Rotary Drilling Rig Split Bushing

Abstract

A bushing of the type used to limit wobble in drill pipe, the improvement comprising a bushing defined by two halves, each half having two ends adapted to buttingly engage corresponding ends of the other, and each further defining a receiver section along one of its ends; a flexible hinge piece matingly joined to the receiver sections with the opposite ends of the halves remaining free to move relative to one another, whereby the halves are rotatably affixed together at one end, but the opposite ends remain free to open. The bushing may be comprised of a first polymeric material, and the hinge piece comprised of a second, more flexible, polymeric material. Each half of the bushing may have mounted thereto a handle projecting upwardly.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: 
     
         1 . A bushing of the type used to limit wobble in drill pipe during operation of a rotary drilling rig, the improvement comprising:
 a. the bushing defined by two halves,
 i. each half having two ends adapted to buttingly engage corresponding ends of the other half, and 
 ii. each half further defining a receiver section along one of its ends; 
   b. a flexible hinge piece matingly joined to the receiver sections with the opposite ends of the halves remaining free to move relative to one another,   
       whereby the halves are rotatably affixed together at one end, but the opposite ends remain free to open allowing the bushing to be mounted onto drilling pipe without requiring the pipe to be disconnected. 
     
     
         2 . The bushing of  claim 1 , the bushing comprised of a first polymeric material, and the hinge piece comprised of a second polymeric material more flexible than the first. 
     
     
         3 . The bushing of  claim 2 , the hinge piece defining therein multiple holes adapted to allow polymeric material from each half to enter thereinto, whereby a better mating connection is provided between the halves and the hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The bushing of  claim 3 , each half further having mounted thereto a handle projecting upwardly. 
     
     
         5 . The bushing of  claim 4 , the handles comprised of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The bushing of  claim 5 , the handles comprised of a polymeric material having a definite shape and able to retain their upright, semi-circular form. 
     
     
         7 . The bushing of  claim 5 , the handles comprised of a flexible polymeric material.