Hydrotech International, Inc.

Eugene O Lee

James A Burton

Raymond E Latham

Gerald A Marsh

A ball and socket type coupling for connecting the ends of two pipes which may be axially misaligned by as much as several degrees. It includes a pair of coupling members, each of which is arranged for connection to one of the pipes to be connected. One of the members has attached at the other end thereof a ball portion, and the other coupling member has attached thereto a housing arranged for receiving in mating relationship therewith the forward surface of the ball portion. Seal means are disposable between the ball and the housing member for providing a fluid seal therebetween. A plurality of cam members are supported in circumferentially spaced about positions in the housing and pivotally movable between a retracted position to permit the receiving portion of the housing to freely receive the ball in mating engagement with the internal surface thereof, and an extended and locked position of engagement with the rearward side of the ball at a plurality of circumferentially spaced about points and so arranged to urge the ball into continual positive contact with the housing, whereby the coupling members are restrained against relative axial separation. Means are also provided for pivoting the cam members to the extended and locked position and subsequently to the retracted and unlocked position, should the latter become desirable.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Eugene O Lee