Portable Stabbing Board

The field of this invention is devices used and attached to a drilling rig for supporting a worker while stabbing joints of pipe or casing during running operations.

In the prior art, many types of devices have been used generally for pipe handling and operations attendant thereto. Some types of devices incorporate entire pipe handling systems and racking assemblies, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,053,063 and 3,501,027, which include motor vehicle combinations in conjunction with such pipe handling equipment. Such systems are costly and most complex.

Other types of systems include self contained mobile-vehicular lifting devices having adjustable work platforms such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,115, but typically are not used in the pipe handling-oilfield related operations. On the other hand, some devices, are adapted to be mounted with a rig during pipe handling operations, which include devices as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,531,930 and 3,976,207. U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,930 discloses a well drilling structure provided with a drill pipe hoist that incorporates a working platform that is pivotally mounted to a mast and is movable with movement of the mast. U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,207 discloses the use of a removable platform used for casing stabbing operations, wherein a casing handling head for grasping the casing pipe is integrally mounted with the platform. Massive support members must necessarily be erected as well as connections of operative fluid lines be made in order to make the casing stabbing apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,207 operational.

So far as known, there is no prior art teaching of a truly portable stabbing board that may be quickly installed with the drilling rig requiring no significant ground based structural members, yet providing flexibility for a worker in the stabbing joints of tubular members during stabbing operations.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and useful portable stabbing board for use by a worker during the stabbing of joints of pipe or casing together during running operations.

The portable stabbing board of the present invention includes a frame member, attachment members for attaching the frame with the drilling rig, a platform mounted for vertical movement along the frame member for supporting a worker during running operations, power means mounted beneath the platform for providing motive force for moving the platform vertically with respect to the frame member and safety members with the platform and the frame member for preventing unwanted vertical movement of the platform during such operations.

It should be understood that this description of the invention is not intended to be limiting but is only exemplary of the many patentable features of this invention, which are set forth in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the portable stabbing board of the present invention as shown affixed with a drilling rig adjacent to the vicinity where joints of tubular members are stabbed during running operations;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the portable stabbing board of FIG. 1 of the present invention as mounted with a drilling rig;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the portable stabbing board of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of the platform of the portable stabbing board of the present invention as taken along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view of a portion of the safety means of the portable stabbing board of the present invention as taken along the lines 5--5 of FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the safety means of the portable stabbing board of the present invention as taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the letter B designates generally the portable stabbing board B of the present invention. The portable stabbing board B is adapted to be attached to a rig R for supporting a worker in stabbing joints of tubular members T together during running operations. The portable stabbing board B includes generally a frame member F, attachment means A, a platform P, power means M and safety means S. Unless otherwise specified, it is preferred that the components of the invention be made of steel or other suitable high-strength materials capable of taking stresses and strains encumbent upon such a portable stabbing board B during its intended use during stabbing operations.

The portable stabbing board B is adapted to be attached to a rig R such as drilling rig 10. As is well known and preferred, the drilling rig 10 has rig sides 10a generally formed of a plurality of braces such as braces 10b, 10c, 10d (FIG. 2) that make up and form a part of the drilling rig 10. The drilling rig 10 further includes rig platform 10e. Associated rig hardware typically used in running operations is shown schematically in FIG. 1 and includes an appropriate block 12, supported by appropriate cables 14, with the block 12 supporting a suitable elevator 16 used for raising and lowering tubular members T. The tubular members T may include pipe, casing, or any other types of suitable tubular members used in typical rig R operations. As is known, the elevator 16 supports the tubular members T as they are individually inserted through the rotary table 18 mounted with the rig platform 10e, whereinafter the tubular members T are individually fed into the well designated generally as 20 that is being serviced by the drilling rig 10.

The portable stabbing board B of the present invention includes a frame member F adapted to be affixed with the rig R in a vertical plane substantially parallel with the tubular members T. The frame member F includes frame member 22 which includes a pair of vertical, substantially parallel channel members 22a, 22b. The channel members 22a, 22b preferably are of a U-shaped channel having channel troughs 22a', 22b' formed within the U-shaped channel members with the channel troughs 22a', 22b' of the channel members 22a, 22b facing inwardly with respect to the frame member 22. Top frame member 22c and bottom frame member 22d separate and maintain the substantially parallel vertical relationship of the channel members 22a, 22b and provide for the upper and lower strength of the frame member F of the present invention. Braces 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h, 22i provide further structural support for the frame member F and are mounted therewith adjacent the exterior surface of the vertical channel members 22a, 22b and preferably not within the troughs 22a', 22b' of the channel members 22a, 22b as discussed more fully hereinbelow. The upper end 22j of the frame member 22 is formed by the top frame member 22c and the adjacent portions of channel members 22a, 22b while the lower end 22k of the frame member 22 is formed by bottom frame member 22d and adjacent channel member 22a, 22b, respectively. It is preferred that the frame member F be of a rigid construction, as noted hereinabove; however, a foldable or collapsible construction may be used if desired.

The portable stabbing board B of the present invention further includes attachment means A with the frame member F for removably securing the frame member F with the rig R. The attachment means A includes a top support member 24 (FIG. 2) mounted with the upper end 22j of the frame member 22. The top support member 24 includes a pair of top supports 24a (only one shown in the drawings), each substantially alike and having a suitable hook 24b formed adjacent one end thereof. The other end of the top support member 24 includes bracket 24c secured with top support 24a and adapted to be pivotally mounted with the frame member F by means of pivot pin 24d.

The top support member 24 is movable from a collapsed, first position (not shown) wherein the top support member 24 is substantially parallel and adjacent to the frame member F to a second position (FIG. 2) wherein the top support member 24 is substantially perpendicular to the frame member F adjacent to the upper end 22j of the frame member F. The top support member 24 is adapted to supportably engage the rig R for supporting the frame member F when the top support member 24 is in the second position. When in the second position, the top support 24a engages and abuts tabs 26, 28 mounted with the frame member 22 adjacent top frame member 22c adjacent the upper end 22j thereof, for limiting movement of the top support member 24 to that of a substantially perpendicular relationship with the frame member F. The top support member 24 is mounted with the rig R in such a fashion that the top support 24a may extend through the rig side 10a with a portion thereof disposed on brace 10b of the drilling rig 10 when the top support member 24 is in the second position. A suitable fastener 30 such as chain 30a or any other suitable means is used to affix the top support 24a with the brace 10b of the drilling rig 10, for ease in quick mounting procedures therewith.

The attachment means A further includes hanging means designated generally as 32 for vertically locating the frame member F within the rig R. The hanging means 32 preferably includes cables 32a, 32b affixed to the tabs 26, 28, respectively, for extending between and attaching the upper end 22j of the frame member 22 with the drilling rig 10 along the vertical plane of the frame member 22, as best shown in FIG. 1.

The attachment means A of the portable stabbing board B of the present invention further includes bottom locating means designated generally as 34. The bottom locating means 34 includes at least one arm 34a adapted to be mounted with the lower end 22k of the frame member 22. Multiple arms 34a may be used, if desired. The arm 24a preferably is formed having a socket 34b formed adjacent the end thereof for receiving a suitable ball such as ball 22l mounted with the frame member 22 adjacent the lower end 22k thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, multiple balls 22l may be mounted with and along the vertical channel members 22a, 22b adjacent the lower end 22k thereof and that more than one arm 34a may be mounted therewith. It is preferred that an arm 34a be mounted with each respective channel member 22a, 22b adjacent the lower end thereof and that the arm 34a be of a circular cross section; however, any suitable configuration may be used as is desired. The ball 22l and socket 34b arrangement of the bottom locating means 34 results in substantially universal mounting of the arm 34a with the frame member 22 such that the arm 34a may pivot about the ball 22l in a vertical plane as well as have limited lateral movement with respect to the frame member 22.

The bottom locating means 34 further includes a sleeve 34c slidably mounted with arm 34a and movable along the length thereof as desired. Appropriate securing means 34d which may include an appropriate chain or the like affixed with the sleeve 34c. As such, the bottom locating means 34 is for locating the lower end 22k of the frame member 22 an appropriate distance from the rig R to insure a substantially vertical disposition of the frame member 22 within the rig R. The arm 34a extends from the frame member 22 through the rig side 10a of the drilling rig 10 for engaging brace 10d thereof. More particularly, the sleeve 34c is positioned with the arm 34a such that the sleeve engages the brace 10d of the rig 10 and the securing means 34d secures the sleeve 34c and consequently arm 34a to the drilling rig 10 upon being suitably disposed thereabout the brace 10d, for ease in quick mounting.

The portable stabbing board B of the present invention further includes a platform P mounted for vertical movement along the frame member F for supporting the worker during running operations. The platform P includes platform 36 having a floor 36a supported by platform supports 36b, 36c, 36d (FIG. 4) affixed to rear platform support 36e. Rear platform support 36e has platform channel supports 36f, 36g mounted therewith and extend upwardly from floor 36a, having top rear support 36h mounted therewith. Vertical cage members 36i, 36j, 36k, 36l mounted with platform supports 36b, 36c, 36d and rear platform support 36e extend upwardly therefrom and form the perimeter of a working cage for the worker utilizing the portable stabbing board B of the present invention. The vertical cage members 36i, 36j, 36k, 36l have appropriate braces such as brace 36m and top latticework 36n therewith for providing suitable structural support for the vertical cage members with platform 36 of the present invention. Wire screen 36w with the vertical cage members prevents inadvertent slipping of the worker or loss of tools thereof from back of platform P when in use. It is preferred that the rear platform support 36e, platform channel supports 36f, 36g and top rear support 36h are sized such that they may be disposed within the channel troughs 22a', 22b' formed within vertical channel members 22a, 22b of the frame member 22. Preferably, the platform channel supports 36f, 36g are of a U-shaped channel configuration having a suitable trough 36g' formed therein with the platform channel supports 36f, 36g adapted to be received within the channel troughs 22a', 22b' of the vertical channel members 22a, 22b of the frame member 22. It is preferred that the platform troughs 36f', 36g' of the platform channel supports 36f, 36g extend outwardly with respect to the platform 36 and are mountable within the troughs 22a', 22b' of the channel members 22a, 22b.

The portable stabbing board B of the present invention further includes safety means S with the platform P and frame member F for preventing unwanted vertical movement of the platform P during running operations. The safety means S includes a plurality of pawls 38 mounted with and along the length of the channel troughs 22a', 22b' of the channel members 22a, 22b at selected positions. The pawls 38 as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 are preferably formed having an upper surface 38a, vertical surface 38b, lower inclined surface 38c and vertical surface 38d. It is preferred that the vertical surface 38b be attached to the channel members 22a, 22b within the respective troughs 22a', 22b' thereof and centered substantially therein. Centering of the pawls 38 within the troughs 22a', 22b' allows the platform channel supports 36f, 36g to move vertically within the troughs 22a', 22b' without engaging or interfering with the pawls 38. It will be appreciated that a number of pawls 38 may be disposed along the entire lengths of the vertical channel members 22a, 22b in troughs 22a', 22b', if desired.

The safety means S of the present invention further includes a safety mechanism designated generally as 40 mounted with the platform P for selectively engaging the pawls 38 as desired to prevent unwanted vertical movement of the platform P during running operations. The safety mechanism 40 includes an actuating arm 40a pivotally mounted with the platform P by means of pivot pin 40b. Safety arms 40c, 40d are pivotally affixed to the actuating arm 40a by means of pivot pins 40e, 40f, respectively. Bushings 40g, 40h are mounted with the platform channel supports 36g, 36f, respectively, for slidably receiving the safety arms 40c, 40d therein, respectively. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the safety arm such as safety arm 40d extends through bushing 40h mounted with platform chanel support 36f for engaging the upper surface 38a of pawl 38. Similarly, safety arm 40c engages a suitable pawl 38 (not shown) mounted with the vertical channel member 22b. The engagement of the safety arms 40c, 40d with the upper surface 38a of a pawl 38 prevents the platform P from moving vertically with respect to the frame member F. A safety spring 40i is mounted with the actuating arm 40a and the platform P to insure tensioning on the safety mechanism 40 such that the safety arms 40c, 40d are biased in an engaging position with the upper surface 38a of pawls 38. A foot lever 40j is affixed to the actuating arm 40a for foot operated movement by the worker for releasing the safety arms 40c, 40d from the engaging position to a releasing position wherein the safety arms 40c, 40d do not engage the upper surface 38a of the pawl and are retracted inwardly such that the ends of the safety arms 40c, 40d do not engage the vertical surface 38d of pawls 38. Movement from the engaging position to the releasing position is effectuated by movement of the lever 40j in the direction of arrow 40k (FIG. 3).

It will be appreciated that vertical upward movement of the platform P of the present invention is permitted even with the safety mechanism 40 in the engaged position. During such upward vertical movement of the platform P with respect to the frame member F, the safety arms 40c, 40d contact the lower, inclined surface 38c of the pawl 38 above the pawl 38 that the safety arms 40c, 40d had previously engaged. Upon the safety arms 40c, 40d engaging such lower, inclined surface 38c, the incline thereof forces the safety mechanism 40 to a non-engaging position against the action of the safety spring 40i, along vertical surface 38d whereupon reaching the upper surface 38a of the pawl 38 above the original pawl 38, the safety arms 40c, 40d will thereafter engage the upper surface 38a thereof to prevent unwanted lowering of the platform P. However, if it is desired that the platform P be lowered, the worker need merely engage the foot lever 40j and push downwardly thereon in the direction of arrow 40k to release the safety arms 40c, 40d engagement with the pawls 38 to allow lowering of the platform P with respect to the frame member F.

