Patent ID: 7665530

Claim:
A top drive system comprising a top drive apparatus, wherein the top drive apparatus includes a main shaft and the top drive system further comprises an internal blowout preventer connected to the main shaft, a tubular gripping system connected to and beneath the top drive apparatus, the tubular gripping system having a body into which is receivable a tubular to be gripped, and four grippers for engaging a tubular to be gripped, the grippers movably connected to the body and, further comprising a primary spline member on the first half of the body, the primary spline member for mating with a corresponding spline member on another item and a secondary spline member on the internal blowout preventer corresponding to and mating with the primary spline member, and, lifting apparatus for raising the tubular gripping system with respect to the secondary spline member to engage the primary spline member with the secondary member to facilitate breaking of a connection between the internal blowout preventer and the main shaft, the tubular gripping system for supporting the internal blowout preventer disconnected from the main shaft, and the first half movable away from the second half so that the internal blowout preventer is removable from the gripper system.