Inflatable restraint system

摘要

A racking board for retaining tubulars is disclosed having a first finger, a second forger positioned generally parallel to the first finger and with a gap between the fingers serving as a storage area for tubulars. A first inflatable member is supported adjacent to the first finger and a second inflatable member is supported adjacent to the second finger, the inflatable members adapted to expand radially into the gap upon inflation so as to capture and retain the tubular. In some embodiments, a single inflatable member in employed to expand into the gap and retain the tubular. A method of racking tubulars is disclosed using elongate, inflatable restraints.

主权项

1. A racking board for restraining one or more rigid, elongate tubular members, said racking board comprising:
a first horizontally-extending elongate finger having a longitudinal axis; a second horizontally-extending elongate finger having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first finger and horizontally spaced from said first elongate finger by a gap, wherein said gap has a width greater than a diameter of at least one of said rigid, elongate tubular members; and a first elongate support member mounted to said first finger and extending axially along said first finger; said first support member having a first end, a second end opposite said first end of said first support member, a central web portion extending vertically from said first finger, and a flange extending from said web portion and positioned distal said first finger; and a first inflatable member having a first end coupled to said first end of said first support member on a first side of said first support member and a second end coupled to said first end of said first support member on a second side of said first support member, wherein said first inflatable member wraps around said second end of said first support member; wherein the first support member includes a first recess on said first side of said first support member between said flange and said first finger and a second recess on said second side of said first support member between said flange and said first finger; wherein said first inflatable member is disposed within said first recess adjacent said gap and is configured to expand horizontally into said gap when inflated; and wherein said first inflatable member is disposed within said second recess.