Patent ID: 7506564

Claim:
An apparatus for handling a tubular, comprising: an outer tong body; a rotary disposed in the outer tong body, the rotary having: a body; and an arm pivotally coupled to the body; an active jaw operatively coupled to the body so that the active jaw is movable between an engaged position to grip the tubular and a disengaged position to receive the tubular, the active jaw adapted to apply a gripping force; a passive jaw pivotally coupled to the arm, wherein the arm is movable between an open position to allow receipt of the tubular and a closed position to allow the passive jaw to grip the tubular, wherein the passive jaw is adapted to provide a reaction force substantially equivalent to the gripping force applied by the active jaw, and wherein the rotary is rotatable relative to the outer tong body to transfer torque to the tubular; and a guiding element attached to the body and in contact with the active jaw in the engaged position and in contact with the passive jaw when the arm is in the closed position, wherein the guiding element is contoured to accommodate pivotal movement of the passive jaw.