 1080, 1081 respectively for lift arms 1068, 1069
are hingedly mounted to body 1016 by pins 1082, 1083 fitted
into mounts 1084, 1085, respectively. Mounts 1084, 1085
are affixed to the underside of bottom plate 1030. Keeps
1080, 1081 are fastened to lift arms 1068, 1069,
respectively, by bolts 1086, 1087 threadedly received in
tapped openings in the ends of lifts arms 1068, 1069. The
bales 1090 of draw works of a rig over the well bore are
received under the lift arms between the lift arms and the
keeps.
Referring now to Figs. 20 through 22, another
embodiment of the invention is indicated by the reference
numeral 1100. Elevator apparatus 1100 is useful for
manipulating well bore tubing of smaller diameter than
casing, in particular, drill pipe (not depicted) having a
tubular body terminating in. a Collar portion of larger
diameter than the drill pipe, particularly where the tubing
body transitions in an "upset" to the collar. Elevator
apparatus comprises an annular body indicated generally by
1116. As best viewed in Fig. 22, body 1116 includes an
annular panel 1118. Panel 1118 is welded at the base to an
annular base plate 1119 and at the top to an annular top
plate 1120. Annular base plate 1119 is fastened to an
annular bottom plate 1130. Annular panel 1118 and annular
top and base plates 1220 and 1119 and annular bottom plate
1130 surround body cavity 1126 having a body axis 1128.
The diameter of body cavity 1126 is sufficiently large to
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allow longitudinal passage of drill pipe including not only
the tubular body portion but also the collar portion.
Affixed to bottom plate 1130 is an annular
frustoconical guidance plate 1134 braced by a plurality of
gussets 1132 circumferentially spaced about guidance plate
1134 between it and bottom plate 1130. The base 1131 of
guidance plate 1134 is wider than its top 1133, to
faciliate centering of drill pipe when elevator apparatus
1100 is lowered onto the collar portion of the drill pipe
and thence downwardly about the tubular body of the drill
pipe.
A plurality of swivel mounts 1129 (1129a, 1129b,
1129C, 1129e and 1129f ) are affixed to annular top plate
1120 spaced Circumferentially around the inner diameter of
top plate 1120.
A flap member 1136 (1136a, 1136b, 11360, 1136d, 1136e)
is fastened by a pin 1135 to a swivel mount 1129. As so
fastened and as seen in Figs. 8-10, flap plates 1136 are
laterally spaced apart from each other around cavity 1126.
Referring to Figs. 24 and 25 in conjunction with Figs. 20-
23, flap plate 1136 comprises proximal portions 1138 and
distal portions 1140 in relation to cavity 1126 with
respect to which it is disposed when mounted on pin 1135 to
swivel mounts 1129. Distal portion 1140 includes a yoke
1141, 1142 drilled to provide a passage 1143 for pin 1135.
The proximal portion of flap plate 1136 of flap 1136 angles
downwardly from the distal portion, at an acute angle of 45
degrees, and describes arc 1144, 1144', arc 1144' having a
longr radius than arc 1144.
Distal portion 1140 is pivotally connected to top
plate 1120 of body 1116. As depicted in Figs. 8, 9 and 10,
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a flap plate 1136 lays on top plate 1120, with proximal
portion 1138 extending into cavity 1126. As advantageously
seen with Fig. 23 in combination with Figs. 21 and 22, the
proximal portion of flap plates 1136a extends into cavity
1126, normal to body axis 1128, sufficiently, in
combination with other flap plates 1136b, 1136c, 1136d,
1136f and 1136e so extended, to form a broken circle,
comprised of the combination of arcs 1144a, 1144b, 1144c,
1144d, 1144e and 1144f. The radius of flap plate arcs
1144a-1144f and the lengths of such arcs, form a circle
having a diameter larger than the external diameter of the
tubular body of a drill pipe but smaller than the external
diameter of the collar portion of the drill pipe. Thus
with the flap plates extended into cavity 1126, drill pipe
is unable to pass through cavity 1126 of elevator apparatus
1100.
