Abstract: Locking device for a pile-shaped element for a body having buoyancy and provided with a longitudinal rack adapted to coact with a pinion connected to the body. A rack piece connected with and displaceable relative to the body is adapted to coact with the longitudinal rack for mutually locking body and pile-shaped element. The rack piece has the shape of an isosceles trapezium along the large base side of which are provided the teeth and which is enclosed between two guide blocks which are displaceable both jointly and separately in longitudinal direction of the rack and each being provided with a guide face coacting with an inclined trapezium side of the rack piece.

Abstract: The technique for replacing an existing underground cable and a specific apparatus for doing so are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a main body or cable follower which is interconnected with the cable to be replaced for slidable movement along the latter. At the same time, the apparatus provides means for reaming around the cable, preferrably by means of one or more fluid jets. Once the soil surrounding the cable has been loosened using this apparatus, the cable can be easily pulled out of the ground. At the same time, the replacement cable can be attached to the existing cable and pulled into its place.

Abstract: A temporary rig of the jack-up type for oil and gas exploration. The rig is towed to a selected site where the legs are lowered to the ocean floor and the deck is raised out of the water. Piles are then pushed into the ocean floor by a series of extensions of hydraulic jacks to anchor the legs. The piles can be pulled up by contracting the jacks in a similar manner so that the rig can be moved to a new location. The jacking mechanisms move within pile guides that form parts of the legs.

Abstract: A jacking mechanism for leveling a marine platform and a jacket supporting the platform by elevating a tubular leg or member of the platform relative to a pile extending through that member, with the jacking mechanism including a first gripping unit adapted to extend about and releasably grip the tubular member, a second gripping unit adapted to extend about and releasably grip the pile at a location beyond the tubular member and at a diameter smaller than the diameter at which the first gripping unit engages the tubular member, and power actuated means for moving the two gripping units axially relative to one another to cause the desired relative displacement of the leg and pile.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for supporting a long, heavy dredge pipe string from a moving surface vessel, with a minimum of stress being applied to the pipe. The system comprises a gimbaled platform, supported over a central well through a vessel by two horizontal axes perpendicular to each other. A carriage is supported from the platform on hydraulic piston rods. Pipe string support plates are movably secured to facing surfaces on the carriage and platform, arranged about central openings, to permit close-coupling of the two sets of support plates when transferring the pipe string. There is also provided a pair of lateral support members for the pipe string at the bottom of the well.

Abstract: A gripper system for moving drilling rigs on offshore drilling platforms supported on flanged skid bases having a pair of side plates with flanges for engaging the underside of the skid base flange. The side plates are supported on a pair of rotatable shafts, having eccentric cam surfaces for engaging the upper surface of the skid base flanges. Each shaft is independently rotated and clamped by an hydraulically operated cam locking actuator adapted to rotate the respective shaft and eccentric cam surfaces. The side plates are bolted to a main frame, also supported on the rotatable shafts with the bolts acting as pivot pins for attaching a hydraulic jack means between the gripper assembly and the drilling rig to be moved. The drilling rig is moved by successive clamping and releasing of the cam locking gripper assembly and operation of the hydraulic skid jack means.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for moving drilling rigs on offshore drilling platforms in which the drilling rigs are supported on a plurality of skid bases. The gripper assembly rests on the skid bases and provides means for selectively gripping the skid base when a drilling rig is to be moved. The gripper assembly has a platform supported by end plates resting on the skid base flanges and is connected to the drilling rig by a hydraulic jack cylinder which moves or slides the drilling rig on the skid bases in a stepwise fashion. Traversing the platform is a cross-member pivotally supporting gripper arms for applying a clamping force to the skid base. The gripper assembly is clamped on the skid base by means of a clamping hydraulic cylinder to apply a force on flanges on the gripper arms, while the hydraulic jack cylinder is operated to push or pull the drilling rig a distance equal to the extension distance of the hydraulic jack cylinder stroke.

