Patent ID: 7051989

Claim:
A blowout preventer comprising a body with a top, a bottom, and a bore therethrough from the top to the bottom, ram apparatus movable within the body, the ram apparatus including a ram block, ram block holding apparatus pivotably secured exteriorly to the body, the ram block holding apparatus pivotable for selectively engaging and supporting the ram block and moving the ram block with respect to the body, the body including at least one bonnet movably secured to the body, the at least one bonnet containing actuator apparatus for moving the ram block, the ram block holding apparatus pivotably and releasably secured to the at least one bonnet, wherein the ram block has a corresponding opening and the ram block holding apparatus includes a mount connected to the body, a main bar pivotably connected to the mount, an arm secured to or formed integrally with the mount, the arm at an angle to the main body, and the arm sized and configured for receipt within the corresponding opening of the ram block, wherein the at least one bonnet includes a first bonnet on a first side of the main body and a second bonnet on a second side of the main body, the first bonnet opposed to the second bonnet, a first ram block adjacent the first bonnet, the ram block holding apparatus movably secured exteriorly to the second bonnet for selectively engaging and supporting a second ram block adjacent the second bonnet, and wherein the ram block holding apparatus is selectively movable from its securement exteriorly to the second bonnet and is securable exteriorly to the first bonnet for holding the first ram block.