Actuators are provided to lift proximal portions 1138
of flap plates 1136 out o~f cavity 1126, thereby to allow
the collar portion of a drill pipe to pass through cavity
1126 of elevator apparatus 1100. The actuators comprise an
annular cap plate 1146, linkages from cap plate 1146 to
flap plates 1136a-1136f, and a cylinder and piston assembly
for elevating cap plate 1136 causing the linkages to raise
flap plates 1136a-1136f. More particularly, annular cap
plate 1146 has a peripheral skirt 1147 that terminates in
a rim 1148, which rests on annular top plate 1120 when flap
plates 1136a-1136f rest on top plate 1120 normal to body
axis 1128 with proximal portions 1138a-1138f extending into
cavity 1126. A plurality of flange swivel mount pairs
1149a-1149f equal in number to the number of flap plates
1136a-1136f is affixed circumferentially spaced around
skirt 1147 projecting radially inward and normal to body
axis 1128 (only flange swivels 1149a and 1149d are shown).
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Each of flange swivel mount pairs 1149a-1149f has
pivotally connected to it a pair of links 1152 and 1152-
bis. A pin 1151 received in an opening transversely formed
in link 1152 and secured in trunnions of a flange swivel
mount pair provides the pivotal connection for link 1152.
Similarly, a pin 1151-bis received in an opening
transversely formed in link 1152-bis and secured in
trunnions of the same flange swivel mount pair provides the
pivotal connection for link 1152-bis. At the other end of
links 1152 and 1152-bis, links 1152 and 1152-bis are
pivotally connected to the top portion of a flap plate
flange 1139. Flap plate flange 1139 is affixed to the top
of flap plate 1136 distal to proximal portion 1138, and is
also affixed to the rear of distal portion 1040. A pin
1153 received in an opening transversely formed in link
1152 at such other end is secured in mounts of flap plate
flange 1139 to provide the pivotal connection of link 1152
to the portion of flap plate flange 1139 at the top of flap
plate 1136. Similarly a pin 1253-bis received in an
opening transversely formed in link 1152-bis at such other
end is secured in mounts of flap plate flange 1139 to
provide the pivotal connection of link 1152-bis to the
portion of flap plate flange 1139 at the top of flap plate
1136.
The portion of flap plate flange 1138 affixed to the
rear of flap plate 1136 is pivotally connected by link 1154
to swivel mount 1129 affixed to annular top plate 1120
within the perimeter of skirt 1147 when it rests on annular
top plate 1120. A pin 1194 received in an opening
transversely formed in the rear portion of flap plate
flange 1138 is pivotally secured in link 1154, and a pin
1195 received on an opening at the opposite end of link
1154 is pivotally received in swivel mount 1129 to provide
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the pivotal connection of the portion of flap plate flange
1139 at the rear of flap plate 1136 to swivel mount 1129.
The linkage of flap plate 1136 to annular top plate
1120 and cap plate 1146 as just described occurs for each
of flap plates 1136a-1136f. Thus when cap plate 1146 is
elevated, links 1152a and 1152a-bis, 152b and 1152b-bis,
1152c and 1152c-bis, 1152d and 1152d-bis, 1152e and 1152e-
bis and 1152f and 1152f-bis, respectively pivotally lift
flap plate flanges 1139a, 1139b, 1139c, 1139d, 1139e, and
1139f, which respectively pivot links 1154a, 1154b, 1154c,
1154d, 1154e and 1154f, upward on mounts 1129a, 1129b,
1129c, 1129d, 1129e and 1129f, respectively. This combined
action lifts the proximal portion of flap plates 1136a,
1136b, 1136c, 1136d, 1136e and 1136f out of cavity 1126 and
not only the proximal portion 10038 but also the distal
portion 1040 of each flap plate off annular top plate 2120.
Referring to Fig. 15, a pair of cylinder and piston
assemblies 1155, 1156 are disposed in body 1116 between
annular base plate 1119 and annular top plate 1120 spaced
180 degrees apart. The base of each cylinder and piston
assembly 1155 and 1156 rests on a block 1157 (Fig. 22).
