Abstract:
A support member or becket for supporting an item in wellbore operations including a body with a support area, and a wear insert removably emplaced over the support area. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This present invention is directed to supports and beckets for use in wellbore operations; and in particular aspects, to hooks, links, elevators, and beckets used with traveling blocks or top drives. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The prior art discloses a wide variety of support beckets used in wellbore operations. In certain instances a support becket (see e.g. the support becket SB,  FIG. 8A ) is connected to a traveling block system (e.g. system TS,  FIG. 8A ). In certain instances, a top drive is suspended from a hook which in turn is suspended from a support called a “becket” attached to a traveling block in a derrick. Portions of beckets that come in contact with other items are subject to wear. In the past, replacing or repairing a worn becket has resulted in rig down time and in expensive costs of repair or replacement. 
         [0005]    Top drive beckets are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,320,374; D 523,210; and 7,370,707 (check re: “becket”) (a list which is exemplary and not meant to be exhaustive), all of which patents are incorporated fully herein for all purposes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a becket having a wear insert. In certain aspects, the wear insert is releasably connected to the support becket. In certain aspects, the wear insert is located in a support area, or “saddle” area of the becket. 
         [0007]    In certain aspects, the wear insert has a shape corresponding to a shape of a recess of a becket. 
         [0008]    In certain aspects, a bolt or other fastener, releasably connects the insert to a becket. 
         [0009]    In certain aspects, the becket, or at least a wear area thereof, has a wear coating. 
         [0010]    In certain aspects, a seating shoe is used between a wear insert and a becket. 
         [0011]    The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a hook with a wear insert; a link with a wear insert or inserts; and an elevator with a wear insert or inserts. 
         [0012]    The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a becket for supporting an item in wellbore operations, the becket including a becket body with a saddle support area, and a wear insert over the saddle support area. The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a support member for supporting an item, the support member including: a support body; a support surface on the body; a wear insert over the support surface; and the wear insert releasably secured to the support body. The support body may be a body of one of hook, link, becket, drilling hook, top drive becket, traveling block becket, and elevator. 
         [0013]    The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a plurality of wear inserts for a support member, each wear insert of the plurality of inserts including: a wear insert body; each wear insert body of a size different from a size of the other wear insert bodies; each wear insert body of a size for accommodating structure of an item to be supported; and each wear insert body shaped and configured for correspondingly abutting a support surface of a support member. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance support member and becket technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0015]    Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention described below and which may be included in the subject matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects and purposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention&#39;s teachings and disclosures. It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious top drive systems with beckets having replaceable wear members and universal wear members releasably connectible to a becket. 
         [0017]    The present invention recognizes and addresses the problems and needs in this area and provides a solution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention&#39;s realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description of certain preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent&#39;s object to claim this invention no matter how others may later attempt to disguise it by variations in form, changes, or additions of further improvements. 
         [0018]    The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and scientists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent terms or legal terms of phraseology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection or review the nature and general area of the disclosure of this invention. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention or of the claims in any way. 
         [0019]    It will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described, and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention. 
         [0020]    Certain aspects, certain embodiments, and certain preferable features of the invention are set out herein. Any combination of aspects or features shown in any aspect or embodiment can be used except where such aspects or features are mutually exclusive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    A more particular description of embodiments of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a system according to the present invention with a becket according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of the becket according to the present invention of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 1D  is a cross-section view of the becket of  FIGS. 1A and 1C . 
           [0026]      FIG. 1E  shows various side views of inserts according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1F  is a side view of an insert according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1G  is a top view of the insert of  FIG. 1F . 
           [0029]      FIG. 1H  is an end view of the insert of  FIG. 1F . 
           [0030]      FIG. 1I  is a side view of a becket according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2A  with an insert according to the present invention is a side view of a becket according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2B  is a top cross-section view of the becket of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 2C  is a side cross-section view of the becket of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of a becket body of the becket of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 3B  is a side cross-section view of the body of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of a becket insert according to the present invention of the becket of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the becket insert of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the becket insert of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the system according to the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a system according to the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a system according to the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 8A  is a side view of a prior art traveling block and becket. 
