Oil and gas pipe connector

A method of connecting oil and gas pipes, comprising:

• positioning a first of a pair of pipe ends of oil or gas pipes proximate a pipe connector first end, said pipe connector including:
• a tubular conduit having a length disposed between said pipe connector first and second ends, said pipe connector having a pipe connector wall disposed between a pipe connector external surface and a pipe connector internal surface, said pipe connector internal surface defining an interior passage open at said pipe connector first end and said pipe connector second end to correspondingly receive said pair of pipe ends, wherein said pipe connector first end including:
• a first internal annular retainer groove circumferentially disposed in said internal surface of said tubular conduit;
• a first annular retaining member having an outer periphery and an inner periphery, said outer periphery disposed in said first internal annular retainer groove, said inner periphery having a plurality of radially extending slots in circumferentially spaced apart relation about said inner periphery defining a plurality of resiliently flexible tabs,
• a first external annular member circumferentially disposed on said pipe connector external surface, said first external annular member overlaying said first internal annular retaining member groove circumferentially disposed on said pipe connector internal surface, said first external annular member opposing forces of engaging said first of said pair pipe ends with said first internal annular retaining member;
• inserting said first of said pair of pipe ends into said pipe connector first end;
• and
• engaging said first of said pair of pipe ends with said first internal annular retaining member disposed in said first internal annular retaining member.

A method of connecting oil or gas pipes, comprising:

• positioning a pair of pipe ends of oil or gas pipes proximate corresponding pipe connector first and second ends, said pipe connector including:
• a tubular conduit having a length disposed between said pipe connector first and second ends, said pipe connector having a pipe connector wall disposed between a pipe connector external surface and a pipe connector internal surface, said pipe connector internal surface defining an interior passage open at said pipe connector first end and said pipe connector second end to correspondingly receive said pair of pipe ends, wherein said pipe connector first end including:
• a first internal annular seal groove circumferentially disposed in said internal surface of said tubular conduit proximate said pipe connector first end;
• a first seal element disposed in said first internal annular seal groove, wherein a portion of said first seal element extends outward of said pipe connector internal surface into said interior passage;
• a first internal annular retainer groove circumferentially disposed in said internal surface of said tubular conduit;
• a first annular retaining member having an outer periphery and an inner periphery, said outer periphery disposed in said first internal annular retainer groove, said inner periphery having a plurality of radially extending slots in circumferentially spaced apart relation about said inner periphery defining a plurality of resiliently flexible tabs,
• a first external annular member circumferentially disposed on said pipe connector external surface, said first external annular member overlaying said first internal annular seal groove circumferentially disposed on said pipe connector internal surface, said first external annular member opposing forces of sealably engaging said first of said pair pipe ends with said seal element,
• a second external annular member circumferentially disposed on said pipe connector external surface, said second external annular member overlaying said a first internal annular retainer groove circumferentially disposed on said pipe connector internal surface, said second external annular member opposing forces of inserting said first of said pair of pipe ends through said annular retaining member flexing said plurality of resiliently flexible tabs which retain said first of said pair of pipe ends within said annular retaining member;
• inserting said first of said pair of pipe ends into said pipe connector first end;
• sealably engaging said first of said pair of pipe ends with said first seal element;
• inserting said second of said pair of pipe ends into said pipe connector second end;
• and
• sealably engaging said second of said pair of pipe ends with a pipe connector second end internal surface.

A method of connecting oil or gas pipes, comprising:

• positioning a pair of pipe ends of oil or gas pipes proximate corresponding pipe connector first and second ends, said pipe connector including:
• a tubular conduit having a length disposed between said pipe connector first and second ends, said pipe connector having a pipe connector wall disposed between a pipe connector external surface and a pipe connector internal surface, said pipe connector internal surface defining an interior passage open at said pipe connector first end and said pipe connector second end to correspondingly receive said pair of pipe ends, wherein said pipe connector first end including:
• a first tubular pipe guide coupled to said pipe connector first end, said pipe connector first end widening approaching a first pipe guide terminal end, said first tubular pipe guide including:
• a first region proximate said pipe connector first end;
• a second region adjacent said first region and extending toward said tubular pipe guide terminal end;
• said first region having a first radius of curvature along a longitudinal axis of said tubular guide;
• said second region having a second radius of curvature along said longitudinal axis of said tubular guide, said second radius of curvature less than said first radius of curvature;
• and
• passing said first of said pair of pipe ends through said first tubular pipe guide.