GB2158492A - Pipe handling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for transforming pipe P to and from the floor of a drilling rig D comprises a stationary trough 34 for receiving and supporting pipe below floor level of drilling rig D with a support eg pair of masts 46 at one end 38 extending towards the rig, a movable trough 40 for receiving and supporting pipe aligned with the stationary trough 34 and having a first end 44 coupled to the support for vertical movement between a lower position, adjacent the one end 38 of the stationary trough for transfer of pipe, and an upper position, above and spaced from the stationary trough, adjacent the rig, a power means 48 at the support for moving the first end 44 between lower and upper positions, a first moving means (eg buggy 50) for moving pipe lengthwise along the stationary trough to the one end 38 and onto the movable trough when its first end is in the lower position and for allowing pipe to move down from the movable and into and along the stationary trough, a second moving means eg carriage 53 for moving pipe lengthwise along the movable trough between first and second ends 44, 42 when in respective lower and upper positions, and a holding means eg shovel 52 for the pipe as it is moved by and transferred between the moving means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pipe handling machine Background ofthe Invention This invention relatestoa machineforhandling pipe and similartubulargoods between a drilling rig and a pipe rack. It relates more pa rticularly to a pipe handling machine adapted for use at onshore loca tionsaswellastoa machinethatcan be easily disassembled, transported between drilling rig sites, and reassembled atthe new site.

lnthepriorarttherearevariousmethods and devices for lifting and moving pipe to and from pipe racks and an elevated drilling rig floor. One of such methods simply attaches a wire cable to the pipe and thenthecable is lifted bya hydraulic winch which is typically mounted on the truck parked nearthe rig.

Cranes and hydraulic driven chains have also been used to lift and move the pipe. These methods have proven to be very slow and thus very costly. They also have required additional personnel to handle the pipe at both the drilling rig site and at the pipe rack. As the pipe was transferred it could become unattached from the pipe lifting structure of more commonly could swing about thereby injuring personnel, or damaging the pipe or adjacent structure.

More recently machines have been built which have reduced these problems. However, these machines have also proven to be slow and cumbersome, as well as proven to be unsafe.

Machines have been built in the past which included a fixed trough, devices for moving pipe from the pipe rack to that trough, a moving means for moving the pipe from the fixed trough to a movable trough, and means for removing the pipe from the movable trough to the drilling rig floor. But, as has been previously discussed, these machines have proven to be cumbersome and slow.

Additionally, a pair of pipe racking arms positioned on either side ofthestationarytrough have been used.

A length of chain is reeved about appropriate sprockets connecting pipe cradling lugs on legs on opposing sidesofthestationarytrough.Asimilarchain and lug assembly was provided on the other opposing pair of arms. A heavy and expensive motor and a large, single shaft drive apparatus were employed to turn the sprockets. Thus, as the shaft turned, both the cradling lugson onesideofthestationarytroughwould be moving upwardlywhilethe opposing lugs on the other side ofthetrough would be moving in a downward direction. This often proved to be unnecessary and unsafe since only the arms of one side ofthe trough orthe other were being used atanyonetime.

To move the pipe from the stationary trough to the racking arms a dump trough system has been used.

This system employed a tiltable segment of trough tilted by two pair of hydraulic cylinders positioned at either ends thereof. This system proved to be very fragile because the pivot point for the dump trough portion was at one end ofthe hydraulic cylinder, and because the hydraulic cylinders had to lift an entire trough section as well as the pipe.

The operator's station in prior machines was a separate unit connected by appropriate control lines.

< e This unit was difficultto lift onto a transporting vehicle when being moved between drilling rig sites and would have to be lifted separately from the troughs.

Another problem present in prior art machines was that no suitable method had been deveioped for moving the pipe between the fixed trough and the inclined trough and then from the inclined trough to the drilling rig floor. Some past devices even required personnel to be positioned adjacenttothe movable trough to hook the pipe to suitable lifting means. This, of course, proved to be slow, costly and dangerous.

Mechanical devices used to move the pipe were slow and often mechanically complicated. They also would bang the pipe about damaging the pin ends thereof or the pipe handling apparatus's drive chains.

