Abstract: A machine for transferring pipe between the floor of a drilling rig and a pipe rack including a stationary trough positioned below the drilling rig floor and a movable trough aligned with the stationary trough and having one end resting on the drilling rig floor and the other end movable vertically relative to the end of the stationary trough nearest the drilling rig. An operator's cab is attached to and supported by the end of the stationary trough distant the drilling rig floor. The cab has a housing which is pivotally attached at its forward edge to the stationary trough whereby the housing may be pivoted forward 90.degree. onto the stationary trough for ease of transporting the machine. The operator's cab further includes a control panel mounted to the stationary trough and not pivotal with the housing. A lifting device attached underneath the stationary trough can cam the stationary trough up off of its support surface until it rests on rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring pipe between pipe racks and the drilling rig floor including a stationary trough located below and extending towards the drilling rig and a movable, inclined trough aligned with the stationary trough having one end supported on the drilling floor and the other end powered to move between a lower position for transferring pipe to and from the stationary trough and an upper position for transferring pipe to and from the drilling floor. Two pair of racking legs extending between the pipe racks and the fixed trough are provided. Each leg has a cradling lug which moves up and down the leg powered by a hydraulic cylinder, thereby lifting the pipe along the leg. Further, each leg is able to pivot in two directions about a pivoting structure. The pipe when moving in the troughs is held at one end by a shovel member which is engageable by the buggy traveling along the stationary trough and is also engageable by the carriage in the inclined trough.

Abstract: An elongated trough is slidably located on a vertically pivoted trough to carry pipe from a derrick floor to a pipe rack when there is little or no height differential between the derrick floor and the pipe rack. The slidable trough may be removed when the height differential is such that pipe will slide down the vertically pivoted trough by gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring tubulars between pipe racks and a drilling rig floor including a stationary trough located below and extending towards the drilling rig and a movable trough aligned with the stationary trough having one end supported on the drilling rig floor and the other end powered to move between a lower position for transferring pipe to and from the stationary through and on upper position for transferring pipe to and from the drilling rig floor. A carriage having a frictional coating and wheels which run on guide structure below the stationary trough pushes and guides the pipe along the stationary trough. An endless chain system drives this carriage along the length of the stationary trough and includes a shock absorber system for dampening the forces on the carriage and chain when a pipe impacts the carriage. Two pair of legs extending between pipe racks and the stationary trough are provided.

Abstract: A pipe feeder for automatically moving pipe off of or onto the top row of a stack of pipe. A pair of stanchions are provided with a system for supporting a plurality of rows of pipe next to the stanchions such that the length of pipe is generally parallel to the plane of the stanchions. A pair of upright guides are coupled to the pair of stanchions respectively and a frame is coupled to the pair of guides for movement to different levels along the pair of guides. The frame comprises a pair of endless chains adapted to rest across the top row of pipe. Each chain has a plurality of feet attached thereto for engaging the pipe on which the pair of endless chains rest for moving pipe when the chains are driven. A driving system is provided for driving the pair of endless chains in unison in first or second directions for moving the pipe toward or away from the pair of stanchions.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring tubulars between the floor of a drilling rig and a pipe rack including an elongated main support frame adapted to be positioned in proximity to the pipe rack, a lift trough positioned longitudinally of the support frame and having one end pivotally coupled to the main support frame, whereby the lift trough can be pivoted upwardly to an inclined position, a power member connected to the lift trough for pivoting the lift trough upwardly to an inclined position relative to the main support frame and toward the drilling rig and downwardly to a generally horizontal position, and a carriage including a movable holding tray operatively connected to the lift trough for moving tubulars positioned in the lift trough along its length. An adjustable fixed trough supported on a drilling rig floor, sloping towards the lift trough and connectable with it when it is in the inclined position for transferring tubulars to the rig floor.

Abstract: A system for transferring lengths of pipe laterally between a pipe rack and a pipe handling apparatus. the system comprises two spaced apart arms located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus next to the rack. Each arm has one end pivotally coupled to support structure such that its opposite end may move upward and downward. The two arms are located in line with each other for pivotal movement about generally parallel axes respectively. A trough capable of supporting a length of pipe is pivotally coupled to each of the arms at their opposite ends such that the trough will move upward and downward with the opposite ends of the arms. A rotary actuator is provided for tilting the trough laterally in opposite directions. In addition, two hydraulic cylinders provided for moving the arms about their axes respectively for moving the opposite ends of the arms and the trough upward and downward.

Abstract: Clamps are provided for clamping a length of pipe to the trough of a pipe handling apparatus. The clamps comprise two arms pivotally coupled to the trough on opposite sides thereof. The arms are movable to open and closed positions by two piston rods pivotally coupled to the arms and which are actuated by two cylinders pivotally coupled to the trough on opposite sides.

Abstract: A storage system for securely holding lengths of pipe or the like and which comprises a plurality of pairs of rails having ends removably coupled to a pair of stanchions at different levels for holding a plurality of rows of pipe. Means is provided for removably connecting together the ends of the resulting two vertical rows of rails opposite the stanchions for securely holding the pipe and to allow the pipe to be removed and restacked. The storage system is capable of receiving modules of pipe.

Abstract: A system for transferring lengths of pipe laterally between a pipe rack and a pipe handling apparatus. The system comprises two spaced apart arms located on one side of the pipe handling apparatus next to the rack. Each arm has one end pivotally coupled to support structure such that its free end may move upward and downward. The two arms are located in line with ech other with their free ends facing in opposite directions. A lug is connected to each arm close to but spaced from its free end. The lugs extend from their arms outward toward the rack and are employed for holding a length of pipe. A fluid actuated cylinder system is provided for moving the free ends of the two arms upward or downward together for transferring a length of pipe between the rack and the pipe handling apparatus.

Abstract: The apparatus is employed for transferring pipe to and from the floor of a drilling rig. It comprises a stationary trough located below the rig floor and a movable trough aligned with the stationary trough. The movable trough has a vertically movable rear end supported to be moved between lower and upper positions and an opposite front end slidably supported by structure at the rig floor. In the lower position the vertically movable front end of the movable trough is next to the stationary trough and in the upper position, it is above the stationary trough. The movable trough is employed for lifting and lowering pipe between the stationary trough and the rig floor. Clamps are employed for clamping the pipe to the movable trough when it is lifting or lowering pipe.