Apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe in a drilling rig derrick

Abstract

A remotely controlled apparatus for positioning and stabbing pipe within a drilling rig derrick is provided. A support base assembly is mounted to a structural member of a drilling rig derrick. A jointed articulating boom having a boom base member and a boom arm member is attached to the support base assembly and can be pivoted about vertical and horizontal axes. The jointed articulating boom extends and retracts by cooperative motion between the boom base member and the boom arm member. A pipe gripper assembly having opposing arcuate jaws is mounted at the outer extent of the jointed articulating boom and can be pivoted about a horizontal axis. A remote control panel subassembly is used to control the movement of jointed articulating boom and pipe gripper assembly.

1 . An apparatus for positioning and stabbing piper within a drilling rig derrick comprising: 
 a. an articulating boom having a first end, a second end and at least one joint between said first and second ends, wherein each such at least one joint is pivotal about a horizontal axis intersecting said joint, and wherein said first end of said articulating boom is pivotally mounted to a drilling rig derrick and is rotatable about vertical and horizontal axes intersecting said first end;    b. a pipe gripper attached to the second end of said articulating boom;    c. means for selectively moving said boom about said vertical and horizontal axes intersecting said first end of aid articulating boom;    d. means for selectively extending and retracting said articulating boom; and    e. means for selectively increasing or decreasing the length of said articulating boom.