           [0043]      FIG. 8B  is a front cross-section view of the block and becket of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0044]      FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the becket of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0045]      FIG. 8D  is an exploded view of the becket of  FIG. 8C . 
           [0046]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a becket according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 9B  is an exploded view of the becket of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0048]      FIG. 9C  is a side view of becket inserts according to the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a becket according to the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 10B  is an exploded view of the becket of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0051]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a becket according to the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 11B  is an exploded view of the becket of  FIG. 11A . 
           [0053]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a becket according to the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 12B  is an exploded view of the becket of  FIG. 12A . 
           [0055]      FIG. 13  A is a side view of a hook according to the present invention supporting items therebelow. 
           [0056]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the hook of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0057]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a link according to the present invention. 
           [0058]      FIG. 15  is a side view of an elevator according to the present invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 16  is a side view of an elevator according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0060]    Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. Various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention are described below and some are set out in the dependent claims. Any combination of aspects and/or features described below or shown in the dependent claims can be used except where such aspects and/or features are mutually exclusive. It should be understood that the appended drawings and description herein are of preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention or the appended claims. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In showing and describing the preferred embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         [0061]    As used herein and throughout all the various portions (and headings) of this patent, the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof mean one or more embodiment, and are not intended to mean the claimed invention of any particular appended claim(s) or all of the appended claims. Accordingly, the subject or topic of each such reference is not automatically or necessarily part of, or required by, any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference. So long as they are not mutually exclusive or contradictory any aspect or feature or combination of aspects or features of any embodiment disclosed herein may be used in any other embodiment disclosed herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0062]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a top drive system  10  according to the present invention with a becket  16  according to the present invention which has a becket insert  16 a according to the present invention. The top drive system  10  according to the present invention which has a swivel body  12  suspended with links  14  from the becket  16 . The becket  16  is connected to a travelling block (not shown). A gear system  20  is mounted on a spacer plate  22  which is supported by the swivel body  12 . A motor  30  is coupled to the gear system  20 . A brake system  40  connected to the motor  30  is within a bonnet  44  through which extends a gooseneck  46  connected to a kelly hose  7  (which is adjacent a service loop  48 ) through which flows drilling fluid. An extension system  98  provides horizontal displacement of the top drive system  10 . A system  100  for selectively gripping tubulars is suspended from a load collar  70 . Links  72  suspend an elevator  74  from the load collar  70 . A counterbalance system  110  (which can hold the weight of the entire system  10  during stabbing of tubulars) includes load compensators. A link tilt system  120  provides selective tilting of the links  72  and thus selective movement and tilting of the elevator  74  and movement of a tubular or stand of tubular supported by the elevator  74  to and away from a wellbore centerline. Bail retainers  404  retain the links  72  on the load collar  70 . Link tilt hydraulic cylinders  128  are interconnected pivotably between the load collar  70  (connected to its ears  128   a ) and arms  122 . Each connector  124  is pivotably connected to a lower end of an arm  122  and to a clamp  126  which is clamped to a link  72 . Guards  73  and  390  are on sides of an access platform  130 . Optionally, the access platform  130  may have an indented portion  132  for facilitating the placement of tubulars thereon and for facilitating movement of tubulars on the exterior of the access platform  130 . The top drive system  10  can be movably mounted on a beam  82  (or “torque tube”). Horizontal displacement is provided by the extension system  98  which includes a torque bushing  98   a.  The extension system  98  with the top drive system attached thereto is movable vertically on the beam  82  with the top drive system attached thereto. Although one particular embodiment of a top drive system is shown, it is to be understood that a becket according to the present invention (e.g., including, but not limited to a becket  16 a or any becket according to the present invention disclosed herein) may be used with any known top drive system e.g. with that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,374 which is like the system  10  if  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0063]    In one aspect the becket insert  16   a  is releasably connected to the becket  16 ; e.g., but not limited to with pin(s), bolt(s), clamp(s), fastener(s), fastening material, adhesive(s), and/or adhesive material. 
