# US 5,176,406 A · Coupling

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- Number: US 5,176,406 A
- Document ID: US5176406A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/794,946
- Filed: 1991-11-20
- Granted: 1993-01-05
- Earliest claimed: 1990-12-20
- Inventors: Robert G. Straghan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5176406A

## CPC

- E21B 47/01: Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
- E21B 17/046: with ribs, pins, or jaws, and complementary grooves or the like, e.g. bayonet catches
- F16L 37/0985: {the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part (F16L37/0982 takes precedence)}
- Y10S 285/921: Snap-fit
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A snap-on tubular coupling for joining tubular conduit members of the type having axially extending grooves for guiding geophysical instruments. The coupling comprises an unthreaded sleeve slotted to provide outwardly deflectable segments at one or both ends to snap onto ends of the conduct members to be joined. An internal circumferential rib on the sleeve engages a circumferential groove on the conduit. A cylindrical key or button on the casing engages a slot in the end of the coupling to ensure that the longitudinal grooves of the conduit members are in alignment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tubular coupling for use with first and second internally longitudinally grooved tubular conduit members to be joined in end abutting relation and structured to guide an inclinometer therethrough, said coupling comprising an unthreaded sleeve having a first open end adapted to be received on an end of said first conduit member, outwardly deflectable segments at a second open end of said sleeve, a circumferential internal recess adjacent each of said deflectable segments constructed and arranged to form a ridge for cooperating with a circumferential groove present in said second tubular member, and a means in said coupling for cooperation with a mating means on said second conduit member to provide for the alignment of said internal longitudinal grooves of said first and second tubular conduit members.

### Claim 2

A tubular coupling for use with first and second internally longitudinally grooved tubular conduit members to be joined in end to end relationship, said coupling comprising an unthreaded sleeve having outwardly deflectable segments at each end thereof, internal circumferential grooves in each end of the sleeve adjacent said deflectable segments constructed and arranged to provide a ridge for cooperation with an external circumferential groove present in an associated one of said tubular conduit members, and means on said coupling for cooperating with a mating means on said conduit members to provide for the alignment of said internal longitudinal grooves of said tubular conduit members.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A tubular coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means on said coupling for cooperation with said mating means comprises a slot and said mating means comprises a raised button.