Power pipe tong rotary plunger inserter

Abstract

In a power pipe tong including doors with a latch handle and having a circular rotary with connecting ends for opening and closing and receiving pipe for make-up or break-out in which the connecting ends of the rotary are fastened together by a spring loaded plunger, the improvement in means for inserting the plunger into the connecting ends as the tong doors are closed and preventing the plunger from becoming disengaged until the doors are opened. A cam is pivotally mounted, on the tong in position for engagement with the top of the plunger for inserting the plunger into the rotary and for releasing the plunger. A connecting linkage mechanism pivotally connects between the cam and the door latch handle and is actuated by the handle for moving the cam into engagement with the plunger when the latch is closed and moves the cam out of engagement with the plunger when the latch is opened. An actuating spring is positioned between the tong and the handle which is cocked when the handle is opened and which actuates the latch to the closed position for actuating the cam when the doors are closed. A spring biased trigger on one of the doors engages and locks the latch handle in the open position when the latch is opened and a releasing pin on the other door engages and unlocks the trigger from the latch handle when the doors are moved to the closed position.