Abstract:
A pipe cradle for gripping a pipe using a forklift is disclosed. The pipe cradle includes a first cradle attachment, wherein the first cradle attachment including a first concave face, and a second cradle attachment, the second cradle attachment including a second concave face. The first and second concave faces are positioned to face each other when the first and second cradle attachments are positioned on a corresponding first and second fork of the forklift.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application which claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/744,995, filed Mar. 8, 2013. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD/FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to manipulating pipes and other tubular or cylindrical objects. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Pipes, especially those used in oilfield applications, tend to be too heavy and unwieldy to move manually. As such, pipes are often manipulated using heavy-weight equipment. In some instances, a forklift may be used to manipulate the pipes. Typically, the forklift has two forks that may be slid underneath the pipe and subsequently used to lift and transport the pipe from one location to another. In some forklifts, the lateral distance between the two forks may be hydraulically adjusted closer or farther apart as needed based on the size of the object being transported. Typically, the two forks are smooth, allowing the forks to be slid under, for example, flat, rectangular objects. Various techniques have been attempted to secure pipes to the forks, including the use of chains, ropes, and the like. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In an embodiment a pipe cradle for gripping a pipe using a forklift is disclosed. The pipe cradle includes a first cradle attachment, wherein the first cradle attachment including a first concave face, and a second cradle attachment, the second cradle attachment including a second concave face. The first and second concave faces are positioned to face each other when the first and second cradle attachments are positioned on a corresponding first and second fork of the forklift. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a method is disclosed. The method includes positioning a first cradle attachment on a first fork of a forklift, the first cradle attachment including a first concave face. The method further includes positioning a second cradle attachment on a second fork of the forklift, wherein the second cradle attachment including a second concave face. The second concave face is generally parallel to and facing the first concave face. The method also includes positioning, by moving the forklift, the first and second cradle attachments on either side of a pipe, the pipe generally aligned between and parallel to the first and second concave faces, moving the first and second forks towards each other, and contacting the pipe with the first and second concave faces. In addition, the method includes lifting, by raising the first and second forks, the pipe and moving the pipe. 
         [0006]    In still another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a cradle attachment for gripping a pipe using a forklift is disclosed. The method includes providing a pipe section having a radius generally the same as the pipe to be gripped, cutting the pipe section at least once laterally to form two annular sectional segments, and coupling each annular sectional segment to a fork of the forklift such that the convex inner surface of each annular sectional segments faces the inner surface of the other annular sectional segment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a forklift having installed thereon a forklift pipe cradle consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a top plan view of the forklift pipe cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  depicts a front elevation view of the forklift pipe cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  depicts a perspective view of a single forklift pipe cradle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts a forklift pipe cradle consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a forklift pipe cradle consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts a forklift pipe cradle consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts a forklift pipe cradle consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure gripping a pipe. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts forklift  102  positioned near pipe  100 . Pipe  100  may be constructed of a variety of materials of construction. One non-limiting material of construction is plastic piping, such as PVC. Forklift  102  includes two forks  104   a, b , extending therefrom positioned, as understood in the art, to lift object. Each fork  104   a, b , is a generally rectangular extension which is positionable by the operator of forklift  102  in both the vertical direction, and horizontally moving closer together or farther apart. 
         [0018]    Cradle attachments  200   a,    200   b  are coupled to forks  104   a,    104   b,  respectively. Each cradle attachment  200   a,    200   b  may include sleeve portion  202   a,    202   b,  and cradle portion  204   a,    204   b.  Cradle portions  204   a,    204   b  have a convex inner surface positioned so that when cradle attachments  200   a,    200   b  are affixed to forks  104   a,    104   b  of forklift  102 , the inner surfaces of cradle portions  204   a,    204   b  face each other. Sleeve portions  202   a ,  202   b  may be positioned to fit around forks  104   a,    104   b  to secure cradle attachments  200   a ,  200   b  to forks  104   a,    104   b.  In some embodiments, sleeve portions  202   a,    202   b  may be longer than cradle portions  204   a,    204   b  to, for example, provide a larger contact area between cradle attachments  200   a,    200   b  and forks  104   a,    104   b.  One having ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will understand that sleeve portions  202   a ,  202   b  may be longer, shorter, or the same length as cradle portions  204   a,    204   b  without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, cradle portions  204   a,    204   b  may be positioned at any point along cradle attachments  200   a,    200   b  without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0019]    In operation, when forks  104   a,    104   b  are moved closer together, cradle portions  204   a,    204   b  may thus grip about the outer surface of pipe  100  when pipe  100  is positioned therebetween as depicted in  FIG. 7 . Once pipe  100  is gripped by cradle attachments  200   a ,  200   b,  forklift  102  may proceed to lift, move, or otherwise relocate pipe  100 . Because of the convex shape of cradle portions  204   a,    204   b,  cradle attachments  200   a,    200   b,  cradle portions  204   a,    204   b  may fit flush against pipe  100 , providing a secure, clamp-like grip. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3A  depicts a front view of a set of exemplary cradle attachments  300   a,    300   b  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As previously described, each cradle attachment  300   a,    300   b  may include sleeve portion  302   a,    302   b  and cradle portion  304   a,    304   b  affixed thereto. Each sleeve portion  302   a,    302   b  may have a space or hollow area  306   a,    306   b  extending lengthwise through the middle thereof and having sufficient dimension to receive therein fork  104   a,    104   b.  In some embodiments, each sleeve portion  302   a,    302   b  may also have one or more securing mechanisms for securing it to forklift fork  104   a,    104   b  either permanently or temporarily. Such securing mechanisms are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art and are therefore not described in detail here. 
