a slip - type gripping assembly comprises an outer body defining a longitudinal through opening for receipt of the object . a number of slip bodies are circumferentially spaced about the through opening and are radially movable toward and away from the locus of the object . each slip body is pivotable about a generally longitudinal axis generally circumferentially centered with respect to the slip body as well as about a tangential axis . a respective force transfer formation is cooperative between each slip body and the outer body for transferring radial force therebetween while permitting the pivoting .