Tool for making and breaking pipe joints

Claim 2

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and guide means carried by both of said jaws of each of said two gripping assemblies and operatively interfitting in a relation guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly when moved by said actuating means in both of two opposite rotary directions.

Claim 3

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about the grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement abut a first hinge axis between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes; and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement about a second hinge axis between open and closed positions; a power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; a first connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit to a perdetermined jaw of said firSt gripping assembly; a second connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit of said gripping assembly at essentially the location of said second hinge axis; and guide means carried by both of said jaws of each of said two gripping assemblies and operatively interfitting in a relation guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding to corresponding jaws of the other assembly when moved by said actuating means in both of two opposite rotary directions.

Claim 4

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about the grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement abut a first hinge axis between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes; and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement about a second hinge axis between open and closed positions; a power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; a first connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit to a perdetermined jaw of said firSt gripping assembly; a second connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit of said gripping assembly at essentially the location of said second hinge axis; and guide means carried by both of said jaws of each of said two gripping assemblies and operatively interfitting in a relation guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding to corresponding jaws of the other assembly when moved by said actuating means in both of two opposite rotary directions.

Claim 5

A tool as recited in claim 2, in which said guide means include interfitting essentially arcuate projection and groove means on corresponding jaws of the two gripping assemblies.

Claim 6

A tool as recited in claim 2, in whcih said actuating unit is a piston and cylinder mechanism.

Claim 7

A tool as recited in claim 2, including a second actuating unit connected to a jaw of said second gripping assembly and to said first gripping assembly at essentially said first hinge axis.

Claim 8

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; a frame structure extending essentially about said two gripping assemblies at a location near said hinge connections in a relation retaining said assemblies against relative axial separation; and two connectors each carried by a jaw of one gripping assembly and slidably engaging a jaw of the other gripping assembly at a location spaced farther then said frame from said hinge connections and in a relation assisting in retaining said assemblies against axial separation.

Claim 9

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; a frame structure extending essentially about said two gripping assemblies at a location near said hinge connections in a relation retaining said assemblies against relative axial separation; and two connectors each carried by a jaw of one gripping assembly and slidably engaging a jaw of the other gripping assembly at a location spaced farther then said frame from said hinge connections and in a relation assisting in retaining said assemblies against axial separation.

Claim 10

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including an arcuate projection carried by one of said jaws of one gripping assembly and slidably received and guided within an arcuate groove in a corresponding jaw of the other gripping assembly.

Claim 11

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including an arcuate projection carried by one of said jaws of one gripping assembly and slidably received and guided within an arcuate groove in a corresponding jaw of the other gripping assembly.

Claim 12

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed posiTions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a commn axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including a guide projection carried by a jaw of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting axially into an axially facing guide groove in a corresponding jaw of the other gripping assembly.

Claim 13

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed posiTions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a commn axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including a guide projection carried by a jaw of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting axially into an axially facing guide groove in a corresponding jaw of the other gripping assembly.

Claim 14

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary direction; said guide means including essentially arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting axially into axially facing essentially arcuate guide grooves in the jaws of the other gripping assembly.

Claim 15

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary direction; said guide means including essentially arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting axially into axially facing essentially arcuate guide grooves in the jaws of the other gripping assembly.

Claim 16

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adatped to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including a guide element which is carried by a jaw of one of said gripping assemblies, and which in one relative rotary positions of the gripping assemblies interfits with a predetermined correspondng jaw of the other gripping assembly, but not with a second jaw of said other assembly, and which guide element is movable into interfitting guiding relation with respect to said second jaw of said other gripping assembly upon relative rotary movement of the two assemblies about said axis.

Claim 17

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adatped to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including a guide element which is carried by a jaw of one of said gripping assemblies, and which in one relative rotary positions of the gripping assemblies interfits with a predetermined correspondng jaw of the other gripping assembly, but not with a second jaw of said other assembly, and which guide element is movable into interfitting guiding relation with respect to said second jaw of said other gripping assembly upon relative rotary movement of the two assemblies about said axis.

Claim 18

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of Said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and intefitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; each of said jaws of said first gripping assembly being circularly coextensive about said axis with a corresponding jaw of said second gripping assembly in a predetermined relative rotary position of the assemblies in which said jaws are free for opening and closing movement; said interfitting guide means including guide elements on the individual jaws each of which interfits only with the guide element of a corresponding jaw of the other gripping assembly when said assemblies are in said predetermined relative position, but moves circularly into interfitting relation with another non-corresponding jaw of said other gripping assembly when said two assemblies are turned about said axis to a different relative rotary positon.

