Patents by Inventor David Niven

David Niven has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8186246
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism having two or more jaws which may be opened to allow a tubular to be introduced within the jaws and closed to retain the tubular therewithin. The rollers are located within concave recesses and maintained in spaced apart relationship by biasing means, whereby rotation of tubular may cause the rollers to be wedged between a wall of the recess and the tubular to grip the tubular within the jaws. The clamping mechanism may be utilized as an oil field tubular clamp, a slip, a pipe clamp, and other mechanisms. There is also disclosed a clutch comprising an outer race, a cage, and an inner ring. Recesses are provided in an outer race and accommodate rollers therewith and maintained in spaced apart relationship by the cage. The cage may be moved by an actuator to selectively allow free wheeling or prevent rotation. A socket ratchet incorporating such a clutch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: David Niven
  • Patent number: 7758087
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to a downhole tubular to a pump. The apparatus comprises: a body portion having a bore; a locking assembly comprising at least one locking member pivotally mounted to the body portion so as to permit the locking member to be pivoted between an open position in which the downhole tubular can be inserted into the bore of the body portion, and a closed position in which the locking member engages the downhole tubular so as to lock the downhole tubular in the bore of the body portion. Fixing means is provided for fixing the looking member in the closed position. A method of drilling a wellbore using a borehole casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Niven, Dennis Robert Mario Fernandes
  • Publication number: 20080303266
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to a downhole tubular to a pump. The apparatus comprises: a body portion having a bore; a locking assembly comprising at least one locking member pivotally mounted to the body portion so as to permit the locking member to be pivoted between an open position in which the downhole tubular can be inserted into the bore of the body portion, and a closed position in which the locking member engages the downhole tubular so as to lock the downhole tubular in the bore of the body portion. Fixing means is provided for fixing the looking member in the closed position. A method of drilling a wellbore using a borehole casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: David Niven, Dennis Robert Mario Fernandes
  • Patent number: 7384077
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to a downhole tubular to a pump. The apparatus comprises: a body portion having a bore; a locking assembly comprising at least one locking member pivotally mounted to the body portion so as to permit the locking member to be pivoted between an open position in which the downhole tubular can be inserted into the bore of the body portion, and a closed position in which the locking member engages the downhole tubular so as to lock the downhole tubular in the bore of the body portion. Fixing means is provided for fixing the looking member in the closed position. A method of drilling a wellbore using a borehole casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Niven, Dennis Robert Mario Fernandes
  • Publication number: 20070152445
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to a downhole tubular to a pump. The apparatus comprises: a body portion having a bore; a locking assembly comprising at least one locking member pivotally mounted to the body portion so as to permit the locking member to be pivoted between an open position in which the downhole tubular can be inserted into the bore of the body portion, and a closed position in which the locking member engages the downhole tubular so as to lock the downhole tubular in the bore of the body portion. Fixing means is provided for fixing the looking member in the closed position. A method of drilling a wellbore using a borehole casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: David Niven, Dennis Fernandes
  • Patent number: 7147254
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to a downhole tubular to a pump. The apparatus comprises: a body portion having a bore; a locking assembly comprising at least one locking member pivotally mounted to the body portion so as to permit the locking member to be pivoted between an open position in which the downhole tubular can be inserted into the bore of the body portion, and a closed position in which the locking member engages the downhole tubular so as to lock the downhole tubular in the bore of the body portion. Fixing means is provided for fixing the looking member in the closed position. A method of drilling a wellbore using a borehole casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Niven, Dennis Robert Mario Fernandes
  • Publication number: 20050160881
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism having two or more jaws which may be opened to allow a tubular to be introduced within the jaws and closed to retain the tubular therewithin. The rollers are located within concave recesses and maintained in spaced apart relationship by biasing means, whereby rotation of tubular may cause the rollers to be wedged between a wall of the recess and the tubular to grip the tubular within the jaws. The clamping mechanism may be utilized as an oil field tubular clamp, a slip, a pipe clamp, and other mechanisms. There is also disclosed a clutch comprising an outer race, a cage, and an inner ring. Recesses are provided in an outer race and accommodate rollers therewith and maintained in spaced apart relationship by the cage. The cage may be moved by an actuator to selectively allow free wheeling or prevent rotation. A socket ratchet incorporating such a clutch is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventor: David Niven
  • Publication number: 20050097993
    Abstract: Gripping apparatus comprises a plurality of axially tapered rollers (47) for engaging the gripped member; and a body having a cam surface (36) which is shaped so as to urge the rollers, when in use, against the gripped member when the rollers slide axially with respect to the cam surface. The cam surface is also shaped so as to urge the rollers, when in use, against the gripped member when the rollers roll along the cam surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventor: David Niven
  • Publication number: 20040046387
    Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a downhole tubular (3) to a pump (2). The apparatus comprises: a body portion having a bore (5); a locking assembly comprising at least one locking member (16, 17)=pivotally mounted to the body portion so as to permit the locking member to be pivoted between an open position in which the downhole tubular can be inserted into the bore of the body portion, and a closed position in which the locking member engages the downhole tubular so as to lock the downhole tubular in the bore of the body portion. Fixing means (22) is provided for fixing the locking member in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: David Niven, Dennis Robert Mario Fernandes
  • Publication number: 20020144575
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism having two or more jaws (1, 2) which may be opened to allow a tubular (5) to be introduced within the jaws and closed to retain the tubular (5) therewithin. Rollers 4 are located within concave recesses 3 and maintained in spaced apart relationship by biasing means 6. Rotation of tubular 5 may cause the rollers 4 to be wedged between a wall of the recess and tubular 5 to grip tubular 5 within jaws 1 and 2. The clamping mechanism may be utilised as an oil field tubular clamp, a slip, a pipe clamp etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: David Niven
  • Patent number: 4210538
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing suspended solids from electroplating solutions and the like includes a housed cluster of slotted plastic tubes about which are fitted fabric filter sleeves and through which the solution is normally forced into the tubes continuously in the course of filtering. The process is interrupted relatively briefly when likely to be impaired by solids build-up, and flushing with water at a common utility-source pressure is then uniquely valved to take place in the reversed direction sequentially through the several sleeves by way of relatively slender sparger pipes each mated within a companion one of the slotted tubes and proportioned to spray a multiplicity of fine high-velocity streams through the slots and forcefully directly against the surrounding filter sleeving, to dislodge particulate material for drainage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Assignee: Bob Baker Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Tantillo, David A. Niven