Tubular gripping apparatus with locking mechanism
US8496238B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53943
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tubular gripping apparatus has a jaw assembly that has a tubular-contacting surface at an end thereof, a drive yoke that has a tubular-contacting surface at an end thereof, an actuator connected to the drive yoke, and a locking mechanism interconnected to the drive yoke. The drive yoke is connected to the jaw assembly. The actuator moves the jaw assembly and the drive yoke such that the tubular-contacting surfaces thereof move radially inwardly for a substantially identical distance. The locking mechanism directs a load away from the actuator while the jaw assembly and the drive yoke grip the tubular. The locking mechanism has a cylinder yoke positioned around the piston-and-cylinder assembly, and a wedge assembly positioned adjacent the bearing bar and the cylinder yoke. The wedge assembly is suitable for contacting the cylinder yoke so as to prevent a movement of the cylinder yoke.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.