         [0021]    As for the cradle portions  304   a,    304   b,  in some embodiments, each cradle portion  304   a,    304   b  may have a substantially semicircular profile for making contour-fitting contact with the surface of pipe  100 . In some embodiments, a full semicircular profile may be used on each cradle portion  304   a,    304   b.  One having ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will understand that a full semicircular profile is not required. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the profile of cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  may be an arc of, for example and without limitation, approximately 150 degrees, approximately 120 degrees, or other angles without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the radius of each cradle portion  304   a,    304   b  may be substantially the same as the radius of pipe  100  being manipulated. In some embodiments, cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  may be formed from a second piece of pipe matching pipe  100 . The second piece of pipe, which may be a one-foot piece, two-foot piece, three-foot piece, and so on, may then be cut into halves, or thirds, or some other fraction, and each half or third (or other fraction) of the piece of pipe may be affixed to sleeve portion  302   a,    302   b  to form cradle portions  304   a,    304   b.    
         [0022]    Affixing the cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  to the sleeve portions  302   a,    302   b  may be accomplished using any technique known to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, each cradle portion  304   a,    304   b  may be welded or brazed to a respective sleeve portion  302   a,    302   b  in some embodiments. In other embodiments, cradle portions  304   a ,  304   b  may bolted, riveted, or screwed to the respective sleeve portion  302   a,    302   b.  The choice of affixing method may, in some embodiments, be determined at least in part by the type of material (e.g., steel, cast iron, etc.) used for the cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  and sleeve portions  302   a,    302   b,  and whether they are the same material. In some embodiments, cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  and sleeve portions  302   a,    302   b  may be manufactured (e.g., extruded, etc.) as a single unitary component. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3B  depicts a perspective view of one of the cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  from  FIG. 3A . As can be seen in this example, the cradle portion  304   b  and the sleeve portion  302   b  are substantially equal in length. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, rather than a semicircular profile, the profiles of the cradle portions may resemble that shown in  FIG. 4 . Here, cradle attachments  400   a,    400   b  may include cradle portions  402   a,    402   b  in which the sides opposite the pipe-contacting sides are flat rather than curved. The flat sides may provide more surface area to support affixing or otherwise attaching the cradle portions  402   a,    402   b  to sleeve portions  304   a ,  304   b.    
         [0025]    In some embodiments, such as that depicted in  FIG. 5 , additional support may also be provided to couple cradle portions  402   a,    402   b  to sleeve portions  502   a,    502   b . There, cradle attachments  500   a,    500   b  have sleeve portions  502   a,    502   b  in which the sides that connect to the cradle portions  402   a,    402   b  are extended in one or more directions, thus, for example, increasing the available contact surface for the cradle portions  402   a ,  402   b.    
         [0026]    In some embodiments, such as that depicted in  FIG. 6 , cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  may be affixed to, mounted on, or otherwise coupled directly to forks  104   a,    104   b  themselves. Cradle attachments  600   a,    600   b  may include cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  that may be welded, brazed, or otherwise coupled directly to the forklift forks  104   a,    104   b.  In some embodiments, because the forklift forks tend to have a somewhat reduced contact surface area for supporting the cradle portions  304   a,    304   b,  an additional support structure, such as a strut or brace  602   a,    602   b,  may be coupled (e.g., welded, brazed, etc.) between forks  104   a,    104   b  and cradle portions  304   a,    304   b  as depicted. 
         [0027]    The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a person of ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Such features may be replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives, only some of which are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.