Patent Abstract:
A pipe handling apparatus for raising and lowering pipe to and from a raised derrick work floor. The apparatus comprises a longitudinally-extending base, with a longitudinally-extending cavity therein. An elongate, longitudinally-extending boom member is provided, which is adapted for raising out of and nestable positioning in such cavity. The boom member has a longitudinally-extending trough therein on an upperside surface thereof, adapted to receive at least one section of pipe. At least one arm member is coupled to the boom member for raising a proximal end of such boom member. A pipe ejection assembly, integrated into said boom, is operable as the boom lowers into the cavity for the purpose of laterally ejecting pipe from the trough. The ejection assembly is adaptable for unidirectional or bidirectional ejection. Motive means are provided to permit powered movement of the ejector members when the boom is nested.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates generally to pipe handling systems and in particular to an apparatus for providing drill pipe to, and receiving drill pipe from, the work floor of a derrick or rig.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Drill strings of pipe for oil and gas wells are assembled or disassembled vertically on a derrick one joint at a time, and are stored horizontally on pipe racks situated on the ground adjacent the rig. The work floor of the rig is typically elevated substantially above the pipe rack such that transferring sections of pipe to and from the work floor and the racks is necessary and requires careful handling of the heavy pipe to protect the workers and the pipe.  
           [0003]    Conventional systems based on a boom having a pipe receiving trough in which pipe may be placed typically also include some way to eject sections of pipe out of such trough.  
           [0004]    A variety of ejection mechanisms are known for removing pipe from a trough. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,302 to Frias et al (‘302’) teaches a means for tilting an entire trough in a boom assembly that does not itself rise to the derrick work floor but merely feeds a second boom one end of which is pivotally coupled to the work floor. Disadvantageously, tilting an entire trough or boom requires significantly more power and compromises the potential rigidity of the boom more than is necessary when a short kicker member or section of trough is tilted to the same effect.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,221 to Blackmon (‘221’) teaches a pipe car pulled and released by a cable and having 2 sets of side-mounted wheels each set having a common axle and running in a channel in a fixed track, with a v-shaped carriage member that tilts to either side of the pipe car in a manner similar to the tilting car of US 24,907 to Maydew (‘907’). Disadvantageously all known car designs run in a stationary track and require separate power and trigger assemblies.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,566 to Beeman (‘566’) teaches a dump arm pivotally connected to a boom and fastened to an hydraulic ram that is connected to the boom, such configuration disadvantageously adds weight and complexity to the boom.  
           [0007]    Applicant&#39;s Canadian application CA  2224638  teaches a number of embodiments of a kicker together with a kicker rod. However, such design necessarily uses power and trigger assemblies that are separate from the boom.  
           [0008]    The prior art in the oil-field service industry has concentrated on teaching variations on power driven tilting troughs and hydraulically powered kickers mounted on the boom or on the base and relying on a separate source of the power needed to cause ejection. None of the prior art, however, teaches an ejector that uses passive actuator members and is operable without a separate trigger and source of power to cause the ejecting motion.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The apparatus of the present invention provides passive means for ejecting pipe from the trough of a boom by using the weight of the boom itself as the source of ejection force. This efficient implementation of an integrated “kicker” ejection apparatus may be combined with conventional hydraulic or pneumatic technologies for increased flexibility of operation.  
           [0010]    Accordingly, in a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a pipe handling apparatus capable of laterally ejecting pipe, the apparatus having a base, the base having a longitudinally extending cavity therein, the apparatus further having longitudinally extending boom having a distal end and a proximal end, a first side and a second opposing side, and a longitudinally extending trough for receiving at least one section of pipe, further comprising: a first ejector pivotally coupled to the first side of the boom; a second ejector, longitudinally separated along the boom from the first ejector and pivotally coupled to the first side of the boom; an actuator shaft assembly situate below and substantially parallel to the boom movably coupled to the base, the actuator shaft assembly has an actuated position and means for moving the actuator shaft assembly to its actuated position in order to enable substantially simultaneous activation of the first and second ejectors so as to cause the pipe to be ejected from the first side of the boom.  
