Abstract: Slips of the type used for gripping drill pipe and casing employed in the drilling of oil and gas wells are constructed with novel handles which are improved in terms of safety in use. The handles of the slips are elongated members having a hand grip loop at one end thereof and a pivot head at the other end thereof for attachment to the slip mechanism. Each handle is constructed of a body of molded or cast polyurethane having embedded therein a stranded or braided nylon core which extends throughout the length of the handle and also lies within the hand grip loop.

Abstract: A power tong which includes a frame and a pipe-gripping mechanism associated with a throat at one end of the frame. Power is transmitted to the pipe-gripping mechanism from a power unit through a drive train. The pipe-gripping mechanism cooperates with the throat to receive a pipe section to be rotated and includes a partial ring rotatably mounted within the frame and having an opening which may be aligned with the throat. The ring may be rotated in either direction by the power unit. Mounted on the tong is a die carrier which is rotatable relative to the ring. A pair of graphite impregnated polyurethane bearing quadrants are provided to facilitate rotation of the ring upon the frame, and graphite impregnated polyurethane bearing rings are provided to facilitate relative rotation between the die carrier and the partial ring.