Patent ID: 7445050

Claim:
An apparatus for handling a tubular segment, coupling or uncoupling the tubular segment with a tubular string, and handling the tubular string in a well bore, comprising: a tubular engagement assembly connectable to a drive shaft of a top drive, the tubular engagement assembly having a self-engaging ball and taper assembly sized to releasably engage the tubular segment; wherein, when the tubular engagement assembly connects to the drive shaft and the ball and taper assembly engages the tubular segment, rotation of the drive shaft results in a corresponding rotation of the tubular segment, with minimal relative rotation between the tubular engagement assembly and the tubular segment; wherein the tubular engagement assembly is capable of withstanding the torque involved in rotating the tubular string in the well bore and the torque required to make up or breakout a tubular segment; and wherein the ball and taper assembly has both static and dynamic load bearing capability configured to carry the full weight of the tubular string while simultaneously rotating and vertically moving the tubular string within the well bore.