Importance

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Abstract

Back-up power tongs are provided, for holding a tubular member, such as a drill pipe, against rotation of a connected tubular member, the back-up tongs comprising a body, having a center opening of sufficient size for the tubular member to pass therethrough, a slot communicating between the edge of the body and the center opening, and a cavity disposed within the body. A plurality of jaw members are disposed within the body around the perimeter of the center opening, each jaw member having a concave surface generally conforming to the curvature of the tubular member and facing the interior of the opening so as to be grippingly engageable with the tubular member. At least one cylinder assembly is disposed within the cavity and fixedly connected to one jaw member so as to extend or retract the jaw member on a radial path centered at the center of the tubular member.

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First Claim