Patent ID: 6227306
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A gripping device for releasably engaging an elongate member, the gripping device comprising:a housing including an upper wall, a lower wall and a central opening for accepting an elongate member therethrough; a plurality of slip carrier blocks spaced circumferentially about the opening between the upper wall and the lower wall, each slip carrier block having a rear surface and a sloping front face, the sloping front faces together forming a slip bowl bore with a diameter and the slip carrier blocks each being radially moveable between a selected fully retracted position and an advanced position to adjust the diameter of the bore; a slip slidably mounted on each sloping front face to move over the front face; a motor to drive the movement of the slip carrier blocks; and a switch for sensing the proximity of at least one carrier block to the fully retracted position and acting to stop the motor when the carrier block is at about the fully retracted position.