Apparatus for releasably connecting tubular members in end-to-end relation

A riser pipe connector, comprising first and second tubular members each adapted to be connected to the end of a riser pipe, a first support plate extending laterally of the first member, a second support plate extending laterally of the second member, a pipe mounted on each plate for telescopically interfitting with a pipe mounted on the other plate, upon movement of the members into end-to-end relation, the first member having first locking grooves thereabout, the second member having second locking grooves thereabout, and a split lock ring having first and second axially spaced locking teeth on the inner side thereof which are carried by the first tubular member for radial movement together between expanded positions in which the first teeth are generally opposite the first grooves and the second teeth may be moved past the end of the second tubular member for disposal opposite the second grooves, when said members are in end-to-end relation, and contracted positions in which the first and second teeth are interlocked with the first and second grooves, respectively, said teeth having tapered surfaces thereon which are slidable over tapered surfaces of the grooves to urge end surfaces on the members into tight engagement with one another as the lock ring moves to contracted position, and a cam ring arranged about the lock ring for movement between a first position in which the lock ring is expanded and a second position in which the cam ring is slidable over follower means on the lock ring to wedge said lock ring into contracted position.

A connector, comprising a first tubular member having at least one first locking groove thereabout, a second tubular member having at least one second locking groove thereabout, and a split lock ring having first and second axially spaced locking teeth on the inner side thereof which are carried by the first tubular member for radial movement together between expanded positions in which the first teeth are generally opposite the first groove and the second teeth may be moved past the end of the second tubular member for disposal opposite the second groove, when said members are moved into end-to-end relation, and contracted positions in which the first and second teeth are interlocked with the first and second grooves, respectively, said teeth having tapered surfaces thereon which are slidable over tapered surfaces of the grooves to urge end surfaces on said members into tight engagement with one another as the lock ring moves to contracted position, said lock ring assuming its contracted position, when unstressed, and a cam ring arranged about the lock ring for movement between a first position in which the lock ring is expanded and a second position in which the cam ring is contracted, said cam ring having a dog carried thereon which enters the split between the ends of the lock ring to spread apart, and thereby maintain the lock ring in its expanded position, as the cam ring moves into its first position.

A riser pipe connector, comprising first and second tubular members each adapted to be connected to the end of a riser pipe, a first support plate extending laterally of the first member, a second support plate extending laterally of the second member, a pipe mounted on each plate for telescopically interfitting with a pipe mounted on the other plate, upon movement of the members into end-to-end relation, the first member having at least one first locking groove thereabout, the second member having at least one second locking groove therebout, and a split lock ring having first and second axially spaced locking teeth on the inner side thereof which are carried by the first tubular member for radial movement together between expanded positions in which the first tooth is generally opposite the first groove and the second tooth may be moved past the end of the second tubular member for disposal opposite the second groove, when said members are in end-to-end relation, and contracted positions in which the first and second teeth are interlocked with the first and second grooves, respectively, said teeth having tapered surfaces thereon which are slidable over tapered surfaces of the grooves to urge end surfaces on the members into tight engagement with one another as the lock ring moves to contracted position, said lock ring assuming its contracted position, when unstressed, and a cam ring arranged about the lock ring for movement between a first position in which the lock ring is expanded and a second position in which the cam ring is contracted, said cam ring having a dog carried thereon which enters the split between the ends of the discontinuous lock ring to spread them apart, and thereby maintain the lock ring in its expanded position, as the cam ring moves into its first position.

Apparatus for connecting a first conduit to a second conduit which has at least one locking groove thereabout near one end, comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to the first conduit and having at least one locking groove thereabout near its free end, and a split lock ring having first and second axially spaced locking teeth which are carried by the tubular member for radial movement together between expanded positions in which the first tooth is generally opposite the grooves about the tubular member and the second tooth may be moved past the end of the second conduit for disposal opposite the groove thereabout, when said tubular member is moved into end-to-end relation with said second conduit, and contracted positions in which the first and second teeth are interlocked with the grooves on said tubular member and second conduit, respectively, said teeth having tapered surface thereon which are slidable over tapered surfaces of the grooves to urge an end surface on said member into tight engagement with an end surface on said second conduit as the lock ring moves to contracted position, said lock ring assuming its expanded position, when unstressed, and a cam ring arranged about the lock ring for movement between a first position in which the lock ring is expanded and a second position in which the cam ring is contracted, said cam ring having a dog carried thereon which enters the split between the ends of the lock ring to spread them apart, and thereby maintain the lock ring in expanded position, as the cam ring moves into its first position.