           [0011]    In a refinement of the present invention there is further provided: a third ejector, situate proximate the first ejector, pivotally coupled to the second opposing side of the boom, the first and second ejectors forming a first ejector pair; and a fourth ejector, situate proximate the second ejector, pivotally coupled to the second side of the boom, the third and fourth ejectors forming a second ejector pair; the actuator shaft assembly having a first actuated position and a second actuated position, together with means for moving the actuator shaft assembly between the first and second actuated positions; wherein the actuator shaft assembly may be moved to the first actuated position to activate the first ejector pair so as to eject pipe from the first side of the boom and may be moved to the second actuated position to activate the second ejector pair so as to eject pipe from the second side of the boom.  
           [0012]    The invention comprises a number of configurations for the actuator shaft assembly.  
           [0013]    In a first embodiment, the actuator shaft assembly comprises: an elongate shaft member; a first actuator member extending radially from the shaft member and the first actuator member is substantially in longitudinal alignment with the first ejector; and a second actuator member extending radially from the shaft member and the second actuator member is substantially in longitudinal alignment with the second ejector; whereby, when the actuator shaft assembly is operated to the actuated position the first actuator member can engage the first ejector and substantially simultaneously the second actuator member can engage the second ejector.  
           [0014]    According to an alternate implementation, the actuator shaft assembly comprises: an elongate shaft member; a pair of first actuator members extending radially from the shaft member and substantially in alignment respectively with the first and second ejectors of the first ejector pair; and a pair of second actuator members extending radially from the shaft member and substantially in alignment respectively with the first and second ejectors of the second ejector pair; wherein the elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the pair of first actuator members engage respectively the first and second ejectors of the first ejector pair so as to eject pipe from the first side of the boom, and the elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the pair of second actuator members engage respectively the first and second ejectors of the second ejector pair so as to eject the pipe from the second side of the boom.  
           [0015]    According to an alternate implementation, the actuator shaft assembly comprises: an elongate shaft member; a pair of first actuator members extending radially from the shaft member and substantially in alignment respectively with the first and second ejectors of the first ejector pair; and a pair of second actuator members extending radially from the shaft member and substantially in alignment respectively with the first and second ejectors of the second ejector pair; wherein the elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the pair of first actuator members engages respectively the first and second ejectors of the first ejector pair so as to, when the boom is lowered into the cavity, eject pipe from the first side of the boom, and the elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the pair of second actuator members engages respectively the first and second ejectors of the second ejector pair so as to, when the boom is lowered into the cavity, eject the pipe from the second side of the boom.  
           [0016]    In yet a further, alternate embodiment, the actuator shaft assembly comprises: a first elongate shaft member having a first actuator member extending radially therefrom and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the first ejector; a second actuator member extending radially from the first elongate shaft member and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the second ejector; a second elongate shaft member having a third actuator member extending radially therefrom and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the third ejector; and a fourth actuator member extending radially from the second elongate shaft member and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the fourth ejector; wherein the first elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the first actuator member engages the first ejector and substantially simultaneously the second actuator member engages the second ejector, so as to eject pipe from the first side of the boom, and alternatively the second elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the third actuator member engages the third ejector and substantially simultaneously the fourth actuator member engages the fourth ejector, so as to eject pipe from the second side of the boom.  
           [0017]    According to yet a further alternate implementation, the actuator shaft assembly comprises: a first elongate shaft member having a first actuator member extending radially therefrom and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the first ejector; a second actuator member extending radially from the first elongate shaft member and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the second ejector; a second elongate shaft member having a third actuator member extending radially therefrom and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the third ejector; and a fourth actuator member extending radially from the second elongate shaft member and substantially in longitudinal alignment with the fourth ejector; wherein the first elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the first actuator member engages the first ejector and substantially simultaneously the second actuator member engages the second ejector, so as to, when the boom is lowered into the cavity, eject pipe from the first side of the boom, and alternatively the second elongate shaft member may be moved to a position whereby the third actuator member engages the third ejector and substantially simultaneously the fourth actuator member engages the fourth ejector, so as to, when the boom is lowered into the cavity, eject pipe from the second side of the boom.  
