Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jaw assembly and die insert for use in conventional power tongs, back-up power tongs, and similar tools. The die insert has a rear surface having a plurality of splines extending outwardly from the rear surface and forming a plurality of grooves between the splines. The die also has a front surface adapted to grip a tubular member and a keyway formed on the rear surface. A mating jaw member is provided which also has a front face of splines and grooves with a keyway which aligns with the die's keyway when the die is inserted into the jaw. A key is inserted into this combined keyway to prevent vertical forces from drawing the die out of the jaw member.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4.sup.+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4.sup.+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: A power tong positioning apparatus as disclosed herein is a power tong support positionable on the surface of drilling rig deck and attachable to at least one power tong. The power tong support is adapted to position at least one power tong so that it may engage said tubular member. The power tong positioning apparatus a frame, a base movably positioned on the frame, at least one arm pivotally attached to the base, a power tong support pivotally attached to the arm(s) and movably attachable to at least one power tong.

Abstract: The present invention relates to power tongs used in the oil and gas industry to make up and break apart the joints on drill pipe and other tubular members. The invention provides a selectively releasable braking apparatus for a power tong. The selectively releasable braking apparatus comprises a braking ring operatively connected to a cage plate of the power tong and a braking surface mechanically connected to the cage plate. The apparatus further has a gripping device capable of selectively gripping and holding the braking surface and has a gear train transferring torque from said brake ring to said braking surface. Power tongs also typically have a throat, a ring gear with an opening, and a cage plate with an opening. The present invention further provides an apparatus for aligning the openings in the ring gear and the cage plate with the throat of the power tong and remotely reversing the direction of rotation of the ring gear and cage plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jaw assembly and die insert for use in conventional power tongs, back-up power tongs, and similar tools. The die insert has a rear surface having a plurality of splines extending outwardly from the rear surface and forming a plurality of grooves between the splines. The die also has a front surface adapted to grip a tubular member and a keyway formed on the rear surface. A mating jaw member is provided which also has a front face of splines and grooves with a keyway which aligns with the die's keyway when the die is inserted into the jaw. A key is inserted into this combined keyway to prevent vertical forces from drawing the die out of the jaw member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved power tong a body having with a rotating assembly. The power tong further has a plurality of jaw members positioned within the rotating assembly with two of the jaw members being pivoting jaws adapted to interlock when in a closed position. In an alternate embodiment, the improved power tong will have a compensating jaw assemble to limit the axial load placed on the tubular member being gripped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to power tongs used in the oil and gas industry to make up and break apart the joints on drill pipe and other tubular members. The invention provides a selectively releasable braking apparatus for a power tong. The selectively releasable braking apparatus comprises a braking ring operatively connected to a cage plate of the power tong and a braking surface mechanically connected to the cage plate. The apparatus further has a gripping device capable of selectively gripping and holding the braking surface and has a gear train transferring torque from said brake ring to said braking surface. Power tongs also typically have a throat, a ring gear with an opening, and a cage plate with an opening. The present invention further provides an apparatus for aligning the openings in the ring gear and the cage plate with the throat of the power tong and remotely reversing the direction of rotation of the ring gear and cage plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved power tong jaw having a jaw body with a roller aperture formed therein. A jaw roller is positioned in said roller aperture by some type of retaining surface, such as a roller pin. Additionally, a friction reducing surface is formed between the jaw roller and the jaw pin. In one embodiment, this friction reducing surface comprises a plurality of needle bearings. In alternate embodiments, the friction reducing surface comprises ball bearings, journal bearings, or recirculating ball bearings.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4.sup.+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8.sup.+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved power tong with a body having a rotating assembly. The power tong further has a plurality of jaw members positioned within the rotating assembly with two of the jaw members being pivoting jaws adapted to interlock when in a closed position. In an alternate embodiment, the improved power tong will have a compensating jaw assemble to limit the axial load placed on the tubular member being gripped.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for removing well casing from plugged and abandoned oil wells. The invention includes a unitary platform structure sufficiently small that the structure may be transported by boat to offshore well platforms and be lifted onto the well platform as a single unit. The platform also has a center station with an opening allowing the casing to pass therethrough. The device further includes at least one lifting means, which lifts the well casing through the center station.The present invention will serve many of the purposes of much larger drilling rigs or work over rigs typically employed on oil and gas well platforms. The present invention will be much quicker to transport and requires considerably less set-up time than dig rigs or work over rigs.

