Patent ID: 7681649
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A slips assembly for gripping pipe, comprising: first and second housing segments that arc secured to each other by a hinge, defining a housing having a hole therethrough for receiving a section of pipe; a plurality of pockets in the housing and spaced circumferentially around the hole, the pockets and the housing being movable in unison with each other, each of the pockets having two circumferentially spaced apart side walls that face toward each other, me side walls being connected to each other by a circumferentially extending back wall that has at least one ramp surface; a slip segment located in each pocket, each slip segment having side edges on opposite circumferential sides of the slip segment, at least one of the side edges contacting one of the side walls of one of the pockets in operation to transfer torque between the slip segments and the housing, and each of the slip segments having a circumferentially extending back side with at least one ramp surface that engages the ramp surface on the back wall of the pocket; and each of the slip segments being slidable on the ramp surfaces within its pocket from an upper outward position to a lower inward position in gripping engagement with the pipe.