Abstract: An off-shore platform of the self-erecting type has a floating deck provided with legs which can be raised and lowered and on which the platform is jacked up after they rest on a base structure placed onto the ocean floor. Each of the legs is guided within the deck in two vertically spaced bearings, the upper one of which is universally yieldable so that the leg can pivot about a center point of this bearing and the lower one of which is yieldable only in radial direction and provided with an annular space surrounding the leg and into which compressible or incompressible flowable medium can be introduced at will so as to allow the bearing either to yield or else to prevent it from yielding.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for elevating a prefabricated, off-shore, well-drilling or other platform. The platform is elevated by jacking units on the platform having legs suspended from a superstructure on the support. At least one pair of preassembled jacking units is mounted upon the platform at each caisson well. A superstructure is premounted on the upper end of each caisson. A set of self-energizing "fail safe" slips is mounted in the superstructure near each of its ends. Each jacking unit includes a tubular jacking leg. Means are provided for positioning each jacking leg so as to positively lock its upper end in the slips in the superstructure after berthing. Each jacking unit also includes a jacking mechanism comprising two slip holders, each containing a set of self-energizing, "fail safe" slips surrounding the jacking leg. Lifting rods associated with slip holder housings are pivotally connected at their lower end to the platform.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus for selectively moving a load in either of opposite directions such as vertically upwardly and downwardly. The apparatus is adapted for use in a wide range of building constructions, such as those using slipforms, wherein heavy loads are positioned by the jacking apparatus. The apparatus includes gripping elements having portions engaging elongated structural elements for effecting desired movement of the jacking apparatus in moving the load. The gripping elements are mounted on parallelogram linkage supports for maintained parallel relationship to the longitudinal extent of the elongated structural element with which they are selectively engaged. A control device is carried by the respective upper and lower gripping devices for effecting automatic control of the gripping elements in effecting a lowering of the apparatus when desired.

Abstract: A jacking device for use with a thread bar having a plurality of couplers and nuts spaced longitudinally thereon. The jacking device is arranged to permit movement thereof longitudinally past the respective couplers and nuts while permitting utilization of the nuts by threaded movement thereof on the thread bar for supporting different portions of the jacking device relative to the thread bar in effecting the desired jacking operation. The jacking device may be utilized to climb the thread bar and, alternatively, may be utilized to pull the thread bar and lift a load associated therewith. The jacking device includes biased chuck elements movably carried to permit passing of the couplers and nuts and selective support thereof on the nuts in effecting the controlled jacking operation.

Abstract: This traction apparatus for hauling in and out a rope, of the type comprising a linkage mechanism adapted to actuate by turns two self-clamping pairs of jaws performing alternate to-and-fro movements, comprises a safety release device coupled to one of the levers of the mechanism, this device comprising essentially a push knob for releasing a two-armed strap normally held in locking engagement with the edges of apertures formed in the half-casings of the apparatus, push members associated with the outer bent arms of this strap and a U-shaped rod surrounded by pre-clamping springs and operatively connected to the strap, so that the rope cannot be released by the clamping jaws unless the operator pushes with both hands the push members subsequent to the depression of the push knob.

Abstract: This hoisting device is intended for orienting and balancing in space the load suspended from the jib of a high-power crane and comprises for each oblique suspension rope attached to the load a traction assembly comprising in turn two pairs of cylinders each associated with one traction block and operating by turns and step-by-step in order to provide a substantially constant traction rate independent of that of the other groups. Conduit means connect said cylinders to the control means housed in the crane control cab and are provided with interconnecting means for balancing the forces in each rope as desired by the operator.

Abstract: In a multipurpose jig apparatus of the type including a length of rigid pipe and a plurality of tail stops slidably mounted on the pipe and releasably gripping it so as to resist movement therealong in one direction but permit movement along the pipe in the other direction, a hand-operated jack is removably mounted on the pipe and in association with two tail stops for forcing such stops along the pipe in reaction to a mechanical advantage developed by a lever component of the jack. In one embodiment, the jack has an elongate, hand operated lever that is pivotally connected to a fulcrum support which in turn is integrally formed at one end of an otherwise conventional tail stop. An end of the lever opposite that of the handle is provided with cam and hook elements which couple the lever to another, adjacent tail stop.

Abstract: An offshore drilling platform with vertically movable legs comprises a buoyant body and a plurality of legs for supporting the body on the sea floor at an elevation above the water level. To permit floating the body for transportation, the legs are selectively vertically movable relative to the body; and in the present invention, this is effected by providing vertical racks on the legs that engage with power-driven pinions carried by the body. The pinion drive has two free-wheel devices, one which free wheels in one direction, and the other which free wheels in the other direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a manually operated jack which is particularly adapted to hold cargo in place in moving trucks, railroad cars or to store merchandise in warehouses and in other generally similar environments. The cargo holder jack generally involves a hollow pedestal member upon which the operating components of the jack are operatively mounted. The pedestal is mounted on a base or foot element which is pivotally connected thereto. An operating rod is provided which is mounted for reciprocal movement and this operating rod is free of the pedestal so it may reciprocate therein and independently thereof. On the end of the operating rod, which is opposite to the portion thereof which reciprocates within the pedestal, is pivotally mounted a base or foot member. A box-like structure composed of two elements is mounted on the pedestal and operatively mounted therein are the various operating components which are associated with the operating rod to cause reciprocal movement thereof.

