Pipe wiper box

Abstract

The pipe wiper assembly of the present invention assists with wiping the pipe as the pipe is removed from the hole (“tripped out”). The pipe passes through the two pipe apertures of the pipe wiper assembly during the removal. Two upper containment arms adjust between an open position and a closed position within the housing to form the upper pipe aperture. The lower containment lip forms the lower piper aperture. The upper containment arms and lower containment lip partially enclose the housing to prevent the wiper from exiting the wiper storage. The containment arms slideably adjust to eliminate the need for hinges. The removal of the hinges provides for easier storage and transportation of the pipe wiper assembly. The removal of hinges also reduces manufacturing costs of the pipe wiper assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storage of a wiper unit wherein the apparatus is secured to a bowl, the apparatus comprising: a housing configured to store the wiper unit, the housing comprising an exterior wall and an interior aperture located interior of the exterior wall wherein the interior aperture defines a vertical axis; a first containment arm that attaches to the housing, the first containment arm adjustable horizontally within the housing, wherein adjustment of the first containment arm narrows the interior aperture; a lower containment lip located vertically below the first containment arm; a first adjustment aperture located on the exterior wall of the housing above the lower containment lip, the first containment arm configured to at least partially pass through the first adjustment aperture to adjust the first containment arm horizontally within the housing; the wiper unit installed within the housing vertically below the first containment arm; a first installation finger of the first containment arm, wherein the first installation finger is sized not to pass through the first adjustment aperture, wherein the first installation finger is located on the first containment arm within the interior aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first containment arm slideably attaches to the housing, the first containment arm sliding at least partially into first adjustment aperture to horizontally adjust the first containment arm.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a lock body of the first containment arm extending outward from the first containment arm; the lock body of the first containment arm comprising a lock aperture; a lock body of the housing extending outward from the housing wherein the lock body of the housing remains stationary in relation to the housing; the lock body of the housing comprising a lock aperture; a locking finger configured to be placed within the lock aperture of the first containment arm and the lock aperture of the housing wherein the locking finger secures the first containment arm in the closed position to limit movement of the first containment arm in relation to the housing when the locking finger is placed within the lock aperture of the first containment arm and the lock aperture of the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, the housing have an annular shape.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a stopping finger of the first containment arm extending outward from the first containment arm, the stopping finger located externally of the housing when the first containment arm attaches to the housing, the stopping finger sized not to pass through the first adjustment aperture, the stopping finger configured to contact the exterior of the housing to prevent the first containment arm from completely passing through the first adjustment aperture.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the stopping finger extends substantially perpendicular from the first containment arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the stopping finger extends above and below the first containment arm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first installation finger removably attaches to the first containment arm to allow installation of the first containment arm to the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: at least one guide located on the interior of the housing, the guide located adjacent to the first adjustment aperture, the guide configured to assist with directing the first containment arm into the housing.

10. An apparatus for storage of a wiper unit to a bowl, the apparatus comprising: a housing configured to store the wiper unit, the housing comprising an exterior wall and an interior aperture located interior of the exterior wall wherein the interior aperture defines a vertical axis; a first containment arm that attaches to the housing, the first containment arm adjustable horizontally within the housing, wherein adjustment of the first containment arm narrows the interior aperture; and a lower containment lip located vertically below the first containment arm wherein the size of the interior aperture decreases at the lower containment lip; a first adjustment aperture located on the exterior wall of the housing above the lower containment lip, the first containment arm configured to at least partially pass through the first adjustment aperture to adjust the first containment arm horizontally within the interior aperture to narrow the interior aperture at the first containment arm.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a second containment arm that attaches to the housing, the second containment arm configured to adjust between an open position and a closed position wherein the first containment arm and the second containment arm adjust to the closed position to maintain the wiper unit within the housing; a second adjustment aperture located on the side of the housing above the lower containment lip, the second containment arm configured to at least partially pass through the second adjustment aperture to adjust the second containment arm to the closed position; and the first adjustment aperture located approximately opposite of the second adjustment aperture.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a stopping finger of the first containment arm extending outward from the first containment arm, the stopping finger located externally of the housing when the first containment arm attaches to the housing, the stopping finger sized to not pass through the first adjustment aperture, the stopping finger configured to contact the exterior of the housing to prevent the first containment arm from completely passing through the first adjustment aperture.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: an installation finger extending outward from the first containment arm, the installation finger located internally of the housing when the first containment arm attaches to the housing, the installation finger configured to contact the interior of the housing to prevent the first containment arm from completely passing through the first adjustment aperture, the installation finger sized not to pass through the first adjustment aperture when secured to the first containment arm.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the installation finger removably attaches to the first containment arm to allow installation of the first containment arm to the housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a lock body of the first containment arm extending outward from the first containment arm; the lock body of the first containment arm comprising a lock aperture; a lock body of the housing extending outward from the housing; the lock body of the housing comprising a lock aperture wherein the lock aperture of the housing aligns with the lock aperture of the first containment arm when the first containment arm is positioned in a closed position; a locking finger configured to be placed within the lock aperture of the first containment arm and the lock aperture of the housing wherein the locking finger placed with the lock apertures limits movement of the first containment arm from the closed position.

