Pipe handling apparatus

Claim 2

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; and e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick, said powered elevating means including a third-order lever powered by a fluid driven piston and cylinder assembly whereby a relatively large lifting movement is effected at the lifting end of said levere for a smaller movement of said piston and cylinder assembly, said lever and holding means being selectively engageable through pin and track type connection means and said pin portion of said connection means being disengageable from said track portion of said connection means when said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed.

Claim 3

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 1 wherein: a. said holding means comprises an elongate central trough means supported between laterally spaced skirt support means; b. said skirt means carry said track portion of said connection means; and c. said lifting end of said lever carries said pin portion of said connection means, said pin portion bEing engageable in said track portion when said lever is operated to pivot said holding means.

Claim 4

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 2 wherein said track portion includes non-colinearly disposed track segments positioned on said skirt support means to cause a change in elevation of said second end of said holding means as said pin portion moves through said track segments.

Claim 5

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed.

Claim 6

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed.

Claim 7

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. pipe lift means included in said pipe handling means and disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating pipe sections relative to said holding means and said rack means, wherein: i. said pipe lift means includes vertically movable lift heads engageable with a pipe section on said rack means; and ii. said lift heads include adjustable, inclined surface means for rolling pipe sections carried on said heads toward or away from said holding means.

Claim 8

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. pipe lift means included in said pipe handling means and disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating pipe sections relative to said holding means and said rack means, wherein: i. said pipe lift means includes vertically movable lift heads engageable with a pipe section on said rack means; and ii. said lift heads include adjustable, inclined surface means for rolling pipe sections carried on said heads toward or away from said holding means.

Claim 9

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 5 wherein: a. said lift means include a plurality of fluid driven piston and cylinder assemblies disposed betwen said holding means and said rack means; and b. each of said lift head means has an inclined top surface which is engageable with pipe on said rack means and is rotatably mounted on said assemblies whereby said head means may be rotated to position said inclined surface for rolling pipe sections supported bY said lift heads in the direction of inclination of said top surface.

Claim 10

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. pipe rotating means in addition to the well drilling means employed in said well drilling derrick for imparting a rotary motion to a pipe section in said holding means.

Claim 11

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. pipe rotating means in addition to the well drilling means employed in said well drilling derrick for imparting a rotary motion to a pipe section in said holding means.

Claim 12

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 7 wherein said pipe rotating means further includes rotatable, internal unthreaded pipe gripping means for engaging the internal surface of a pipe section to impart said rotary motion to said engaged pipe section.

Claim 13

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 8 further including pipe retaining means for holding one pipe section in said holding means stationary while said rotating means rotates a second pipe section relative to said held pipe section.

Claim 14

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. longitudinal drive means included in said holding means extending longitudinally along said holding means; g. powering means included in said holding means for advancing said drive means longitudinally along said holding means; h. pipe drive means included in said holding means, said pipe drive means being connected with said drive means and engageable with a pipe section in said holding means for controlling longitudinal movement of said last mentioned pipe section along said holding means, wherein: i. said longitudinal drive means includes cable means; ii. said cable means is wrapped about a drive drum means; iii. said drum means is selectively connectable through a clutch means to A motor drive to provide said pipe drive means; and iv. tensioning means are provided for maintaining tension in said cable means.

Claim 15

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. longitudinal drive means included in said holding means extending longitudinally along said holding means; g. powering means included in said holding means for advancing said drive means longitudinally along said holding means; h. pipe drive means included in said holding means, said pipe drive means being connected with said drive means and engageable with a pipe section in said holding means for controlling longitudinal movement of said last mentioned pipe section along said holding means, wherein: i. said longitudinal drive means includes cable means; ii. said cable means is wrapped about a drive drum means; iii. said drum means is selectively connectable through a clutch means to A motor drive to provide said pipe drive means; and iv. tensioning means are provided for maintaining tension in said cable means.

Claim 16

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick, said powered elevating means including a third-order lever powered by a fluid driven piston and cylinder assembly whereby a relatively large lifting movement is effected at the lifting end of said lever for a smaller movement of said piston and cylinder assembly; and f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed.

Claim 17

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means selectively engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick, said powered elevating means including a third-order lever powered by a fluid driven piston and cylinder assembly whereby a relatively large lifting movement is effected at the lifting end of said lever for a smaller movement of said piston and cylinder assembly; and f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed.

Claim 18

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 11 further including adjustable rack support means for inclining said rack means to cause pipe on said rack means to roll toward or away from said handling means.

Claim 19

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 12 wherein said tilt means includes tilt support means selectively engageable with said holding means for supporting said holding means in said horizontal position and for imparting said tilting movement to said holding means.

Claim 20

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 13 wherein said tilt means further includes a tilt powering means comprising an extensible and contractible, coaxially aligned, dual piston and cylinder assembly connected to said holding means and having means for forcing said holding means to tilt to either side from a central, upwardly directed position, for moving said holding means to said central position from a tilted position and for holding said holding means at said central position.

Claim 21

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 14 wherein said pipe handling means further includes pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating one or more pipe sections relative to said holding means.

Claim 22

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 15 wherein said rack means includes multiple layer racking means for storing pipe sections on said rack means in multiple layers.

