An apparatus for limiting movement of gripping members relative to an elevator, comprising: a locking arm coupled to one or more of the gripping members and configured to move in a first direction when the gripping members move toward engagement with a tubular and to move in a second direction when the gripping members move away from engagement with the tubular; a first engagement member configured to move between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement member and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement member allows the locking arm to move in the first direction but restrains the locking arm from moving in the second direction by more than a selected distance, characterised in that the locking arm includes a first plurality of teeth, and the first engagement member includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more of the first plurality of teeth when the first engagement member is in the engaged position; and a second engagement member including one or more teeth and being moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the locking arm includes a second plurality of teeth, and the one or more teeth of the second engagement member being configured to engage one or more of the second plurality of teeth of the locking arm when the second engagement member is in the engaged position, wherein the first and second pluralities of teeth are disposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the locking arm from one another and are longitudinally offset from one another by a distance of from about 1/5 to about 5/6 of a pitch of the first plurality of teeth, of a pitch of the second plurality of teeth, or of both. a locking arm coupled to one or more of the gripping members and configured to move in a first direction when the gripping members move toward engagement with a tubular and to move in a second direction when the gripping members move away from engagement with the tubular; a first engagement member configured to move between a disengaged position, in which the first engagement member and the locking arm are relatively moveable, and an engaged position, in which the first engagement member allows the locking arm to move in the first direction but restrains the locking arm from moving in the second direction by more than a selected distance, characterised in that the locking arm includes a first plurality of teeth, and the first engagement member includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more of the first plurality of teeth when the first engagement member is in the engaged position; and a second engagement member including one or more teeth and being moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the locking arm includes a second plurality of teeth, and the one or more teeth of the second engagement member being configured to engage one or more of the second plurality of teeth of the locking arm when the second engagement member is in the engaged position, wherein the first and second pluralities of teeth are disposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the locking arm from one another and are longitudinally offset from one another by a distance of from about 1/5 to about 5/6 of a pitch of the first plurality of teeth, of a pitch of the second plurality of teeth, or of both.