Claim 19

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of Said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and intefitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; each of said jaws of said first gripping assembly being circularly coextensive about said axis with a corresponding jaw of said second gripping assembly in a predetermined relative rotary position of the assemblies in which said jaws are free for opening and closing movement; said interfitting guide means including guide elements on the individual jaws each of which interfits only with the guide element of a corresponding jaw of the other gripping assembly when said assemblies are in said predetermined relative position, but moves circularly into interfitting relation with another non-corresponding jaw of said other gripping assembly when said two assemblies are turned about said axis to a different relative rotary positon.

Claim 20

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said jaws of said first gripping assembly coextensive circularly with corresponding jaws respectively of said second gripping assembly when those assemblies are in a predetermined position in which said hinge connections are axially aligned and the jaws of the two assemblies are openable in unison; said guide means including arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting axially into arcuate grooves formed in the jaws of the other gripping assembly; each of said porjections being received within the groove of only a corresponding one of the jaws of the other gripping assembly when said assemblies are in said predetermined relative rotary position, but being movable arcuately into guided reception within the groove of a second of the jaws of said other gripping assembly upon relative rotation of the assemblies from said predetermined position.

Claim 21

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; and interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said jaws of said first gripping assembly coextensive circularly with corresponding jaws respectively of said second gripping assembly when those assemblies are in a predetermined position in which said hinge connections are axially aligned and the jaws of the two assemblies are openable in unison; said guide means including arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting axially into arcuate grooves formed in the jaws of the other gripping assembly; each of said porjections being received within the groove of only a corresponding one of the jaws of the other gripping assembly when said assemblies are in said predetermined relative rotary position, but being movable arcuately into guided reception within the groove of a second of the jaws of said other gripping assembly upon relative rotation of the assemblies from said predetermined position.

Claim 22

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement about a first hinge axis between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement about a second hinge axis between open and closed positions; a power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; a first connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit to a predetermined jaw of said first gripping assembly; a second connection for transmitting actuating force from said actuating unit to said second gripping assembly at essentialLy the location of said second hinge axis; and intefitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said assemblies and projecting axially into axially facing arcuate grooves in the jaws of the other gripping assembly in rotary guiding relation.

Claim 23

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement about a first hinge axis between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement about a second hinge axis between open and closed positions; a power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; a first connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit to a predetermined jaw of said first gripping assembly; a second connection for transmitting actuating force from said actuating unit to said second gripping assembly at essentialLy the location of said second hinge axis; and intefitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said guide means including arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said assemblies and projecting axially into axially facing arcuate grooves in the jaws of the other gripping assembly in rotary guiding relation.

Claim 24

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement about a first hinge axis between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement about a second hinge axis between open and closed positions; a first power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; a first connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit to a predetermined jaw of said first gripping assembly; a second connection for transmitting actuating force from said actuating unit to said second gripping assembly at essentially the location of said second hinge axis; interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said first actuating unit being a piston and cylinder mechanism having a cylinder connected by said first connection to a jaw of said first gripping assembly, and having a piston connected by said second connection to said second hinge connection; and a second piston and cylinder actuating unit having a cylinder connected to a jaw of said second gripping assembly and having a piston connected to said first hinge connection; said guide means including arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting into arcuate guiding grooves in the other of said gripping assemblies; each of said projections being received within a groove of only one corresponding jaw in a predetermined relative rotary position of the gripping assemblies in which said jaws are openable, and being movable into a groove of another jaw in a different relative rotary position of the assemblies.

Claim 25

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement about a first hinge axis between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement about a second hinge axis between open and closed positions; a first power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; a first connection for transmitting actuating force from said unit to a predetermined jaw of said first gripping assembly; a second connection for transmitting actuating force from said actuating unit to said second gripping assembly at essentially the location of said second hinge axis; interfitting guide means on the jaws of said two gripping assemblies guiding the jaws of one assembly for rotary movement relative to corresponding jaws of the other assembly in both of two opposite rotary directions; said first actuating unit being a piston and cylinder mechanism having a cylinder connected by said first connection to a jaw of said first gripping assembly, and having a piston connected by said second connection to said second hinge connection; and a second piston and cylinder actuating unit having a cylinder connected to a jaw of said second gripping assembly and having a piston connected to said first hinge connection; said guide means including arcuate projections formed on the jaws of one of said gripping assemblies and projecting into arcuate guiding grooves in the other of said gripping assemblies; each of said projections being received within a groove of only one corresponding jaw in a predetermined relative rotary position of the gripping assemblies in which said jaws are openable, and being movable into a groove of another jaw in a different relative rotary position of the assemblies.

