Abstract: An adjustable lifting device, which includes a lifting frame, with at least one adjustable arm thereon and a lifting arm secured thereto is buttressed by sleeves and bars connecting each adjustable arm to the lifting arm.

Abstract: A vibrating assembly for vibrating an ice basket of a pressurized water reactor comprises first and second vibrators and a bracket operatively connected to the vibrators. The bracket includes a horizontally extending first armature portion and a horizontally extending second armature portion pivotably attached to the second armature portion. The first and second armature portions have clamps extending downwardly from each of their ends, and each of the clamps includes an arcuate groove extending vertically upwardly from its bottom surface to engage the rim of the ice basket. An attachment portion extends vertically upwardly from and is formed unitarily with the first armature portion, the vibrators being attached to the sides of the attachment portion. The clamps extending from the second armature portion are pivotably connected to and are also laterally adjustable with respect to the first and second ends of the second armature portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting storage drums and the like is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes two tubes telescopically inserted within one another whose opposing ends contain clamps to grip about indented edge ridges of a drum to be lifted. A stretched spring pulls the clamps continuously towards one another. A rope or chain is used to lift both the tubes and the drum. A lifting arrangement has the one embodiment able to lift and lower an individual drum to side-by-side arrangements with other drums.

Abstract: A gripping device provided with handles is adapted to engage the ball of a conventional trailer hitch as a convenience in handling the hitch when it is removed from the towing vehicle. The preferred form of the device provides a clam shell-type grasping assembly that is manipulated by handles having overlapped portions that together form the handle. These overlapped portions are locked releasably against separation, and accommodation is also provided for receiving a padlock maintaining the closure of the clam shell components whenever this becomes desirable. A simplified version of the device is formed by a piece of bent rod having portions providing the handle and also for gripping the ball.

Abstract: A barrel grasping device with upper and lower jaws pivoted to a double yoke surrounding the pole of a barrel trolley. An auxiliary yoke imprisoning a clamping plate is slidingly mounted on the pole above a double yoke and is connected to the latter by a compression spring. A connecting rod is pivoted at one end to the double yoke and at its intermediate portion to a lever having one extremity pivoted to the auxiliary yoke around an off-set axis and engaging a clamping plate. The weight of the barrel transmitted by the jaws to the double yoke automatically pulls the connecting rod, causing the lever to pivot and push the clamping plate against the pole, thus clamping the device along the pole of the barrel trolley.

Abstract: Concrete barrier modules of the type having a T-shaped upper section are loaded and positioned without damage through use of a clamp device having a pair of jaw members hinged from a horizontal plate. Each jaw member has an inwardly directed lifting surface arranged to press upon an under surface of the module upper section. A hoist bar interacts with a latch to secure the jaw members either in an open or a closed position so long as a lifting force is applied to the hoist bar.

Abstract: A clamping device for carrying barrels having end frame rims is supported on a housing adapted to be lifted by a fork lift truck. Upper and lower clamping heads carried by a parallelogram link mechanism pivotally supported on a bearing holder mounted at the upper end of the housing are normally urged upwardly to a released position by a counterweight carried by one of the links which comprise the link mechanism. When the lower clamping head is engaged with the rim of a barrel and the housing is elevated by a lift truck the parallelogram linkage moves the upper clamping head downwardly toward the lower clamping head against the action of the counterweight and into cooperating clamping relation to the lower clamping head to grip and hold an upper portion of the barrel.

Abstract: A lifting device for polyethylene barrels comprises a pair of arms each having a sleeve for engaging over the fork of a fork lift truck. A cross bar interconnects the arms and is adjustable in length in conjunction with the adjustment of the spacing between the forks of the forklift truck. On the forward end of each end is mounted an arcuate gripper pivotal about a vertical pin on the respective arm. The gripper comprises a horizontal band having a sharpened upper edge with the band curved around a center of the barrel. Each gripper is rotated by a spring in a direction to open forward ends of the gripper to an increased spacing so that the forward ends can be moved forwardly to engage around the barrel and then each gripper pivots about the vertical pin to face the center of the barrel and to engage the barrel under the bead at the upper end of the barrel.