16. An apparatus for storage of a wiper unit to a bowl, the apparatus comprising: a housing configured to store the wiper unit, the housing comprising an exterior wall and an interior aperture located interior of the exterior wall wherein the interior aperture defines a vertical axis; a first containment arm that attaches to the housing, the first containment arm adjustable horizontally within the housing, wherein adjustment of the first containment arm narrows the interior aperture; and a lower containment lip located vertically below the first containment arm wherein the size of the interior aperture decreases at the lower containment lip; a first adjustment aperture located on the exterior wall of the housing above the lower containment lip, the first containment arm configured to at least partially pass through the first adjustment aperture to adjust the first containment arm horizontally within the interior aperture to narrow the interior aperture at the first containment arm; a lock aperture of the first containment arm; a locking finger that inserts into the lock aperture of the first containment arm, wherein the locking finger inserted into the lock aperture limits horizontal movement of the first containment arm.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: a lock aperture of the housing wherein the locking finger inserts into the lock aperture of the housing and the lock aperture of the first containment arm to limit horizontal movement of the first containment arm.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising: a stopping finger of the first containment arm, the stopping finger sized not to pass through the first adjustment aperture, the stopping finger located outside of the interior aperture, the stopping finger configured to contact an outer surface of the exterior wall to prevent the first containment arm from completely passing through the first adjustment aperture.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the lower containment lip decreases the radius of the interior aperture of the housing, the lower containment lip maintaining the wiper unit within the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

(2) FIG. 1 is an environmental view showing one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an environmental view showing one embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top view showing one embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view thereof;

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view thereof;

(9) FIG. 8 is an exploded view thereof;

(10) FIG. 9 is an exploded view thereof;

(11) FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view thereof; and

(12) FIG. 11 is a bottom view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) FIGS. 1 and 2 show environmental views of the pipe wiper assembly and its installation within the bowl 104. Base 150 of the pipe wiper assembly is placed within the upper portion of the bowl 104. Clamp 102 secures the housing 100 to the bowl 104 as shown in FIG. 2. Base 150 provides a lip for contacting the clamp to secure the housing 100 within clamp 102. The housing 100 and bowl 104 provide apertures that allow for passage of the drill string through the housing 100 and the bowl 104.

(14) Referring to FIG. 3, housing 100 provides two pipe apertures, an upper pipe aperture 101 and a lower pipe aperture 103, located interior of an exterior wall 105 of the housing that allow the pipe to pass through the housing 100. The pipe passes through the two pipe apertures 101, 103 of the pipe wiper assembly during the removal. In one embodiment, lower pipe aperture 103 is fixed such that the size of lower pipe aperture is not adjustable. Lower containment lip 152 forms lower pipe aperture 103. Lower containment lip 152 prevents the pipe wiper from falling into the hole.

(15) The housing also provides an adjustable upper pipe aperture 101. The size of upper pipe aperture 101 adjusts depending upon the position of the upper containment arms 106, 122. Upper containment arms 106, 122 adjust between an open position and a closed position within the housing. In the open position shown in FIG. 3, upper containment arms 106, 122 increase the size of upper pipe aperture 101. The increased size of upper pipe aperture 101 enables a user to install the pipe wiper. After the pipe wiper is installed within housing 100, the user adjusts the upper containment arms 106, 122 to the closed position to secure the pipe wiper within housing 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(16) In the closed position, the two upper containment arms 106, 122 form the upper pipe aperture 101. The upper containment arms 106, 122 and lower containment lip 152 partially enclose the housing 100 to form the wiper storage 158. The housing 100 stores a wiper within wiper storage 158. The wiper has an aperture through which the pipe passes. The diameter of the wiper is larger than the pipe apertures 101, 103 formed by the upper containment arms 106, 122 in the closed position and lower containment lip 152. The upper containment arms in the closed position and the lower containment lip prevent the wiper from exiting the wiper storage 158 formed by housing 100, upper containment arms 106, 122, and lower containment lip 152.

(17) As can be seen in FIG. 3, upper containment arms 106, 122 slideably adjust between an open position shown in FIG. 3 to a closed position shown in FIG. 4. Adjustment apertures 138, 140 enable the adjustment of upper containment arms 106, 122 between the open position and the closed position. The user inserts the upper containment arms 106, 122 into the adjustment apertures 138, 140 to position the containment arms 106, 122 in the closed position.

