BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for handling tubular goods such as pipe, casing, collars, etc. and for transferring such tubular goods between a drilling rig and a pipe rack. It relates more particularly to a pipe handling apparatus which can be easily disassembled, transported between drilling rig sites and reassembled at the new site.

In the prior art there are various methods and devices for lifting and moving pipe to and from pipe racks and an elevated drilling rig floor. One of such methods simply attaches a wire cable to the pipe and then the cable is lifted by a hydraulic winch which is typically mounted on a truck parked near the rig. Cranes and hydraulic driven chains have also been used to lift and move the pipe. As these heavy lengths of pipe impact against the different chain-driven mechanisms, the chains were caused to "jump" or tear the sprockets or the chain. Pipe transferred by these methods can be dropped on personnel or equipment below causing severe injury and damage inasmuch as the pipe can weigh thousands of pounds and often must be lifted to heights of forty feet or more. Additionally, if the pipe is dropped or banged against other structure, or even if it contacts the device in accordance with ^" its operating mode, the threaded ends can be damaged or the pipe bent.

Inclined troughs for the transfer of pipe have also been used wherein the pipe is frictionally slid along the trough surface. This action often causes excessive wear on pipe especially the threaded ends which must be protected from such wear. It was thus often necessary to keep the metal thread protector on as the pipe was moved along the trough for removal when the pipe was on the

drilling rig platform. This necessary care of the threads and pipe ends creates an extra step in the installation of the pipe or other tubular in the hole resulting in a longer cycle time.

The prior devices, especially when designed for onshore operations, should be easily disassembled, moved to the flatbed of a truck positioned nearby, driven to another drilling rig site, unloaded from the truck to the proper position and reassembled. In the past this operation has been complicated and time-consuming. Frequently the truck cannot be positioned parallel to the catwalk because the pipe racks are in the way or because of other site logistic problems. Thus the truck must be parked parallel to one end of the catwalk. Additional cranes had to be supplied to lift and position the heavy, cumbersome devices. The devices had protruding portions which had to be completely disassembled and reassembled at the new site. In some instances these problems proved to be too burdensome and the devices were just left at the drilling rig site for the entire drilling cycle requiring separate individual devices for each site.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for transferring tubular goods between a pipe rack and the floor of a drilling rig, especially for use with onshore rigs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handling apparatus having a carriage which moves pipe in a trough wherein the carriage is able to absorb pipe impact forces without damaging the pipe ends or the carriage drive system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handling apparatus which can be readily moved to and from a flatbed truck and a catwalk without requiring a crane or similar hoisting machinery.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handling apparatus which can be quickly prepared for transport to a new site and rapidly set up for operation there.

Another object is to provide a pipe handling apparatus that has an improved automatic pipe feeder which can absorb pipe impact forces with minimal damage to the feeder chain drive system.

A further object is to provide a pipe handling apparatus which can automatically transfer pipe from the pipe racks to the drilling rig with a short cycle time.

A still further object is ^' to provide a pipe handling apparatus that brings the pipe end close to the center of the drilling rig and at a working level low enough to enable elevators to be used directly for handling the pipe whereby the initial step of handling the pipe with cable hoists is eliminated.

Another object is to provide a pipe handling apparatus requiring a minimum of additional support equipment at each drilling site.

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A further object is to provide a pipe handling apparatus requiring a minimum of manual handling of the pipe as the pipe is moved between the pipe racks and the drilling rig thus eliminating risk of bodily injury and minimizing the need for working crews on the catwalk and pipe racks.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the present invention in use at a drilling rig site.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the stationary trough of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the stationary trough of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 further illustrating the carriage and chain drive.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line β-β in Figure 3; the legs are shown in phantom lines in their folded position.

Figure 7 is a view-similar to that of Figure 6 illustrating another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 7-7 of Figure 10.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Figure 3; the dump trough portion is shown in phantom lines in its tilted position.

Figure 9 is an end elevational view as seen from line 9-9 in Figure 3.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the stationary trough similar to that of Figure 3 further illustrating the position of the chain drive shock absorber and the carriage of Figure 22.

