Patent ID: 6966385

Claim:
A tong positioning system for positioning a power tong about an oilfield tubular connection to rotatably make up or break out the connection on a rig of a well, a lower end of the upper tubular including threads for mating with threads on an upper end of the lower tubular, the tong positioning system comprising: a portable frame selectively positionable on the rig with respect to the connection at an inactive position, the frame being moveable laterally with respect to the connection to an active position; an extendable arm having a supported end secured to the frame and a cantilevered end, the cantilevered and being extendable and retractable laterally toward and away from the tubular connection with respect to the frame; a retainer device on the cantilevered end of the extendable arm moveable to a substantially predetermined active position relative to the tubular connection, the retainer device defining an adjustable opening, such that the adjustable opening may be widened to pass the connection through the adjustable opening, and thereafter narrowed for at least partially enclosing the connection when the extendable arm is moved to the active position; and a powered drive for extending and retracting the arm.