The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 29, 2008
Filed:
May. 02, 2003
Carroll R. Thompson, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Carroll R. Thompson, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Technologies Alliance, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a pipe-handling machine () for picking up and laying down pipe, such as at a rig site. The machine first comprises three elongated and nested truss members. First, a trestle () is provided; second, a trough carrier () is received within the trestle; and third, a trough () is slidably received within the trough carrier. The machine next comprises an inclined ramp (). A lower end of the ramp is pivotally connected to the trestle, while an upper end of the ramp extends upward to the rig floor. The length of the ramp is adjustable to accommodate rig floors of varying heights. A trestle transport mechanism () selectively moves a front end of the trestle upwards along the ramp, thereby delivering a joint of pipe to the rig floor. The trough may optionally be moved along the trough carrier and out over the rig floor to aid in delivery. Features () may optionally be incorporated to reduce the angle of approach of the joint of pipe relative to the rig floor after the trestle transport mechanism is actuated.