The invention relates to a U-shaped arrangement of floats which are ballastable and deballastable so as to raise and lower their height in the water. On each parallel leg of the float arrangement, are mounted supporting beams that are movable along their longitudinal axes so that they may extend into the center of the U-shaped arrangement of floats and also be retracted therefrom. The device may be used for lifting and transporting large loads by placing the load in the center of the U-shaped arrangement of floats while the floats are ballasted so that they sit low in the water, extending the supporting beams into the center of the arrangement of floats so that they are underneath the load, and then deballasting the floats so that they rise higher in the water while lifting the load. In the deballasted mode, the device may be transported to a desired location, where the load may then be deposited by ballasting the floats until the load is resting on its intended support, and then retracting the support beams out from underneath the load.

This relates to apparatus for effecting the closing of one end of a shirred casing strand. A strand is to be automatically presented to a previously developed closer in alignment therewith and under a preselected pressure. A transfer device is provided for receiving a doffed strand, transferring the strand transversely and then moving the strand longitudinally so that an end of the strand engages the closer. A gripping mechanism is provided which includes a pair of jaws having opposing clamp elements of a generally V-shape or angle cross section. The two jaws are simultaneously movable either together or apart and are urged apart by compression springs. A fluid cylinder actuated linkage urges the jaws towards closed positions. By varying the closing force, the clamp members can be first moved to a preset spacing providing a receptacle into which a doffed strand of a predetermined size may be readily slid. Then by increasing the pressure of the cylinder, the strand may be sufficiently tightly gripped to prevent relative movement during the closing operation. The closer members are separated to release a closed strand at the end of the closing operation. By varying the pressure to the cylinder in the receptacle forming stage of the clamping members, the size of the receptacle may be adjusted in accordance with variations in size of casing strands to be handled. A control system for the automatic operation of the transfer device in conjunction with the closing device is provided.

A cable-processing device includes a first drive for swiveling movement and a second drive for linear movement of a swivel-arm. The swivel-arm is held on a bracket for rotation about an axle with a spring force acting counterclockwise on the swivel-arm. A gripper on the end of the swivel-arm holds a cable-end between first and second gripper-jaws. The jaws are arranged rotatably on an axle and are opened and closed by means of gears. To reduce the swivel-arm mass to be moved, the actuator for the gears is arranged on the swivel-arm.

This relates to apparatus for effecting the closing of one end of a shirred casing strand. A strand is to be automatically presented to a previously developed closer in alignment therewith and under a preselected pressure. A transfer device is provided for receiving a doffed strand, transferring the strand transversely and then moving the strand longitudinally so that an end of the strand engages the closer. A gripping mechanism is provided which includes a pair of jaws having opposing clamp elements of a generally V-shape or angle cross section. The two jaws are simultaneously movable either together or apart and are urged apart by compression springs. A fluid cylinder actuated linkage urges the jaws towards closed positions. By varying the closing force, the clamp members can be first moved to a preset spacing providing a receptacle into which a doffed strand of a predetermined size may be readily slid. Then by increasing the the pressure of the cylinder, the strand may be sufficiently tightly gripped to prevent relative movement during the closing operation. The closer members are separated to release a closed strand at the end of the closing operation. By varying the pressure to the cylinder in the receptacle forming stage of the clamping members, the size of the receptacle may be adjusted in accordance with variations in size of casing strands to be handled. A control system for the automatic operation of the transfer device in conjunction with the closing device is provided.

Apparatus for the handling of drill collar and pipe stands and comprised of a hydraulically mechanized "Derrickman" and "Derrick Floor Hand" and associated fingerboard lock bars and all of which are adapted to remote control in the placement of the stands in a derrick, both in alignment with the rotary table and fully placed within the racking fingers, the stand handling mechanism being characterized by articulated arms extensible by actuator apparatus housed entirely within the confines thereof for compactness.