           [0018]    In a further refinement of the apparatus as a whole having a first ejector pair, the first and second ejector of the first ejector pair comprises: pivot means for pivotally coupling the first ejector pair to the first side of the boom; and a receiver assembly coupled to the cradle for engaging one actuator member of the pair of first actuator members; wherein each receiver assembly of the first ejector pair is positioned, shaped, and sized so as to enable the pair of first actuator members to substantially simultaneously activate the first and second ejectors of the first ejector pair.  
           [0019]    In an alternate embodiment of the apparatus having a first and second ejector pair, each of the first and second ejector of the second ejector pair comprises: pivot means for pivotally coupling the ejector to the second side of the boom; and a receiver assembly coupled to the cradle for engaging one actuator member of the pair of second actuator members; wherein each receiver assembly of the second ejector pair is positioned, shaped, and sized so as to enable the pair of second actuator members to substantially simultaneously activate the first and second ejectors of the second ejector pair.  
           [0020]    In a further aspect of the present invention, a cradle member is provided, each cradle member having a generally v-shaped cross-section further having a cradle surface situated co-planar with and conforming to the trough, the cradle member laterally extending across an opening in the trough between first and second sides thereof, the cradle member having a first edge and a second edge respectively substantially coincident with the first and second sides of the boom, the cradle member pivotally coupled, by the pivot fastened on one of the first or second edges of the cradle member, to one side of the boom for permitting the ejector to pivot about one side of the boom so as to allow pipe contacting the cradle surface to exit the trough when the ejector pair is activated.  
           [0021]    In a further refinement, each pivot for pivotally coupling an ejector to the boom comprises: a pivot tube connected to one of the first or second edges of the cradle member; at least one fixed tube fastened to one side of the boom situate proximate to and axially aligned with but longitudinally displaced from the pivot tube, and a pivot pin positioned on a common axis so as to releasably couple the pivot tube to the at least one fixed tube, about which pin the attached ejector can pivot transversely relative to the boom.  
           [0022]    Each receiver assembly, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a rigid surface against which a respective actuator member may be engaged so as to permit the application of force to the rigid surface in order to cause the first and second ejector to respectively pivot transversely relative to the boom, each rigid surface being situated, oriented, shaped, and sized so as to enable the pair of first actuator members to substantially simultaneously pivot the first and second ejectors of the first ejector pair.  
           [0023]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator member comprises an elongate cam relatively situated, oriented, shaped, and sized so as to transmit force against a receiver assembly for the purpose of substantially simultaneously activating a pair of ejectors. Each elongate cam comprises a coupling end and an opposing striking end having there between a retractably telescoping member for moving the striking end radially towards and away from the actuator shaft member, for the purpose of enabling the activation of ejectors while the boom is nested in the cavity.  
           [0024]    According to different implementations of the apparatus of the present invention the movement of an actuator shaft member may be rotational or longitudinally slidably. Further, the means to assist the movement of an actuator shaft member include but are not limited to any suitable manual crank or power (e.g. electric, hydraulic, pneumatic) driven ram or gearing assembly. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    The present invention, in order to be easily understood and practised, is set out in the following non-limiting examples shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a side view of a mobile version of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a top view of select elements of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an ejector of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an actuator shaft and actuator members of the ejection apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a distal ejector of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a proximal ejector of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a receiver assembly of an ejector of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an actuator member element;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 is a side view of one embodiment of a distal arm assembly of the apparatus of the present invention; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 is a close-up side view of one embodiment an assembly of interdigitating slots and rods of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0036]    Reference is to be had to FIGS. 1-10 in which identical reference numbers identify similar components.