         [0064]      FIG. 1E  shows a variety of becket inserts according to the present invention becket—inserts A, B, C, and D, each shown in a side view. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 1F-1H  show a becket insert  150  according to the present invention which has a body  152  and two ends  154 . Sides  156  of the becket insert  150  are spaced apart by a bottom  158  and, in one aspect, are spaced apart so that they can be fit over a top interior part of a becket and held there with a friction fit. Optionally, any suitable clamp, fastener, fastener material, screw, bolt and/or adhesive can be used with the becket insert  150  (and with any insert according to the present invention). 
         [0066]      FIG. 1I  shows a becket  160  according to the present invention with an insert  162  according to the present invention. The insert  162  has a top  164  that corresponds in shape to a top  166  of the becket  160 . A strap or clamp  170  holds the becket insert  162  in place. The clamp or strap  170  can go completely around the becket  160  or only partially around it. It may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to hardfaced metal material and/or ballistic material, e.g. KEVLAR (Trademark) material. 
         [0067]    Optionally, in addition to or instead of the strap  170 , a plate  174  may be pinned with pins  175 ,  176  to the becket  160  and the insert  162  to hold the insert  162  in place. 
         [0068]    Optionally, in addition to or instead of a strap  170  and/or a plate  174 , an amount  177  of releasable fastener material on the insert  162  may co-act with a corresponding amount of releasable fastener material  178  on the becket  160  to hold the insert  162  in place. Any or all of the plate  174 , strap  170 , and/or amounts of releasable fastener material  177 ,  178  may be used with any insert according to the present invention, with or without bolt(s), screw(s), fastener(s) and/or adhesive(s). 
         [0069]      FIGS. 2A-2C  show a becket  200  according to the present invention which has a becket body  202  with two arms  204  with holes  206 , holes  208  with bolts  209  connecting halves  202   a,    202   b  of the body  202  and lifting rings  210 . A bolt  212  extends through a hole  214  and through a corresponding hole  224  in a bar  226  of the becket insert  220  according to the present invention to releasably secure the becket inset  220  to the body  202 . The becket insert  220  is located in a top recess  216  of the body  202 . 
         [0070]    The becket insert  220  has a body  232  with optional lower tapered surfaces  234 . The body  232  is, in one aspect, crescent shaped as shown (as viewed in  FIG. 4A ). The body  202  of the becket  200  may have a recess portion  218  of the recess  216  shaped specifically to correspond to the top shape (as viewed in  FIG. 4A ) of the becket insert  220 . Other than crescent-shaped as shown, the top shape of the body  232  and the shape of the portion  218  may be any desired shape. 
         [0071]    It is within the scope of the present invention to provide an insert (like the becket inserts described above) for a top portion of a drilling hook. As shown in a system  500 ,  FIG. 5 , a becket  512  of a travelling block  502  supports a drilling hook  504  which has an insert  506  connected at a top recess  508  of the drilling hook  504 . The drilling hook  504  supports, a drive system  510  which includes support bails  512  (one shown; two used) (optionally the bails  152  have an insert  514 —like any becket insert disclosed herein) which supports a power swivel  516 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the drilling hook  504  can be removed and the bails  512  of the drive system  500  are supported directly by the becket  512  of the travelling block  502 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top drive system  550  with support bails  552  on a travelling block becket  554  of a travelling block  556 . There are two bails  552 , one on each side of the block becket  554  (one bail shown). An insert  560  is connected to each bail  552  (any becket insert disclosed herein). 
         [0074]    Any insert according to the present invention may be made of known wear resistant, hardfacing or carbide material; including, but not limited to ASTM A514 material, HARDOX™  400  material, or PUC-12N (Trademark) material. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a prior art traveling block system TS with a prior art support becket SB. The becket SB has a saddle area SA which can significantly wear and degrade in use. As shown in  FIG. 8D , the becket SB is made of two halves H (e.g. of steel plate) bolted together with bolts B and nuts N. The saddle area SA of the becket SB is fixed with respect to size and configuration and is, therefore, suitable for use only with certain specific sizes and types of equipment. 
