Patent US889897A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3720435A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3720435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spud clamping device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-02
•
Granted: 1973-03-13
•
Expires: 1990-02-02
Abstract
Abstract An upper ring or frame having two or more gripping members hingedly depending therefrom encircles a spud. A lower ring or frame also encircles the spud and bears inwardly against the gripping members through a means for multiplying and changing the vertical force to a horizontal force so that axially raising the lower ring relative to the upper ring causes the gripping members to frictionally engage the spud. Self-clamping is achieve by connecting the lifting means to the lower ring. Release of the gripping members is effectuated by transferring the lifting force point of attachment from the lower ring to the upper ring.
Inventors
- 👤 H Leyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:33
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/44; B66C1/442; E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/04; E02B17/08; E02B17/0836; E02B17/0881; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/06; E02F9/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for handling a generally cylindrical object comprising a means for applying a lifting force to said apparatus, at least two gripping members adapted to frictionally engage said object, a first support adapted to encircle said object, means connected to said first support for releasing said gripping member when said lifting force is applied to said first support, a second support adapted to encircle said object and axially displaced from said first support, means connected to said second support for causing frictional engagement of said gripping members against said object when said lifting force is applied to said second support, and means for transferring said lifting force from said first support to said second support, and from said second support to said first support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for handling a generally cylindrical object comprising a means for applying a lifting force to said apparatus, at least two gripping members adapted to frictionally engage said object, a first support adapted to encircle said object, means connected to said first support for releasing said gripping member when said lifting force is applied to said first support, a second support adapted to encircle said object and axially displaced from said first support, means connected to said second support for causing frictional engagement of said gripping members against said object when said lifting force is applied to said second support, and means for transferring said lifting force from said first support to said second support, and from said second support to said first support.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for handling a generally cylindrical object comprising a means for applying a lifting force to said apparatus, at least two gripping members adapted to frictionally engage said object, a first support adapted to encircle said object, means connected to said first support for releasing said gripping member when said lifting force is applied to said first support, a second support adapted to encircle said object and axially displaced from said first support, means connected to said second support for causing frictional engagement of said gripping members against said object when said lifting force is applied to said second support, and means for transferring said lifting force from said first support to said second support, and from said second support to said first support.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for handling a generally cylindrical object comprising a means for applying a lifting force to said apparatus, at least two gripping members adapted to frictionally engage said object, a first support adapted to encircle said object, means connected to said first support for releasing said gripping member when said lifting force is applied to said first support, a second support adapted to encircle said object and axially displaced from said first support, means connected to said second support for causing frictional engagement of said gripping members against said object when said lifting force is applied to said second support, and means for transferring said lifting force from said first support to said second support, and from said second support to said first support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing frictional engagement of said gripping members against said object comprises a link member hingedly connected to said gripping member at one end, hingedly connected to said second support at its opposite end and disposed with its longitudinal axis making a vertical angle of less than 90* with the longitudinal axis of said object when measured from below.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for releasing said gripping member from said object comprises a linkage member hingedly connected at one end to said first support and hingedly connected at its opposite end to said gripping member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as claimeD in claim 1 wherein said means for transferring said lifting force from said first support to said second support comprises a lifting rod connected at one end to said means for applying a lifting force, means for axially moving said lifting rod attached to said second support, and a stop attached to said lifting rod and adapted to support said first support when said lifting rod is in the raised position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing frictional engagement of said gripping members against said object comprises a cam follower connected to said second support, a cam race on said gripping member adapted to receive said cam race, said gripping member hingedly connected to said first support whereby the lifting of said second support relative to said first support engages said cam with said cam race forcing said gripping members to engage said object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for axially moving said lifting rod comprises a cylinder attached to said second support, a piston slidable in said cylinder and connected to said lifting rod, a master accumulator in communication with said cylinder and containing a hydraulic fluid, a master piston slidable in said master accumulator, and means for controlling the flow of said fluid into and out of said cylinder.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for handling an elongated object comprising upper and lower rings adapted to encircle said object, a plurality of gripping members distributed circumferentially about and depending from said upper ring and hingedly connected thereto, said lower ring disposed parallel to and axially aligned with said upper ring and including means for moving said lower ring axially up and down relative to the first ring and means carried by said lower ring contacting said gripping means to move said gripping members radially for gripping said elongated object.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for handling an elongated object comprising upper and lower rings adapted to encircle said object, a plurality of gripping members distributed circumferentially about and depending from said upper ring and hingedly connected thereto, said lower ring disposed parallel to and axially aligned with said upper ring and including means for moving said lower ring axially up and down relative to the first ring and means carried by said lower ring contacting said gripping means to move said gripping members radially for gripping said elongated object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising means for releasing said gripping members while said elongated object is being handled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a support rod guide in said lower ring, a support rod attached to and depending from said upper ring and passing through said guide and means for stopping the downward movement of said lower ring connected to said support rod.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for releasing the gripping members comprises a release device connected at one end to said lower ring and at its other end to a lifting rod, which is slidably disposed in a lift rod guide formed in said upper ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein each gripping member comprises a lever arm having a hinged connection at one end thereof connected to said upper ring, a gripper shoe at the other end of said lever arm and a gripper surface disposed on the face of said shoe facing said elongated object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including a plurality of cam followers connected to said lower ring and equal in number and corresponding in position to said gripping members, and a cam race on each of said gripping members for receipt of said cam followers whereby, the lifting of said lower ring with respect to said upper ring engages the cam followers with the cam races forcing said gripping members to engage the elongated object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 further comprising means for adjusting the radial position of said cam followers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said lower ring includes a release device connected at one end to said lower ring, means for actuating said release device and a lifting rod connected to the other end of said release device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said release device comprises a cylinder attached to said lower ring, a piston slidable in said cylinder and connected to said lifting rod.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 further including a master accumulator in communication witH said cylinder and containing a hydraulic fluid, a master piston slidable in said master accumulator and means for controlling the flow of said fluid into and out of said cylinder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said means for controlling the flow of said fluid is a solenoid valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |