Patent ID: 7950709

Claim:
Apparatus for gripping and handling a length of pipe extending along an axis and having an outer surface comprising: (a) a frame having a support plate; (b) a first pipe gripping member supported on and extending downwardly from said frame; (c) a second pipe gripping member supported on and extending downwardly from said frame; said first and second pipe gripping members cooperating to have (i) a closed position engaging said length of pipe outer surface and (2) an open position for receiving and releasing said length of pipe, said first and second pipe gripping members, when closed around said length of pipe, defining an axis, co-axial with the axis of said length of pipe; (d) power means for moving at least one of said first and second pipe gripping members between an open position and a closed position; and (e) transfer mechanism connected to said power means and to said one pipe gripping member, said transfer mechanism directing movement of said one pipe gripping member along a straight line path, said power means including a hydraulic cylinder mounted on said support plate and having a cylinder rod movable between a retracted to an extended position and connected to said transfer mechanism, said transfer mechanism including a movable mounting plate (1) supported for movement relative to said support plate and (2) having an upstanding post connected to said cylinder rod.