Modular pipe basket

Abstract

A device for transporting pipe is disclosed having a base, multiple drilling pipes wherein drilling pipes are longer than the base; a plurality of stanchions attached to and extending upward from the base; a plurality of support structures in between the plurality of drilling pipes and the base; wherein the plurality of support structures each have a pipe facing side and the pipe facing sides of at least two of the plurality of support structures forms a convex arc.

1 . A pipe basket comprising:
 a. a trussed pipe platform having:
 i. a length of at least 15 feet, 
 ii. a width of less than 10 feet, and 
 iii. a height of less than 3.5 feet; 
   b. four stanchions;   c. wherein the pipe basket is arranged and configured to alternate between a first configuration and a second configuration;   d. wherein the four stanchions extend at least 2 feet above the trussed pipe platform in the first configuration;   e. wherein the four stanchions and the trussed pipe platform form a periphery of a cargo space in the first configuration;   f. wherein the cargo space is at least 180 cubic feet;   g. wherein the pipe basket has a total height of less than 3.5 feet in the second configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket has a load rating of at least 10,000 pounds. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket is arranged and configured to be capable of stacking with two other baskets of similar configuration such that the stack of the pipe basket and the two other baskets of similar configuration have a total stack height of not greater than 7 feet. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket is arranged and configured for stacking on top of and attachment to a basket of similar configuration such that the lifting of the pipe basket by a crane and slings also lifts the basket of similar configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  further comprising four sling connection points attached to and adjacent to the trussed pipe platform. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the four stanchions are connected to the pipe basket by a hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of springs arranged and configured to intermittently support a portion of the weight of the four stanchions. 
     
     
         8 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  further comprising a first tensioning mechanism and a second tensioning mechanism;
 wherein the first tensioning mechanism and the second tensioning mechanism are each arranged and configured to secure a cargo within the cargo space; 
 wherein the first tensioning mechanism and the second tensioning mechanism are positioned on opposite sides of the cargo space. 
 
     
     
         9 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket is arranged and configured to lift 10,000 pounds of drill pipe from a crane by four overhead slings. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket is arranged and configured to support the lifting of three similarly configured pipe baskets while the pipe basket is being lifted by a crane. 
     
     
         11 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein the pipe basket is arranged and configured to support a row of drill pipes arranged in an arc within the cargo space. 
     
     
         12 . The pipe basket of  claim 1  wherein each of the four stanchions are connected to a spring mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . A pipe transport device comprising:
 a. a base having a base length and a base width;   b. a plurality of drilling pipes wherein the plurality of drilling pipes is longer than the base;   c. a plurality of stanchions attached to and extending upward from the base;   d. a plurality of support structures in between the plurality of drilling pipes and the base;   e. wherein the plurality of support structures each have a pipe facing side;   f. wherein the pipe facing sides of at least two of the plurality of support structures forms a convex arc.   
     
     
         14 . The pipe transport device of  claim 13  wherein the base has a load rating of at least 10,000 pounds. 
     
     
         15 . The pipe transport device of  claim 13  wherein the base has a base height of at least 8 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The pipe transport device of  claim 13  wherein the base has a base length of at least 15 feet. 
     
     
         17 . The pipe transport device of  claim 13  wherein the base has a base width of less than 10 feet. 
     
     
         18 . The pipe transport device of  claim 13  wherein the base is arranged and configured to attach to another similarly configured base. 
     
     
         19 . The pipe transport device of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of stanchions are arranged and configured to be lowered. 
     
     
         20 . The pipe transport device of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of ratchet straps arranged and configured to securely and removeably attach the plurality of drilling pipes to the base.