Claim 23

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 16 wherein said holding means includes: a. longitudinal drive means extending longitudinally along said holding means; b. powering means for advancing said drive means longitudinally along said holding means; and c. pipe drive means connected with said drive means and engageable with a pipe section in said holding means for controlling longitudinal movement of said last mentioned pipe section along said holding means.

Claim 24

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections ontO and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed.

Claim 25

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections ontO and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed.

Claim 26

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 18 wherein said powered elevating means includes a third-order lever powered by a fluid driven piston and cylinder assembly whereby a relatively large lifting movement is effected at the lifting end of said lever for a smaller movement of said piston and cylinder assembly.

Claim 27

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 19 wherein said pipe handling means further includes pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating pipe sections relative to said holding means and said rack means.

Claim 28

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 18 wherein said rack means includes multiple layer racking means for storing pipe sections on said rack means in multiple layers.

Claim 29

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 18 wherein said pipe handling means further includes pipe rotating means for imparting a rotary motion to a pipe section in said holding means.

Claim 30

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections whle said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick, said powered elevating means including a third-order lever powered by a fluid driven piston and cylinder assembly whereby relatively large lifting movement is effected at the lifting end of said lever for a smaller movement of said piston and cylinder assembly; f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed; g. pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating pipe sections relative to said holding means and said rack means, wherein: i. said pipe lift means includes vertically movable lift heads engageable with a pipe section on said rack means; and ii. said lift heads include adjustable, iNclined surface means for rolling pipe sections carried on said heads toward or away from said holding means.

Claim 31

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections whle said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick, said powered elevating means including a third-order lever powered by a fluid driven piston and cylinder assembly whereby relatively large lifting movement is effected at the lifting end of said lever for a smaller movement of said piston and cylinder assembly; f. means for preventing said holding means from tilting except while said holding means is substantially horizontally disposed; g. pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating pipe sections relative to said holding means and said rack means, wherein: i. said pipe lift means includes vertically movable lift heads engageable with a pipe section on said rack means; and ii. said lift heads include adjustable, iNclined surface means for rolling pipe sections carried on said heads toward or away from said holding means.

Claim 32

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating one or more pipe sections relative to said holding means; wherein: i. said pipe lift means includes vertically movable lift heads engageable with a pipe section on said rack means; and ii. said lift heads include adjustable, inclined surface means for rolling pipe sections carried on said heads toward or away from said holding means.

Claim 33

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating one or more pipe sections relative to said holding means; wherein: i. said pipe lift means includes vertically movable lift heads engageable with a pipe section on said rack means; and ii. said lift heads include adjustable, inclined surface means for rolling pipe sections carried on said heads toward or away from said holding means.

Claim 34

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 24 wherein: a. said lift means include a plurality of fluid driven piston and cylinder assemblies disposed between said holding means and said rack means; and b. each of said lift head means has an inclined top surface which is engageable with pipe on said rack means and is rotatably mounted on said assemblies whereby said head means may be rotated to position said inclined surface for rolling pipe sections supported by said lift heads in the direction of inclination of said top surface.

Claim 35

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating one or more pipe sections relative to said holding means, said pipe handling means further including pipe rotating means in addition to the well drilling means employed in said drilling derrick for imparting a rotary motion to a pipe section in said holding means.

Claim 36

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horizontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; f. pipe lift means disposed adjacent said rack means and said holding means for elevating one or more pipe sections relative to said holding means, said pipe handling means further including pipe rotating means in addition to the well drilling means employed in said drilling derrick for imparting a rotary motion to a pipe section in said holding means.

Claim 37

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horiZontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. pipe rotating means in addition to the well drilling means employed in said drilling derrick for imparting a rotary motion to a pipe section in said holding means.

Claim 38

A pipe handling system for moving pipe between horiZontal storage racks and a well drilling derrick comprising: a. rack means for receiving and storing a plurality of pipe sections in substantially a horizontal position; b. pipe handling means disposed adjacent said rack means for moving pipe sections onto and off of said rack means and for moving said pipe sections between said rack means and said derrick; c. elongate, pipe holding means included in said handling means for holding one or more pipe sections while said pipe sections are being moved between said rack means and said derrick, said holding means being pivoted at its first end and having its second end disposed adjacent said derrick; d. tilt means included with said handling means for effecting tilting movement of said holding means about a longitudinal axis for ejecting pipe sections from said holding means; e. powered elevating means engageable with connection means carried adjacent said second end of said pipe holding means for raising and lowering said second end to thereby pivot said holding means about said first end between a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position at which said second end is proximate the floor of said derrick; and f. pipe rotating means in addition to the well drilling means employed in said drilling derrick for imparting a rotary motion to a pipe section in said holding means.

Claim 39

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 27 wherein said pipe rotating means furhter includes rotatable, internal unthreaded pipe gripping means for engaging the internal surface of a pipe section to impart said rotary motion to said engaged pipe section.

Claim 40

A pipe handling system as defined in claim 28 further including pipe retaining means for holding one pipe section in said holding means stationary while said rotating means rotates a second pipe section relative to said held pipe section.