# US 12,222,051 B2 · Lockable connection between tubular members > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,051 B2 - Document ID: US12222051B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/140,089 - Filed: 2023-04-27 - Published: 2024-03-07 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-08 - Assignees: Grant Prideco, L.P. - Applicants: Grant Prideco, Inc. - Inventors: Richard Matthew Westgarth - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222051B2 ## CPC - F16L 19/005: {comprising locking means for the threaded member} - E21B 17/0423: {with plural threaded sections, e.g. with two-step threads} - E21B 17/043: with locking means - E21B 17/0465: {characterised by radially inserted locking elements} - E21B 23/02: for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing (E21B23/03 - E21B23/06 take precedence) - F16L 19/025: the pipe ends having integral collars or flanges - F16B 7/182: {for coaxial connections of two rods or tubes} - 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 - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member includes a first tubular end, a second tubular end, a load shoulder member threadable onto the first tubular end, and a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end. The connection also includes a keyway disposed axially between the load shoulder member and the second tubular end, wherein the keyway is also disposed through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the connection comprising: a first tubular end including a first tubular end keyway; a second tubular end including a terminal end face; a load shoulder member including a load shoulder member keyway and a terminal end surface region, and wherein the load shoulder member is threadable onto the first tubular end; a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end; and wherein the load shoulder member is threadable onto the first tubular end until the load shoulder terminal end surface region forms an interface with the terminal end face of the second tubular end and the load shoulder member keyway is disposed axially between the load shoulder member and the terminal end face of the second tubular end, and the load shoulder member keyway aligns with the first tubular end keyway to form an aligned keyway through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connection of claim 1 wherein the nut is threadable onto the second tubular end over the load shoulder member and the first tubular end to capture the load shoulder member between the nut and the second tubular end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connection of claim 1 further comprising a first threaded interface between the load shoulder member and the first tubular end, and a second threaded interface between the nut and the second tubular end, wherein the aligned keyway intersects the first threaded interface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connection of claim 3 wherein the connection lacks a threaded interface formed directly between the first tubular end and the second tubular end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connection of claim 1 further comprising a second tubular end recess to receive a load shoulder member protrusion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connection of claim 1 further comprising a plunger extending through the nut and into the first tubular end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connection of claim 1 wherein the first tubular end is a pin end and the second tubular end is a box end to receive the pin end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The connection of claim 7 wherein the box end includes external threads and lacks internal threads. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The connection of claim 7 wherein the box end is configured to receive the pin end at a slidingly-engageable, rotatable interface. ### Claim 10 A method of connecting two aligned tubular members, the method comprising: sliding a nut over a first tubular end; threading a load shoulder member onto the first tubular end until a load shoulder member keyway aligns with a first tubular end keyway; inserting a key member into the aligned load shoulder member and first tubular end keyways; engaging the first tubular end with a second tubular end such that the key member is disposed axially between the load shoulder member and a terminal end shoulder of the second tubular end, and a second tubular end recess receives a load shoulder member protrusion; and threading the nut onto the second tubular end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising disposing a pin in the nut and in the first tubular member after threading the nut onto the second tubular end. ### Claim 12 A connection between tubular members, comprising: a first tubular member having a first tubular end with a first externally threaded region and a seal region along an outer surface; a second tubular member having a second tubular end with a second externally threaded region and a counter bore configured to slidingly receive the seal region; a load shoulder member threadable onto the first externally threaded region to form a first threaded interface; a keyway through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member; and a nut receivable around the outer surface of the first tubular end and threadable onto the second externally threaded region to form a second threaded interface; wherein the load shoulder member and the second tubular end are engageable to form a castellated interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The connection of claim 12 wherein the connection lacks an interface configured to transfer torque directly between the first tubular end and the second tubular end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The connection of claim 13 wherein the connection lacks an interface configured to transfer an axial load directly between the first tubular end and the second tubular end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The connection of claim 12 wherein the load shoulder member is positioned within a volume defined by the first tubular end, the second tubular end, and the nut when the connection is assembled. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The connection of claim 15 wherein the load shoulder member is surrounded by the first tubular end, the second tubular end, and the nut when the connection is assembled. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The connection of claim 12 further comprising a rotation-inhibiting interface formed between the nut and the first tubular end. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The connection of claim 12 wherein the load shoulder member comprises a shoulder configured to engage the second tubular end at a shoulder interface and at the castellated interface, and wherein when the connection is made-up, the shoulder interface is tightened axially, and the castellated interface is not tightened axially. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The connection of claim 12 wherein the load shoulder member is configured with a first shoulder to form a first shoulder interface with the nut and a second shoulder to form a second shoulder interface with the second tubular end; wherein the first or second threaded interface includes straight, Acme threads; and wherein, when the connection is made-up, the first and second shoulder interfaces are tightened axially to transfer an axial load.