Abstract: A gripping device provided with handles is adapted to engage the ball of a conventional trailer hitch as a convenience in handling the hitch when it is removed from the towing vehicle. The preferred form of the device provides a clam shell-type grasping assembly that is manipulated by handles having overlapped portions that together form the handle. These overlapped portions are locked releasably against separation, and accommodation is also provided for receiving a padlock maintaining the closure of the clam shell components whenever this becomes desirable. A simplified version of the device is formed by a piece of bent rod having portions providing the handle and also for gripping the ball.

Abstract: A device, adaptable to a forklift, for grasping a storage drum by a lip formed in its top edge. A lifting arm supports the lip from below while a mechanical linkage causes the spring-loaded support arm to be drawn against the inside surface of the lip as the device is raised by the forklift. Further lifting by the forklift causes the drum to be raised while the force exerted by the holding arm against the lip is dictated by the weight of the drum. Lowering the drum to the ground causes the mechanism to automatically release.

Abstract: An elevator for supporting a string of pipe in a well rig is actuable between a closed condition for gripping of the pipe and an open condition, and includes a safety device for preventing opening of the elevator when a string of pipe is positioned in and supported by the elevator, to thus prevent accidental dropping of the string into a well. The elevator may be opened and closed by air pressure, with the safety device preferably including a sensing element positioned to respond to the presence of a well pipe in the elevator at a location to be supported thereby, and a valve actuable by the sensing element to control the delivery of pressure fluid to the elevator.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a cylindrical barrel includes a first arm having a lifting frame at one end and a chime gripping arch at the other end. A second arm is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the lifting frame and includes a second chime gripping arch at its other end. During operation, the chime gripping arches are placed on the barrel outer surface just under the barrel chime and by lifting the lifting frame, the two chime gripping arches are forced toward one another and against the barrel surface just under the chime. A locking arm is pivotally connected to the first arm and is selectively pivotable for engaging the second arm and creating a locking triangle. The locking arm effectively, selectively locks the first and second arms with respect to each other preventing radial movement thereof and preventing movement of the chime gripping arches away from the barrel.

Abstract: A wellhead puller is positioned in a support on an excavated well exposing a wellhead cover having mounting nuts positioned thereon. A threaded shaft having first and second ends is mounted for vertical movement in the support with the first end extending above the support and the second end which contains the puller extending downwardly near the wellhead cover. The puller has a cross piece mounted thereon with two rigid legs extended downwardly therefrom, each leg of which has a right angled foot extending therefrom adapted to fit under and engage a loosened wellhead cover. A tightener is mounted on the first end of the threaded shaft above the support for elevating the shaft and the puller attached thereto for lifting the wellhead cover from the top of the well. The right angled feet are slotted to fit under loosened mounting nuts of the wellhead cover or are trapezoidal to engage the underside of a loosened cover.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lifting device particularly suited for lifting plastic drums or barrels while maintaining the same vertically upright and transporting the same to another location. The lifting device is unique in that it employs a locking bar which is capable of locking the device in both the open position preparatory for securing the barrel, and the grasping/lifting position. It maintains either of these locked positions regardless of whether an upward force is exerted upon the pair of pivotal tongs. Unlike other pivoted lifting devices or tongs, the present invention uses a minimal amount of friction force to lift a barrel, such that the fragile resilient sides of a plastic barrel are not damaged.

Abstract: A garbage disposal system including garbage containers, a garbage-collecting vehicle and a lifting and tilting unit. The lifting and tilting unit includes a receiving member which can be temporarily coupled to an edge structure of each garbage container. The edge structure is located on a front wall of the container body opposite the hinges of the hinged cover of the garbage container. The receiving member has along its edge portion corresponding to the edge structure of the garbage container tooth-type contours which are oriented parallel to and transversely of the principal plane edge structure. The tooth-type contour oriented parallel to the principal plane has top surfaces extending essentially transversely of the principal plane and the tooth-type contour oriented transversely of the principal plane has end surfaces extending approximately parallel to the principal plane. The top surfaces and the end surfaces are each located on a common straight line.

