Abstract: A pipe gripping device is taught which is useful for moving pipe into and/or out of a well. The pipe gripping device includes a first set of slips for holding a pipe in a pipe light condition and a second set of slips for holding a pipe in a pipe heavy condition. The second set of slips are actuatable independently from the first set of slips. The pipe gripping device can include a slip moving system which prevents the slip carrier blocks from being driven outwardly against the housing, to thereby prevent the carrier blocks from locking, by being driven against the housing.

Abstract: A vertical lift hoist and winch is taught which can be used, for example, for suspending wild game animals for the purpose of field dressing. The assembly is collapsible without any disassembly of major parts, to be able to fold up into a convenient carrying position, or to be capable of storage in a normal automobile truck, Jeep or station wagon compartment or a truck tool box. The winch lift assembly permits convenient storage and ease of set-up, where all pieces are held together as one. The pulley's are recessed in the upper boom which allows a tight closure in the collapsed position which is an advantage over other types of lifts. Nothing hangs down below the boom, thereby eliminating any cable tangles or interference when setting up or storing.

Abstract: A pipe gripping device is taught which is useful for moving pipe into and/or out of a well. The pipe gripping device includes a first set of slips for holding a pipe in a pipe light condition and a second set of slips for holding a pipe in a pipe heavy condition. The second set of slips are actuatable independently from the first set of slips. The pipe gripping device can include a slip moving system which prevents the slip carrier blocks from being driven outwardly against the housing, to thereby prevent the carrier blocks from locking, by being driven against the housing.

Abstract: A swing training device is described which constrains both arms of an individual to follow a predetermined swing path. The device includes a member for securing about the torso of an individual and arm bands for securing about the arms of the individual. The arm bands are mounted on guide rails mounted on the torso member through connectors which permit the arm bands to slide along the length of the rails. The arm rails are formed of a rigid material which is resistant to bending out of position. Thus, restraining the arm bands to move along a preferred swing path established by the rails. In addition, the member for securing around the torso and the arm bands are constructed to prevent the device from riding up over the torso and arms of an individual into an ineffective position in the armpits of the individual.

Abstract: A portable device is provided for assisting persons with the acts of sitting down and rising from a seated position. The device comprises a base a seat, an inflatable air chamber and a battery powered air compressor. The air chamber, the compressor and the battery are self-contained within the base and seat, which fit together to form a case. The device further comprises three stabilizing scissor-braces which support and stabilize the side edges and the rear edge of the seat throughout its range of travel. The air chamber is preferably fashioned of non-stretch material. The device may also include a cable and spring mechanism to urge the seat into a closed position from a raised open position.

Abstract: A downhole tool is described which can be used for injection of waste fluids which have been separated from desired production fluids into a disposal formation. When desired, the conduit for the waste fluids to the disposal formation can be closed off, thereby isolating the disposal formation from the production zone and providing access selectively to the production zone.

Abstract: A downhole tool is described can be used for handling waste fluids separated from desired hydrocarbon production fluids. The waste fluids are injected into a disposal formation. The tool is produced to avoid blockage of fluid flow passages and to reduce or eliminate the creation of a pressure differential across the tool. The tool is adaptable to be used with various sizes of pumps, to accommodate various pump intake filters and to conform to API tolerances. The downhole tool includes: an inner tube having a longitudinal bore, a seal disposed at the lower end of the longitudinal bore, an outer tube having an outer surface and being disposed about and spaced from the inner tube. An annulus is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube and is open at each end. A threaded connection is formed at the upper end of the outer tube to connect the outer tube to a tubing string such that the annulus opens into the tubing string's longitudinal bore.

Abstract: A downhole anchor for preventing rotational movement of a member within a well has a central tubular member, a slip housing and a drag assembly disposed about the tubular member. The slip housing carries at least two slip members, each slip member being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the central axis of the tubular member between a retracted position, against the housing, and an extended position. The drag assembly is mounted on and rotatable about the tubular member and carries drag means. An actuator drives the rotation of the slip member in response to the rotation of the drag assembly about the tubular member. Drag means comprise a spring loaded drag block to frictionally engage a well casing, or, alternatively, unique vane members for reacting with a viscous fluid trapped between the vane members and well casing to cause drag.

Abstract: A multi-purpose drilling rig has a movable pipe support cradle which moves horizontally to transfer drill pipe from a storage area to the well being drilled, and vice versa. The cradle travels along a roof platform supported by load-bearing hydraulic lifting rams. Raising or lowering the lifting rams raises or lowers the roof platform, along with the drill pipe suspended from the cradle. Structural towers stabilize the lifting rams against buckling and lateral loads. Supplementary lifting capacity is provided cradle-mounted roof rams having pistons which may extend downward from the cradle, with the drill pipe suspended from a yoke interconnecting the roof ram pistons. For offshore drilling, a control system senses fluctuations in rig elevation due to wave action, and automatically adjusts extends or retracts the rams as required to maintain constant load on the drill bit. Also disclosed is a method of drilling which utilizes vertical and lateral movement of the cradle and top drive.

Abstract: An assembly for formation and completion of deviated wellbores is disclosed which includes a toolguide and a casing section which can be used together or separately. The toolguide includes a lower orienting section and an upper section having a sloping face, commonly known as the directional portion of a whipstock. The toolguide is coated with a material such as epoxy or polyurethane to provide a repairable surface and one which can be removed to facilitate removal of the toolguide from the well bore. The lower orienting section has a latch which extends radially outwardly from the section and can be locked in the outwardly biased position.

Abstract: A flexible step assembly for vehicles which includes a number of vertically disposed horizontal steel tread members attached at their ends to flexible side members. A spring loaded assembly is attached to the upper ends of each side member, the spring loaded assembly is of two part construction, top part being fixed to a location on the vehicle for use, the lower part being separable under impact from the top part, but upon release of loading is recoupled by the spring and its associated components.

Abstract: A process and a material for use in sealing casing lining in a borehole is taught. The process includes the placement of a bitumen sealant material in a position between the casing tube and the wall of the borehole to be maintained in this annulus by means of a retaining devise such as an external casing packer or with the placement of a retainer made of cement grout and situated at the lower end of the casing tube. The bitumen sealant material prevents the passage of fluids vertically through the borehole. The sealant material remains viscous over time and can flow to fill voids which may occur in the rock formations adjacent to the borehole, or in the steel casing of the casing tube. To improve the sealing capabilities of the bitumen material a measured amount of fine grain weight material can be added to the bitumen to increase the density of the sealant material and thereby increase the hydrostatic pressure that the column of bitumen sealant will exert on the bottom and the walls of the borehole.

Abstract: A hot water extraction process for extracting bitumen from tar sands is taught wherein the tar sand is conditioned using an alkali metal bicarbonate, an alkali metal carbonate and a liquid hydrocarbon. A source of calcium and/or magnesium ions can also be added. The conditioning step replaces the step of conditioning using caustic soda previously used in tar sand extraction. The use of the alkali metal bicarbonate and carbonate and a liquid hydrocarbon substantially eliminates the production of sludge in tar sand extraction and maintains or improves bitumen recovery. The process allows for hot conditioning solution to be recycled to the process by use of a recycle storage tank.

Abstract: A foldable ladder having rungs pivotally connected to the side rails, allowing the side rails to pivot from a position wherein the siderails are coplanar to the rung to a support position wherein the side rails are normal to the rungs.