Abstract: A pipe elevator comprised of a frame pivotally mounted on elongated hangers and having a body with an inward tapered opening that is configured to receive a length of pipe having an outwardly protruding collar around its periphery. A plurality of shoes is mounted within the body. The shoes are poweredly positionable upward and downward within the inward tapered opening of the body and thereby positionable radially inward and outward around the pipe. A means for biasing the shoes upward is provided whereby the weight of the pipe against the shoes will move the shoes around the pipe collar against the periphery of the pipe.

Abstract: A shoulder-type elevator is described. The elevator has a frame that supports a ring-shaped body having an inwardly tapered interior surface. The body is configured to receive a length of pipe a collar with an outwardly protruding shoulder. A timing ring supports a plurality of shoes curvilinearly arrayed around the interior surface of the body. A timing ring cylinders with extendable and retractable piston rods provide powered reciprocal movement of the over a desired range, and thereby powered reciprocal movement of the shoes, radially inward and outward around and below the shoulder of the pipe collar within the interior of the ring-shaped body. Compression springs mounted around each of the timing ring cylinder piston rods provide an upward bias to the timing ring at the end of its powered range of downward movement.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, a wiper plug assembly, and a push plate assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head, push plate, and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: A U-shaped elevator having no doors is provided with first and second latching mechanisms which when contacted by the tubular to be entrapped within the elevator move from a closed position to an open position and which then return to a closed position as soon as the tubular is entrapped within the elevator. The latching mechanisms have a safety catch which prevents the tubular from being inadvertently removed from the elevator. The safety latch mechanism can only be activated by a handle which is manipulated by hand by personnel working on the derrick utilizing the elevator. The elevator has an open throat to receive tubulars that have couplers or other features with a lower flange surface for lifting a pipe string. The throat access has blocking members that are movable to allow tubulars to move out of the gap unless the blocking members are locked to prevent such movement. The blocking members have latches biased toward a position to immobilize the members.

Abstract: A connection for the quick and functionally reliable connection of tubulars including pipes and casing. The connection having a male or pin end and a mating female, box, or socket end and sections of circumferentially and axially extending protuberances such as thread segments or lugs interrupted by slots extending circumferentially and axially approximately the same distance as the corresponding protuberance section and can have at least on continuous, uninterrupted thread for a landing surface. Both the pin and box have matching or corresponding arrays of interrupted threads and slots. When properly aligned, the array will be accepted by a corresponding slot when mating the pin and box. After proper mating, the connection is secured by rotating the pin or box to further mate the corresponding patches of the pin and box.

Abstract: A connection for the quick and functionally reliable connection of tubulars including pipes and casing. The connection having a male or pin end and a mating female, box, or socket end and sections of circumferentially and axially extending protuberances such as thread segments or lugs interrupted by slots extending circumferentially and axially approximately the same distance as the corresponding protuberance section. Both the pin and box have matching or corresponding arrays of interrupted threads and slots. When properly aligned, the array will be accepted by a corresponding slot when mating the pin and box. After proper mating, the connection is secured by rotating the pin or box to further mate the corresponding patches of the pin and box.