Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a uniform application of an appropriate quantity of pipe dope to the internal threads of a pipe. In general, the preferred apparatus includes a supply of pipe dope and a centrifugal applicator for evenly applying the pipe dope to internal threads. The system also includes a dosing system to regulate the distribution of pipe dope by dispensing a consistent volume of pipe dope at each application. Potential advantages of the preferred embodiments include the repeatability and consistency of amount of pipe dope on pipe threads (e.g. thickness).

Abstract: A hardness testing device for a bicycle tire has a body with a surface thereon, an arm having a protrusion extending outwardly of the surface, a spring cooperative with a portion of the arm for resisting movement of the protrusion inwardly of the body when the protrusion contacts a surface of the tire, and an indicator cooperative with the arm for providing a humanly perceivable indication of movement of the protrusion relative to a hardness of the tire. The arm is pivotally mounted in or on the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for moving an Iron Roughneck into position to allow making-up or breaking-out of threaded joints in a drill string. The apparatus may also be used to move other drilling equipment into position on the centerline of the well or at mouse holes. A self-balanced, dual synchronized parallelogram arm is utilized to accomplish the movement of the devices. Hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are used for extension and retraction of the arm rather than to support the tool. The arm may hold the tool in any position without cylinder assistance. The linkage in the synchronized parallelogram may be accomplished by gears, links, slots, or rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved drill pipe spinner. The improved spinner may be used as a stand-alone piece of pipe handling equipment or may be used in an Iron Roughneck. The spinner comprises a pair of clamping arms that are movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the arms will clamp about a pipe to be made up or broken out and in the open position, the spinner may be moved away from or towards the pipe. The arms are preferably moved between the open and closed positions by a hydraulically actuated clamping cylinder. Attached to the distal ends of each arm is a roller bracket. The roller brackets are preferably attached to the clamping arms by a roller bracket pin. Each roller bracket includes a pair of drive roller assemblies, which together form the spinning unit. Each drive roller assembly preferably comprises a pair of drive rollers, with each roller rotated by a pair of hydraulic motors.

Abstract: An insert for use in a gripping assembly is disclosed. The insert includes a base member having a plurality of gripping teeth. The teeth are arranged in at least two substantially adjacent rows, where at least one row of teeth is offset or staggered longitudinally from an immediately adjacent row of teeth. When the teeth engage a cylindrical member, a resistance profile is created that is substantially continuous and does not oscillate over a length of the insert approaching 100% of the length of the entire insert.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical apparatus for gripping and manipulating tubular members, such as drill pipe. The apparatus is essentially an automated slip puller, which generally comprises a slip base, a pulling mechanism pivotally attached to the slip base, and at least one cylinder or spring attached to the pulling mechanism. The entire apparatus is releasably connected to a rotary table located over a borehole. In a typical well drilling operation, the automated slip puller is attached to a slip assembly, which is thereafter placed around a drill pipe and positioned in the rotary table bushing. When the automated slip puller is activated, the pulling mechanism removes the slip assembly from the rotary table bushing and from around the drill pipe, thereby allowing the drill pipe to be manipulated in or out of the well bore. During operation, no portion of the automated slip puller is located outside the boundary of the rotary table.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved drill pipe spinner. The improved spinner may be used as a stand-alone piece of pipe handling equipment or may be used in an Iron Roughneck. The spinner comprises a pair of clamping arms that are movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the arms will clamp about a pipe to be made up or broken out and in the open position, the spinner may be moved away from or towards the pipe. The arms are preferably moved between the open and closed positions by a hydraulically actuated clamping cylinder. Attached to the distal ends of each arm is a roller bracket. The roller brackets are preferably attached to the clamping arms by a roller bracket pin. Each roller bracket includes a pair of drive roller assemblies, which together form the spinning unit. Each drive roller assembly preferably comprises a pair of drive rollers, with each roller rotated by a pair of hydraulic motors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for moving an Iron Roughneck into position to allow making-up or breaking-out of threaded joints in a drill string. The apparatus may also be used to move other drilling equipment into position on the centerline of the well or at mouse holes. A self-balanced, dual synchronized parallelogram arm is utilized to accomplish the movement of the devices. Hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are used for extension and retraction of the arm rather than to support the tool. The arm may hold the tool in any position without cylinder assistance. The linkage in the synchronized parallelogram may be accomplished by gears, links, slots, or rollers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a uniform application of an appropriate quantity of pipe dope to the internal threads of a pipe. In general, the preferred apparatus includes a supply of pipe dope and a centrifugal applicator for evenly applying the pipe dope to internal threads. The system also includes a dosing system to regulate the distribution of pipe dope by dispensing a consistent volume of pipe dope at each application. Potential advantages of the preferred embodiments include the repeatability and consistency of amount of pipe dope on pipe threads (e.g. thickness).

