Handling apparatus

Abstract

A handling apparatus comprising: a base unit; a first elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit; a second elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit; a head assembly for releasably retaining an elongate member, said head assembly being supported, in use, by the first and second elongate supports; wherein the first and second elongate supports are pivotally coupled to the head assembly at respective second ends thereof; and whereby the first and second elongate supports can pivot relative to the base unit whilst remaining substantially mutually parallel with at least part of the head unit maintained in a substantially constant orientation.

1 . A handling apparatus comprising: 
 a base unit;    a first elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit;    a second elongate support pivotally coupled at a first end to the base unit;    a head assembly for releasably retaining an elongate member, said head assembly being supported, in use, by the first and second elongate supports;    wherein the first and second elongate supports are pivotally coupled to the head assembly at respective second ends thereof; and    whereby the first and second elongate supports can pivot relative to the base unit whilst remaining substantially mutually parallel with at least part of the head unit maintained in a substantially constant orientation.    
   
   
       2 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second supports are substantially co-planar.  
   
   
       3 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the first and second supports are, in use, provided in a substantially vertical plane.  
   
   
       4 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there is provided a driving mechanism for forcing the first and second supports to pivot relative to the base unit.  
   
   
       5 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the driving mechanism can force one of the first and second supports, which in turn forces the other support.  
   
   
       6 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the head assembly comprises a first head portion which is pivotally coupled to the second ends of the first and second supports.  
   
   
       7 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the head assembly further comprises a second head portion which is selectively orientable relative to the first head portion.  
   
   
       8 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein there is provided a driving mechanism for orientating the second head portion relative to the first head portion.  
   
   
       9 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the second head portion supports one or more clamping mechanisms for clamping onto an elongate member.  
   
   
       10 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the one or each clamping mechanism comprises a pair of jaws.  
   
   
       11 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the handling apparatus is for handling elongate members which are drill rods.  
   
   
       12 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the handling apparatus comprises at least one pair of jaws for gripping an elongate member to be handled, said pair of jaws being operable between a more open configuration and a more closed configuration by a driven member moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the relative motion of the jaws between the more open configuration and the more closed configuration is substantially in a plane, and the direction of movement of the driven member between the first and second positions is substantially perpendicular to said plane.  
   
   
       13 . A handling apparatus for handling elongate members comprising: 
 a base unit;    at least one support member extending from the base unit, the at least one support member being pivotally attached to the base unit towards a first end of said at least one support member; and    a head assembly comprising a retaining mechanism for releasably retaining elongate members;    wherein the head assembly includes a first link for attachment between the at least one support member and the retaining mechanism, said first link being pivotably coupled with respect to the retaining mechanism and the at least one support member.    
   
   
       14 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the handling apparatus further comprises a second link between the first link and the retaining mechanism, said second link being pivotally coupled to the first link and the retaining mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein there are provided at least two support members, each pivotally coupled to the base unit and each pivotally coupled to the first link.  
   
   
       16 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the at least two support members are arranged to remain substantially mutually parallel during use of the apparatus.  
   
   
       17 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein a locking mechanism for preventing pivotal movement of the second link relative to the first link is provided.  
   
   
       18 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking member adapted to prevent relative movement of adjacent portions of the first and second links.  
   
   
       19 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the apparatus further comprises a support driving mechanism for forcing relative pivotal movement of the at least one support and the base unit.  
   
   
       20 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the apparatus further comprises a retaining-mechanism driving mechanism for forcing relative pivotal movement of the retaining mechanism relative to the at least one support.  
   
   
       21 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the retaining-mechanism driving mechanism comprises a first driving element for forcing relative pivotal movement of the second link relative to the first link, and a second driving element for forcing relative pivotal movement of the retaining mechanism relative to the second link.  
   
   
       22 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein at least one pair of jaws is provided to grip elongate members.  
   
   
       23 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the base unit is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.  
   
   
       24 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the base unit is provided with a frame or track along which it can be moved laterally.  
   
   
       25 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the handling apparatus further comprises at least one pair of jaws for gripping an elongate member to be handled, said pair of jaws being operable between a more open configuration and a more closed configuration by a driven member moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the relative motion of the jaws between the more open configuration and the more closed configuration is substantially in a plane, and the direction of movement of the driven member between the first and second positions is substantially perpendicular to said plane.  
   
   
       26 . A handling apparatus which includes at least one pair of jaws for gripping an elongate member to be handled; 
 wherein said at least one pair of jaws is operable between a more open configuration and a more closed configuration by a driven member which can be moved between a first position and a second position;    and wherein the jaws operate substantially in a plane, and the direction of movement of the driven member between the first position and the second position is substantially perpendicular to said plane.    
   
   
       27 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the handling apparatus comprises at least two pairs of jaws which operate in substantially parallel planes.  
   
   
       28 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the driven member is driven by fluid pressure.  
   
   
       29 . A handling apparatus as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the driven member is part of a piston assembly.