Power operated drill pipe tongs

Claim 2

Power operated tongs for making up or breaking apart pipe joints comprising an upper tong and a lower tong, means swivelly connecting the upper and lower tongs for relative angular movement, each of said tongs including a pair of opposed gripping jaws disposed in facing relation for gripping engagement with an upper and lower drill pipe joint, respectively, and power operated means interconnecting the upper and lower tongs for swivelling the tongs in relation to each other over a limited displacement angle whereby the drill pipe joints may be made up or broken apart, one of the gripping jaws on each of the tongs being supported on a movable door, the opposed gripping jaw on each tong being mounted on a tong body, first means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door to simultaneously move both ends of the door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body wherein each end of the door remains equidistant from the tong body for enlarging the distance between the jaws to enable the pipe joints to be moved through the tongs without disassembly of the tongs from the pipe, and second means for opening and pivoting said movable door to an open position to enable the pipe joints to be moved through the open door and placed into position between the gripping jaws or removed therefrom.

Claim 3

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 1 wherein said means swivelly connecting the upper and lower tongs includes a first partial ring secured to the upper tong body and a second partial ring secured to the lower tong body with interengaging flange means on each of the partial rings for enabling rotational movement of the tongs in relation to each other while preventing vertical movement.

Claim 4

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second partial rings are spaced apart a predetermined distance to allow the first partial ring to move toward and away from the second partial ring.

Claim 5

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined distance is one quarter of an inch.

Claim 6

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 1 wherein said power operated means for swivelling the tongs includes a power operated piston and cylinder assembly including a piston pivotally attached to one of the tongs and a piston rod pivotally connected to the other of the tongs in spaced relation to the swivel connection means thereby exerting rotational torque on the tongs for relative rotational movement during extension and retraction of the piston and cylinder assembly.

Claim 7

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 1 wherein each tong body and door are of plate-like construction with notches formed in adjacent edges for receiving the gripping jaws and drill pipe joints.

Claim 8

The power operated tongs of claim 1 wherein said power operated means for swivelling the tongs and said means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door are hydraulically operated.

Claim 9

The power operated tongs of claim 1 wherein said power operated means for swivelling the tongs and said means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door are pneumatically operated.

Claim 10

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door comprises a pair of power operated piston and cylinder assemblies mounted on each side of the tong body and connected on one side to a hinge slide pivotally connected to one end of the door and on the other side to a latch slide releasably connected to the other end of the door, said second means including a pivotal latch member connected at one end of the door to allow disengagement of one end of the door to enable the door to be swung to an open position for removal of the tongs from the drill pipe.

Claim 11

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 9 wherein said means swivelly connecting the upper and lower tongs includes a first partial ring secured to the upper tong body and a second partial ring secured to the lower tong body with interengaging flange means on each of the partial rings for enabling rotational movement of the tongs in relation to each other while preventing vertical movement.

Claim 12

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 10 wherein said power operated means for swivelling the tongs includes a power operated piston and cylinder assembly including a piston pivotally attached to one of the tongs and a piston rod pivotally connected to the other of the tongs in spaced relation to the swivel connection means thereby exerting rotational torque on the tongs for relative rotational movement during extension and retraction of the piston and cylinder assembly.

Claim 13

The power operated tong as defined in claim 11 wherein each tong body and door are of plate-like construction with notches formed in adjacent edges for receiving the gripping jaws and drill pipe joints.

Claim 14

Power operated tongs for making up or breaking apart pipe joints comprising an upper tong and a lower tong, means swivelly connecting the upper and lower tongs for relative angular movement, each of said tongs including a pair of opposed gripping jaws disposed in facing relation for gripping engagement with an upper and lower drill pipe joint, respectively, and power operated means interconnecting the upper and lower tongs for swivelling the tongs in relation to each other over a limited displacement angle whereby the drill pipe joints may be made up or broken apart, one of the gripping jaws on each of the tongs being supported on a movable door, the opposed gripping jaw on each tong being mounted on a tong body, and means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door to simultaneously move both ends of the door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for enlarging the distance between the jaws to enable the drill pipe joints to be moved through the tongs without disassembly of the tongs from the drill pipe, wherein said means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door comprises a pair of power operated piston and cylinder assemblies mounted on each side of the tong body and connected on one side to a hinge slide pivotally connected to one end of the door and on the other side to a latch slide releasably connected to the other end of the door, said door including a pivotal hinge member connected at one end of the door, and a hooked-shaped latch member connected to the latch slide to enable disengagement of one end of the door to enable the door to be swung to an open position for removal of the tongs from the drill pipe.

