The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 30, 1977
Filed:
Mar. 14, 1975
James F Arnold, Houston, TX (US);
HydroTech International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for rigidly interconnecting the ends of two pipes, such as two pipes whose axes are misaligned. It includes a pair of coupling members, each of which is adapted for connection at one end thereof to one of the pipes which are to be interconnected. One of the coupling members has attached thereto an annular radially outwardly enlarged portion having forward and rearward sides, with the forward sides being generally spherical shaped. The other coupling member has attached thereto a housing having a seat portion adapted for receiving the forward side of the enlarged portion in generally mating engagement therewith, to thereby accommodate axial misalignment between said coupling members. Gripping means, such as a plurality of slips or a split ring, are supported generally between the housing and the enlarged portion. The gripping means are adapted for radial and axial movement relative to the housing seat portion between a retracted position in which the enlarged portion is freely received into the housing and mateable with the housing seat portion and a set position engaging the rearward sides of the enlarged portion and holding the same in positive contact with the housing portion, to thereby provide a rigid interconnection of the two coupling members. Setting means are provided for effecting relative axial and radial movement between the gripping means and the housing seat portion to thereby place the gripping means in the set position and for holding the coupling members rigidly interconnected as stated above. Accordingly, there is provided a coupling member which is arranged for connecting two misaligned pipe ends and which coupling members, when actuated, can provide a rigid connection therebetween which prevents both axial separation and axial flexing movement.