# US 10,480,696 B2 · Locking collar quick union connection

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- Number: US 10,480,696 B2
- Document ID: US10480696B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/955,841
- Filed: 2015-12-01
- Published: 2017-06-01
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-01
- Assignees: Forum US, Inc.
- Applicants: Forum US, Inc.
- Inventors: Douglas Brian Leeth; Roger Lane Suter; Rajesh Krithivasan; Joseph David Gober
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480696B2

## CPC

- F16L 37/08: in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members (F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence)
- E21B 17/0465: {characterised by radially inserted locking elements}
- F16L 15/08: with supplementary elements (F16L15/04 takes precedence)
- F16L 19/005: {comprising locking means for the threaded member}
- F16L 19/0231: {with specially adapted means for positioning the threaded member behind the collar}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

A locking collar quick union connection comprises a split ring and a locking collar sub assembly. The locking collar sub assembly includes a collar, a locking ring, and a locking screw. The locking ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a larger inner diameter portion of the collar. The split ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a smaller inner diameter portion of the collar. The locking screw rotationally locks the locking ring to the locking collar.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A locking collar quick union connection, comprising:
a split ring; and
a locking collar sub assembly including a collar, a locking ring, and a locking screw,
wherein the locking ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a larger inner diameter portion of the collar, wherein the split ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a smaller inner diameter portion of the collar, wherein the locking screw is threaded into a threaded bore of the locking ring and rotationally locks the locking ring to the collar, wherein rotation of the locking screw in one direction forces the locking ring radially inward, and wherein rotation of the locking screw in an opposite direction forces the locking ring radially outward.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 1, wherein a body of the split ring is split into two halves.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 1, wherein the split ring includes an upper shoulder that is substantially flush with an upper end of the collar when the split ring is threaded into the smaller inner diameter portion of the collar.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 1, wherein a body of the locking ring is split into two halves.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 1, wherein a bottom end of the locking ring is substantially flush with a bottom end of the collar when the locking ring is threaded into the larger inner diameter portion of the collar.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 1, wherein the locking ring includes inner threads configured to thread onto a threaded box end.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 1, wherein the locking screw is inserted into a counter bore formed in the collar.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 7, wherein the locking ring is moved into a rotationally locked position by rotation of the locking screw in one direction, and wherein the locking ring is moved out of the rotationally locked position by rotation of the locking screw in the opposite direction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 7, further comprising a cover plate connected to an outer surface of the collar to force the locking screw to move the locking ring in a radial direction and to retain the locking screw within the collar.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 9, further comprising a set screw connected to the cover plate to retain the locking screw within the collar.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The locking collar quick union connection of claim 1, further comprising one or more cap screws that rotationally lock the split ring to the collar.