Abstract: The present invention provides back-up power tongs for holding a tubular member against rotation of a connected tubular member. The back-up power tongs comprise a body with a front section for receiving the tubular member and a plurality of jaw members for engaging the tubular member. The jaw members are positioned to form a substantially closed perimeter around the tubular member and at least one of the jaw members is a pivotal jaw, moving in a pivotal path to engage the tubular member. An alternate embodiment provides two pivoting jaws and a locking mechanism attached to the end of the pivoting jaws such that the pivoting jaws can be securely interlocked. The improved back-up tongs should not require that the tong body to virtually enclose the pipe and thus will allow the improved back-up tongs to be considerably smaller. The smaller size of the tongs will allow more versatile use since the tongs can operate in areas with less clearance than prior art tongs.

Abstract: Present invention provides back-up power tongs for holding a tubular member against rotation of a connected tubular member. The back-up power tongs comprise a body with a front section for receiving the tubular member and a plurality of jaw members for engaging the tubular member. The jaw members are positioned to form a substantially closed perimeter around the tubular member and at least one of the jaw members is a pivotal jaw, moving in a pivotal path to engage the tubular member. An alternate embodiment provides two pivoting jaws and a locking mechanism attached to the end of the pivoting jaws such that the pivoting jaws can be securely interlocked. The improved back-up tongs should not require that the tong body to virtually enclose the pipe and thus will allow the improved back-up tongs to be considerably smaller. The smaller size of the tongs will allow more versatile use since the tongs can operate in areas with less clearance than prior art tongs.

Abstract: A camming member for power tongs, comprising a ring-shaped body including a central opening formed therein, the body being .

Abstract: A camming member for power tongs, comprising a ring-shaped body including a central opening formed therein, the body being rotatable about a point within the central opening, the body further including a slot, the slot opening through the body and communicating with the central opening; a ring-shaped drive member including a central opening formed therein, the drive member being rotatable about the point, the drive member further including a slot, the slot opening through the drive member and communicating with the central opening of the drive member, the slot of the drive member being alignable with the slot of the body, the drive member being slidably mounted on the body such that the drive member may rotate independently of the body and such that the drive member is radially supported by the body; and a detent and stop mechanism, mounted on the camming member, for allowing the body and the drive member to partially rotate relative to one another to a desired engaged position and then to maintain the engage

Abstract: A flanged washer spring is provided, comprising a first disk having a central opening, outer periphery, a first side and a second side, the first disk further having an annular inner flange extending axially from the first side, and an annular outer flange extending axially from the second side, wherein a radial distance from the outer flange to the central opening is greater than a radial distance from the inner flange to the central opening. The disks are normally used in pairs with the outer flanges of the disks positioned axially adjacent to each other. The springs may be used in combination with a tool, such as a drilling accelerator or jar, having an elongated tubular body having a body stop for axially retaining a spring, and an elongated mandrel slidingly mounted within the tubular body, the mandrel having a mandrel stop for axially retaining a spring, the spring comprising a plurality of stacked disks.

Abstract: A camming member for power tongs is provided, comprising a body including a central opening formed therein, the body being rotatable about a center point within the central opening, the body further including a slot for positioning a tubular member within the central opening, the body further including at least one cam surface adjacent to the central opening, the cam surface being formed such that, constant compressional force is applied to the tubular member by jaws urged inward by the cam surface. It is preferable that the body is ring-shaped and is provided with gear teeth radially extending from the outer periphery of the body.

Abstract: A latch for a telescoping drill string jar is confined in an opening in the jar housing and engages the arbor of the jar to prevent telescoping action for normal drilling. The latch has a number of spring bars, each with a latch lug extending into a latch groove in the arbor. The lugs and the groove have beveled engagement surfaces that urge the spring bars radially outward, into clearance provided, when axial forces on the arbor relative to the housing exceed a preselected amount. The end of the spring bars are restrained in a cup with tubular sides extending along the spring bars to limit the length of spring bar allowed to flex radially outward. The length free to flex determines the average axial force required to release the latch. The ratio of the extending sides of the opposed cups determines the ratio of tension or compresive axial forces required to release the latch. The jar fitted with the latch is free to telescope, to cause jarring, when the lugs clear the groove.

Abstract: A pipe die linkage for power tongs has a preloaded spring between a force producing cam follower and pipe die of such strength and preload that the die serrations will be forced to adequately bite into the pipe. Bias resisted overtravel will prevent pipe crushing at high torque levels, as the cam follower is forced more toward the pipe.