System for attaching a gullwing to a catwalk

Abstract

A system for connecting a gullwing to a catwalk comprising a gullwing pin movable in an indexer groove that enables a foot pad of the gullwing to remain stationary relative to the catwalk when the gullwing is raised or lowered.

1 . A system for attaching a gullwing to a catwalk, comprising:
 an indexer unit coupled to a catwalk;   a gullwing coupled to the catwalk via the indexer unit; and   a pin coupled to a knuckle of the gullwing and positioned within a slot formed in the indexer unit, wherein the pin is movable from a first position within the slot to a second position within the slot in a direction toward the catwalk when the gullwing is raised relative to the catwalk.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pin moves in a substantially horizontal direction within the slot toward the catwalk when the gullwing is raised relative to the catwalk. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the knuckle is movable relative to the indexer unit when the pin moves within the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the pin is disposed through the knuckle such that portions of the pin extend from opposite sides of the knuckle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the portions of the pin are positioned within the slot. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a foot pad coupled to the gullwing remains substantially stationary relative to the catwalk when the gullwing is raised or lowered. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein a hydraulic cylinder raises the gullwing by extending a rod against the foot pad. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the indexer unit includes an indexer pin configured to support a section of pipe that is transferred by the gullwing when the gullwing is raised relative to the catwalk. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pin is rotatable relative to the knuckle of the gullwing and the indexer unit. 
     
     
         10 . A system for attaching a gullwing to a catwalk, comprising:
 an indexer unit coupled to the catwalk; and   a gullwing pin coupled to the gullwing and disposed within a groove formed in the indexer unit, wherein the gullwing pin is movable from one end of the groove to an opposite end of the groove in a direction toward the catwalk when the gullwing is raised relative to the catwalk.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a foot pad coupled to the gullwing remains substantially stationary relative to the catwalk when the gullwing is raised or lowered. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the gullwing pin moves in a substantially horizontal direction within the groove toward the catwalk when the gullwing is raised relative to the catwalk. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the gullwing pin is rotatable relative to the gullwing and the indexer unit.