Figure 11 is a view similar to that of ^' Figure 6 illustrating another embodiment of the present invention shown in relation to the pipe racks of Figure 1; the legs are shown in phantom lines in their upper position.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of one of the legs of Figure 1.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the legs of Figure 1 showing the leg in the extended position.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view similar to that of Figure 14 showing the leg being folded.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view similar to that of Figure 14 showing the leg in the folded position.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the hinge assembly portion of the leg of Figure 14.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 18 showing the hinge assembly when the leg is in the folded position.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carriage drive assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 21 is a top plan view of the shock absorber of the assembly of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of Figure 21.

Figure 23 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the carriage shock absorber assembly of Figure 20. -

Figure 24 is an enlarged perspective view of the carriage of Figure 20.

Figure 25 is a front plan view of the carriage of Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a side elevational view of an another embodiment'of the present invention showing a carriage similar to that of Figure 26 and further illustrating the chain drive connection.

Figure 28 is a front elevational view of the carriage of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a side elevational view of the assembly for lifting and lowering the end of the movable trough of Figure 1.

Figure 30 is a bottom plan view of the system of Figure 29.

Figure 31 is a top plan view of the lower end of the movable trough of Figure 1.

Figure 32 is a side elevational view of the movable trough of Figure 1 illustrating the clamping device.

Figure 33 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic system for operating the system of Figure 29 and the clamps of Figures 1 and 32.

Figure 34 is a side plan view of the vertical mast of Figure 29 illustrating a preferred embodiment wherein the upper portion of the mast can be folded level with the stationary trough of Figure 2.

Figure 35 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1 illustrating the pivotal and dragging movement of the apparatus onto and off of a vehicle flatbed positioned adjacent the apparatus.

Figure 36 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 36-36 of Figure 35.

Figure 37 is a fragmentary bottom schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the movable trough of Figure 1 illustrating its bucket chain drive system.

Figure 38 is a side elevational view of the lower end of the movable trough of Figure 37 illustrating the bucket arms in the open position.

Figure 39 is a perspective view of the superstructure of the bucket assembly of Figure 38.

Figure 40 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 39 illustrating the bucket arms in the closed position.

Figure 41 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the latching mechanism of the movable trough of Figure 38.

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Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 42-42 in Figure 41.

Figure 43 is a fragmentary top plan view taken along line 43-43 in Figure 38 illustrating the bucket arms in the open position.

Figure 44 is a view similar to that of Figure 43 but of the other side of the movable trough and illustrating the bucket arms in the closed position.

Figure 45 is a fragmentary, partially broken away view of the bell crank assembly taken generally along line 45-45 of Figure 43.

Figure 46 is a partially broken away side eleva¬ tional view of a preferred embodiment of the carriage of Figure 24 illustrating the positioning of a length of pipe on the movable trough of Figure 38, the superstructure of the bucket arrangement of Figure 38 for clarities' sake has been omitted.

Figure 47 is a partially broken away top plan view of the carriage of Figure 46.

Figure 48 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic system for operating the apparatus of Figure 1 further including the embodiment of Figure 37.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION General Description

The present apparatus includes a stationary trough supported on a frame resting on a catwalk. The catwalk is positioned below and adjacent to a drilling rig platform. A movable trough for transporting pipe is supported on the drilling rig at one end and at the other end is caused to move vertically between a pair of masts. The masts are positioned on opposite sides of the stationary trough that transports pipe to and from the movable trough. When the movable trough is in the "down" position between the masts, the troughs are in operative proximity and pipe may be transferred between the two troughs. A pipe end carriage moves in the stationary trough and pushes pipe onto the movable trough when it is in the "down" position.

In one embodiment, -clamps or similar holding devices grasp the pipe in the movable trough and hold it as the movable trough moves between the masts to the "up" position. At this stage hoist cables or equivalent means are connected to the pipe, the clamps are released and the pipe lifted or slid onto the rig. To remove pipe from the rig the pipe is placed on the movable trough when it is in the "up" position and the clamps clamped. The movable trough is moved down to the stationary trough and the clamps released. The pipe is caught by the aforementioned carriage which carefully lowers the pipe onto the stationary trough.

_A lternatively, and where it is feasible, the movable trough can be left in the "down" position. The pipe will then be placed in or taken from the inclined trough by hoist cables or similar means. If the clamps are not used when the pipe is slid from the rig floor onto the movable trough when in the "down" position, greater possibly damaging impact forces are exerted on the carriage and on the pipe.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes a bucket arrangement instead of the clamps which supports and moves the pipe along the movable trough. Hoist assemblies on the drilling rig and clamps are no longer needed. The bucket includes a pipe support portion and a series of pairs of arms mounted perpendicularly to the support portion and that open to allow the pipe to travel between the troughs and close to grasp the end of the pipe for movement along the movable trough. The car¬ riage in this embodiment on the stationary trough has pusher arms that push the pipe onto the "open" bucket in the movable trough where it is held by a latch mechanism in the bottom of the movable trough. As the chain drive pulls the bucket up the movable trough the latch mechanism is released and the bucket arms close in one smooth quick operation. The pipe held b -the bucket and bucket arms then is pulled to the drilling rig.

Pipe racks are positioned on opposite sides of the stationary trough. Two pair of legs extending on opposite sides of the stationary trough and spaced apart are provided. These legs have pipe cradling lugs on either side that move up and down the legs. A length of pipe is held by the two lugs of the two legs on one side of the apparatus and is moved along the legs and thus between the pipe racks and the stationary trough. Alternatively, the legs themselves may be pivoted between pipe loading and unloading positions. The stationary trough at its pipe loading location includes a dump trough portion that tilts to move pipe between the pipe cradling lugs and the stationary trough.

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Detailed Description

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated an apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention shown generally at 50 for handling pipe P and other tubulars. This apparatus generally includes a main support frame 52 shown positioned on a catwalk C, a stationary trough 54 having ends 56 and 58 mounted on and supported by support frame 52, and a movable trough 60 supported at one end 62 on drilling rig D and at the other end 64 by a pair of masts 66, 66. Masts 66, 66 are mounted on opposite sides of stationary trough end 56. A mast drive system shown generally at 68 causes movable trough end 64 to move vertically between masts 66, 66. When end 64 is in a "down" position, stationary trough 54 and movable trough 60 are in operable proximity so that pipe P may slide from one trough to the other.

The operation of the mast drive system, as best shown in Figures 29 and 30, includes a hydraulically actuated cylinder assembly whose rod 68a pushes a cross-bar 68b up and down between masts 66 , 66. Cross-bar 68b pulls chains 68c and 68d as rod 68a is extended and these chains are attached to end 64 of movable trough 60. Further details are found in commonly-owned U.S. application Serial No. 192,495, filed September 30, 1980, and corresponding PCT application, Serial No. 81/01322 filed September 30, 1981, which disclosures are hereby incorporated in their entirety. As end 64 is moved vertically up, movable trough end 62 is slid further onto drilling rig D whereby the pipe will be positioned closer to the center of the rig and at a lower, more accessible, working level. Referring to Figure 33, the hydraulic system shown generally at 69 for operating the cylinder assembly comprises an oil reservoir 69a, a pump 69b, a four way directional control valve 69c and appropriate flow lines.

The invention further includes a carriage 70 positioned in stationary trough 54 which grasps one end of pipe P and pushes the other end onto movable trough 60 when in the lowered position. The carriage also catches the pipe as it slides down movable trough 60 and then controls the movement of the pipe down into stationary trough 54. Thus carriage 70 driven by a carriage drive system slides along the length of the trough, as best shown in Figures 3, 6 and 10, moving pipe P along with it. The carriage drive system includes an endless chain 71 attached to carriage 70 at opposite ends thereof. Chain 71 runs in chain tube 72 around a series of sprockets and is driven by a motor 73 having a hydraulically-driven reducer 74a and drive shaft 74b, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. Further disclosure details relating to the drive system are found in the previously-mentioned applications.

Clamps 75, as shown in Figures 1 and 32, firmly hold pipe P in movable trough 60 as it moves up and down between the masts and then release the pipe so that it may be transferred either to stationary trough 54 or drilling rig D. Clamps 75 comprise a pair of hydraulically actuated arms pivotally attached on opposite sides of the movable trough as shown in Figures 1 and 32 and in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Serial No. 192,477, filed September 30, 1980, whose contents are hereby incorporated in their entirety, as well as in the previously-incorporated PCT application. An appropriate hydraulic circuit for the arms is shown generally at 75a and 75b in Figure 33.

Pipe racks R, R are positioned on either side of catwalk C and as shown in Figures 1 and 6 comprise a pair of elongated triangular-shaped structures. However, any suitable pipe racks may be used. Pipe loading mechanisms 76 and 78, located on opposite sides of the stationary trough, lift and lower the pipe between pipe racks R, R and stationary trough 54. Stationary trough 54 includes a dump trough portion 80 in a middle section of the stationary

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trough which tilts to load and unload pipe, as best shown in Figures 2 and 8. The inclined pipe engaging surfaces 82, 82 are caused to tilt by the actuating of two pair of pivotally-mounted, hydraulically-actuated cylinder assemblies, one pair 84 of which is shown in Figure 8 positioned at opposite ends of dump trough portion 80. This is more fully described in the previously mentioned and incorporated U.S. and PCT applications.

Pipe P, as earlier explained, slides down movable trough 60 into stationary trough 54 where it impacts and is held by carriage 70. The present invention provides for a shock absorbing system shown generally at 88 in Figures 10 and 20 to 23 to absorb these forces.

As best shown in Figure 20, a first embodiment of system 88 includes fore and aft sprockets, 90 and 92, over which endless chain 71 rides_■ A third sprocket 94 is positioned between and beneath the fore and aft sprockets and the chain engages the lower portion of the third sprocket. Third sprocket 94 is rotatably attached to one end of a bell crank 96. Bell crank 96 is pivotally attached at its fulcrum point 97 to a bracket 98 mounted on main support frame 52. A shock absorber 100, as best shown in Figures 21 and 22, is pivotally connected at one end by a pin 101 to the second end of bell crank 96. Shock absorber 100 is pivotally connected at its second end to a shock absorber bracket 102 with ears 103a and 103b which is mounted on main support frame 52 as best shown in Figure 20.

Referring to Figures 21 and 22 the details of the shock absorber are illustrated. Shock absorber 100 generally includes a series of alternating rubber 105 and metal 106 donut shaped portions with metal plates 108 and 110 at each end. Bell crank connecting rod 112 is slidably positioned through holes in plates 108 and 110 and through the donut shaped portions and is secured by nut 114. Bracket rods 116 and 118 pass through both of the plates from the opposite direction as crank connecting

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rod 112 and are secured at one end each by nuts 120 and 122 respectively. The nuts can be turned to obtain the desired shock absorber elasticity. At the other ends, the bracket rods 116 and 118 are slidable in plate 110 and are formed with enlargements having bores 123a and 123b that are pivotally secured to their respective ears 103a and 103b by pins 123c, as shown in Figure 20.

Thus as pipe P impacts the carriage, the chain is jolted putting upward forces on the third sprocket. Bell crank 96 is pivoted about its fulcrum 97 causing the second end to pivot out, i.e., away from the shock absorber. As best shown in Figure 21 the plates are thereby forced together. The amount of shock absorbed, i.e., the amount the plates compress, is dependent upon the elastic properties of the alternating rubber segments 105 and the amount they have been prestressed by plates 108 and 110 through their adjustable nuts 120 and 122.

Figure 23 shows a second embodiment of shock absorbing system 88. A link member 124 is used instead of bell crank 96 as previously described. Link member 124 has one end rotatably connected at 125 to the third sprocket 94 and is pivotally connected at the second end at 130 to mounting plate 126 secured to main support frame 52. Shock absorber 100 is disposed in a generally vertical position to enable connecting rod 112 to be pivotally connected at 128 to a middle section of link member 124 and pivotally mounted at the other end at 131 to extension plate 131a secured to main support frame 52. Thus when the pipe impacts the carriage, the chain forces the third sprocket upwardly. Link member 124 rotates clockwise about mounting plate- 126 pulling the connecting rod 112 of the shock absorber upwardly. The shock absorber, as previously described, then dampens these impact forces.

Referring to Figures 24-26, carriage 70 generally includes a floor 132, a vertical striker plate 134, and a depending spine 136 which is attached to the underside of the floor along its centerline. As shown in Figure 5, the carriage 70 is located with spine 136 positioned in the elongated slot 138 of stationary trough 54 with two pair of wheels 140 and 142 rotatably mounted to spine 136 and depending below slot 138. The wheels are so positioned that they run the length of slot 138 in a channel 144 attached to support frame 52 below stationary trough 54. The wheels are conventional self-lubricating, sealed-bearing wheels. Floor 132 of the carriage includes two metal plates welded in a flattened V shape whereby the carriage conforms to and can travel in the stationary trough. A layer of die rubber 148 is placed on floor' 132 to frictionally control pipe P as it slides onto carriage 70 and to absorb vertical forces exerted on floor 132. A layer 150 of abrasion resistant material such as "Delrin", a linear polyoxy ethylene type acetal resin, is fastened to the forward edge of the floor. Layer 150 is wedge-shaped forming a ramp-like surface 152 so that the pipe can easily slide onto floor 132. To further slow the pipe as it slides onto the carriage a series of cuts 154 are made in the rubber surface adjacent layer 150. Vertical striker plate 134 also has a layer 156 of the same material as layer 150 attached to it to protect the threaded ends of the pipes as they impact the plate. A further design for the carriage is shown in Figures 27 and 28 which further illustrates the connection of endless chain 71 to carriage 70. This design omits the use of wheels 140, 142 and simply enlarge the spine 136 as at 157 for sliding movement within channel 144. As an alternate embodiment to the mast 66,66 shown in Figure 29, Figure 34 illustrates a folding capability for these masts. Referring to Figure 34, each mast 66 includes two parallel tubular members 158 and 160 mounted on support frame 52 and having connecting members 162. Each of the

masts are severed at the level of the upper edge of stationary trough 54 forming upper portions 164 and lower portions 165 so that they may be easily disassembled for transport. Lower connecting plate 166 is mounted on the outside of the masts below the juncture of the upper and lower portions 164, 165 and upper connecting plate 168 is mounted above the juncture. A similar pair of plates is mounted on the inside of the masts. Each of the plates 166 and 168 has a pair of eyelets 170 and 172 which registers with the adjoining plate's eyelets. A hinge pin 173 passes through eyelets 172 allowing the masts to be folded parallel with the stationary trough. When the masts are vertical' a locking pin 176 is inserted through eyelets 170 and a cotter pin inserted in the locking pin to hold the locking pin in place. The cotter pins and then the connecting pins are removed when upper mast portions 164 are to be folded down.

Brackets 180 and 182 are mounted on the upper and lower portions respectively of mast 66, 66 as shown in Figure 34. Brackets 180 and .182 have a pad eye, 184 and 186 respectively, through which opposite ends of hydraulic cylinder 188 are pivotally mounted. Thus, as the phantom lines in Figure 34 show, the upper mast portions are brought to a folded position about pin 173 when the cylinder is retracted and are brought to a vertical position when the piston is extended.

Pipe loading mechanisms 76 and 78 as best shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7 include two pair of legs 190a and 190b and 192a and 192b. Each leg has a pipe cradling lug as best shown in Figure 6 at 194 and 196 for legs 190a and 190b respectively. The lugs on opposing legs are connected by a single drive chain 198. So as one lug travels up its associated leg, the other lug travels down its leg. The chain travels over idler sprockets 200, 202, 204 and 206 and is driven by drive sprockets 208. Drive sprocket 208 is driven by drive shaft 210.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 10, drive shaft

210 also drives the lugs on legs 192a and 192b. The legs are spaced so that the lugs can grasp opposite ends of a length of pipe P. The lugs are spaced and timed so that they carry pipe in a level even manner.

As the pipe impacts the lugs the chain can "jump" sprockets of the invention of Figure 6 and thus the lugs can become misaligned. The pipe then tends to slide off the lugs or not be deposited properly on either the pipe rack or the stationary trough. Thus, the alternate embodiment of Figure 7 includes idler sprockets 211a and 211b mounted on main support frame 52 which provide additional sprocket-chain contact preventing the chain from "jumping".

Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention shown generally at 212. A pair of arms 212a and 212b are pivotally connected to main support frame 52. A hydraulic cylinder 212c is pivotally secured at one end to an ear 212d secured to the horizontal frame member 212e forming a part of main support frame 52 and at the other end to ear 212f of arm 212a.

As best shown in Figures 11 and 12 each arm 212a and 212b comprises an I-beam shaped member 212g pivotally secured to the frame and a two piece bar extension 212h, 212h positioned on opposite sides of the flange portion of the I-beam. The bar extensions 212h, 212h are secured to the I-beam by pins 212j or bolts or other similar removable means. The present invention includes the use of different lengths of bar extensions 212h for the arms so that the arms may engage pipe P at different levels of pipe rack R. The bar extensions 212h include a transversely angled foot 212k which allows the pipe to be cradled as it travels between its lower and its upper positions (as shown in phantom lines in Figure 11) . A the hydraulic cylinder is actuated and the cylinder rod 212m is extended the arm is caused to pivot to its upper position. The present

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invention also contemplates disconnecting the hydraulic cylinder from ear 212f on arm 212a and connecting it to an ear 212f on the other arm 212b in order to transfer pipe on the pipe rack on the opposite side of frame 52. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a second, hydraulic cylinder (not shown) to be permanently attached to the arm 212b in the manner described for arm 212a. Instead of the coupling of the different length extensions, an arm having length-telescoping features (not shown) can be used.

The present invention also provides for a mechanism for folding the pivotally attached legs up against the apparatus for easier transport, as shown in phantom lines in Figure 6. The hinge mechanism shown generally at 213 for connecting the upper and lower leg portions 214 and 216 is best-shown in Figures 14-19. Two pair of hinge plates 218 and 220 are mounted to the upper end of the lower leg portion 216. Each of the plates has holes that are in alignment and through which a shaft 222 is inserted. A similar structure is found on the adjoining end of the upper leg using hinge plates 224 and 226. Links 228 and 230 having openings at opposite ends are positioned between each of the pairs of hinge plates and shafts 222 and 232 pass through the holes whereby the links may rotate about the shafts. Appropriate hinge pins and washers hold the plates around the links providing a sandwich action to prevent the links from sliding along the shafts. The leg 190b may then fold back about the pivotal attachment at 234 to crossbar 52a of main support frame 52. Braces 236, 236 are mounted transversely on the legs to provide additional structural support for the legs.

The lifting and pivoting assembly 238 is best shown in Figures 35 and 36. A horizontal support plate 240 is secured to support frame 52, with angled braces 241 being provided therefor between frame 52 and support plate 240 which is spaced a vertical distance above the bottom 52b of

support frame 52. A hydraulic cylinder 244 is securely mounted on top of support plate 240 and has its rod 245 pass through a hole 242 in support plate 240. The end of the rod 245 is shaped in the form of a ball 246 that is rotatably held in a socket 249 in support foot 250. Foot 250 is welded to a lift plate 251 having a substantial surface area sufficient to spread the weight of the apparatus being supported.

Thus, as best shown in Figure 35, a flatbed truck T carrying the pipe handling apparatus 50 is driven up to the drilling rig site but because of the prepositioned pipe racks R and catwalk C and other site logistics the truck must be parked perpendicular to the catwalk. Hydraulic cylinder 244 is activated and rod 245 is extended pushing against lift plate 251 thereby raising apparatus 50. So that the apparatus may be lifted entirely without tilting, the cylinder 244 and lift plate 240 should be located at the longitudinal center of gravity of the apparatus.

Once in the lifted position on truck T, apparatus 50 is pivoted about ball 246 until it is in alignment with catwalk C. Rod 245 is then retracted and the apparatus lowered to again be supported by frame bottom 52b resting on the truck T. Thereafter, winch cables are attached to the support frame and a winch W positioned at the drilling rig end of catwalk C is operated whereby the apparatus is dragged onto the catwalk. A similar procedure with a winch (not shown) mounted on truck T can drag the apparatus back onto the truck. The rod extended, the apparatus lifted and pivoted into position on the flatbed of the truck, and the rod retracted in order to lower the apparatus on the flatbed. The support frame may include skids or other suitable structure to aid in the dragging operation.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a bucket assembly shown generally at 252 in Figures 38-40 having a series of pairs of vertically disposed arms

256 to control the movement of pipe P along movable trough 60. In this embodiment clamps 75 are not used; rather, bucket assembly 252 prevents pipe P from sliding out of movable trough 60 as the trough moves up and down between masts 66 , 66. In addition to holding the pipe in the trough, assembly 252 slides the pipe along movable trough 60. As best shown in Figures 41, 42 and 45, a latch mechanism shown generally at 254 is positioned along the centerline of end 64 for holding pipe P in movable trough 60. Figures 46 and 47 illustrate the push beam assembly shown generally at 258 of a preferred embodiment of carriage 70 pushing pipe P onto movable trough end 64 where it is held by latch mechansim 254 in movable trough 60.

Referring to Figure 37, the routing of the drive chains is shown. Primary reduction chains which are shown at 260 and 262 are driven by.a hydraulic motor (not shown) . Bucket drive chains at 264 and 266 are driven by gears (not shown) which are driven by the primary reduction chains 260 and 262. Equalizer chain 268 ensures equal and parallel movements of bucket drive chains 264 and 266. Bucket assembly 252 is attached to the drive chains on both sides of movable trough 60 by chain attachment brackets 270, 270, as best shown- in Figure 38.

Latch cam plate 272, as best shown in Figures 38 and 41, is mounted on the outside of bucket assembly 252. As bucket assembly 252 is pulled along movable trough ^' 60, latch cam plate 272 with cam surface 273 engages the cam follower 274, which is mounted on the latch cam lever 276 of latch mechanism 254, pushing it down. Latch cam lever 276 is mounted on shaft 278 as shown in Figures 41 and 42. Latch lever weldments 280, 280 are also mounted on shaft 278 positioned on opposite sides of the centerline of the movable trough. Thus, as latch cam plate 272 forces cam lever 276 down, shaft 278 rotates clockwise and latch lever weldments 280, 280 are pivoted with the shaft. The weldments are provided with registering slots 282 along

which lever shaft 284 slides. Lever shaft 284 is mounted in pipe latch plate 286. Plate 286 is rotatably mounted to latch shaft 288 at its other end and includes a triangular latch portion 290. Shaft 288 is mounted in latch housing weld ent 292 having an opening therethrough for latch plate 286. Thus, as latch lever weldments 280 are pivoted, as previously discussed, shaft 284 slides in slots 282 forcing pipe latch plate 286 down. When plate 286 is in its normal "up" position, latch portion 290 protrudes through an opening 281 along the center line of movable trough 60. As best shown in Figure 46 , triangular latch portion 290 is positioned so that its inclined surface 294 points down the movable trough toward the stationary trough. Thus pipe P may be slid from the stationary trough onto the movable trough whereby the pipe contacts inclined surface 294 forcing pipe latch plate 286 down. The pipe slides beyond latch portion 290 and pre-tensioned springs 296, 296, as best shown in Figure 42, force pipe latch plate 286 back up. Springs 296, 296 are each positioned between latch lever weldments 280, 280 and attached at their end to attachment member 296a on shaft 278 and at their other end to attachment member 296b which is connected between latch lever weldments 280, 280. In the "up" position the pipe is held in movable trough 60 by the vertical surface 297 of latch portion 290. Latch cam plate 272 is so positioned and configured that its latch portion is in the "up" position when bucket assembly 252 is at movable trough end 64 and is in the "down" position as bucket assembly 252 is pulled up movable trough 60 to allow the bucket to pass over it.' To allow pipe P to pass from movable trough 60 to stationary trough 54 the operator can cause latch portion 290 to be in the "down" position or latch cam plate 272 can cause latch portion 290 to be in the "down" position as the bucket assembly carrying the pipe passes over it.

