Slide actuating tubular connector

A tubular connector comprising:

• a first tubular member having an axis and an end portion with grooves formed on an outer diameter of the end portion;
• a second tubular member having an end portion with a plurality of outwardly biased box end fingers separated by slots, grooves formed on an inner surface of the box end fingers, and an arcuate surface on an outer surface of the box end fingers, the second tubular member being coaxial with the first tubular member;
• the arcuate surface having first and second edges axially spaced apart, and a radius of curvature extending between the first and second edges, the radius of curvature having a center point inward from the arcuate surface;
• a depth of the second tubular member grooves increases as the grooves approach the second tubular member end portion;
• a depth of the first tubular member grooves decreases as the grooves approach the first tubular member end portion;
• wherein the grooves of the first tubular member are proximate to the grooves of the second tubular member when the first tubular member is inserted into the end of the second tubular member in an initial position;
• an outer sleeve disposed around the box end fingers and having a cylindrical inner surface and an annular inner recess joining the cylindrical inner surface and tapering outwardly from the cylindrical inner surface;
• an unlocking ring interposed between the first tubular member and the outer sleeve;
• and
• wherein axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the box end fingers causes the inner recess of the outer sleeve to slide against the arcuate surface of the box end fingers, causing the box end fingers to contract radially into engagement with the grooves on the end portion of the second tubular member, thereby securing the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a made-up position.

A method for joining tubular members comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first tubular member having a pin end with grooves on an external surface thereof;
• (b) providing a second tubular member having a box end with outwardly biased fingers, with free ends having grooves on internal surfaces thereof, the free ends having convex outer surfaces;
• (c) providing a sleeve axially movable between an unlocked and a locked position, the sleeve having an inner surface with a tapered annular recess formed therein and in engagement with the outer surfaces of the box end fingers;
• wherein in the locked position the sleeve is moved away from the first tubular member so that the recess of the sleeve allows the box end of the second tubular member to expand outwardly until the grooves on the box end fingers separate from the grooves on the pin end;
• and
• wherein in the locked position the sleeve is moved toward the first tubular member so that the recess of the sleeve interacts with the convex outer surfaces of the box end fingers to move the grooves of the box end fingers into engagement with the grooves of the pin end;
• (d) inserting the pin end of the first member into the box end of the second tubular member;
• (e) moving the sleeve for the unlocked to the locked position;
• and
• (f) providing an unlocking ring interposed between the first tubular member and the outer sleeve, the unlocking ring having a protrusion positioned for interposition between the pin end of the first tubular member and the box end fingers of the second tubular member.

A tubular connector comprising:

• a first tubular member having an axis and an end portion with grooves formed on an outer diameter of the end portion, and a nose section extending past the grooves;
• a second tubular member having an end portion with a plurality of box end fingers separated by slots and joined together at a base of the second tubular member, the box end fingers having free ends opposite the base with grooves formed on an inner surface of the box end fingers, the box end fingers having an outward rounded outer surface located outward from the grooves on the box end fingers, the box end fingers having a conical recess extending between the base and the outward rounded outer surface, the second tubular member being coaxial with the first tubular member;
• wherein the grooves of the first tubular member are proximate to the grooves of the second tubular member when the first tubular member is inserted into the end of the second tubular member in an initial position;
• an outer sleeve disposed around the box end fingers and having a cylindrical inner surface that joins an inner recess that tapers outwardly form the cylindrical inner surface;
• an unlocking ring interposed between the first tubular member and the outer sleeve;
• and
• wherein axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the box end fingers causes the inner recess of the outer sleeve to slide against the rounded outer surface of the box end fingers, causing the box end fingers to contract radially into engagement with the threads on the end portion of the second tubular member, thereby securing the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a made-up position.