Abstract: A device for lifting and handling open end drums, especially fiber, or other non-metallic drums includes a support, an inner member and toggle clamps mounted on the support. The toggle clamps cooperate with the inner member to engage the open top of the drum. The drum can then be lifted by engaging and lifting the support.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a clamping apparatus for securing to and pulling upon an enlarged end of a longitudinal member of an automobile or vehicle chassis. The clamping apparatus has a pair of facing jaw members each having a bearing portion, a pulling portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The bearing portions each have a groove that cooperate to substantially surround the periphery of the longitudinal member perpendicular to its longitudinal axis such that the clamping apparatus may not slide off the longitudinal member, while the hearing portions bear upon the enlarged end as an axial pulling force is transferred from the clamping apparatus to the automobile chassis.

Abstract: A selectively operable, continuous-loop conveyor provides support and transporation of containers containing spices or the like to and from a transfer station in which the containers are inserted in or removed from carriers which support them along the conveyor. The carriers include guide members which maintain the relative orientation between the carriers and the track. A drive hub with fingers extending into the track forces carriers disposed in that region adjacent to the fingers along a portion of the track, and thereby forcing other carriers in the track around the track. Further, a bar extending across the face of the rack has two ends, each of which may be pushed to drive the carriers in a corresponding different direction. Each carrier is in the form of a downwardly facing cup with spaced inwardly extending, biased members which engage the edges of a container inserted in the cup.

Abstract: A refuse container of the type adapted to be lifted during an emptying cycle from an upright position by opposed retaining arms of a mechanical dumping unit, emptied into a refuse vehicle and lowered back to the upright position. The refuse container comprises a bottom, with side walls connected to the bottom on one end and defining an open top on the other end. The side walls include first and second spaced-apart shoulders which define a narrowed waist formed in the walls around the periphery of the refuse container to receive the retaining arms and lock the refuse container against movement relative to the retaining arms during both the lifting and lowering movements of the emptying cycle.

Abstract: An insert for use in a rod elevator assembly. The insert is coated with a fusion-bonded nylon coating which is resistant to damage from the rod and which does not damage the plastic coating on the rod. Both inserts in a two-insert assembly are coated, and all surfaces of the inserts may be coated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fire hydrant setting tool useful in engaging the top of a fire hydrant in a manner to maintain it in a vertical position while being lowered and installed for connection to a water main. The tool includes a collar formed of a pair of flat steel plates pivotally connected together to permit relative rotational movement while maintaining the plates in generally coplanar relation, the plates having arcuate openings with one being slightly larger than the other and positioned so that when the plates are closed together an opening in the form of a circle only slightly larger than the cross section of the body of a conventional fire hydrant and smaller than the enlarged cap of such fire hydrant is formed. A bail in the shape of an inverted V formed of steel rod or the like rigidly attaches to the plate having the larger opening so that the apex of the V is directly above the center of the circular opening with the attachment points of the bail being on an extended diameter of the circle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for automatically feeding each of a sequence of crucibles (3), which are arranged on a conveyor, to a test oven (12) for vaporization and content analysis of a sample contained in each crucible. For cradling each crucible, a gripper head (13) is provided. In order to provide an apparatus in which the number of mechanically moving parts is minimized, the gripper head is rigidly mounted on the end of an operating piston (7). The gripper head preferably comprises two spaced, co-linear crosspieces (16) which face each other and engage under an outwardly extending circumferential flange (17) on the top of each crucible (3). The operating piston (7) and a lifting piston (6) are oriented vertically and connected together at their tops by a transverse crossbar (10). Lifting piston (6) is rotated about its axis (8) by a drive motor, thereby revolving operating piston (7) along a circle (11).

Abstract: A padear for lifting heavy structures, includes at least two separable sections which, on assembly, embrace a component of the structure to be lifted. At least one bollard protrudes outwardly from the external circumference of the padear to receive a lifting cable. The padear is preferably separable along at least one substantially radial plane which passes through the or each bollard to divide the same into two sections.