Objects ofthe Invention Accordingly, it is the principal object ofthe present invention to provide an improved machinefortransferring pipe between a pipe rack and the floor of a drilling rig, and conversely during othersequences in the drilling operation to transfer pipe from the drilling floor to the pipe rack.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide a pipe handling machine which can be readily moved to and from a flatbed truck and the catwalk without requiring a crane or similar hoisting machinery.

A further object of the present invention isto provide a pipe handling machine which does not require that the pipe racking arms on both sides be extended when only one is in use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handling machine which allows the pipe racking arms to be easily pivoted to a position adjacent and parallel the stationary trough for easier transportofthe machine.

Another object is to provide a pipe handling machine that has an operator's station attached thereto which can be folded down against the pipe handling machine for easiertransport.

Afurther object is to provide a pipe handling machine which can transfer pipe from the pipe racks to the drilling rig with a short cycle time.

A still further object isto provide a pipe handling machine which brings the pipe end close to the center ofthe drilling rig and at a working level low enough to enable the pipeto be more accessible.

Another object is to provide a pipe handling machine which has an improved pipe tilting system for moving the pipe from a fixed trough to the pipe racking arms.

Afurther object is to provide a pipe handling machine having an improved pipe tilting system pivoting about a fixed point on the stationarytrough.

Afurther object is to provide a pipe handling machine which smoothly moves the pipe along and between a horizontal fixed trough and an intersecting inclined trough to the drilling floorwithout damage to the pipe.

Other objects and advantages ofthe present invention will become more apparantto those persons having ordinary skill in the artto which the present invention pertains from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The Drawings Figure lisa perspective view of an apparatus embodying the present invention in use at a drilling rig site.

Figure2 isatop plan viewofthestationarytrough of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view ofthe stationary trough of Figure 2; the forward end of the movable trough is shown in phantom lines in its lower position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the tilting arms of the stationary trough or Figure 1; one pairoftilting arms is shown in phantom lines in its raised ortilted position and the racking arms are shown in phantom lines in their down position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the tilting arms of Figures 1 and 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view illustrating the tilting arms of Figure 5; one tilting arm thereof is indicated in phantom lines in its raised or tilted position.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the stationarytrough of Figure 2 illustrating the tilting arms of Figures Sand 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the stationary trough of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Figure loins a side elevational view of one of the arm members of the tilting arms of Figure 6, illustrated in isolationforclarity's sake.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary, partially broken away side elevational view of one ofthe racking arms of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Figure 11 wherein the movement ofthe cradling lug is illustrated in phantom lines.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view ofthe racking arm of Figure 12taken along line 13-l3ofFigure 12.

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the buggy in the stationary trough of Figure 1 illustrating the movement thereof as it pushes a pipe along the stationarytrough.

Figure 15 is a viewsimilarto that of Figure 14further illustrating the pipe-holding shovel assembly thereof as it engages and rides up the movable trough.

Figure 16 is a top plan view taken along line 16-16 of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-l7ofFigure 16.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line 18-l8ofFigure 16.

Figure 19 is a perspective view ofthe carriage of Figures 1 and 14.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the shovel member as it moves onto the lower end of the movable trough of Figure 1 when in its lower position; the arm members are shown in their open position.

Figure 21 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 20 illustrating the arms in their closed position as they move a length of pipe resting in the movable trough along that trough.

Figure 22 is a side cross-sectional view of another Imbodiment crthe present invention illustrating the owes wend of the movable trough in its lower position.

Figure 23 is a view similarto that of Figure 22 wherein the shovel member has engaged the carriage ofthe movable trough.

Description of the Invention General Description Referring to Figure 1,there is illustrated an apparatus of an embodiment ofthe present invention shown generally at30 for handling pipe P and other tubulars. This apparatus generally includes a main support frame 32 shown positioned on a catwalk C, a stationarytrough 34 having ends 36 and 38 resting on and supported by supportframe 32, and a movable trough 40 supported at one end 42 on drilling rig D and at its other end 44 by a pair of masts 46, 46,46 Masts 46, 46 are mounted on opposite sides of stationary trough end 38. A mast drive system shown generallyat48 lifts and lowers movable trough end 44 between masts 46, 46.As movable trough end 44 is raised to its upper position, movable trough end 42 is caused to slide further on to drilling rig floor D and to be positioned generally lower relative to drilling rig floor D whereby a length of pipe may be more easily removed from movable trough 40. When movable trough end44 is in its lower position, movable trough 40 and stationary trough 36 are adjacent each other and are in alignment so that pipe can slide between them.