Carriage 70 in the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 46 and 47 includes push beam assembly 258, which includes a pair of push beams 302 and 304 rotatably mounted at 307 on a pair of carriage pad eyes 306, 306. A pin tool cup 308 is pivotally mounted on opposed stub shafts 309, 309 between push beams 302 and 304 at their forward ends. When cup 308 engages pipe P in the stationary trough, the push beams are in a generally horizontal position. As the pipe is transferred between the two troughs, push beams 302 and 304 rotate about pad eye attachments at 307 and pin tool cup 308 rotates about stub shafts 309, 309.

Referring to Figures 38-40 and 43-45, bucket assembly 252 in addition to latch cam plate 272 includes a bucket portion 310 on which the pipe rests, a pair of bell crank assemblies 311, 311 positioned on either side of movable trough 60 and a series of vertically disposed pairs of arms 256, 256. The arms pivot between opened and closed positions about posts 314. Moving posts 316, as best shown in Figures 39, 40, 43 and 44, are pivotally attached to the arms and cause them to pivot about posts 314. Links 317 are each connected at one end to moving posts 316 and at the other to posts 318. Posts 318 are mounted by links 320 to bell crank assembly 311 so that as assembly 311 rotates, as described later, links 320 rotate, moving posts 318. Links 317 then move forcing moving posts 316 to rotate through the arm connection about posts 314 whereby the arms open and close.

Bell crank assemblies 311, 311 are positioned on opposite sides of and outside of movable trough 60. A cam follower 322 is positioned on an arm section 323 shown- in Figure 45 of the assembly disposed toward the sides of the movable trough. As best shown in Figures 43 and 44, a closing cam structure 324 and an opening cam structure 326 are spacedly mounted forming a cam slot 328 between them. Thus, as the bucket assembly is pulled along the movable trough, cam follower 322 is forced, along cam slot 328.

Bell crank assembly 311 is thus rotated by arm section 323 whereby links 320 are rotated and so forth. The broken away portion of Figure 45 shows the inner bearing connections of bell crank assembly 311. The lower end of bell crank shaft 311a includes bearing housing 311b, caged roller bearing assembly 311c, adjustable thrust race 311d, and collar 311e. As can also be seen, cam follower 322 is mounted on driver plate 311f.

Figure 46 is a schematic of the hydraulic system of the preferred embodiment and illustrates the pump assembly generally at 330, the mobilization-demobilization circuit 331 and the operational circuit 332. Pump assembly 330 includes a diesel engine 334, throttle control 336, pumps 338, reservoirs 340, pump unloading valve 342, pressure relief valve 344 and diverter valve 346. A jacking cylinder circuit 348, a winch circuit- 350, and a mast circuit 352 are situated on mobilization-demobilization circuit 331. Circuits for the tilt trough ^" 354, the high lift 356, the racking drive 358, the carriage drive 360, and the bucket drive 362 are included in operational circuit 332. The circuits include hydraulic cylinders 364, control valves 366, pumps 368, directional control valves 370, reservoirs 372 and appropriate flow lines.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present inventions which come within the province of those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the aforementioned inventions pertain. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the inventions be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.