Catwalk Pipe Restraint System

Abstract

A catwalk pipe restraint system for an oil field operation. The pipe restraint system includes a support body secured to the trough of a catwalk. A lever arm is pivotally connected to the support body. A jaw insert disposed on the lever arm is sized to contact a pipe in the trough. The lever arm is movable between a first open position and a second closed position. In the closed position the jaw of the pivot arm spans the width of the trough and functions to secure the pipe tubular in the trough. A hydraulic piston connected to the support body and the lever arm provides the force for moving the pivot arm between the open and closed position. The hydraulic activation allows for remote operation of the pipe restraint arm to minimize possibility of injury or accident because of excessive movement of the pipe in the trough.

1 . A pipe handling system for use with an oil derrick, the pipe handling system comprising:
 a pipe support system comprising:
 a base; 
 an elongate pipe trough having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base; and 
 a lift system connected between the base and the pipe trough, the lift system adapted to extend the second end of the pipe trough vertically to a position remote from the base; 
   a pipe restraint assembly comprising:
 a support body secured to the pipe trough; 
 a single restraint arm comprising:
 a lever arm connected to the support body at a hinge point; and 
 a jaw; and 
 
 a pivot force connected to the support body and the restraint arm; 
 wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the restraint arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe trough. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the lift system comprises a hydraulic cylinder connected to the pipe trough proximate the second end of the pipe trough, such that when the cylinder is extended the second end of the pipe trough is in an elevated position remote from the base. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the support body comprises:
 a bracket secured to the pipe trough, the bracket having a first side and a second side; 
 at least one plate secured to the first side of the bracket, the plate defining the hinge point adjacent the first side of the bracket; and 
 an arm stop secured to the second side of the bracket. 
 
     
     
         4 . A pipe handling system for use with an oil derrick, the pipe handling system comprising:
 a pipe support system comprising:
 a base; 
 an elongate pipe trough having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the base; and 
 a lift system connected between the base and the pipe trough, the lift system adapted to extend the second end of the pipe trough vertically to a position remote from the base; 
   a pipe restraint assembly comprising:
 a support body secured to the pipe trough; 
 a single restraint arm comprising:
 a lever arm connected to the support body at a hinge point; and 
 a jaw; 
 wherein the lever arm comprises:
 a pair of parallel plates; and 
 a plurality of support members disposed between the plates; and 
 
 
 a pivot force connected to the support body and the restraint arm; 
   wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the restraint arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe trough; and   wherein when the restraint arm is in the closed position a portion of the arm stop is positioned between the plates of the lever arm.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the restraint arm further comprises a jaw insert secured to the jaw;
 such that when the restraint arm is in the closed position the jaw insert is disposed to contact a pipe in the pipe trough. 
 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the restraint arm further comprises a jaw insert secured to the jaw;
 such that when the restraint arm is in the closed position the jaw insert is disposed to contact a pipe in the pipe trough. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the jaw insert comprises a hard rubber material. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the pipe trough comprises a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal bottom; and
 wherein the support body comprises: 
 at least one plate secured to the first side of the pipe trough, the plate defining the hinge point adjacent the first side of the trough. 
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the support body further comprises an arm stop secured to the second side of the pipe trough. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the lever arm comprises:
 at least one plate; and 
 wherein when the restraint arm is in the closed position a distal end of the lever arm is positioned adjacent the arm stop. 
 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the lever arm comprises:
 a pair of parallel plates; and 
 a plurality of support members disposed between the plates; and 
 wherein the jaw is formed in a middle portion of the plates. 
 
     
     
         13 . A pipe restraint assembly for use with an oil field catwalk, the catwalk having a trough for supporting a pipe tubular being provided to a drilling operation, the pipe restraint arm comprising:
 a support body comprising:
 a bracket adapted to be secured to the pipe trough, the bracket having a first side positioned adjacent a first longitudinal side of the pipe trough and a second side positioned adjacent a second longitudinal side of the pipe trough; 
 at least one plate secured to the bracket, the plate defining a hinge point adjacent the first side of the bracket; and 
 an arm stop secured to the second side of the bracket; 
   a single restraint arm comprising:
 a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the hinge point of the support body; and 
 a jaw disposed on the lever arm; 
   a pivot force connected to the support body and to the first end of the lever arm;   wherein the pivot force is adapted to move the lever arm between a first open position and a second closed position in which the restraint arm spans the pipe trough.   
     
     
         14 . The pipe restraint arm of  claim 13  wherein the pivot force comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         15 . The pipe restraint arm of  claim 14  wherein the lever arm defines a connection point disposed proximate the first end of the lever arm; and
 wherein the lever arm defines a pivot point disposed proximate the first end of the lever arm and adjacent the connection point; and 
 wherein the pivot point of the lever arm is pivotally connected to the hinge point of the support body; and 
 wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connected to a bottom side of the support body and is pivotally connected to the connection point of the lever arm. 
 
     
     
         16 . The pipe restraint arm of  claim 13  wherein the restraint arm further comprises a jaw insert connected to the jaw