Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Childress, II

Lawrence E. Childress, II 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: 11156038
    Abstract: A device for extending the useable life of a split bowl by reducing wear of the thru bore of the split bowl during drilling operations. A replaceable wear bushing with a wear indicator is inserted in the thru bore of the two halves of the split bowl. The wear indicator may be a groove formed in an inner diameter of the wear bushing. The wear bushing may be inserted in a bushing groove formed in an inner diameter of the thru bore of the two halves of the split bowl. A retainer plate may be used to retain the wear bushing in the bushing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy S. Granger, Lawrence E. Childress, II
  • Patent number: 10502249
    Abstract: A link connector configured to connect a set of links together. The link connector has a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. A first blocking member is pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the body by a pin member. A second blocking member is pivotably coupled to the lower portion of the body by a pin member. The first and second blocking members are movable between an open position and a closed position such that when in the closed position the link connector forms an 8 shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Frederik Stoldt, Andre Vierke, Lawrence E. Childress, II
  • Patent number: 10392876
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to elevators and other tools having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags embedded therein to facilitate identification of the elevators. The tools include an RFID tag embedded therein to facilitate identification of the tool. The RFID tag may be disposed in a bore formed in tool, and then optionally covered with a capping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Harshbarger, Lawrence E. Childress, II
  • Patent number: 10309170
    Abstract: A tubular rotating system for rotating threaded tubulars is provided. The system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers coupled to the frame and configured to rotate a tubular, and a control valve coupled to the frame and configured to control a rotational speed of the rollers. The control valve controls an amount of air, fluid, or electric power supplied to the system based on tension applied to the system to thereby control the speed at which the rollers rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Kyle Bourgeois, Andre Vierke, Lawrence E. Childress, II
  • Publication number: 20170350200
    Abstract: A tubular rotating system for rotating threaded tubulars is provided. The system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers coupled to the frame and configured to rotate a tubular, and a control valve coupled to the frame and configured to control a rotational speed of the rollers. The control valve controls an amount of air, fluid, or electric power supplied to the system based on tension applied to the system to thereby control the speed at which the rollers rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua Kyle BOURGEOIS, Andre VIERKE, Lawrence E. CHILDRESS, II
  • Publication number: 20170284438
    Abstract: A link connector configured to connect a set of links together. The link connector has a body having an upper portion and a lower portion. A first blocking member is pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the body by a pin member. A second blocking member is pivotably coupled to the lower portion of the body by a pin member. The first and second blocking members are movable between an open position and a closed position such that when in the closed position the link connector forms an 8 shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Frederik STOLDT, Andre VIERKE, Lawrence E. CHILDRESS, II
  • Publication number: 20170204686
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to elevators and other tools having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags embedded therein to facilitate identification of the elevators. The tools include an RFID tag embedded therein to facilitate identification of the tool. The RFID tag may be disposed in a bore formed in tool, and then optionally covered with a capping material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Chris HARSHBARGER, Lawrence E. CHILDRESS, II
  • Patent number: 9109409
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus and methods for a secondary safety device for use on elevators utilized to move casing, tubing, sucker rods, or other circular tools or members in the oil and gas industry. In one embodiment, a secondary latch lock mechanism for an elevator having a primary safety latch is provided. The secondary latch lock mechanism comprises a base portion that is fixed to a body of the elevator, and a handle movably fixed to the base portion and a first gear device by a biasing member, wherein the handle is movable to a first position proximate to the primary safety latch and a second position that is spaced away from the primary safety latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Childress, II, Jeremy S. Granger
  • Patent number: 8919841
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for a handling system and attachment of a secondary elevator, and/or other complementary equipment, to a primary elevator. In one embodiment, a casing elevator is provided. The casing elevator includes a body, two first load-rated lift members coupled to a perimeter of the body at a first location on the body, and two second load-rated lift members coupled to the perimeter of the body at a second location on the body, the second location being different than the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Havens, Lawrence E. Childress, II, Robert Dugal
  • Publication number: 20130264838
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for a handling system and attachment of a secondary elevator, and/or other complementary equipment, to a primary elevator. In one embodiment, a casing elevator is provided. The casing elevator includes a body, two first load-rated lift members coupled to a perimeter of the body at a first location on the body, and two second load-rated lift members coupled to the perimeter of the body at a second location on the body, the second location being different than the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Havens, Lawrence E. Childress, II, Robert Dugal
  • Patent number: 7013759
    Abstract: A device for torquing a tubular connection. The device comprises an upper assembly having an upper jaw member, a lower assembly having a lower jaw member, an upper gear for advancing the upper jaw member, and a lower gear for advancing the lower jaw member. The upper jaw member includes a first jaw operatively associated with a first rack, a second jaw operatively associated with a second rack, and a third jaw operatively associated with a third rack. The lower jaw member includes a fourth jaw operatively associated with a fourth rack, a fifth jaw operatively associated with a fifth rack, and a sixth jaw operatively associated with a sixth rack. A method of torquing a first tubular with a second tubular is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Access Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Childress, II