US3892140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary drive apparatus
Assignee: Weatherford Oil Tool UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1974-05-01
•
Granted: 1975-07-01
•
Expires: 1994-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A rotary drive apparatus for a casing tong, drill spinner or the like. The apparatus has a drive wheel and idler wheels adapted to drive an endless loop member trained around a cylindrical member to be driven.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy K N Fox
- 👤 Rowan W Patterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/16; E21B19/168; F16G; F16G13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A rotary drive apparatus, for applying rotational torque to a cylindrical member, comprising a body structure including a recess to receive said cylindrical member, a drive wheel journalled on said body structure, a plurality of idler wheels journalled on said body structure, an endless loop trained round said drive wheel and around said idler wheels and adapted to form a re-entrant bight in said recess, said body structure including at least one jaw bearing at least one of said idler wheels and positioned adjacent said recess, said jaw being pivotable between an open position in which said recess is open for insertion and removal of said cylindrical member from said bight and a closed position in which said bight is clasped about said cylindrical member, means for retaining said at least one jaw in said closed position, and means for displacing at least another of said idler wheels remote from said jaw for adjustment of the size of said bight and to tension said loop.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A rotary drive apparatus, for applying rotational torque to a cylindrical member, comprising a body structure including a recess to receive said cylindrical member, a drive wheel journalled on said body structure, a plurality of idler wheels journalled on said body structure, an endless loop trained round said drive wheel and around said idler wheels and adapted to form a re-entrant bight in said recess, said body structure including at least one jaw bearing at least one of said idler wheels and positioned adjacent said recess, said jaw being pivotable between an open position in which said recess is open for insertion and removal of said cylindrical member from said bight and a closed position in which said bight is clasped about said cylindrical member, means for retaining said at least one jaw in said closed position, and means for displacing at least another of said idler wheels remote from said jaw for adjustment of the size of said bight and to tension said loop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rotary drive apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displacing means includes two independently controllable displacing means coupled to respective idler wheels contacted by said loop on respective sides of said drive wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rotary drive apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive wheel is a sprocket and wherein said endless loop is a chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A rotary drive apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive wheel and said endless loop each present respective profiled indented surfAces adapted for engagement, upon tensioning of said loop, to exert shear forces for transmission of drive torque, from said drive wheel to said endless loop, sufficient to rotate said cylindrical member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rotary drive apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said endless loop is a chain having links whose periphery is profiled for engagement by the profiled surface of said drive wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rotary drive apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said endless loop makes contact with not less than 180* of the circumference of said cylindrical member and of the circumference of said drive wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rotary drive apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, including means on said body structure for supporting said bight of said endless loop engaged about said cylindrical member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A rotary drive apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said supporting means comprises an arm pivotably mounted by one of its ends on said body structure, a flanged roller journalled on said arm remote from said one end, and means acting between said body structure and said arm to urge said flanged roller towards the periphery of said cylindrical member such that said bight of said endless loop is supported on said flange.
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) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |