Latching connector

Patent · Tue Apr 21 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6825529

Reimert, L E

A connector assembly is described comprising: a. a first connector member featuring a recess defined, at least in part, by an internal surface surrounding the recess and including a helical groove; b. a second connector member, receivable within the recess of the first connector member , featuring an external surface circumscribing the second member and including a helical groove; and c. helical latch means carried by one of the internal or external surfaces in the helical groove thereof by extending at least partly into such groove, the latch means having a generally rectangular cross section and being anchored at both ends; d. wherein: i. the internal and external surfaces are generally mutually complementary, and the corresponding grooves thereof are of the same pitch; and ii. as the second member is received within the first member, the latch means is rotationally flexed about its cross section in the groove of the member carrying the latch means by the surface of the other member, whereafter, with the helical grooves mutually aligned at least in part, the latch means may relax to extend partly out of the groove of the member carrying the latch means and partly into the groove of the other member to latch together the first and second connector means.

• Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc., Houston, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4659119
• OSTI ID: 6825529
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
DRILL PIPES
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
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INCLINATION
MOTION
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PIPES
ROTATION
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WELL DRILLING
WELLS