The present invention also provides for a buggy 50 which is powered to ride in stationarytrough 34 between ends 36 and 38 thereof. Buggy 50 engages a shovel member 52 which is adapted to hold one end of a length of pipe P. Shovel member 52 is also engageablewith a carriage our similar means 53 positioned in movable trough 40. Carriage 53 is similarly powered to move along movabletrough 40 between ends 42 and 44 thereof. Carriage 53 is likewise engageable with shovel member52whereby pipe P held by shovel member 52 may be moved between stationary trough 34 and drilling rig floor D along movable trough 40. When movable trough end 44 is in its lower position, shovel member 52 holding pipe P may be moved between the two trough.

The present invention also includes a recking arm assembly shown generally at 54for moving pipe between pipe racks R, Rand stationary trough 32. Pipe racks R, Rare positioned on either side of stationary trough 32 and are illustrated in Figure 1 as comprising triangular shaped structures though any suitable racks may be used. Racking assembly 54 is positionable on one or both sides ofstationarytrough 34, as will be described in greaterdetail later. Also, a tilting arm assembly shown generally at 56 is prnvided.This assembly 56 moves the pipe between stationary trough 34 and racking arm assembly shown generally at 54. Each of these racking arms is provided with a pivotal attachment 57 allowing pivotal movement in two directions so that the arms can be positioned alongside the stationarytrough for easiertransport of apparatus30 and when not the particular arm is not being used.

Thus, as is readily apparent, pipe can be moved by apparatus 30 between pipe racks R, Rand drilling rig floor Din one smooth operation. Pipe on drilling rig floor D is positioned in movable trough 40 and held therein byshovel member 52, which isthen moved down movable trough 40 by carriage 53 as movable trough end 44 is moved down between masts 46,46 by mast drive system 48 to stationary trough end 38.

When movable trough end 44 is in its lower position shovel member 52 is disengaged from carriage 53 and engaged to buggy 50. Thus, as buggy 50 is moved in stationary trough 34 towards end 36, pipe P travels therewith until it reaches a position over tilting arm assembly 56. tilting arm assembly 56 is then tilted toward racking arm assembly 54, as will be described in greater detail later. At that point, the pipe is moved bythe racking arm assembly downward until it rests on pipe rack R. Asimilar procedure in reverse is used to move the pipe from pipe racks R, R to drilling rig floorD.

Only a single operator is needed to operate all of the aforementioned systems of apparatus 30. The present invention provides for a operator's station or cab 58 forthatoperatorand an appropriate control panel disposed therein. Cab 58 is attached to stationary trough end 36. As best shown in Figure 3, cab attachment 59 includes a pivoting means whereby cab 58 may be pivoted until it rest on stationary trough 34 for easier loading and transporting of apparatus 30.

Detailed Description The mast drive system shown generally at 62 in Figure 3 is illustrated and described in further detail in commonly-owned U.S. application Serial No, 328,252, filed December 7,1981, and corresponding PCT application Serial No. PCT/US 81/01552 filed November 20, 1981, which disclosures are hereby incorporated in their entirety. Briefly, though, mast drive system 62 includes a chain 45 connected at one end to movable trough end 44 and atthe other end to a hydraulic cylinder assembly, which in the preferred embodiment comprises two parallel hydrau lic cylinders, positioned between and adjacent masts 46, 46.

As the cylinders are pressurized, the chain lifts movable trough end 44. Also, masts, 4646 may be rotated between a vertical position and a horizontal position generally resting on trough 34 buy a hydraulic lift system shown generally at 64. System 64 causes masts 46, 46to pivot at 65 in a manner indicated by the arrows and phantom lines of Figure 1.

Buggy 50 has a spine portion 66 depending therefrom and extending into slot 68 along the middle of stationary trough 34, as best shown in Figure 2 Referring to Figure 3, endless chain 70 is connected at oppsite ends thereof to spine 66 and is powered to move buggy 50 along the stationary trough. A shock absorber mechanism 72 is employed along chain 70to absorb some ofthe impact forces as pipe P moves from movable trough 40 to stationary trough 34.

Tilting arm assembly 56 is illustrated in Figures 4-10.

