Apparatus for retaining rig slips in alignment with a flow control device

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for retaining rig slips gripping a drill pipe through a bore of a flow control device. The apparatus includes a plate and a support means. The plate has an aperture that constricts the rig slips against passing trough the aperture. The support means attaches the plate to the flow control device, such that the axis of the drill pipe and the bore are substantially parallel with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for retaining rig slips gripping a drill pipe through a bore of a flow control device, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a plate defining an aperture dimensioned to constrict the rig slips against passage through the aperture; and   (b) support means attachable to the plate and attachable to the flow control device;   
       wherein the plate and support means are configured for, when the support means is attached to the plate and the flow control device and when the rig slips are constricted by the aperture, positioning the rig slips so that the axis of the drill pipe and the axis of the bore of the flow control device are substantially parallel with each other. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wall of the aperture is tapered to match the size and taper of the rig slips. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support means is releasably attachable to the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support means is integrally formed with the plate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support means is releasably attachable to the flow control device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support means is integrally formed with the flow control device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support means comprises at least one support rod extending from the plate to the flow control device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the support means comprises a plurality of support rods extending from the plate to the flow control device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one support rod has a tapered end, and the plate has a corresponding opening for retaining the tapered end therein. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plate is swivellably secured to the at least one support rod for, when the support means is attached to the plate and the flow control device, rotating the aperture of the plate away from the bore of the flow control device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support means comprises a wall-like support extending between the plate and the flow control device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the wall-like support is tubular. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for securing rig slips that are gripping a tubular, the apparatus being mounted on a flow control device having a central bore, the apparatus comprising;
 (a) a plate defining an aperture, the aperture being dimensioned such that it will receive the rig slips gripping the tubular but will not permit passage of the rig slips gripping the tubular therethrough; and   (b) support means releasably attached to the flow control device and the plate, the support means releasably securing the plate in a position whereby the aperture and the central bore of the flow control device are aligned.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the support means is integrally formed with the flow control device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the support means comprises at least one support rod extending from the plate to the flow control device. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support means comprises a plurality of support rods extending from the plate to the flow control device