Ingram Corporation

John J Gallagher, Jr

Robert Frias

William Watson

An apparatus for transferring tubulars between pipe racks and a drilling rig floor including a stationary trough located below and extending towards the drilling rig and a movable trough aligned with the stationary trough having one end supported on the drilling rig floor and the other end powered to move between a lower position for transferring pipe to and from the stationary through and on upper position for transferring pipe to and from the drilling rig floor. A carriage having a frictional coating and wheels which run on guide structure below the stationary trough pushes and guides the pipe along the stationary trough. An endless chain system drives this carriage along the length of the stationary trough and includes a shock absorber system for dampening the forces on the carriage and chain when a pipe impacts the carriage. Two pair of legs extending between pipe racks and the stationary trough are provided. Chain driven lugs driven by a single shaft engage a length of pipe and carry it along the length of the legs. The legs are hinged at a middle section so that they may be easily folded for transport of the apparatus between drilling rig sites. In lieu of this lug mechanism, the legs can be pivoted by fluid actuated cylinders, which are pivotally attached to the apparatus and to the legs, between lower loading and upper unloading positions.

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Jeanerette, LA, United States of America

John J Gallagher, Jr