Claim 15

Power operated tongs for making up or breaking apart pipe joints comprising an upper tong and a lower tong, means swivelly connecting the upper and lower tongs for relative angular movement, each of said tongs including a pair of opposed gripping jaws disposed in facing relation for gripping engagement with an upper and lower drill pipe joint, respectively, and power operated means interconnecting the upper and lower tongs for swivelling the tongs in relation to each other over a limited displacement angle whereby the drill pipe joints may be made up or broken apart, one of the gripping jaws on each of the tongs being supported on a movable door, the opposed gripping jaw on each tong being mounted on a tong body, and means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door to simultaneously move both ends of the door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for enlarging the distance between the jaws to enable the drill pipe joints to be moved through the tongs without disassembly of the tongs from the drill pipe, wherein said means interconnecting the tong body and each end of the door comprises a pair of power operated piston and cylinder assemblies mounted on each side of the tong body and connected on one side to a hinge slide pivotally connected to one end of the door and on the other side to a latch slide releasably connected to the other end of the door, said door including a pivotal hinge member connected at one end of the door, and a hooked-shaped latch member connected to the latch slide to enable disengagement of one end of the door to enable the door to be swung to an open position for removal of the tongs from the drill pipe.

Claim 16

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween when the tong door is moved toward and away from the tong body, and first means interconnecting the tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint disposed therebetween, and second means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable a threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom.

Claim 17

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween when the tong door is moved toward and away from the tong body, and first means interconnecting the tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint disposed therebetween, and second means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable a threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom.

Claim 18

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween when the tong door is moved toward and away from the tong body, and means for moving the tong door comprising a pair of power operated cylinders interconnecting the tong body and tong door on opposite sides of the tong door for simultaneously moving portions of the tong door on opposite sides of the gripping means toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body with such movement enabling gripping of said member when said cylinders are contracted, wherein one end portion of the tong door is pivotally connected to the means for moving the tong door and the other end of the tong door is releasably connected to the means for moving the tong door, whereby the tong door can be disconnected and pivoted about its one end portion to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be gripped to be placed into a position between the gripping means or removed therefrom.

Claim 19

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween when the tong door is moved toward and away from the tong body, and means for moving the tong door comprising a pair of power operated cylinders interconnecting the tong body and tong door on opposite sides of the tong door for simultaneously moving portions of the tong door on opposite sides of the gripping means toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body with such movement enabling gripping of said member when said cylinders are contracted, wherein one end portion of the tong door is pivotally connected to the means for moving the tong door and the other end of the tong door is releasably connected to the means for moving the tong door, whereby the tong door can be disconnected and pivoted about its one end portion to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be gripped to be placed into a position between the gripping means or removed therefrom.

Claim 20

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 15 wherein said means for moving the tong door include a pair of hydraulically operated piston and cylinder assemblies interconnecting the tong body and tong door on opposite sides of the tong door, each piston and cylinder assembly including a cylinder attached to the tong body and a piston rod extending therefrom and received in a guide rigid with the tong body to mechanically retain the tong door in parallel relation to the tong body during its movement toward and away from the tong body.

Claim 21

The power operated body as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for releasably connecting the other end of the tong door to the means for moving the tong door includes a hook-shaped latch member on one of the piston rods and a pivotal latch member attached at the other end of the tong door and engageable by the hook-shaped latch member whereby the pivotal latch member may be disengaged and pivoted away from the hook-shaped latch member for releasing one end of the tong door.

Claim 22

The power operated tongs as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for releasably connecting the other end of said tong door to the means for moving the tong door includes a latch member having recesses on one of the piston rods and a pivotal latch member having projections at the other end of the tong door and engageable by the latch member wherein said pivotal latch member may be disengaged and pivoted away from said latch member for releasing one end of said tong door.

Claim 23

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, first means interconnecting said tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint therebetween, and latch and pivot means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom.

Claim 24

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, first means interconnecting said tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint therebetween, and latch and pivot means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom.