Abstract: A wafer processing system includes an autoloader mounted within a load lock for providing batch, cassette-to-cassette automatic wafer transfer between the semiconductor processing chamber and cassette load and unload positions within the load lock. The system provides rapid, contamination-free loading and unloading of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A drum clamping unit for plastics material drums with peripheral "L'8 chime rings below the drum head is adapted to be mounted on suitable lifting and transporting devices such as lift trucks, overhead cranes, and the like to automatically engage, latch onto, and discharge one or more of the molded plastics material drums without damaging the drums. The unit has a plurality of clamping jaws automatically triggered to clamping positions by the drum heads as the unit is lowered alongside the drums. These clamping jaws are positioned to engage only with the bottom and inner face of the "L" chime ring of each drum and remain clear of the drum head and drum periphery thereby avoiding any damage to the drums especially as they are raised to clamp onto the "L" rings. Then, when the raised clamped drums are conveyed to and lowered on a desired location, the jaws are released, retracted automatically and held in a retracted position until the unit is again lowered to engage a drum head in a subsequent operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drum dolly attachment apparatus having a conventional dolly truck assembly with a drum attachment assembly of this invention connected thereto. The dolly truck assembly includes a main truck frame on a support wheel assembly which is operable to be placed adjacent and under a drum member for connecting thereto. The drum attachment assembly is slidably mounted on an upright vertical handle of the dolly truck assembly and is operable to be placed in contact and grasp a main rim portion of the drum member. The drum attachment assembly is constructed so as to move vertically as required to adjust its position on the main rim portion of the drum member when moved from a vertical to an inclined position. The drum attachment assembly includes a drum connector assembly having a first stationary drum connector connectable to an upper inner portion of the main rim portion and a second actuator drum connector connectable to an outer lower portion of the main rim portion of the drum member.

Abstract: A lifting device for grasping an object having a hole therethrough, the device being formed of a tubular support member having an elongated toggle member pivoted at one end, the toggle member being pivoted between a longitudinal position in alignment with the support member and a transverse position perpendicular to the support member, and a lifting member slideably received within the upper end of the tubular support member, the lifting member having an eyelet for attaching a lifting cable thereto. The improvement in the device includes a spring within the tubular support member having one end affixed to the lifting member and the other end to a cable extending to the toggle member. The toggle member is weighted such that it normally returns to the inoperative longitudinal position except when the lifting member is in an upward position and the spring applies tension to the cable, pivoting the toggle member to the operative transverse position.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the handling of drill pipe which obviates the necessity of climbing the drill rig tower to attach or detach the lifting device. The device comprises a collar which is temporarily attached to the drill pipe and a basket device having a lifting bail.

Abstract: An elongated link chain assembly is provided including opposite end hooks opening toward each other and an intermediate length hook adjacent one of the opposite end hooks but opeining toward the other end hook. The hooks include hook ends adapted to radially or axially engage the circumferential diametrically enlarged beads at the opposite ends of a metal drum or barrel. The link chain assembly may be engaged intermediate its opposite ends by a link chain hook supported from a lifting chain.

Abstract: A tool-gripping device for remote manipulators, industrial robots and like assemblies which includes a sleeve provided with a movable locking element having an opening therethrough which is traversed by a stepped pin member associated with each tool and wherein the locking element is resiliently urged and operable to engage the pin member at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof to thereby force the tool into close proximity with the gripping device.

Abstract: An apparatus which acquires individual articles having a substantially cylindrical aperture therein from a supply of roughly aligned articles in a storage bin. The apparatus grips the article on the interior wall of the cylindrical aperture therein. The gripper is moved to retract the article from the storage bin. The article is then moved to a receiving member which aligns the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical aperture of the article substantially parallel or coincidental with the longitudinal axis of the receiving member.

Abstract: An apparatus for a top drive drill rig lifts a stand of the drill pipe into engagement with the drive stem in the derrick. The apparatus includes a set of elevators mounted between the drive head by a link assembly. The link assembly includes two link sections connected together by a swivel joint. An upper hydraulic cylinder is connected between the drive head and the upper link section. A lower hydraulic cylinder is connected between the upper and lower link sections. These cylinders may be retracted to pull the stand of drill pipe upward into contact with the drive stem.

Abstract: A latching assembly for use in latching a cable to and unlatching it from a given object in order to move an object from one location to another is disclosed herein. This assembly includes a weighted sphere mounted to one end of a cable so as to rotate about a specific diameter of the sphere. The assembly also includes a static latch adapted for connection with the object to be moved. This latch includes an internal latching cavity for containing the sphere in a latching condition and a series of surfaces and openings which cooperate with the sphere in order to move the sphere into and out of the latching cavity and thereby connect the cable to and disconnect it from the latch without using any moving parts on the latch itself.

Abstract: A pig extractor for extracting pigs from a pipe or conduit. The extractor has an elongated shaft with a handle at one end and a spring latch at an opposing end.

