Patent ID: 8146971
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A grapple attachment for use with a pipe having a diameter, comprising: first and second gripping members disposed on a rigid lateral member, each of the first and second gripping members being movable between an open position and a closed position; a swivel assembly attached to the lateral member by a first joint that has one degree of rotational freedom; an attachment bracket attached to the swivel assembly by a second joint that has one degree of rotational freedom; a powered extendable arm attached on a first end to the lateral member and on a second end to the swivel assembly that moves the lateral member about the first joint with respect to the swivel assembly; and a motor disposed in the swivel assembly that can rotate the swivel assembly about the second joint, wherein a first axis extends through the lateral member, the swivel assembly and the bracket and wherein the degree of freedom of the first joint is perpendicular to the first axis and the degree of freedom of the second joint is parallel to the first axis, wherein each of the first and second gripping members has a first and second grab arm and a bracket having a contact surface, each grab arm having a gripping surface, wherein the surface of the bracket and the gripping surfaces of the first and second grab arms come in contact with the pipe when the gripping member is in the closed position.