摘要 |
A gripping apparatus (100) for supporting a tubular includes a longitudinal opening extending therethrough. A bowl (25) is formed on an inner wall of the housing to provide an incline surface for one or more gripping members (20). As the gripping members are move down along the incline, the incline causes the gripping members to move radially toward the tubular and contact the tubular. In one embodiment, the housing comprises two body portions (11, 12) coupled together using one or mores hinges (35). In one aspect, the bowl is formed as a recess in the inner wall (42) of the housing. The hinges of the housing are progressively curved to accommodate the recess bowl, thereby increasing the tubular size handling capacity of the gripping apparatus.
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