         [0076]      FIG. 9A-12B  illustrate various beckets according to the present invention. It is within the scope of this invention to provide any wear insert or wear-insert-seating-shoe combination according to the present invention for any area or surface in any supporting member used in wellbore operations. The specific dimensions and shapes of a wear inset according to the present invention can be chosen for differing contact surfaces and radii and for different load ratings, e.g., but not limited to, specific API requirements and specifications. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a becket  400  according to the present invention which has a body  402  which includes two halves  403 ,  404  held together by bolts  405  and nuts  406 . Optional lifting lugs  408  are provided on sides of the becket  400 . Pins (not shown) through holes  407  secure the becket to a traveling block. 
         [0078]    Each half  403 ,  404  has a recess  403   r,    404   r,  respectively for a lug  412  of an insert  410 . A bolt  411  passing through holes  403   h,    404   h,  in the halves  403 ,  404 , respectively, and through a hole  410 h of the insert  410  is secured with a nut  413  to connect the insert  410  to the halves  403 ,  404 . 
         [0079]    Optionally, a seating shoe  420  is used between a saddle area  409  of the becket  400  and an underside of the insert  410 . The lug  412  passes through a hole  422  of the shoe  420 . The shoe  420  and the underside of the insert  410  are shaped to correspond to the exterior surface of the saddle area  409  of the becket  400 . 
         [0080]    In one aspect the seating shoe  420  is made of softer material than the material of the insert  410  and of the becket  400  so that the shoe  420  deforms to allow the insert  410  to seat well against the becket&#39;s saddle area  409 . 
         [0081]    As shown, the insert  410  has a saddle area  414  which has a specific shape, size and configuration which will accommodate corresponding items and equipment of a certain size and shape. It is within the scope of the present invention to provide any becket according to the present invention with a plurality of inserts of different shapes sizes and configurations so that, by changing an insert, a single becket can accommodate a range of equipment sizes and shapes. For example, a series of inserts I 1 , I 2 , and I 3  as shown in  FIG. 9C  can be used with a becket (or any item) according to the present invention; e.g., for accommodating different size supports, links, etc. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a becket  430  according to the present invention which has halves  433 ,  434  held together by bolts  435  and nuts  436 . Optional lifting lugs  438  are provided on sides of the becket  430 . Holes  437  function as do the holes  407 . 
         [0083]    Each half  433 ,  434  has a recess  433   r,    434   r,  respectively for a lug  442  of an insert  440 . Studs  441  on the half  433 , projecting from a side of the recess  433   r,  pass through corresponding holes  446  in the lug  442 . At least one stud or one, two, three or more studs may be used. When the halves  433 ,  434  are secured together with the bolts  435 , the insert  440  is secured in place at a saddle area  439  of the becket  430 . 
         [0084]    Optionally a seating shoe  448  is used between the insert  440  and the saddle area  439  of the becket  430 . A hole  449  in the shoe  448  accommodates the lug  442 . 
         [0085]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show a becket  450  according to the present invention which has halves  453 ,  454  held together by bolts  455  and nuts  456 . Optional lifting lugs  458  are provided on sides of the becket  450 . Holes  457  function as do the holes  407 . 
         [0086]    Each half  453 ,  454  has a recess  453   r,    454   r,  respectively for a lug  462  of an insert  460 . Bolts  467  passing through holes  452  in the halves  453 ,  454  and holes  466  in the lug  462  secure the insert  460  in place at a saddle area  459  of the becket  450 . 
         [0087]    Optionally a seating shoe  468  is used between the insert  460  and the saddle area  459  of the becket  450 . Cutouts  461  in the shoe  468  accommodates the lug  462 . 
         [0088]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a becket  470  according to the present invention which has halves  473 ,  474  held together by bolts  475  and nuts  476 . Optional lifting lugs  478  are provided on sides of the becket  470 . Holes  477  function as do the holes  407 . 
         [0089]    Optionally a seating shoe  490  is used between the insert  480  and the saddle area  479  of the becket  470 . 
         [0090]    Braces  482 , held in place by bolts  484  through holes  486 , secure an insert  480  at a saddle area  479  of the becket  470 . Either brace may be deleted and at least one brace may be used or two or more. 
         [0091]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show a hook  600  according to the present invention supporting links  602 , an elevator  604 , and a pipe  606 . The hook  600  has a body  608 , a lip  610  and an insert  612  over a support area  614  (insert  612  shown schematically; may be any insert according to the present invention disclosed herein connected to the hook  600  in any way described herein). 
