Threaded tubular end protector
AssigneeTweedy's Speed Protectors, LLC
InventorNeil E. Tweedy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thread protector that has an external sleeve having threads disposed on an inner side to engage with pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member. The thread protector also has a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to engage with the pin end of the tubular member, the threads on the inner side of the external sleeve are disposed axially adjacent to the flange and radially adjacent to the end of the pin end of the tubular member. A method of protecting the pin threads of the pin ends of the tubular members. The method includes screwing the thread protector on the pin threads of the pin end of the tubular member.
Claims29
A thread protector, the thread protector comprising:
- an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member;
- a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with the pin end of the tubular member;
- and
- a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member wherein the securing apparatus includes a plurality of bowed fingers extending from the flange in an axial direction and inside the external sleeve wherein the bowed fingers can straighten when the thread protector is engaged with the tubular member to allow more of an outer side of the bowed fingers to engage with the inner side of the tubular member.
A thread protector, the thread protector comprising:
- an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member;
- a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with the pin end of the tubular member;
- and
- a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member wherein the securing apparatus further includes a plurality of U-shaped fingers to engage the inner side of the tubular member, each U-shaped finger having a first leg extending from the flange to a bottom of the U-shaped finger and a second leg extending from the bottom of the U-shaped finger to a base portion that is supported by the flange.
A thread protector, the thread protector comprising:
- an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member;
- a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with the pin end of the tubular member;
- and
- a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member wherein the securing apparatus further includes a plurality of fins that extend radially outward from a central member to engage with the inner side of the tubular member.
A method of protecting pin threads of pin ends of tubular members, the method comprising:
- forcing a thread protector on a pin end of a tubular member to protect pin threads disposed on the pin end of the tubular member, the thread protector comprising:
- an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member;
- a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with the pin end of the tubular member;
- and
- a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member wherein the securing apparatus includes a plurality of bowed fingers extending from the flange in an axial direction and inside the external sleeve wherein the bowed fingers can straighten when the thread protector is engaged with the tubular member to allow more of an outer side of the bowed fingers to engage with the inner side of the tubular member.
A method of protecting pin threads of pin ends of tubular members, the method comprising:
- forcing a thread protector on a pin end of a tubular member to protect pin threads disposed on the pin end of the tubular member, the thread protector comprising:
- an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member;
- a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with the pin end of the tubular member;
- and
- a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member wherein the securing apparatus further includes a plurality of U-shaped fingers to engage the inner side of the tubular member, each U-shaped finger having a first leg extending from the flange to a bottom of the U-shaped finger and a second leg extending from the bottom of the U-shaped finger to a base portion that is supported by the flange.
A method of protecting pin threads of pin ends of tubular members, the method comprising:
- forcing a thread protector on a pin end of a tubular member to protect pin threads disposed on the pin end of the tubular member, the thread protector comprising:
- an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member;
- a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with the pin end of the tubular member;
- and
- a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member wherein the securing apparatus further includes a plurality of fins that extend radially outward from a central member to engage with the inner side of the tubular member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.