(18) Stopping fingers 108, 114 of upper containment arm 106 and stopping fingers 124, 130 of upper containment arm 122 assist attaching containment arms 106, 122 to the housing 100. Stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 of containment arms 106, 122 protrude outward from containment arms 106, 122. In one embodiment, stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 extend above and below containment arms 106, 122. The stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 contact housing 100 instead of passing through adjustment apertures 138, 140. Stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 prevent containment arms 106, 122 from passing completely through adjustment apertures 138, 140.

(19) To secure the containment arms in a closed position, the user inserts the containment arms 106, 122 until stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 contact housing 100. Lock bodies 110, 126 of containment arms 106, 122 align with lock bodies 116, 133 of housing 100. Lock bodies 110, 126 provide lock apertures 112, 128. Likewise, lock bodies 116, 132 provide lock apertures 117, 133. The alignment of lock body 110 with lock body 116 also aligns lock apertures 112, 117. The alignment of lock body 126 with lock body 132 aligns lock apertures 128, 133.

(20) Locking fingers 146, 148 insert into lock apertures 112, 117 and lock apertures 128, 133 to secure the containment arms 106, 122 in the closed position. The inserted locking fingers 146, 148 maintain containment arms 106, 122 in the closed position.

(21) Installation fingers 118, 120, 134, 136 of containment arms 106, 122 installed within housing 100 prevent the removal of containment arms 106, 122 from housing 100. In one embodiment, installation fingers 118, 120, 134, 136 removably attach to containment arms 106, 122 to enable a user to install and remove containment arms 106, 122 within housing 100. Installation fingers 118, 120, 134, 136 extend outward from containment arms 106, 122. The installation fingers 118, 120, 134, 136 do not pass through the openings of adjustment apertures 138, 140. Therefore, installation fingers 118, 120, 134, 136 maintain the attachment of containment arms 106, 122 to housing 100 while the installation fingers 118, 120, 134, 136 are installed in containment arms 106, 122.

(22) FIGS. 6 and 7 show side views of containment arms 106, 122 in the closed position. Lifting aperture 149 allows for a lifting arm (not shown) to lift housing 100. Stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 are larger than the openings of adjustment apertures 138, 140. Therefore, stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 prevent removal of the containment arms 106, 122 from housing 100.

(23) FIGS. 6 and 7 also show containment arms 106, 122 secured in the closed position by locking fingers 146, 148. Lock bodies 110, 126 of containment arms 106, 122 extend outward from containment arms 106, 122. Lock bodies 116, 132 extend outward from housing 100. The stopping fingers 108, 114, 124, 130 align the locking apertures 112, 128 of lock bodies 110, 126 with locking apertures 117, 133 of lock bodies 116, 132 when the containment arms 106, 122 are adjusted to the closed position. The alignment of locking apertures 112, 128 with locking apertures 117, 133 enable locking fingers 146, 148 to pass through the locking apertures 112, 117, 128, 133 to secure the containment arms 106, 122 in the closed position.

(24) As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, containment arms 106, 122 slideably adjust between an open position shown in FIG. 8 to a closed position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The slideable adjustment of containment arms 106, 122 eliminates the need for hinges for attachment of containment arms 106, 122 of the known art. Because of the activity occurring on the drilling floor, the hinges of the known art damage easily. Such hinge damage prevents users from adjusting the upper pipe aperture 101. The slideable adjustment of containment arms 106, 122 through adjustment apertures 138, 140 eliminate the need for hinged attachment of containment arms 106, 122. Therefore, containment arms 106, 122 adjust between the open position and closed position without the difficulties caused by a hinged attachment of the known art. Upper guides 142, 144 positioned above adjustment apertures 138, 140 assist with the adjustment of containment arms 106, 122. Likewise, lower guides 143 (the lower guide under upper guide 144 is located in a similar location as lower guide 143 on the opposite side) positioned below adjustment apertures 138, 140 assist with the adjustment of containment arms 106, 122.

(25) FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the present invention. Casing 156 attaches to lower containment lip 152 and base 150 to form the housing. In one embodiment, casing 156, lower containment lip 152, and base 150 are welded together to form the housing. Attachment lip 154 provides an area for placement of lower containment lip 152. Lower containment lip 152 has an inner aperture forming lower piper aperture 103 as shown in FIG. 3. Lower pipe aperture 103 allows passage of the pipe (not shown). However, lower containment lip 152 prevents pipe wiper from falling through the bottom of the housing and into the hole.

(26) Base 150 of housing 100 provides an area that extends outward from housing 100. The clamp 102 shown in FIG. 1 contacts base 150 to secure housing 100 with the bowl 104 as shown in FIG. 2.

(27) FIGS. 10 and 11 show lower containment lip 152 forming a lower surface for storage of a wiper (not shown). The lower containment lip 152 prevents the wiper from falling through lower aperture 103 to maintain the wiper within housing 100.

(28) From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

(29) It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

(30) As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.