Block 1157 sits in well 1158 formed on the upper surface of
base plate 1119. The tops of cylinder and piston
assemblies 1155 and 1156 are secured by bolts 1159 to the
bottom of top plate 1120. Apertures 1260 are provided 180
degrees apart in top plate 1120 centered within bolts 1159
fastening cylinder and piston assemblies 1155 and 1156 to
top plate 1120. Received within apertures 1160 are rods
1161, 1162 connected to the pistons of cylinder and piston
assemblies 1155, 1156. The rods engagingly reach the
underside of annular cap plate 1146 when cap plate skirt
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1125 rests on the top of top plate 1120. The rod is moved
by force of fluid admitted into or withdrawn from a
cylinder within which the piston reciprocates. Fluid,
either air for an air cylinder or liquid for a hydraulic
cylinder, is circulated above and below the piston in the
cylinder admitted through fluid lines 1163, 1164. Openings
1165, 1167 are provided in base plate 1119 and bottom plate
1130 for passage of fluid lines 1163a, 11&4a (through 1165)
and 1163b, 1164b (through 1167).
Upon movement of the pistons in the cylinders of
assemblies 1155, 1156 (upward movement in the orientation
of the drawings) the rods 1161 and 1162 connected to the
pistons extend upwardly, elevating annular cap plate 1146
parallel to body axis 1128. The elevation of cap plate
1146 pivotally lifts flap plates 1136a-1136f linked to cap
plate 1146 by flanges 3149, links 2252 and 2152-bis, flap
plate flanges 1,139 and links 1154, as has been described.
On reverse movement of the pistons in. the cylinders of
assemblies 1155 and 1156, rods 1161 and 1162 retract,
lowering cap plate 1146 and pivotally lowering linked flap
plates 1136a-1136f into cavity 11.26.
A pair of lift arms 1168, 2169 are secured
substantially normal to body 1116, 180 degrees apart,
spaced 90 degrees from cylinder and piston assemblies 1155,
1156. The manner of securing lift arms 1168 and 1169 as
described above may be used as well for securing the lift
arms of the embodiment described in connection with Figs 1-
13 .
Keeps 1180, 1181 respectively for lift arms 1168, 1169
are hingedly mounted to body 1116 by pins 1182, 1183 fitted
into mounts 1184, 1185, respectively. Mounts 1184, 1185
are affixed to the underside of bottom plate 1130. Keeps
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1180, 1181 are fastened to lift arms 1168, 1169,
respectively, by bolts 1186, 1187 threadedly received in
tapped openings in the ends of lifts arms 1168, 1169. The
bales 1190 of draw works of a rig over the well bore are
received under the lift arms between the lift arms and the
keeps.
Referring now to Figs. 26 and 27, a variation of the
foregoing embodiments is schematically depicted, combining
the flap plate elevation apparatus of Figs. 13-19 with the
flap plate structure of Figs. 20-25. Figs. 28-31 have
already been described in connection with the manner of
securing lift arms to the body of the elevator apparatus.
With familiarity gained by the description of Figs. 13-16,
it suffices to describe the embodiment of Fig. 26 to point
out that an embodiment of the invention is indicated by the
reference numeral 1200. Elevator apparatus comprises an
annular body indicated generally by 1216. Body 1216
includes an annular inner panel 1217 and an annular outer
panel 1218. Panels 1217 and 1218~are welded at the base of
each to an annular base plate 1219 and at the top of each
to an annular top plate 1220. Annular base plate 1219 is
fastened to an annular bottom plate 2230. Annular inner
panel 1217 and annular top and base plates 1220 and 1219
and annular bottom plate 1230 surround body cavity 1226
having a body axis 1228. The diameter of body cavity 1226
is sufficiently large to allow longitudinal passage of
casing 1211, including not only the tubular body portion
1212 but also the collar portion.