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated one embodiment of a pipe handling system, denoted generally as  100  shown having base  110  mounted on undercarriage assembly  105  stabilized by legs  112  when in operation. Boom  120  is shown with proximal end  121  in a raised position moving toward a derrick work floor (not shown) with distal end  122  gliding along cavity  115  guided by track means (not shown), as actuating means  130  raises boom  120  out of cavity  115 . Trough  140 , having pipe  148  therein, extends longitudinally along boom  120  and may be formed therein or fastened thereon, but in either case trough  140  is adapted for having ejectors  160 ,  165 ,  170 , and  175  mounted therein, as well as for receiving carriage assembly  150  adapted to be driven bi-directionally between the distal end  122  and the proximal end  121  of boom  120 . As shown, carriage assembly  150  carries the distal end of pipe  148 . The proximal end  121  of boom  120  is raised by any suitable actuating means  130 , one embodiment of which comprises pivoting arm  131  and suitable linkage  132  actuated by hydraulic ram  133 , for the purpose of receiving pipe  148  into trough  140  from the rig floor for further handling, typically returning same to the racks. To return from the rig floor to ground, pipe  148  is lowered into receiving area  215  (see FIG. 2) of carriage assembly  150  (while positioned at proximal end  121  of boom  120  at the level of the rig floor) until pipe  148  comes to rest against pipe engaging member  220  on carriage assembly  150 . Actuating means  130  then lowers boom  120  with pipe  148  therein, such that in its fully lowered or “laid down” position boom  120  nests inside cavity  115  in base  110 . Depending upon the position of actuator shaft  310  (see FIG. 3), as boom  120  nests in cavity  115  ejectors  160  and  165  can engage actuator members  350  and  355  respectively or ejectors  170  and  175  can engage actuator members  370  and  375  (see FIG. 4) respectively. Although base  110  is shown in a mobile embodiment having any suitable undercarriage assembly  105 , a person of skill in the art would understand that base  110  may also be of the stationary variety.  
         [0038]    It is further contemplated that the distal end  122  of boom  120  may be also raised to the level of work floor  16  by any suitable actuating means similar to actuating means  130  (one embodiment of which comprises pivoting arm  131  and suitable linkage  132  actuated by hydraulic ram  133 ) for the purpose of better leveling trough  140  during either a pickup or lay down sequence. For example, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9 pivoting leg assembly  10  comprises a leg member  104  having one end adapted for releasable coupled engagement with distal end  122  of boom  120 , and an opposing end pivotally connected to stationary base  12  at any suitable location by any suitable connection means  103 . Releasable coupled engagement between leg member  104  and the distal end  122  of boom  120  is achieved in a preferred embodiment by complementary engaging means  102   a  and  102   b  (seen in a sequence of close-up side views in FIG. 10) that each comprise an assembly of interdigitating slots and rods, but numerous other configurations permitting releasable coupleable engagement, whereby the end of the leg member  104  is releasably coupled to distal end  122  of boom  120 , will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Engaging means  102   a  is situate on one end of leg member  104  an opposing end thereof pivotally connected by connection means  103  to stationary base  12 . Complementary engaging means  102   b  is situate on the distal end  122  of boom  120  in longitudinal axial alignment with engaging means  102   a  for the purpose of permitting engaging means  102   a  to releasably engage engaging means  102   b  as boom  120  moves proximally towards leg member  104 , such that as boom  120  moves longitudinally in response to operation of lift means  106 , leg member  104  either engages or disengages (depending upon direction) the distal end  122  of boom  120  in releasable coupled engagement.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 10, once releasable coupled engagement occurs between engaging means  102   a  and  102   b  (ref. FIG. 9), according to a preferred embodiment they further lockingly engage as their mating assemblies of interdigitating slots and rods rotate relative to one another, which rotation occurs upon the pivoting motion of leg member  104  about connection  103 , thereby causing engaging means  102   a  in association with leg member  104  to lockingly engage engaging means  102   b  in association with the distal end  122  of boom  120 . The pivoting motion of leg member  104  about connection  103  results because leg member  104  is responsive to operation of lift means  106 , having the further advantage that no independent vertical assist means is necessary to lift distal end  122 , which results from the longitudinal and vertical movement of boom  120  causing pivoting motion of leg member  104  so as to raise the distal end  122  of boom  120 .  
         [0040]    A person of skill in the art of machine design would understand that stationary base  12  may be replaced by base  110  to implement a mobile version of system  10 .  