Abstract: A jacking assembly for moving a load, in steps, axially of a pipe comprises two pawl boxes having lateral platens and which are mounted at axially spaced positions on the pipe. The pawls of the boxes slope towards the pipe and exert a grip on it which allows relative movement between the boxes and the pipe to occur in one direction only. Inflatable hoses connected to a low pressure water supply are sandwiched between the platens and exert a thrust, when dilated, which increases non-linearly with water pressure, to move whichever of the pawl boxes is carrying the load. This movement, which provides the working stroke, is followed by a recovery stroke during which the pawl box not carrying the load is moved up to the other pawl box under the action of springs or a second inflatable hose. The assembly is able to lift a heavy load with a low pressure water supply and has no moving seals. Its operation in parallel with other such assemblies is also described for house building and slip forming purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining substantially equal step length of each jack in a group of pressure fluid operated climbing jacks working on a common object for lifting or lowering it. The apparatus comprises at least one compensation jack associated with each climbing jack. The compensation jacks are arranged to transfer substantially the same load as the respective associated climbing jack and to be actuated when the climbing jack has carried out a full stroke without reaching the intended step length, in order thereby to effect a complementary movement of the load.

Abstract: A jack assembly for use in raising and lowering large platforms on columns, caissons and the like, having upper and lower annular portions interconnected by hydraulic motor means for relative vertical movement therebetween and a plurality of arcuate pneumatically operated gripper assemblies in both the upper and lower portions of the jack; each of the gripper assemblies being removably replaceable from its position in the jack assembly without removal of the jack assembly from the caisson which it surrounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sucker rod adjustment tool which enables the adjustment of effective sucker rod length for pumps used in oil wells, to be made in an efficient and timely manner. The tool consists of two cable slings from which two hydraulic servos are suspended and a lifting collar is attached at the lower ends of the hydraulic servos; all so arranged as to lift the sucker rod through its supporting member to allow adjustment when the hydraulic servos are retracted.

Abstract: Leg apparatus for an offshore drilling unit of the self-elevating type having a floatable hull and a plurality of legs movable from a raised position, in which the legs are supported by the hull in a body of water, to a lowered position, in which the hull is supported by the legs on the floor of the body of water. The legs may comprise a plurality of mutually parallel tubular chord members rigidly interconnected by structural bracing members. The tubular chord members may comprise an elongated tubular body and an elongated plate member, whose longitudinal axis coincides with the axis of the tubular body, rigidly connected to and spanning the interior of the tubular body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for raising a sliding shuttering designed to be used for the continuous production of silos, water towers, etc.The device consists of two cases, coaxial with a slide bar, separated from one another by a jack also coaxial of which each of the two parts in respectively integral with one of the cases, each case comprising locking jaws in its interior which, alternating from one case to the other, engage with a slide bar, the locked case serving as a support point for the case in movement and reciprocally, the pressure of the compressed high-pressure fluid of the jack for raising the case joined to the frame, supporting the shuttering, which device is characterised in that the means for raising the other case is provided by a low pressure fluid which acts when the high-pressure fluid is decompressed, which enables an efficient device to be obtained and avoid even a slight backward movement of the shuttering.

Abstract: A lifting device for raising, lowering and suspending heavy loads comprises a climbing jack with alternating gripping means and a lifting element. For allowing repeated cooperation with the gripping means the lifting element consists of a plurality of outer wire elements and at least one inner wire element, where the elasticity of at least one inner wire element is greater than the elasticity of the outer wire elements. Usually, the outer wire elements are arranged in groups, with spaces between the groups.A gripping device for a lifting element passed therethrough comprises a double-acting piston within a cylinder, with a plurality of jaw elements therein. The jaw elements are wedge shaped at their side remote from the lifting element, and are held between pairs of guides formed in the cylinder for radial movement only. The piston carries correspondingly wedge-shaped elements, so that longitudinal movement of the piston results in radial movement of the jaws.

Abstract: A jacking assembly for moving a load, in steps, axially of a pipe comprises two pawl boxes having lateral platens and which are mounted at axially spaced positions on the pipe. The pawls of the boxes slope towards the pipe and exert a grip on it which allows relative movement between the boxes and the pipe to occur in one direction only. Inflatable hoses connected to a low pressure water supply are sandwiched between the platens and exert a thrust, when dilated, which increases nonlinearly with water pressure, to move whichever of the pawl boxes is carrying the load. This movement, which provides the working stroke, is followed by a recovery stroke during which the pawl box not carrying the load is moved up to the other pawl box under the action of springs or a second inflatable hose. The assembly is able to lift a heavy load with a low pressure water supply and has no moving seals. Its operation in parallel with other such assemblies is also described for house building and slip forming purposes.

Abstract: In a method of lowering and raising loads by means of a jack assembly and lifting element the load is transferred from the lifting element by supporting means disposed on the lifting element and having a cross-section considerably larger than that of the lifting element. The supporting means are alternately carried by preferably dismountable carrying members with holes for the lifting element, which holes are smaller than the cross-section of the supporting means, the carrying members being mounted on relatively movable parts of the jack assembly.