Pipe handling apparatus and method

Abstract

Equipment for moving tubular members from a storage rack to an elevated platform floor is disclosed. A base-mounted articulated support structure has an arcuate trough mounted on top thereof. Loading arms are secured to a side of the pivotal trough for picking up one tubular member from the rack and moving to the platform floor. Unloading arms detachably securable to the trough facilitate movement of the tubular members from the platform floor onto the rack.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for moving a tubular member, comprising:
 a base configured to be positioned adjacent a storage rack containing a plurality of tubular members;   an articulated support structure mounted on the base and movable between a folded stationary position and an extended position, said support structure comprising a first support arm, a second support arm and a connector member coupled between the second support arm and the first support arm;   a means for moving the first support arm from a first position substantially parallel to the base and a second position oriented at an acute angle in relation to the base;   a means for moving the second support arm from a first position substantially parallel to the base and a second position oriented at an obtuse angle in relation to the base; and   an arcuate elongated trough extending longitudinally along the support structure, said trough having opposite parallel side edges and configured to receive the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said first support arm is pivotally movable in relation to the base, said second support arm is pivotally movable in relation to the first support arm, and said connector member is pivotally coupled between the second support arm and the first support arm. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said means for moving the first support arm comprising hydraulically movable struts coupled between the base and an underside of the first support arm. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said means for moving the second support arm comprising hydraulically movable struts coupled between the first support arm and an underside of the second support arm. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said trough having a semicylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for moving a tubular member, comprising:
 a base configured to be positioned adjacent a storage rack containing a plurality of tubular members;   an articulated support structure mounted on the base and movable between a folded stationary position and an extended position, said support structure comprising a first support arm, a second support arm and a connector member coupled between the second support arm and the first support arm;   an arcuate elongated trough extending longitudinally along the support structure, said trough having opposite parallel side edges and configured to receive the tubular member; and   pivot assemblies mounted between the second support arm and the trough and imparting pivotal movement on the trough during loading and unloading of the tubular member to and from the trough, the pivot assemblies comprising a first elongated bar coupled to the second support arm and a telescopically extendable second bar pivotally connected to a free end of the first elongated bar.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , said first support arm is pivotally movable in relation to the base, said second support arm is pivotally movable in relation to the first support arm, and said connector member is pivotally coupled between the second support arm and the first support arm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , comprising a means for moving the first support arm from a first position substantially parallel to the base and a second position oriented at an acute angle in relation to the base. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , said means for moving the first support arm comprising hydraulically movable struts coupled between the base and an underside of the first support arm. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , comprising a means for moving the second support arm from a first position substantially parallel to the base and a second position oriented at an obtuse angle in relation to the base. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , said means fir moving the second support arm comprising hydraulically movable struts coupled between the first support arm and an underside of the second support arm. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , comprising a plurality of spaced-apart loading arms detachably securable to the trough and extending at an obtuse angle in relation to a side edge of the trough, said loading arms moving the tubular member between the storage rack and the trough. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each of the loading arms comprises a substantially L-shaped body. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein contact surfaces of the loading arms have a protective coating. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , comprising a plurality of spaced-apart unloading arms detachably securable to the trough and extending at a tangent to a side of the trough, said unloading arms moving the tubular member between the trough and the storage rack. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each of the unloading arms comprises a substantially planar upper surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , said upper surface of each of the unloading having a protective coating. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , said trough having a semicylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for moving a tubular member, comprising:
 a base configured to be positioned adjacent a storage rack containing a plurality of tubular members;   an articulated support structure mounted on the base and movable between a folded stationary position and an extended position, said support structure comprising a first support arm, a second support arm and a connector member coupled between the second support arm and the first support arm;   an arcuate elongated trough extending longitudinally along the support structure, said trough having opposite parallel side edges and configured to receive the tubular member;   first pair of hydraulically movable struts positioned between the base and an underside of the first support arm; and   a second pair of hydraulically movable struts mounted between an upper surface of the first support arm and an underside of the second support arm, wherein the second pair of hydraulically movable struts extend the trough to an inclined position.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , said trough having a semicylindrical configuration.