Apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe in a drilling rig derrick

Abstract

A remotely controlled apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe within a drilling rig derrick is provided. A support base assembly is mounted to a structural member of a drilling rig derrick. A jointed articulating boom having a boom base member and a boom arm member is attached to the support base assembly and can be pivoted about vertical and horizontal axes. The jointed articulating boom extends and retracts by cooperative motion between the boom base member and the boom arm member. A pipe gripper assembly having opposing arcuate jaws is mounted at the outer extent of the jointed articulating boom and can be pivoted about a horizontal axis. A remote control panel subassembly is used to control the movement of jointed articulating boom and pipe gripper assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe in a drilling rig derrick comprising: 
 a. a support base attached to a structural member of a drilling rig derrick;    b. a boom base member having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is pivotally attached to said support base and is rotatable about vertical and horizontal axes;    c. a boom arm member having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is pivotally attached to the second end of said boom base member;    d. a pipe gripper attached to the second end of said boom arm member; and    e. means for selectively positioning said boom base and boom arm members.