         [0092]      FIG. 14  shows a support link  620  with a body  622  and two ends  624  and  626  each with an opening  634 ,  636  respectively. The end  624  has two inserts  621 ,  623  and the end  626  has two inserts  625 ,  627 . Optionally any one, two, or three of the inserts  621 ,  623 ,  625 ,  627  is deleted. 
         [0093]    Each of the inserts  621 ,  623 ,  625 ,  627  (shown schematically) may be any insert according to the present invention disclosed herein connected to the link  620  in any way described herein. 
         [0094]      FIG. 15  shows an elevator  640  according to the present invention which has a body  642  and two support eyes  644  with selectively openable latches  646 . Each eye  644  has an insert  648  according to the present invention (shown schematically) which may be any insert according to the present invention connected to the body  642  in any way described herein. 
         [0095]      FIG. 16  shows an elevator  650  according to the present invention which has a body  652  and two support eyes  654  with selectively openable latches  656 . Each eye  654  has an insert  658  according to the present invention (shown schematically) which may be any insert according to the present invention connected to the body  652  in any way described herein. 
         [0096]    As shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 10A ,  11 A, and  12 A, a top surface of a wear insert according to the present invention may have a different shape than the shape of the becket body surface which the wear insert abuts. 
         [0097]    The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a becket for supporting an item in wellbore operations, the becket including: a becket body with a saddle support area; and a wear insert over the saddle support area. Such a becket according to the present invention may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: a seating shoe between the saddle support area and the wear insert; wherein the seating shoe is made of material softer than the wear insert; the wear insert has a lower surface with an insert shape and the seating shoe has an upper surface with a shoe shape and the insert shape corresponds to the shoe shape; the wear insert having a wear insert body, a lug projecting from the wear insert body, and the lug secured to the becket body; a seating shoe between the saddle support area and the wear insert, the seating shoe having a shoe opening, and the lug of the wear insert passing through the shoe opening; the becket body having two halves secured together, each half of the two halves having a recess for receiving a portion of the lug of the wear insert; the recess of each half is on an interior surface thereof; at least one stud projecting from a recess of at least one half of the body, the lug of the wear insert having at least one stud hole, and the at least one stud projecting into a corresponding stud hole on the lug; the recess of each half is on an exterior surface thereof; a seating shoe between the saddle support area and the wear insert, the seating shoe having spaced-apart side cutouts, the lug comprising two spaced-apart lug portions, a lug portion passing through each spaced-apart side cutout of the seating shoe, and a lug portion in each recess; at least one brace securing the wear insert to the becket body; the becket is a top drive becket; and/or the becket body saddle support area has a first surface with a first shape, the wear insert has a lower surface that abuts the first surface, the wear insert has a top surface with a second shape, and the second shape different from the first shape. 
         [0098]    The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a becket for supporting an item in wellbore operations, the becket having: a becket body with a saddle support area; a wear insert over the saddle support area; a seating shoe between the saddle support area and the wear insert, the seating shoe is made of material softer than the wear insert; the wear insert having a wear insert body, a lug projecting from the wear insert body, and the lug secured to the becket body. 
         [0099]    The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a support member for supporting an item, the support member having a support body, a support surface on the body, a wear insert over the support surface, and the wear insert releasably secured to the support body. Such a support member according to the present invention may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: wherein the support body is a body of one of hook, link, becket, drilling hook, top drive becket, traveling block becket, and elevator; a seating shoe between the support surface and the wear insert; and/or the seating shoe made of material softer than the wear insert. 
         [0100]    The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a plurality of wear inserts for a support member, each wear insert of the plurality of inserts having a wear insert body, each wear insert body of a size different from a size of the other wear insert bodies, each wear insert body of a size for accommodating structure of an item to be supported, and each wear insert body shaped and configured for correspondingly abutting a support surface of a support member. 
         [0101]    In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appended claims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this invention and it is further intended that each element or step recited in any of the following claims is to be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §103. This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with all of the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112. The inventors may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of their invention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatus not materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.