Skidding system for a catwalk

Abstract

A skidding system is provided for laterally moving a catwalk. The system can include a plurality of legs placed about the perimeter of the catwalk. Each leg can extend and contract in length. The lower end of each leg can include a trolley member slidably coupled to a foot assembly. The catwalk can be moved laterally by extending the legs to raise the catwalk off of the ground, moving the trolley members within the foot assemblies and then contracting the legs to lower the catwalk to its new position.

1 . A skidding system for a catwalk having a plurality of support leg assemblies extending therefrom, the system comprising:
 a) a substantially vertical leg configured for operative attachment to each of the support leg assemblies, the vertical leg capable of extending and contracting in length;   b) means for extending and contracting the vertical leg;   c) a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end of the vertical leg;   d) a foot assembly slidably coupled to the trolley member whereby the trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly; and   e) means for moving the trolley member relative to the foot assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the vertical leg further comprises a fixed leg member and a movable leg member slidably coupled thereto whereby the movable leg member is capable of telescoping in and out relative to the fixed leg member. 
   
   
       3 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the means for extend and contracting the vertical leg comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack. 
   
   
       4 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the trolley member further comprises a plurality of trolley rollers. 
   
   
       5 . The system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the foot assembly further comprises tracks for the trolley rollers. 
   
   
       6 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the means for moving the trolley member further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack. 
   
   
       7 . A kit for a catwalk, comprising:
 a) a plurality of support leg assemblies for attaching to the catwalk;   b) a plurality of substantially vertical legs configured for operative attachment to the support leg assemblies, the vertical legs capable of extending and contracting in length;   c) means for extending and contracting each vertical leg;   d) a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end of each vertical leg;   e) a foot assembly slidably coupled to each trolley member whereby each trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly; and   f) means for moving the trolley member relative to the foot assembly.   
   
   
       8 . The kit as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the vertical leg further comprises a fixed leg member and a movable leg member slidably coupled thereto whereby the movable leg member is capable of telescoping in and out relative to the fixed leg member. 
   
   
       9 . The kit as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the means for extend and contracting the vertical leg comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack. 
   
   
       10 . The kit as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the trolley member further comprises a plurality of trolley rollers. 
   
   
       11 . The kit as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the foot assembly further comprises tracks for the trolley rollers. 
   
   
       12 . The kit as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the means for moving the trolley member further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack. 
   
   
       13 . A catwalk having a plurality of support leg assemblies extending therefrom, the improvement comprising:
 a) a substantially vertical leg operatively attached to each support leg assembly, the vertical legs capable of extending and contracting in length;   b) means for extending and contracting each vertical leg;   c) a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end of each vertical leg;   d) a foot assembly slidably coupled to each trolley member whereby each trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly; and   e) means for moving each trolley member relative to the foot assembly.   
   
   
       14 . The catwalk as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the vertical leg further comprises a fixed leg member and a movable leg member slidably coupled thereto whereby the movable leg member is capable of telescoping in and out relative to the fixed leg member. 
   
   
       15 . The catwalk as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the means for extend and contracting the vertical leg comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack. 
   
   
       16 . The catwalk as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the trolley member further comprises a plurality of trolley rollers. 
   
   
       17 . The catwalk as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the foot assembly further comprises tracks for the trolley rollers. 
   
   
       18 . The catwalk as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the means for moving the trolley member further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a hydraulic ram cylinder, a pneumatic ram cylinder, an air spring and a screw jack. 
   
   
       19 . A method for moving a catwalk having a plurality of substantially vertical legs operatively attached thereon, the vertical legs capable of extending and contracting in length, each vertical leg having a trolley member operatively coupled to a lower end thereof, each trolley member slidably coupled to a foot assembly whereby each trolley member is capable of moving substantially horizontal relative to the foot assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) extending the length of each vertical leg whereby the foot assemblies are contacting the ground and the catwalk is raised off of the ground;   b) moving each trolley member relative to the foot assemblies whereby the catwalk moves from its former position; and   c) contracting the length of the vertical legs whereby the catwalk is lowered onto the ground.