A gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, comprising: a plurality of discrete gripping devices mounted in a body of the gripping apparatus; wherein the body comprises a wedge cone upon which the plurality of gripping devices are slidably mounted; a base plate proximate a lower end of the wedge cone; a second plate proximate the higher end of the wedge cone; an outer surface on each the plurality of discrete gripping devices; wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a plurality of discrete actuation and retraction mechanisms (358, 359) connected to the base plate and one each individually connected to each of the plurality of discrete gripping devices; and a collective insertion-retraction mechanism connected to the second plate; wherein the body has a plurality of slots for selectively housing each respective gripping device; wherein the plurality of gripping devices each comprise a wedge jaw; wherein the wedge jaw comprises at least two sidewalls (390, 392, 394, 396) that fit in each respective slot; and wherein the outer surface is defined between the two sidewalls (390, 392, 394, 396); further comprising each wedge jaw mounted on the wedge cone; and still further comprising a rod and a lever mounted central to the wedge cone, the collective insertion-retraction mechanism includes a spring mounted proximate the rod; the gripping apparatus being characterized in that plurality of connectors are mounted around the spring and central to the wedge cone; and a plurality of fasteners positioned over each respective of the plurality of connectors. a plurality of discrete gripping devices mounted in a body of the gripping apparatus; wherein the body comprises a wedge cone upon which the plurality of gripping devices are slidably mounted; a base plate proximate a lower end of the wedge cone; a second plate proximate the higher end of the wedge cone; an outer surface on each the plurality of discrete gripping devices; wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a plurality of discrete actuation and retraction mechanisms (358, 359) connected to the base plate and one each individually connected to each of the plurality of discrete gripping devices; and a collective insertion-retraction mechanism connected to the second plate; wherein the body has a plurality of slots for selectively housing each respective gripping device; wherein the plurality of gripping devices each comprise a wedge jaw; wherein the wedge jaw comprises at least two sidewalls (390, 392, 394, 396) that fit in each respective slot; and wherein the outer surface is defined between the two sidewalls (390, 392, 394, 396); further comprising each wedge jaw mounted on the wedge cone; and still further comprising a rod and a lever mounted central to the wedge cone, the collective insertion-retraction mechanism includes a spring mounted proximate the rod; the gripping apparatus being characterized in that plurality of connectors are mounted around the spring and central to the wedge cone; and a plurality of fasteners positioned over each respective of the plurality of connectors.