Claim 25

The power operated tong as defined in claimed 19 wherein said first means interconnecting the tong body and the tong door includes a pair of power operated piston and cylinder assemblies mounted on each side of the tong body, and said power operated tong includes an upper tong and a lower tong, and means swivelly connecting the upper and lower tongs, said power operated tong having a roller assembly for relieving stresses from said piston and cylinder assemblies when said power operated tong is making up or breaking apart a threaded joint while allowing said upper and lower tongs to swivel in relation to each other.

Claim 26

The power operated tong as defined in claim 20 wherein said roller assembly includes a roller attached to said lower tong and a member having a curved bearing surface attached to said upper tong, the roller riding on the curved bearing surface when the tongs are swivelled.

Claim 27

The power operated tong as defined in claim 19 wherein said tong includes means for preventing said tong door from being pivotally opened while said power operated tong is gripping a threaded pipe.

Claim 28

The power operated tong as defined in claim 22 wherein said prevention means includes a projection on said tong door opposite said latch means, and a U-shaped member on said tong body opposite said latch means, said projection fitting into said U-shaped member when said tong door is closed.

Claim 29

The power operated tong as defined in claim 19 wherein said power operated tong is mounted on a support member attached to a pedestal.

Claim 30

The power operated tong as defined in claim 24 wherein said pedestal includes a hydraulic lift cylinder for vertically raising and lowering said tong.

Claim 31

The power operated tong as defined in claim 25 wherein said pedestal includes means for rotating said tong about the vertical axis of said pedestal.

Claim 32

The power operated tong as defined in claim 25 wherein said power operated tong includes means for horizontally aligning said gripping means on the tong body and said gripping means on the tong door with said member disposed therebetween.

Claim 33

The power operated tong as defined in claim 27 wherein said horizontal alignment means comprises means for moving the tong body laterally relative to the direction of movement of the tong door toward and away from said tong body.

Claim 34

A power operated tong as defined in claim 28 wherein said horizontal alignment means includes a slide housing for mounting said tong.

Claim 35

The power operated tong as defined in claim 29 wherein said horizontal alignment means includes a hydraulic cylinder attached to said slide housing.

Claim 36

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, first means interconnecting said tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint therebetween, latch and pivot means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom and means for horizontally aligning said gripping means on the tong body and said gripping means on the tong door with said threaded joint disposed therebetween.

Claim 37

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, first means interconnecting said tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint therebetween, latch and pivot means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom and means for horizontally aligning said gripping means on the tong body and said gripping means on the tong door with said threaded joint disposed therebetween.

Claim 38

The power operated tong as defined in claim 31 wherein said means for horizontally aligning said gripping means with said threaded joint disposed therebetween includes a slide housing for mounting said tong and for moving said tong laterally in relation to the direction of movement of said tong door toward and away from said tong body.

Claim 39

The power operated tong as defined in claim 32 wherein said means for horizontally aligning said gripping means with said threaded joint disposed therebetween includes a hydraulic cylinder attached to said slide housing.

Claim 40

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, first means interconnecting said tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint therebetween, latch and pivot means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom, and means for vertically displacing said tong in relation to said member.

Claim 41

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, first means interconnecting said tong body and tong door for moving the tong door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body for engaging and disengaging said gripping means on a threaded joint therebetween, latch and pivot means for opening and pivoting one end of said tong door to an open position to enable the threaded joint to be placed into position between the gripping means or removed therefrom, and means for vertically displacing said tong in relation to said member.

Claim 42

The structure of claim 34 wherein said vertical displacement means comprises a hydraulic lift cylinder.

Claim 43

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, means for simultaneously moving both ends of the door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body wherein each end of the door remains equidistant from the tong body, means for swinging said door open about one end of said door pivotally attached to said tong body, means for vertically raising and lowering said power operated tong in relation to said member disposed therebetween, and means for horizontally aligning said power operated tong with said member disposed therebetween.

Claim 44

A power operated tong for use in making up or breaking apart a threaded joint comprising a tong body having a gripping means on one edge thereof, a tong door having a gripping means on one edge thereof disposed in spaced, aligned relation to the gripping means on the tong body for selectively gripping and releasing a threaded joint disposed therebetween, means for simultaneously moving both ends of the door toward and away from the tong body in parallel relation to the tong body wherein each end of the door remains equidistant from the tong body, means for swinging said door open about one end of said door pivotally attached to said tong body, means for vertically raising and lowering said power operated tong in relation to said member disposed therebetween, and means for horizontally aligning said power operated tong with said member disposed therebetween.