Abstract: In a grapple fixture which has a plurality of locating cam arms projecting from the front face of its base for the purpose of aligning it with a grapple device, there is provided the improvement wherein the cam arms are mounted for angular movement on the base, each cam arm being connected to a latch which is located at the back face of the base. The latch is connected to the cam arms so as to be rotatable with the cam arms into and out of a latch receptacle such that the latch is operable from the front face of the base.

Abstract: A two-wheeled drum or barrel transporting truck slidably mounts a drum flange or chime clamp which is powered from an energy source on the truck to raise the drum for depositing the same on a pallet or the like. An electric motor driven linear actuator on the truck is energized from a battery also carried on the truck to drive the clamp. A double pole switch on or adjacent the handlebar of the truck controls a circuit to drive the motor in opposite directions. The clamp when raised against the chime ring of a barrel or drum automatically locks the drum to the truck. Rollers on the truck embrace and cradle the drum so that it is easily raised and lowered on the truck.

Abstract: A coupling device including a male coupling member and a female coupling member, the male coupling member including a shank-like body having three longitudinal slots each receiving a pivot fin, a circular spring normally biasing a first end portion of each fin into each associated slot and thereby automatically placing a second end portion of each fin in its normal coupling position, the female coupling member including a fitting connected by spacer bars to a coupler ring which receives the shank-like body, the ring having an opening which causes the fins to deflect toward an unclamped position during insertion, and after insertion the second end portions of the fins are brought into clamping engagement with the ring by the biasing force of the circular spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container grab comprising co-operating jaws attached to a frame, between which jaws a container rim is to be accommodated, characterized in that the under jaw is attached to a carriage slidable along a frame column comprised in said frame and the upper jaw is attached to one end of a lever pivotally attached to said carriage, the other end of said lever being coupled via a link with said frame column. Preferably said carriage is provided with a hook element that co-operates as such with a material strip attached to said frame, that on sliding said carriage along said frame column as to bring the jaws in the closed position, said hook element hooks behind said strip locking the pair of jaws against an undesired opening.

Abstract: A mechanical hand for a robot comprises a pair of change plates each having a slot therein to receive a prong of a finger or gripper. The change plates are slidable laterally of the hand to align the slots with the prongs which may be retained in correct spaced disposition in a pallet. Locking pins are located in aligned bores in plates and have a smaller diameter part which traverses a slot in a respective prong so that when the change plates are moved laterally the larger diameter part of the pins is engaged in apertures in the prongs but will not traverse the slots and thereby the fingers or grippers are retained in the hand. The change plates are movable by means of a piston/cylinder device which may be double acting or single acting with spring return provided.

Abstract: The device is an improved hoist coupling for use with anchors having an anchor shaft terminating in an anchor head and embedded in a concrete load in such a way that a portion of the anchor shaft and the anchor head is exposed and protrudes from the concrete body. The couple comprises a coupler body having an underside which is oriented towards and is seated against the load to be lifted, a socket formed in the upper side of the coupler body, in which socket is defined a ring bearing surface, and a hole in the underside of the coupler body opening into the socket for receiving the head of an anchor.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a mast, an elevator and a tubing spider for suspending a string of well tubes or rods, a rack for storing well tubes or rods, a manipulator and a swivel head for screwing and unscrewing the string carried by the manipulator boom. To axially align the last tube or rod with the string the apparatus is provided with centering guides for centering the upper and the lower ends of the tube or rod and a gripping device for gripping the upper end of the string. The centering guide for centering the upper end of a well rod or tube forms part of a lifting frame, which in turn is a constituent of the elevator for suspending a string of well tubes or rods. The centering guide for centering the lower end of the rod or tube forms part of an automatic tong assembly for making up and breaking out joints of rods, which assembly is used with the claimed apparatus and also comprises the swivel head and the gripping device for gripping the upper end of the string of well tubes or rods.

Abstract: A lifting head having a gate arm, and a latch arm, pivotally secured to a frame. A clamping block, also mounted on the frame, is movable between a retracted position away from the drill collar and an extended position against the drill collar. A plurality of gripping inserts are located on the clamping block and on the gate arm. Each insert has a body and a plurality of teeth. The bodies of the inserts may be vertical or angled, but the teeth of the inserts are mounted in a spiral. This allows the inserts to grip the drill collar, even if the lifting head grips the collar at a place having a spiral groove.

