Casing roller apparatus

Abstract

A casing roller apparatus including an actuation apparatus for facilitating operation of the casing roller apparatus and an engagement apparatus for securely engaging a unit of casing to permit an oilfield worker to roll the unit of casing. The casing roller apparatus is used in a method of engaging a unit of casing with the casing roller apparatus and rolling the unit of casing from a first location to a second location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A casing roller apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 an actuation apparatus for facilitating operation of the casing roller apparatus; and   an engagement apparatus for securely engaging a unit of casing to permit an oilfield worker to roll the unit of casing.   
     
     
         2 . The casing roller apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the actuation apparatus includes an operational nut rotatably disposed on a threaded shaft and an unthreaded sleeve disposed around the threaded shaft to manipulate the operational nut. 
     
     
         3 . The casing roller apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the threaded shaft includes a turn handle disposed on an end opposite of the engagement apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The casing roller apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the engagement apparatus includes a base portion with a first arm and a second arm rotatably attached thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The casing roller apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the engagement apparatus further includes contact elements rotatably supported by the first and second arms to engage an inner wall of the unit of casing. 
     
     
         6 . The casing roller apparatus of claim of  claim 5  wherein the contact elements have a gripping layer disposed thereon to engage the inner wall of the unit of casing. 
     
     
         7 . The casing roller apparatus of  claim 2  inlucdes a separator element disposed on an end of a threaded shaft that engages parts of the engagement apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using a casing roller apparatus, the method comprising:
 engaging a unit of casing with the casing roller apparatus; and   rolling the unit of casing from a first location to a second location.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the casing roller apparatus engages the unit of casing on an inner wall of the unit of casing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising disengaging the casing roller apparatus from the unit of casing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the actuation apparatus of the casing roller apparatus facilitates operation of the casing roller apparatus; and the engagement apparatus securely engages the unit of casing to permit an oilfield worker to roll the unit of casing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the actuation apparatus includes an operational nut rotatably disposed on a threaded shaft and an unthreaded sleeve disposed around the threaded shaft to manipulate the operational nut. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the threaded shaft includes a turn handle disposed on an end opposite of the engagement apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the engagement apparatus includes a base portion with a first arm and a second arm rotatably attached thereto. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the engagement apparatus further includes contact elements rotatably supported by the first and second arms to engage an inner wall of the unit of casing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of claim of  claim 15  wherein the contact elements have a gripping layer disposed thereon to engage the inner wall of the unit of casing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  includes a separator element disposed on an end of a threaded shaft that engages parts of the engagement apparatus.