Claim 26

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; a structure for supporting said gripping assemblies and including a support plate axially adjacent said second gripping assembly; means attaching said second hinge connection to said plate in a relation maintaining a hinge axis of said second hinge connection essentially fixed relative to said plate; and stop means on said plate for limiting the opening and closing swinging movement of said additional jaws relative to said plate and between open and closed positions; said plate being axially Adjacent and slidably engaged by the jaws of said second gripping assembly; said stop means including two arcuate guideways formed in said plate and centered about said axis of the second hinge connection, and lugs on said two jaws of the second gripping assembly slidably received in said guideways respectively to limit said swinging movement of said jaws.

Claim 27

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes, comprising: a first gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a first of said pipes, and including two jaws and a first hinge connection attaching said jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; a second gripping assembly adapted to extend about and grip a second of said pipes, and including two additional jaws and a second hinge connection attaching said additional jaws together for relative swinging movement between open and closed positions; power operated actuating means operable to exert force for turning one of said gripping assemblies relative to the other about a common axis to effect relative rotation between the pipes; a structure for supporting said gripping assemblies and including a support plate axially adjacent said second gripping assembly; means attaching said second hinge connection to said plate in a relation maintaining a hinge axis of said second hinge connection essentially fixed relative to said plate; and stop means on said plate for limiting the opening and closing swinging movement of said additional jaws relative to said plate and between open and closed positions; said plate being axially Adjacent and slidably engaged by the jaws of said second gripping assembly; said stop means including two arcuate guideways formed in said plate and centered about said axis of the second hinge connection, and lugs on said two jaws of the second gripping assembly slidably received in said guideways respectively to limit said swinging movement of said jaws.

Claim 28

A tool as recite in claim 15, including a frame connected to said plate and extending about both of said gripping assemblies and retaining said assemblies against movement relatively axially apart.

Claim 29

A tool as recited in claim 15, including a frame connected to said plate and extending about both of said gripping assemblies at a location near said hinge connections in a relation retaining said assemblies against movement relatively axially apart, and means retaining said assemblies against relative axial separation at a location farther than said frame from said hinge connections while permitting relative rotary movement of the gripping assemblies and opening and closing movement of the jaws.

Claim 30

A tool as recited in claim 15, including a frame connected to said plate and extending about both of said gripping assemblies at a location near said hinge connections in a relation retaining said assemblies against movement relatively axially apart, and two connectors each carried by a jaw of one gripping assembly and slidably engaging a jaw of the other gripping assembly at a location spaced farther than said frame from said hinge connections and in a relation assisting in retaining said assemblies against axial separation.

Claim 31

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes about an axis of said pipes, comprising: two gripping assemblies adapted to extend about and grip said two pipes respectively, and each including two jaws, a hinge connection attaching said jaws together pivotally near first ends thereof for relative swinging movement between a closed position in which second ends of said jaws are near one another and an open position in which said second ends are spaced apart far enough to pass a pipe therebetween, and latch means for retaining said second ends of the jaws in closed position; and a power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; each of said gripping assemblies having two movable pipe gripping die structures carried by the two jaws respectively of said assembly near said hinge connection therebetween, two powered operating units for actuating said die structures respectively radially inwardly and outwardly relative to said jaws by which they are carried and relative to siad pipe axis and between pipe gripping and released positions, and two additional gripping die elements carried by said two jaws respectively near said second ends thereof and essentially fixed against radial movement relative to the carrying jaws; said two radially movable die structures of a particular one of said gripping assemblies being spaced circularly from one another a distance which is smaller than the circular spacing between each of said radially movable die structures and said additional gripping die element carried by the same jaw.

Claim 32

A tool for effecting relative rotation between two threaded pipes about an axis of said pipes, comprising: two gripping assemblies adapted to extend about and grip said two pipes respectively, and each including two jaws, a hinge connection attaching said jaws together pivotally near first ends thereof for relative swinging movement between a closed position in which second ends of said jaws are near one another and an open position in which said second ends are spaced apart far enough to pass a pipe therebetween, and latch means for retaining said second ends of the jaws in closed position; and a power operated actuating unit for exerting force in opposite directions against said two gripping assemblies in a relation causing relative rotation between the pipes; each of said gripping assemblies having two movable pipe gripping die structures carried by the two jaws respectively of said assembly near said hinge connection therebetween, two powered operating units for actuating said die structures respectively radially inwardly and outwardly relative to said jaws by which they are carried and relative to siad pipe axis and between pipe gripping and released positions, and two additional gripping die elements carried by said two jaws respectively near said second ends thereof and essentially fixed against radial movement relative to the carrying jaws; said two radially movable die structures of a particular one of said gripping assemblies being spaced circularly from one another a distance which is smaller than the circular spacing between each of said radially movable die structures and said additional gripping die element carried by the same jaw.

Claim 33

A tool as recited in claim 19, in which said radially movable die structures have their centers spaced apart circularly approximately ninety degrees.