Abstract: A drum lifting apparatus includes a lifting beam having first and second ends. A first flange is fixedly attached to the first end of the beam and extends laterally therefrom. A first drum lip engagement extends from the first flange for engaging an annular lip of a first end of the drum. A second end of the beam has a shoulder defined thereon and has a threaded rod fixedly attached to the beam and extending from the shoulder. A releasable second flange has an opening therethrough through which the threaded rod is loosely received so that the second flange may slide on the rod and engage the shoulder of the lifting beam. The second flange extends laterally from the rod and has a second drum lip engagement extending therefrom toward the first flange for engaging a second annular lip on a second end of the drum. A threaded nut engages the threaded rod on a side of the second flange opposite the shoulder of the lifting beam for clamping the second flange against the end of the drum.

Abstract: Prepackaging the various components of an engine cylinder assembly as an exchange or overhaul kit is useful in servicing or overhauling a single cylinder of a multiple cylinder engine. The heretofore known devices for holding the components of the engine cylinder assembly together were primarily used with small engines where the weight of the components was sufficiently low so as to not cause any handling difficulties. The subject apparatus includes a pair of brackets which positively grippingly engage the flange of the cylinder liner and a lifting element which is releasably attached to the piston with bolts threaded into threaded holes in the piston such that a portion of the brackets is sandwiched between the lifting element and the piston. The apparatus is positively engaged with the components of the engine cylinder assembly and positively maintains the components in fixed relationship with one another.

Abstract: A pulling head adapted to removably engage the end fitting of a conduit to facilitate the latter being pulled with a substantial tensional force. The head includes an engaging ring at one end thereof which is removably operable to register about and firmly engage the cable end fitting. A wire line extending from the pulling head nose end is attachable to a winch or other mechanism capable of applying the necessary pulling force thereto.

Abstract: A device for handling an object such as a pipe comprising a cylindrical member, with four disposed adjacent one another elongate grooves or recesses in the peripheral direction in the surface thereof and extending in upward direction, with the first and last open at the bottom, and merging into one another at the top and bottom ends via trapezoidal grooves or recesses, the whole being adapted to receive and co-operate with at least one lug projecting from the surface of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking hold of, lifting, transporting and putting down centrifuge drums of mechanically loaded and unloaded centrifuges for clearing oil and water therefrom, and washing, drying and other processing of pieces of material in industry, includes a traveling hoist able to be moved between at least two stations and supporting a lifting and lowering system, on whose end, which can be run out into a working position, there is a gripper for gripping such a centrifuge drum near its top edge.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a refuse truck and for gripping a container and for causing the container to be dumped into the refuse truck. A pair of grabber arms are supported on a pivotable lifting arm, the grabber arms being adapted to surround a container for gripping the container. One of the grabber arms is pivotally joined to the lifting arm such that it is pivotable about a first axis from a container clamping position wherein the arm extends generally horizontally from the lifting arm, to a position wherein the grabber arm releases the container, and to a position wherein the grabber arm is in a retracted generally vertical position. The second grabber arm is similarly pivotable about a single axis from a generally horizontal clamping position to a generally vertical retracted position. The grabber arms are pivotable about their respective axes between the container gripping positions and the generally vertical positions in continuous uninterrupted motions.

Abstract: In a drilling system in which the hook is guided for vertical travel, by a pair of guide cables supported in the tower, so as to be in a given azimuth while handling drill pipe in the hole, an improvement in the hook mechanism which provides for rotating the hook through a selected angle with respect to the travelling block, as an aid to stacking the stands of drill pipe in the tower during the process of coming out of the hole, and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus, for use with a traveling block and a drilling hook, for handling large diameter casing. A pair of links (23) (25) are suspended from link ears on the drilling hook. At the lower end of each link is a link connector (32), which preferably has a flat bottom surface and a spherical upper surface. The spherical upper surface mates with a similarly shaped surface on a removeable plate, forming a ball-and-socket type connection. Each plate has a flat upper surface which fits into a slot in an elevator (27). The slots for the connectors and plates are located within the circumference of the cylindrical body of the elevator, thus keeping the links oriented vertically even with large diameter elevator.