US 4,379,471 AGranted

Thread protector apparatus

OwnerRainer Kuenzelinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A thread protector apparatus is disclosed for drill pipe. The apparatus is similarly constructed for both male and female threads. The apparatus utilizes an encircling tubular member which is spaced away from and concentric with the threaded portion of the drill pipe. At the edge of the tubular portion next to the end of the pipe, it is turned radially outwardly. The tubular portion supports a layer of resilient material adjacent to the threads. The resilient material is jammed against the threads by a wedge-shaped member which latches against the tubular member. The tubular member is provided with a number of tabs which protrude outwardly along angled directions to receive the tapered lock member. The tabs are adjacent a parallel protective ridge. The tapered lock is slidably inserted and removed. The tapered lock member has angled edges which match the angled directions of the upset members. For both male and female versions of the apparatus, a cup-shaped end closure is disclosed. The end closure prevents the entry of fluid, trash or products in the drill pipe while it is in storage.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A thread protector apparatus adapted to be installed on the threaded end of a pipe comprising:

a flexible member having first and second ends and an elongated portion therebetween which flexible member is capable of being drawn into a tubular configuration in which said first and second ends are spaced by a first distance when said thread protector apparatus is in an unlocked state and spaced by a second distance when said thread protector apparatus is in a locked state;
a resilient material member formed concentrically with said flexible member and adapted to be contacted against threads on the end of a pipe;
first and second tab means formed on said first and second end portions of said flexible member respectively;
a locking means comprising a wedge shaped locking member for operatively contacting said first and second tab means for altering the circumference of said flexible member from a relaxed size corresponding to the unlocked state to a locking size corresponding to the locked state and wherein said tabs and said locking member are formed such that camming of said tabs by said locking member urges said resilient member against the threads of the pipe;
and
detent means supported at one end to and extending from said flexible member and having an end portion positioned intermediate said tab members for bias against said locking means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/216,154Filed 15 Dec 1980 · continuation in part
Priority: 15 Apr 1976
Granted: 12 Apr 1983
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B65D 59/06
Plugs, sleeves, caps, or like rigid or semi-rigid elements for protecting parts of articles or for bundling articles, e.g. protectors for…: caps
B65D 59/02
Plugs, sleeves, caps, or like rigid or semi-rigid elements for protecting parts of articles or for bundling articles, e.g. protectors for…: plugs
E21B 17/006
Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings: accessories for drilling pipes,…
F16L 57/005
Protection of pipes or objects of similar shape against external or internal damage or wear: specially adapted for the ends of pipes