         [0041]    Referring to FIG. 2 there is illustrated a top view of boom  120  including first ejector pair  160  and  165  each adapted to pivot about a pivot  180  relative to one side of boom  120 . Further included is the second ejector pair  170  and  175  each ejector adapted to pivot about a pivot  180  relative to an opposing side of boom  120 . As at ejector  160 , each pivot  180  may comprise any suitable assembly, however according to one embodiment a thick-walled tube is attached to or formed in cradle member  161  (see FIG. 3) permitting the use of any suitable pin to hingedly attach ejector  160  to a side of boom  120 . As carriage assembly  150  moves distally from proximal end  121  having pipe  148  (not shown) carried in receiving area  215 , once carriage assembly  150  nears distal end  122  of boom  120  substantially all of pipe  148  will lay in trough  140  across both ejector pair  160  and  165  and ejector pair  170  and  175 , whereupon if ejector pair  160  and  165  activates, then pipe  148  will be ejected from trough  140  to one side of boom  120  and if instead ejector pair  170  and  175  activates, then pipe  148  will be ejected from trough  140  to an opposing side of boom  120 . All pivots  180  are adapted to permit carriage assembly  150  to pass thereover without interfering with the motion of carriage assembly  150 . A person of skill in the art of machine assembly would understand that according to a preferred embodiment of system  100  cradle member  161  (see FIG. 3) of ejector  160  may be cut from trough  140  after trough  140  has been formed and fastened to boom  120 , thereby ensuring that the cross-sections of cradle member  161  and trough  140  substantially conform to one another in order to reduce the risk of interference (at the joints there between) with the passage of carriage assembly  150  over ejector  160  enroute to either proximal end  121  or distal end  122 .  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a cut-away end-view of ejector  160  partially activated by actuation means  300  wherein actuator shaft  310  has been moved to an activated position such that actuator member  350  and striker  351  thereon can contact receiver assembly  162  (fastened to the underside of cradle member  161 ) as boom  120  lowers into cavity  115  (not shown) the interference of actuator member  350  and striker  351  with receiver assembly  162  forces cradle member  161  to pivot about pivot  180  ejecting pipe  148  from trough  140 . A person of skill in the art of machine design would understand that the size, shape and position of each of receiver assembly  162  and actuator member  350  with striker  351  are relative to one another as well as to the distance between first ejector  160  and second ejector  165 . There are many sizes, shapes, and relative positionings of ejectors and actuators that will work on the principle of a passive actuator member interfering with a suitably positioned, pivotally connected ejector so as to cause such ejector to pivot about such connection. Optional striker  352  limits the radial motion of actuator member  350  and reduces wear against base  120 .  
         [0043]    According to one embodiment of actuation means  300 , actuator shaft  310  is rotated into its activated position prior to ejector  160  being lowered into the zone in which ejector  160  can be interfered with by actuator member  350 . According to an alternate embodiment of actuation means  300 , actuator shaft  310  may slide longitudinally into position prior to ejector  160  being lowered into the zone in which it can be interfered with by actuator member  350 . According to a further alternate embodiment of actuation means  300 , actuator shaft  310  may rotate laterally into position after ejector  160  has been lowered into the zone in which it can be interfered with by actuator member  350 . According to a further alternate embodiment of actuation means  300 , actuator shaft  310  may slide longitudinally into position after ejector  160  has been lowered into the zone in which it can be interfered with by actuator member  350 . According to a further alternate embodiment of actuation means  300 , actuator shaft  310  may be moved either slidingly or rotatingly causing actuator member  350  to be positioned either prior or after ejector  160  has been lowered into a zone in which it is both laterally and longitudinally aligned with actuator member  350 , and actuator member  350  comprises a telescoping member such that striker  351  is moved, toward receiver assembly  162  on ejector  160 , when actuator member  350  extends by any suitable (e.g. hydraulic ram, electrically driven worm gear) telescoping action a distance that permits ejector  160  to activate substantially simultaneously with ejector  165  in order that ejector pair  160  and  165  eject pipe  148  from trough  140  in a manner that allows pipe  148  to roll safely onto base  110  or to any suitable integrated dumping assembly included therein.  