Abstract: An insert for use in a gripping assembly is disclosed. The insert includes a base member having a plurality of gripping teeth. The teeth are arranged in at least two substantially adjacent rows, where at least one row of teeth is offset or staggered longitudinally from an immediately adjacent row of teeth. When the teeth engage a cylindrical member, a resistance profile is created that is substantially continuous and does not oscillate over a length of the insert approaching 100% of the length of the entire insert.

Abstract: An apparatus to be used in a gripping assembly for gripping a cylindrical member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a jaw body, a gripping insert, and a rotatable camming member disposed between the jaw body and gripping insert. The rotatable camming member rotates in response to the applied clamping and rotational forces of the gripping assembly and operates to intensify the force provided by the jaw to the gripping insert which is engaged with a cylindrical member.

Abstract: A roller for use in a spinner apparatus for installing a pipe segment in a well pipe including a core member having a central aperture, and a plurality of annular members arranged in stacked relation over the core member. The plurality of annular members are secured together. The core member includes a generally tubular section having a first end and a second end, and a flange section extending radially outwardly of the tubular section between the first and second ends. The flange section has a greater diameter than the tubular section. The flange section includes a plurality of holes formed therein. Each of the annular members has a plurality of holes formed therein. The holes of the annular member are aligned with the holes of the flange section. Fasteners extending through the holes in the flange section and the plurality of annular members. A first cap member is positioned at one end of the plurality of annular members.

Abstract: A spinner apparatus for installing a pipe segment into a well pipe having a frame with a reach area formed therein, a first arm pivotally connected to the frame, a first roller rotatably mounted on the first arm, a second arm pivotally connected to the frame, a second roller rotatably mounted on the second arm, a third arm pivotally connected to the frame, a third roller rotatably mounted on the third arm, and an actuator linked to at least one of the arms so as to pivot one of the arms such that the respective rollers on the arms move into the reach area. Each of the arms is linked together such that a movement of one of the arms causes a concomitant movement of another arm so as to position the rollers around an outer surface of the pipe segment such that the pipe segment will have a central longitudinal axis in an identical position regardless of the diameter of the pipe segment.

Abstract: A recumbent bicycle frame having a frame tube with a first shoulder area formed on a side thereof. The shoulder area extends for at least a portion of the length of the frame tube. The frame tube has a generally flat exterior surface above the first shoulder area. The frame tube also has a second shoulder area formed on an opposite side of the frame tube from the first shoulder area. The frame tube has a bottom shoulder area formed on the side of the frame. A generally flat exterior surface extends below this bottom shoulder area. An interior passageway extends longitudinally through the frame tube and includes first and second notched areas formed in the wall of the interior passageway. These notched areas receive a reinforcement tubing member therein. First and second slots are formed at the top and at the bottom of the wall of the interior passageway of the frame tube. A clamp member is removably connected to the first and second shoulder areas and has a portion extending across the flat exterior surface.

Abstract: A clock having a motor with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom, a sprocket affixed to the shaft, a clock dial positioned adjacent the sprocket and having minute indica displayed thereon, a plurality of hour members being interconnected together in the form of a continuous band, and a minute hand interconnected to the sprocket such that the minute hand moves in relation to the movement of the sprocket. The continuous band extends over a portion of the sprocket such that the plurality of hour members move relative to a movement of the sprocket. The sprocket is a geared member having a plurality of teeth extending outwardly therefrom for the purpose of engaging a portion of the continuous band. Each of the plurality of hour members is equally spaced from an adjacent hour member. Each of the plurality of hour members is connected by a chain section to an adjacent hour member. The sprocket engages the chain section between the hour members.

Abstract: A timepiece is provided in the form of a body having a face which displays a sinusoidal path of multiples of twelve wavelengths within a circular periphery, and concentric rings on the face which intersect the path. An arm rotates about the center of the face a rate of one revolution per every twelve hours. A time-indicating pointer, mounted for guided longitudinal movement with respect to the arm, reciprocates with respect to the arm at one cycle per hour. The combined rotation of the arm and reciprocation of the pointer cause the pointer to follow the sinusoidal path, such that the pointer indicates hours by its circumferential position relative to the crests of the wavelengths and indicates minutes by its radial position relative to the concentric rings.