Affixed to bottom plate 1230 is an annular
frustoconical guidance plate 1234 braced by a plurality of
gussets 1232 circumferentially spaced about guidance plate
1234 between it and bottom plate 1225. The base 1231 of
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guidance plate 1234 is wider than its top 1233, to
facilitate centering of casing 1211 when elevator apparatus
1200 is lowered onto the collar portion of the casing and
thence downwardly about the tubular body 1212 of casing
1211.
Affixed to the periphery of annular top plate 1220 is
an annular sleeve 1225. Within sleeve 1225 a plurality of
swivel mounts 1229 (1229a, 1229b, 1229c, 1229e and 1229f)
are affixed to annular top plate 1220 spaced
circumferentially around the inner diameter of top plate
1220. Only swivel mounts 1229b and 1229f are viewed in
Fig. 28.
A flap plate 1236 (1236a, 1236b, 1236c, 1236d, 1236e)
is fastened by a pin 1235 to a' swivel mount 1229. As so
fastened, flap plates 1236 are laterally spaced apart from
each other around cavity 1226. Flap plate 1236 comprises
proximal portions 1238 and distal portions 1240 in relation
to cavity 1226 with respect to which it is disposed when
mounted on pin 1235 to swivel mounts 1229. Affixed to the
top of flap plate 1236.intermediate the distal portion 1240
and the proximal portion 1238 is a swivel mounting pair
1239 drilled to provide a passage 1243. The proximal
portion of flap plate 1236 describes arc 1244, 1244' as for
flap plate 1136, and is structured similarly to flap plate
1136.
Distal portion 1240 affixed to a swivel mount 1229 by
a pin 1235 is pivotally connected to top plate 1220 of body
1216. Flap plate 1236 lays on top plate 1220, with
proximal portion 1238 extending into cavity 1226. The
proximal portion of flap plate 1236a extends into cavity
1226, normal to body axis 1228, sufficiently, in
combination with other flap plates 1236b, 1236c, 1236d,
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1236f and 1236e so extended, to form a broken circle,
comprised of the combination of arcs.1244a, 1244b, 1244c,
1244d, 1244e and 1244f. The radii of flap plate arcs
1244a, 1244'a-1244f, 1244'f and the lengths of such arcs,
form a circle having a diameter larger than the external
diameter of the tubular body 1212 of a drill pipe but
smaller than the external diameter of the collar portion of
the drill pipe. Thus with the flap plates extended .into
cavity 1226, the tubular body portion but not the collar
portion of the drill pipe is able to pass through cavity
1226 of elevator apparatus 7.200, thus holding the drill
pa~pe in the elevator apparatus.
Actuators are provided to lift proximal portions 1238
of flap plates 1236 out of cavity 1226, thereby to allow
the collar portion of casing 1211 to pass through cavi ty
1226 of elevator apparatus 1200. The actuators comprise an
annular cap plate 1246, linkages from cap plate 1246 to
flap plates 1236a-1236f, and a cylinder and piston assembly
for elevating cap plate 1236 causing the linkages to raise
flap plates 1236a-1236f. More particularly, annular cap
plate 1246 has a peripheral skirt 1247 that terminates in
a rim 1248, which rests on annular top plate 1220 when flap
plates 1236a-1236f rest on top plate 1220 normal to body
axis 1228 with proximal portions 1238a-1238f extending into
cavity 1226. A plurality of flange swivel mount pairs
1249a-1249f equal in number to the number of flap plates
1236a-1236f is affixed circumferentially spaced around
skirt 1247 proj ecting radially inward and normal to body
axis 1228 (in Fig. 26 only the flange swivel plates 1249b
and 1249f are viewable). A pin opening 1250 is
transversely provided through each swivel mounting pair
1249a-1249f for receipt of a pin 1251 for each opening. A
plurality of links 1252a-1252f equal in number to the
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number of flap plates 1236a-1236f receive pins 1251a-1251f
to pivot links 1252a-1252f from swivel plates 1249a-1249f.