The portable stabbing board B of the present invention further includes power means M mounted beneath the platform P for providing motive force for moving the platform P vertically with respect to the frame member F. The power means M includes a motor 42 which is preferably an air motor 42a or may alternatively be an electric or any other suitable type of motor mounted beneath the floor 36a of the platform 36. A winch drum 34 is also mounted beneath the floor 36a of platform 36 and in operative engagement with the air motor 42a by means of suitable power take-off 46. A cable 48 operably engages the winch drum 44 and is affixed to the upper end 22j of frame member 22 at tab 22m adjacent end 48a of cable 48. Cable portions 48b are adapted to be spooled about the winch drum 44 for operable engagement therebetween. The platform P is movable vertically along the frame member F upon actuation of the air motor 42a which results in reeling of the cable 48 with respect to the winch drum 44. Preferably, a pedal 50 is mounted with the floor 36a of platform 36 for foot operation thereof by the worker for actuating the air motor 42a. More specifically, the pedal 50 is operably connected to an appropriate valve 52 for regulating air flow thereto air motor 42a through air motor lines 42b, 42c. By placing the pedal 50 in one position, the air motor 42a is pneumatically powered to result in reeling of the cable 48 thereonto winch drum 44 resulting in upper, vertical movement of the platform P with respect to the frame member F. Alternatively, movement of the pedal 50 to a second, released position results in pneumatic pressure within the air motor 42a being released allowing the platform P to move downwardly with respect to the frame member F, subject only to releasing of the safety mechanism 40. Any inadvertent pedal movement to the release position results in the platform P not moving because of the safety arms 40c, 40d engaging pawls 38.

Thus, the portable stabbing board B of the present invention is adapted to be quickly mounted with a rig R for use in running operation which is significant in view of the tremendous per hour costs associated with such rigs R. It is preferred that the top support member be in the second position during preliminary installation procedures such that it rests upon brace 10b while the hanging means 32 is affixed to a brace substantially higher up than brace 10b on the rig side 10a of drilling rig 10 and that such be substantially in vertical alignment with the intended position of the frame member F with respect to the operations to be performed. The hook 24b is useful for engaging the brace 10b of drilling rig 10 during installation procedures to prevent the portable stabbing board B of the present invention from falling from the drilling rig 10 during such preliminary placement procedures. The cables 32a, 32b are appropriately affixed to such brace of the drilling rig 10. Thereafter, the fasteners 30, such as chain 30a, is affixed about the top support member 24 for securing the same with brace 10b of the drilling rig 10. The bottom locating means 34, including arms 34a, are thereafter spread out and positioned on appropriate braces such as brace 10d with the sleeves 34c positioned thereon the brace 10d and the securing means 34d thereafter being affixed in such a fashion to secure the bottom locating means 34 with the drilling rig 10. Relative positioning of the bottom locating means 34 with respect to the rig sides 10a results in substantially vertical disposition of the frame member F within the drilling rig 10. As such, running operations may immediately thereafter commence.

The worker preferably stands on the floor 36a of platform 36 for stabbing the appropriate tubular members T during such running operations. Should it be necessary that the platform P be raised, the worker need merely step on the pedal 50 resulting in actuation of the air motor 42a resulting in take-up of the cable 48a on winch drum 44 resulting in upward vertical movement of the platform P. The inclined surfaces 38c and vertical surfaces 38d of pawls 28 do not interfere with the upward movement inasmuch as the safety arms 40c, 40d are pushed out of engagement with the pawls 38 by means of the inclined surfaces 38c. After stopping at any suitable position, work may be commenced.

Should there be any failure of the air motor 42a-winch drum 44 system, any vertical downward movement of the platform P will be limited by the pawls 38 engagement with the safety mechanism 40. When it is desired that the platform P be lowered, the worker need only engage the pedal 50 to release pneumatic pressure in the air motor 42a while simultaneously engaging the foot lever 40j of safety mechanism 40 to release the engagement of the safety arms 40c, 40d with the pawls 38. Thus, the worker utilizing the portable stabbing board B of the present invention may move vertically with respect to the drilling rig 10 and frame member F to accomplish the stabbing of joints of tubular member T during running operations.

As will be appreciated, because of the ease of installation of the portable stabbing board B of the present invention, the portable stabbing board B may be moved throughout the drilling rig 10 with the minimum of time and effort necessary for moving same. Prior art stabbing boards involve installation procedures of several hours in duration whereas the portable stabbing board B of the present invention may be easily placed in position within such a drilling rig 10 within 20-30 minutes time, resulting in considerable savings in time, effort and expense.

Furthermore, the portable stabbing board B of the present invention may be compactly folded for transportation purposes in that the top support member 24 is pivotally mounted with the frame member 22 such that it is movable to the first position wherein the top support member 24 is substantially parallel and adjacent to the frame member 22 whereas the bottom locating means 34 is universally mounted such that the arm 34a may similarly move along side the channel members 22a, 22b of the frame member 22 for compact handling of the frame member F of the present invention. Thus, the present invention comprehends a portable stabbing board B that is a new and useful concept not heretofore known.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.