Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly rotatably mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a rotatable pipe support. A pipe manipulator arm is pivotably mounted on a second end of the rotatable gate assembly. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A pipe mount is mounted to a distal end of the arm for holding the pipe stand for transport between the derrick and the gate, and between the gate and the pipe rack. After the arm secures the pipe stand into the gate from the derrick, a drive mechanism rotates the rotatable gate assembly to a rack facing position from the derrick facing position such that the arm may transport the pipe between the gate and the pipe rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a shaft and an arm pivotably and rotatably mounted on a second end of the shaft. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A first securing means mounted to a second end of the arm secures the mid-portion of the pipe stand and a second securing means mounted to the first securing means secures the lower portion of the pipe stand. After the arm secures the pipe stand from the derrick, a drive mechanism mounted to the shaft rotates the rotatable gate assembly such that the arm may rack the pipe on the pipe racking assembly.