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.

Abstract: A device for protecting threads on a pipe which includes an annular elastomeric sleeve dimensioned to fit around the outside of the pipe in a thread protective position, a plate extending transversely across one end of the elastomeric sleeve and acting as a stop limiting axial movement of the sleeve on the pipe, and a radially expansible internal gripping subassembly for selectably gripping the inside surface of the pipe to retain the thread protector device in operative position. The radially expansible, internal gripping subassembly includes, as a part thereof, a camming handle which is used to actuate an axially projecting shaft by cam action and to thus place the subassembly in compression, thereby causing an elastomeric material forming a part thereof to expand radially onwardly and frictionally engage the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe thread protector apparatus which includes an annular elastomeric sleeve dimensioned to surround a pipe thread to be protected, a radially inwardly projecting stop flange at one end of the sleeve and a constriction subassembly for constricting the sleeve into gripping contact with the protected thread. The constriction subassembly includes a flexible band imbedded in the sleeve, and a device for shortening the length of the band to constrict the elastomeric sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a reel of wire on a truck bed, which apparatus includes a pair of brackets mountable at opposite sides of the bed and adapted to support an elongated shaft assembly at spaced locations therealong, a shaft assembly extending between and supported by the brackets, and a friction braking assembly movably mounted on the shaft assembly for movement axially on the shaft assembly. The friction braking assembly includes a rotatable friction element adapted to be keyed to a reel rotatably supported on the shaft assembly between the brackets, a second friction element movable axially on the shaft assembly into and out of engagement with the rotatable friction element, and means for adjustably and resiliently urging the second friction element into frictional engagement with the rotatable friction element. A reel positioning plate and sleeve assembly is slidably mounted on the shaft assembly for retaining a reel in engagement with the rotatable friction element.

Abstract: An apparatus for reeling up and storing wire including at least one drive roller, a reel shaft and a driving member extending between and drivingly interconnecting the drive rollers and reel shaft. A control handle is provided and is movably connected to a brake bar for brakingly engaging the driving member, and alternatively, for guiding wire being reeled upon a reel supported on the reel shaft for rotation therewith.