Clamping tool attachment for use with a polished rod

Abstract

In one aspect there is provided a tool attachment for use with a clamping tool having at least one jaw. The tool attachment comprises a semi-cylindrical member having an inner bore along a bore axis and an external groove suitable to capture part of at least one jaw. In another aspect, a tool attachment assembly is provided for use with a clamping tool having two jaws and for use with polished rod having an outside diameter. The tool attachment assembly comprises a pair of tool attachments wherein the each of the inner bores of the pair of tool attachments are each of such dimensions so as to create a total bore having a inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of said polished rod when each one of the pair of tool attachments is attached to the two jaws and when the clamping tool is in a clamped configuration.

Claims

1. A tool attachment for use with a clamping tool having at least one jaw, the tool attachment comprising: a semi-cylindrical member having an inner bore along a bore axis; and an external groove suitable to capture part of at least one jaw.

2. The tool attachment of claim 1, further comprising two flanged ends and wherein the external groove is defined by the space between the flanged ends.

3. The tool attachment of claim 2, further comprising at least one set screw threaded through one of said flanged ends and of suitable dimensions to force at least one jaw captured within the external groove against the second flanged end.

4. The tool attachment of claim 1 wherein the inner bore has a substantially semi-circular cross-section.

5. The tool attachment of claim 4 wherein the inner bore has a smooth machined surface.

6. A tool attachment assembly for use with a polished rod having an outside diameter, and with a clamping tool having two jaws and being movable between a clamped configuration and unclamped configuration, the tool attachment assembly comprising: a pair of tool attachments according to claim 1, each one of said pair of tool attachments being suitable for attachment to one of said two jaws of the clamping tool; wherein each of the inner bores of said pair of tool attachments are each of such dimensions so as to create a total bore having a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of said polished rod when each one of said pair of tool attachments is attached to each of said two jaws and when the clamping tool is in the clamped configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Referring to the drawings, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a PRIOR ART stuffing box, showing a various components that may need servicing;

[0011] FIGS. 2a and 2b are perspective views of one embodiment of a tool attachment of the present invention;

[0012] FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are perspective views of the embodiment of a tool attachment of FIG. 2a, shown attached to a clamping tool, in both an unclamped configuration (FIGS. 3a and 3c) and clamped configuration (FIG. 3b); and

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of a tool attachment of FIG. 2a, shown attached to a clamping tool and in a clamped configuration around a polished rod and supporting a stuffing box component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying the invention into effect. Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference numbers identify similar components. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features are shown in schematic or diagrammatic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0015] A first embodiment of a tool attachment 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2a-4. The tool attachment 10 comprises two semi-cylindrical segments 12a, 12b which mate to, or fit around, the jaws 20j of a clamping tool such as pliers 20. Preferably the pliers 20 can be locked into position, using an over-center action. More preferably, the pliers 20 are vise-grips brand were the position of the jaws can be easily adjusted. The two semi-cylindrical segments 12a, 12b, when they are attached to the jaws 20j of a clamping tool 20, may be moved or positioned between an unclamped configuration UC (see FIG. 3a) and a clamped configuration CC (see FIG. 3b).

[0016] Each semi-cylindrical segment 12a, 12b comprises an inner bore 14a, 14b along a bore axis B. Preferably each inner bore 14a, 14b has a substantially semi-circular cross-section, as is expected of a semi-cylindrical member and as can be seen in FIGS. 2a-4. More preferably, the two inner bores 14a, 14b are each of such dimensions so as to create a total bore 15 having a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of a polished rod P when in the clamped configuration CC (see FIG. 3b). More preferably, the surface of inner bores 14a, 14b is a smooth machined surface, without any teeth, ridges or protrusions. Even more preferably, the surface of inner bores 14a, 14b is made of a material that is softer than the material of a polished rod R. A suitable material is aluminum or bronze. Advantageously, when tool attachment 10 is clamped on a polished rod R, and inner bores 14a, 14b engage the outer surface of a polished rod R (e.g. see FIG. 4), there is minimal, if any, chance of scuffing, scratching or otherwise damaging the polished rod R surface. More advantageously, due to the total bore 15 having a smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the polished rod R, and the ability of the clamping tool 20 to lock into position using an over-center action, tool attachment 10 allows such clamping tool 20 so safely clamp onto a polished rod R and support one or more a stuffing box components C without need for continuous human involvement.

[0017] To facilitate attachment of the semi-cylindrical segment 12a, 12b to the jaws 20j of a clamping tool 20, each segment 12a, 12b is preferably provided with an external groove 16a, 16b of such dimensions so as to capture all or substantially all of a jaw 20j therein (see FIG. 3c). More preferably, one or more set screws 17 may be provided to maintain the jaws 20j within the external groove 16a, 16b, as can be seen in FIGS. 2a-4. External grooves 16a, 16b may be defined between two semi-circular flanged ends 18, 19 and one or more set screws 17 may be threaded through a threaded opening 17o on such flanged end (e.g. 18), thereby forcing the jaws 20j against the opposing flanged end (e.g. 19); see FIG. 3c.

[0018] Advantageously, tool attachment 10 may be easily attached to, and removed from, common oilfield clamping tools, such as locking pliers, thereby avoiding the need for a specialized clamping tool. More advantageously, when not in use, semi-cylindrical segments 12a, 12b will take up minimal space in a toolbox.

[0019] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications to the invention as described herein will be possible without falling outside the scope of the invention. In the claims, the word comprising is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite article a before a claim feature does not exclude more than one of the features being present.