At the opposite end of links 1252a-1252f, each of the links
is provided with another transverse opening for receipt of
a pin 12. This end of links 1252a-1252f is received
between the trunnions of opposed flap plate swivel mounts
1239a-1239f, and pivotally fastened to swivel mounts 1239a-
1239f by pins 1253a-1253f respectively. Thus when cap
plate 1246 is elevated, links 1252a-1252f pivotally lift
flap plates 1236a-1236f off annular top plate 1220,
rotating flap plates 1236a-1236f about the axis of pins
1235a-1235f in stop plate swivel mounts 1229a-1229f,
respectively, to remove the proximal portions 1238a-1238f
of the flap plates out of cavity 1226, as depicted on the
right side of Fig. 26.
As in the embodiments of Figs. 13-25, a pair of
cylinder and piston assemblies raise and lower annular top
plate 1220. The arrangement of the cylinder and piston
assemblies is the same as in Figs. 13-25. Upon movement of
the pistons in the cylinders of assemblies (upward movement
in the orientation of the drawings) rods connected to the
pistons extend upwardly, elevating annular cap plate 1246
parallel to body axis 1228. The, elevation of cap plate
1246 pivotally lifts flap plates 1236a-1236f linked to cap
plate 1246 by links 1252a-1252f. On reverse movement of
the pistons in the cylinders of assemblies, the rods
retract, lowering cap plate 1246 and pivotally lowering
linked flap plates 1236a-1236f into cavity 1226. Skirt
1247 of cap plate 1246 is of slightly smaller outer
diameter than the inner diameter of sleeve 1225. In the
most elevated position of cap plate 1246, the rim of skirt
1247 does not raise above the top of sleeve 1225. This and
the close approximation of skirt 1247 within sleeve 1225
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shields the flap plates 1236a-1236f and links 1252a-1252f
are shielded from access by foreign objects, and, as well,
fingers or apparel of workers.
A pair of lift arms 1268, 1269 are secured
substantially normal to body 1216, 180 degrees apart,
spaced 90 degrees from cylinder and piston assemblies 1255,
1256. The manner of securing lift arms 1268 and 1269 as
described above may be used as well for securing the lift
arms of the embodiment described in connection with Figs
13-25.
Keeps 1280, 1281 respectively for lift arms 1268, 1269
are hingedly mounted to body 1216 by p~.ns 1282, 1283 fitted
into mounts 1284, 1285, respectively. Mounts 1284, 1285
are affixed to the underside of bottom plate 1230. Keeps
1280, 1281 are fastened to lift arms 1268, 1269,
respectively, by bolts 1286, 1287 threadedly received in
tapped openings in the ends of lifts arms 1268, 1269. The
bales 1290 of draw works of a rig over the well bore are
received under the lift arms between the lift arms and the
keeps.
It will be appreciated that the type of action
described for the linkage used in the embodiment of Figs.
13-19 and 26-31 and the type of action described for the
linkages of Figs. 20-25 both lift the proximal portions of
the flap plates out of the cavity of the body of the
elevator apparatus, the apparatus of"Figs. 13-19 and 26-31
swing the proximal portion of the flap plates upwardly
-along a rotational axis fixed atop the annular top plate of
the body, whereas the apparatus of Figs. 20-25 lift the
proximal portion and well as the distal portion off the top
plate of the body, pivoting the proximal portion out of the
body cavity radially away from a projection of the cavity.
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Both types of movements lifting anal lowering the proximal
portions of the flap plates are comprehended by the
expressions found in this specification wherein the distal
portion of a flap plate is described as pivotally secured
to the .body top for pivoted elevation of the proximal end
off the body top, and wherein the proximal portions of flap
plates are described as being pivotally lifted out of or
lowered into said cavity.
Tn~hile the invention has been described with respect to
basic forms of the invention, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not to be
limited in. any manner by the specifics that have been set
forth to illustrate how the principles of the invention can
be specifically applied. All alternatives and
modifications of the foregoing are intended to be covered
within the scope of the appended claims.
