Abstract
There is described a socket extension member for use with a square drive ratchet to close and open the valves on a Ratigan style oil field wellhead blow-out preventer. The extension member comprises a solid shaft portion connected to a first end portion with a square bore to matingly receive the square drive ratchet wrench and a second end portion connected to the shaft portion opposite of the first end portion with a circular bore and an interior of the circular bore being fashioned to matingly and engage the end of the wellhead Ratigan style blowout preventer valve.
Claims
1. A socket wrench extension for use with a square drive ratchet comprising: a shaft portion; a first end portion including a polygonal bore for receiving a ratchet wrench; a second end portion including a circular bore for receiving a valve on an oil wellhead blow-out preventer, the interior of the circular bore being fashioned to matingly engage the end of the wellhead blowout prevent valve such that the square drive ratchet does not slip during use.
2. The socket wrench extension according to claim 1 wherein the polygonal bore is a square bore.
3. The socket wrench extension according to claim 2 wherein the diameter of the bore fits a ¾ inch square drive ratchet.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 (a) is a front view of a socket wrench extension member according to the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 (b) is a top perspective view of a socket wrench extension member of FIG. 1 (a).
[0009] FIG. 1 (c) is a front perspective view of a socket wrench extension member of FIG. 1 (a).
[0010] FIG. 1 (d) is a front perspective view of a socket wrench extension member of FIG. 1 (a).
[0011] FIG. 1 (e) is an upside down perspective view of a socket wrench extension member of FIG. 1 (a).
[0012] FIG. 1 (f) is an upside down through 1 (g) are views of a socket wrench extension member of FIG. 1 (a).
[0013] FIG. 1 (g) is a bottom perspective view of socket wrench extension member of FIG. 1 (a).
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a typical wellhead blowout preventer (PRIOR ART).
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a typical wellhead blowout preventer (PRIOR ART).
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a typical wellhead blowout preventer (PRIOR ART).
[0017] FIG. 5 shows the socket wrench extension member of FIG. 1 (a) through 1 (g) with a typical wellhead blowout preventer.
[0018] FIG. 6 (a) is a front view of a socket wrench extension member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 (b) is a top perspective view of a socket wrench extension member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 (c) is a front perspective view of a socket wrench extension member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 (d) is a front perspective view of a socket wrench extension member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 (e) is an upside down perspective view of a socket wrench extension member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 (f) is an upside down through 1 (g) are views of a socket wrench extension member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 (g) is a bottom perspective view of socket wrench extension member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring to the Figures, there are shown views of a socket wrench extension member 2 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 (a), the socket wrench extension member 2 comprises a first end portion 4, a second end portion 6, and a shaft or extension portion 8 located between the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 6. Referring to FIG. 1 (b), the first end portion 4 is shown as having a square bore 10 for matingly receiving a square drive ratchet wrench 20 (as shown in FIG. 5). The preferred bore is for a ¾ inch square drive ratchet wrench 20. As shown in FIG. 1 (e), the second end portion 6 has a circular bore 12 to fit over the Ratigan wellhead blowout preventer valve 18 (as shown in FIG. 2), with the interior 14 of the circular bore 12 being fashioned to matingly engage the end 16 of the wellhead blowout preventer valve 18. As can be seen in FIG. 1 (g), in some cases the interior 14 is fashioned into a slot, while in other cases it could be fashioned into a hexagonal shape or some other shape, depending upon the shape of the end of the wellhead blowout preventer valve 18, to prevent the socket wrench extension from slipping during use.
[0026] In use, as can be seen in FIG. 5, a blowout preventer valve 18 has an end 16 of rectangular shape. The second end portion 6 of the socket wrench extension member 2 is placed over the end 16. The second end portion 6 has a circular bore 12 which is, in this case, fashioned in the shape of a slot so that the end 16 is matingly engaged and secured. The first end portion 4 of the socket wrench extension member 2 has a square bore 10 which is sized to receive a square drive ratchet wrench 20. By grabbing the handle of the square drive ratchet wrench 20 and turning the square drive ratchet wrench 20, the user is able to tighten or untighten the blowout preventer valve 18 as needed.
[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 6 (a) through (g), the size and configuration of the socket wrench extension member can be modified to suit different blowout preventer valves.
[0028] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
