Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Wells

Lawrence E. Wells has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090000780
    Abstract: A bail support and a top drive system with such bail supports, the top drive system including a top drive apparatus, the bails having a body with an upper head portion and two spaced-apart legs, each leg with an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion, the upper leg portions non-parallel to each other and extending from the head portion at an angle to a centerline of the bail, and each lower leg portion extending down from a corresponding upper leg portion in a reverse bend. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Brett Gregory Wallihan
  • Publication number: 20090001124
    Abstract: A staple cartridge including first and second staple cavities therein where the first cavity can define a first axis and the second cavity can define a second axis. In various embodiments, the first axis can be transverse to the second axis. In one embodiment, the first and second cavities can extend in directions which are not parallel to each other. In various embodiments, staples deployed from such first and second staple cavities can produce a staple pattern which can better constrict blood vessels in soft tissue and reduce blood flow therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Lawrence E. Wells, JR., William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Publication number: 20080238095
    Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two threadedly-connected items, and, in one aspect, two threadedly-connected components of a top drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald W. Yater, Lawrence E. Wells, Neil Edward West, Cliff Swiontek, Howard Ervin
  • Patent number: 7401664
    Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, and a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Varco I/P
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Preston Fox, Cliff Swiontek, Svein Stubstad
  • Publication number: 20080135230
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in wellbore operations, the apparatus including a main body, two support ears spaced-apart and projecting from the main body, each inner ear part having an inner part, and an outer ear part, the inner part able to support more weight than the outer part; and, in certain aspects, structure for preventing a large support link from being positioned on an outer ear part; the apparatus, in certain aspects, being any of a link adapter, a block adapter, a becket, an elevator, and a drilling hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, James Edward Lynch, Neil Edward West, Guy L. McClung
  • Publication number: 20080135228
    Abstract: A tubular gripping system and a top drive drilling system with such a tubular gripping system, in at least some aspects, the gripping system beneath the top drive unit and, in at least some aspects, the gripping system having a body with four spaced-apart grippers movably connected thereto and piston/cylinder devices movably interconnected with each gripper for moving the grippers to clamp the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Neil Edward West
  • Patent number: 4478111
    Abstract: A well pipe spinner includes two body parts carrying rollers and mounted by two pivotal connections for swinging movement between a closed position in which the rollers grip and drive a well pipe and an open position releasing the pipe. A structure extends between and interconnects the two pivotal connections in a relation permitting relative adjustment of their pivotal axes toward and away from one another for gripping different sizes of pipe. The tool is supported by a structure which is adapted to be suspended from a line or other element and which suspends the two body parts and pivotal connections at essentially the locations of the two pivotal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Varco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Boris Kamenster, Preston R. Fox, Jerry A. Gill
  • Patent number: 4425827
    Abstract: A pipe spinner is provided which includes two parts carrying rollers and mounted by two pivotal connections for swinging movement between a closed position in which the rollers grip and drive a well pipe or the like and an open position releasing the pipe, with an adjustable connection attaching the two pivotal connections together for relative lateral movement to shift the two pivotal axes toward and away from one another for gripping different sizes of pipe, and with the spinner including a hanger or support structure attached to the mentioned adjustable connection and adapted to be suspended by a line or other element in a manner suspending the entire tool through the adjustable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Varco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Wells
  • Patent number: D572119
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Brett Gregory Wallihan