Tilting arm assembly 56 comprises two sets of tilting arms 74 and each ofthese tilting arms 74 defines a wishbone shape, as well illustrated in Figure 10. This wishbone shape includes arm portions 76 and 78 and hands 80 and 82. Hand surfaces 84 and 86 are shaped so that they lieflush with the surface of stationary trough 34 when the tilting arm is in the down or non-tilted position, as can be seen in Figures 4. The arm further includes holes 88 and 89 which provide pivotal connections.

As shown in Figure 6, cylinder90 is pivotally connected at each of its ends, lower end 92 and upper piston rod end 94. End 92 pivots about pin96 which is mounted to ear 98. Ear 98 is securely mounted on cross member 100 of frame 32. End 94 pivots about pin 102which passesthrough hole 89. Member74,in addition to pivoting about pin 102, also pivots about pin 104. Pin 104 which passes through hole 88 is bolted to the stationary trough, as best shown in Figure 6. Thus, as hydraulic cylinder 90 is pressurized by hydraulicfluid, its piston rod 105 extends arm 74 upward and thereby pivots it about pin 104.As it pivots, it extends through opening 106 (best shown in Figure 4) in stationary trough 34with surface 86 contacting a length of pipe P held therein and lifting it out ofthe stationary trough and rolling ittowardsthe pipe rack R. Each set of arms is spaced a distance less than the length of a pipe and the hydraulic cylinders for them are pressurized at the same time so thatthe pipe is lifted in an even, horizontal manner.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, racking assembly 54 is shown. It basically comprises an arm 110, pivotally attached at its upper end to stationarytrough 34 by pivotal attachment 57 and resting at its lower end on the ground, or similar surface, G. A hydraulic cylinder 112 is mounted in arm 110, which includes two interconnected box structures 111, 111, at its ends 114 and 116. A racking arm cross-head assembly 118 is attached atthe end of piston rod 120 of hydraulic cylinder 112. A leaf chain 122 is attached at one end adjacent end 116 and at its other end to a lifting lug assembly shown generally at 124. It is lifting lug assembly 124 which cradles pipe P against arm 110 and, when pulled by leaf chain 122, lifts the pipe along the arm to stationarytrough 134.Racking arm cross-head assembly 118 includes two parallel wheels 126, 126 which, when moved by piston 120, roll in arm 110 and about which leaf chain 122,122 are reaved, as best shown in Figure 11. Lifting lug assembly 124 includes two triangular shaped plates 128,128, connected at one cornerthereof by a rollertube 130.

Rollertube 130 has welded thereto a pair of leaf chained devise assemblies 132, 132 to which leaf chains 122,122 are attached. A roller shaft 134 also interconnects plates 128,128 at a second corner thereof. Rotatably secured to shaft 134 at either ends thereof and outside of plates 128,128 are two weight members 136,136 which are pivotally attached thereto and depending therefrom providing the needed weight to keep leaf chain 122 taut at all times.

At the third corner of triangular plates 128, 128, a cam follower 138 is rotatably attached. As best shown in Figure 12, and as lifting lug assembly is moved to the upper end of arum 110, cam follower 138 is cammed against surface 139 towards stationarytrough 134 thereby causing a lifting lug assembly 124to tilt towards stationary trough 34 and dumping pipe P into the trough. As hydraulic cylinder 112 is depressurized and piston 120 accordingly retracted, lifting lug assembly 124 aided by weight members 136,136 is dropped down along the arm 110 pastend 116to ground G. Leaf chain 122 thus follows a path from point 116 down to point 1 and this allows for a racking arm assembly that does not require the piston to extend the full lengtl(ofthe arm member.

Referring to Figure 1, it is seen that on either side of stationary trough 134 there are two racking arm assemblies 54,54 on either side thereof. Each of the assemblies on one side ofthe stationary trough, or in the preferred embodiment on both sides of the stationarytrough, are of identical construction and the hydraulic cylinders therefore are pressurized in parallel and identical manners so that the lifting lug assemblies travel up the respective arms at identical rates and the pipe moves in a level, horizontal manner.

However, the racking arms assemblies on either side ofthe stationary trough are designed to operate independently of each other. Further, when the cradling lugs on one side ofthe stationary trough are dumping pipe into the trough, the cradling lugs on the other side can be in their upper position. This provides a safety stop so that when pipe is dumped into one side ofthe trough bythe cradling lugs, it does not roll out the other side.