         [0044]    Advantageously, trough  140  has a substantially v-shaped cross-section that tolerates a “pitch and roll” of approximately 30 degrees at the same time as facilitating pipe  148  “finding center” and resting stably in trough  140  rather than rocking back and forth (before coming to rest) as it would tend to do in a conventional trough having a substantially circular cross-section.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 4 there is illustrated a perspective view of one bidirectional embodiment of actuation means  300  comprising a single actuator shaft  310  to which actuator members  350  and  355  are fastened for the purpose of interfering with ejectors  160  and  165  respectively for ejecting pipe  148  from trough  140  to one side of boom  120 . Further comprising actuator members  370  and  375  fastened to actuator shaft  310  for the purpose of interfering with ejectors  170  and  175  respectively, for ejecting pipe  148  to an opposing side of boom  120 . A person of skill in the art would understand that actuator members  350 ,  355 ,  370  and  375  may be reoriented and/or reshaped to operate with their respective ejectors adapted to activation resulting from either the rotational or longitudinal sliding movement of actuator shaft  310 .  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 5 there is illustrated an embodiment of ejector  165  being the ejector paired with and situate distally of and longitudinally isolated from ejector  160  shown in FIG. 6. As shown, ejectors  160  and  165  each have pivots  180  for any suitable pin coupling to boom  120  at their respective locations. Ejectors  160  and  165  further have respectively cradle members  161  and  166  that according to a preferred embodiment are the same size and shape. However a person of skill in the art of machine design would understand that receiver assembly  162  although directly related to receiver assembly  167  will differ therefrom in a manner and to an extent that depends upon the relative positions of ejectors  160  and  165  as well as the absolute size of one or the other of the operationally matched ejector pair, since although ejectors  160  and  165  must be longitudinally isolated from one another, their activation is synchronized in order to ensure the safe ejection of pipe  148  from trough  140 .  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 7 there is illustrated a perspective view of the underside of ejector  160  showing one embodiment of receiver assembly  162  fastened typically by welding to the underside of cradle member  161 , that conforms to trough  140 , further having one embodiment of pivot  180  shown as a thick-walled tube through which a pivot pin (not shown) may be inserted for the purpose of coupling ejector  160  to boom  120 . A person of skill in the art of machine design would understand that receiver assembly  162  may comprise a flat plate  163 , across which striker  351  rolls as actuator member  350  engages ejector  160 , or it may comprise a pocket (not shown) formed by receiver sides  164  into which a portion of actuator member  350  is inserted—in either case to cause ejector  160  to activate. Although as shown receiver assembly  162  is configured for longitudinal alignment with and lateral engagement by actuator member  350 , it is contemplated that by repositioning and reshaping plate  163 , across the bottoms of sides  164 , to permit engagement of actuator member  350  with receiver assembly  162  in order to cause the activation of ejector  160  by either rotating or sliding actuator shaft  310 . A person of skill in the art would further understand the need to suitably reinforce pivot  180  and to orient plate  163  such that ejector  160  can pivot nearly perpendicular to the activating motion.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 8 there is illustrated a perspective view of one embodiment of actuator member  350  fastened at its base  311  to actuator shaft  310 . According to one embodiment actuator member  350  comprises a rigid elongate member of any suitable dimension and material. Strikers  351  and  352  may each be of either the fixed or rolling variety and sized according to the ejector and base that they are respectively designed to engage. A person of skill in the art would understand that all actuator members may be of the same specifications while all ejectors have specifications that are unique to their locations, or vice versa, all ejectors may be of substantially the same specifications while each actuator member is customized to its particular location and relative to the location of its mate. According to an alternate embodiment actuator member  350  may comprise an hydraulic ram permitting striker  351  to telescopically extend radially away from actuator shaft  310  for the purpose of permitting ejector  160  to be activated in the laid down position even if boom  120  has not been raised to permit the movement of actuator shaft  310  to an activated position.  
         [0049]    The terms and expressions employed in this specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Although the disclosure describes and illustrates various embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art of machine design and drill pipe handling. For full definition of the scope of the invention, reference is to be made to the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4