As previously mentioned, pivotal attachment 57 for the racking arm assembly allows for pivotal movementofarm 110 abouttwo axes, as bestshown in Figure 4. Pivotal attachment 57 includes a plate member 138 attached to the side ofthe stationary trough 34 by pivot assembly 140 which allows pivotal movementaboutaxes 140a as shown in Figure 4. Plate 138 further comprises two pair of ear members 142, 142 each having holes 144,144 passing therethrough.

Each pair of ears 142, are spaced defining a slot therethrough in which tabs 145,145 of structures 111, 111 can be placed. Tabs 145,145 also have holes alignablewith the holes in ears 142,142 and th roug h which pivot pins 146, 146 are positioned. Arm 110 is able to pivot about pins 146, 146, that is, about axis 146a. Arm 110, thus, may be moved between a down position resting on the ground and a horizontal or stored, position against the stationarytrough.

As shown in Figure 19, buggy 50 has a spine portion 66 depending therefrom which passesthroughthe slot in stationary trough 34. On opposing sides of spine portion 66 and at either ends thereof are two sets of rotatably mounted wheel assemblies 150. Wheel assemblies 150 are adapted to ride in channel 151 extending the length of and beneath stationary trough 34. Thus, the endless chain mounted at either end of the spine pulls buggy 50 which then rolls on its wheel assemblies 150,150. Buggy 50 also has a horizontal member 152 which has a bottom contoursimilarto that ofthe stationary trough.At the rear edge of member 152 and mounted perpendicular thereto is a vertical member 154 and mounted on the back side of member 1 54 are two hooks 156,156 having theirhook portion extending over the top of member 154. It is hooks 156,156 which engage shovel member 52.

As best shown in Figure 20, shovel member 52 has a horizontal base member 160 contoured so that it can freely slide in stationary trough 34 and in movable trough 40. The forward tip of member 160 has, as best shown in Figure 16, a beveled cutout 162 atthe location that would be exposed to the greatest impact or damaging contactforces. Mounted vertically in a central section of member 160 is a striker plate 164. A resilient material or coating 166 is added to the forward face of plate 164. Coating 166 is added to provide a resilient surface against which pipe P can impact thereby absorbing some ofthe impact forces as well as preventing damage to the pin end of pipe P.

Attached to the rear edge 168 of member 160 and at an angle to the horizontal arm members 170, 170, is a bar 172, which is mounted between arms 170,170 attheir uppermost ends. It is bar 172 which can be held by hooks 156,156 of buggy 50 when shovel member52 is moved by buggy 50. Shovel member 52 further includes a vertical spine 174 mounted in the center of plate 160 between plate 164 and arms 170. Spine 174 provides needed structural support. Thus, as shovel member 52 is moved by buggy 50, bar 172 is held by hooks 156, as shown in Figure 14.Referring now to Figure 15, it is seen that as buggy 50 pushes shovel member 53 and thus pipe Pup movable trough end 44, shovel member 53 rotates about edge 168 thereby rotating bar 172 down and out of engagement with hooks 156 so that it can move up the movabletrough.

The present invention teaches two methods for holding shovel member 53 and moving it along movable trough 40.

One method is illustrated in Figures 20 and 21 and includes a bucket assembly shown generally at 180.

Greater detail and explanation forthe operation of one suitable bucket assembly 180 is found in the previously incorporated applications. Briefly, though, it includes a chain drive (not shown herein), which pulls mast structure 182,182. A plurality of arm segments 184,184 are attached to mast structure 182. Bucket assembly 180 further includes a mechanism (not illustrated herein)forclosing and opening arm segments 184 when bucket 180 is adjacent movable trough end 44. This mechanism provides a camming action which closes arm segments 184 as bucket assembly 180 is pulled bythe chain drive awayfrom end 44, and also opens the arms as the bucket assembly approaches end 44. Arm segments 184 close around plate 164 holding shovel member 53 therein fortravel along movable trough 40.

The second embodiment is shown Figures 22 and 23. It provides for a carriage 186 driven by continuous chain 188, which reeves about drive sprocket 189, along the length of movable trough 40. This embodi mentfurtherencludes a slightly modified shovel member 190 having a longerforward plate member 192 and also having a first latch portion 194 depending therefrom at a forward location of plate 192. First latch - portion 194 is adapted to engage a second mated latch portion 196 mounted on carriage 186. As shown in Figure 23, these two latch portions engage as shovel member 53 is moved onto movable trough 40 and carriage 186 is pulled by chain 188 up movable trough 40. This latching and unlatching procedure is activated by the aforementioned rotating action ofthe shovel member about its edge 168 as it moves between the two troughs.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident thatthere are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications ofthe present invention which come within the province ofthose persons having ordinary skill in the artto which the aforementioned invention pertains. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus fortransferring pipe to and from the floor of a drilling rig comprising: a stationarytrough means for receiving and supporting pipe adapted to be located belowthe level of the floor ofthe drilling rig with one end extending toward said rig and located in proximity to said rig, a support means located at said one end of said stationary trough means, a movable trough means for receiving and supporting pipe aligned with said stationary trough means and having a first end coupled to said support means for generally vertical movement between a lower position and an upper position and having an opposite end adjacent said rig, said lower position being adjacent to said one end of said stationary trough means to permitthe transfer of pipe between said movable and said stationary trough means, and said upper position being general ly above and substantially spaced from said one end of said stationary trough means, a power means at said support means for moving said first end of said movable trough means between said lower and upper positions, a first moving means for moving pipe lengthwise along said stationarytrough means to said one end and onto said movable trough means when said first end of said movable trough means is in said lower position and for allowing pipe to move down from said movable trough means when said movable trough means is in said lower position and into and along said stationary trough means, a second moving means for moving pipe lengthwise along said movable trough means between saidfirstendwhensaidmovabletrough means is in said lower position and said second end when in said upper position, and a holding means for holding pipe as it is moved by said first and second moving means and transferred between said first and second moving means.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a first connecting means for connecting said holding means and said first moving means as pipe is being moved lengthwise in said stationary trough means.

3. The apparatus according to claims 1 or2further comprising: a second connecting means for connecting said holding means and said second moving means as pipe is being moved lengthwise in said movable trough means.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2wherein: said first connecting means disconnects said holding means and said holding as said holding means moves from said stationary trough means to said movable trough means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein: said second connecting means disconnects said holding means and said second holding means as said holding means moves from said movable trough meansto said stationarytrough means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a first connecting meansfor connecting said holding means and said first moving means as pipe is moved lengthwise in said stationary trough means, said first connecting means disconnects said holding means and said first moving means as said holding means moves from said stationary trough means to said movabletrough means, and a second connecting meansforconnecting said holding means and said second moving means as pipe is moved lengthwise in said movable trough means, said second connecting means disconnects said holding means and said second connecting means as said holding means moves from said movabletrough means to said stationary trough means, whereby said holding means holds pipecontinuously as said pipe moves between the end of said stationary trough means opposite said one end and said second end of said movable trough means.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6wherein: saidfirstconnecting means comprises a hook means attached to said first moving means and a bar means attached to said holding means, said bar means being engageable in said hook means.

8. The apparatus according to claims 6 or7 wherein: said second connecting means includes a protruding member attached to said holding means, an arm means attached to said second moving means, and control means connected to said second moving means for closing said arm means about said protruding member after pipe has been moved from said stationarytrough means to said movable trough means and for opening said arm means so that pipe can move between saidstationary and movable trough means.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: said protruding member comprises vertical pipe support structure of said holding means.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: said protruding member includes a resilient material on the surface thereof which the pipe contacts.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8wherein: said control means is actuated as said second moving means approaches and leaves said first end of said movable trough means.

12. The apparatus according to claims6or7 wherein: said second connecting means comprises a latching mechanism including afirst latch portion attached to said handling means and a second latch portion attached to said second moving means.

13. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein: said holding means pivots as it moves between said stationarytrough means and said movable trough means, the intersection of said trough means defining an obtuse angle, and said pivoting action causes said barto disengage from said hook as said holding means moves onto said movable trough means and to engage said hook as said holding means moves onto said stationary trough means.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein: said holding means pivots as it moves between said stationary trough means and said movable trough means and said pivoting causes said first latch portion andsaid second latch portion to latch as said holding means moves onto said movable trough means and to unlatch as said holding means moves onto said stationarytrough means.