Claims
- 1. A method of installing a coupler on a pipe end, comprising the steps of:
pushing a gripping collet onto an outer surface of the pipe end in a first direction, wherein the gripping collet has threading along an inner surface thereof, adapted to engage the outer surface of the pipe end; adjusting a location of the gripping collet along the pipe end by rotating the gripping collet to induce longitudinal movement thereof in a second direction which is opposite the first direction by engagement of the threading with the outer surface of the pipe.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting step includes the step of turning a back-up ring which is mechanically engaged with the gripping collect.
- 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said adjusting step further includes the step of aligning an inwardly extending, longitudinal flange of the back-up ring with a notch formed in the gripping collet.
- 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the back-up ring has an inner surface with a frusto-conical shape that matches a frusto-conical shape of an outer surface of the gripping collet, and further comprising the step of forcibly pushing the gripping collet inside the back-up ring to compress the gripping collet toward the pipe end.
- 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting a stiffener member inside the pipe end such that a portion of the stiffener member is surrounded by the gripping collet.
- 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of surrounding the collet and pipe end with a coupling body.
- 7. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of providing a seal between the coupling body and the pipe end.
- 8. An article for coupling a pipe end, comprising:
means for gripping an outer surface of the pipe end to oppose a pull-out force on the pipe end in a first direction; and means for rotating said gripping means to induce longitudinal movement of said gripping means along the pipe end in a second direction which is opposite the first direction.
- 9. The article of claim 8 wherein said gripping means includes a collet having an inner surface which engages the pipe end.
- 10. The article of claim 9 wherein said inner surface of said collet is threaded.
- 11. The article of claim 10 wherein said threaded inner surface of said collet has an interrupted buttress thread.
- 12. The article of claim 10 wherein said collet further has a plurality of longitudinal notches.
- 13. The article of claim 12 where in said rotating means includes an inwardly extending, longitudinal flange formed on a back-up ring which surrounds said collet, said flange engaging one of said notches.
- 14. The article of claim 8 wherein:
said gripping means includes a collet having an inner surface which engages the pipe end; and said rotating means includes a back-up ring which mechanically engages said collet.
- 15. The article of claim 14 wherein said back-up ring has an inner surface with a frusto-conical shape that matches a frusto-conical shape of an outer surface of said collet, such that when said collet is forced against said backup-ring, said collet is further compressed toward the pipe end.
- 16. The article of claim 15 further comprising a coupling body adapted to surround said back-up ring and said collet, said coupling body having a tapered inner surface that matches a frusto-conical shape of an outer surface of said back-up ring.
- 17. A stab-type pipe coupler comprising:
a gripping element for engaging an outer surface of a pipe end; and a torque drive mechanism for rotating the gripping element about the outer surface of the pipe end.
- 18. The stab-type pipe coupler of claim 17 wherein:
said gripping element is a collet having a threaded inner surface; and said torque drive mechanism is a back-up ring engaged with said collet.
- 19. The stab-type pipe coupler of claim 18 wherein:
said collet has at least one longitudinal notch; and said back-up ring has an inwardly extending, longitudinal flange which engages said notch.
- 20. The stab-type pipe coupler of claim 19 wherein said threaded inner surface of said collet has an interrupted buttress thread.
- 21. A pipe coupler comprising:
a tubular coupling body having a tapered inner surface at one end; a stiffener member adapted for insertion in a pipe end; a collet having a frusto-conical outer surface, a threaded inner surface adapted to grip an outer surface of the pipe end which is supported by said stiffener member, and a plurality of longitudinal notches, said collet being located within said coupling body; a frusto-conical back-up ring located between said inner surface of said coupling body and said frusto-conical outer surface of said collet, said back-up ring having an integral, inwardly extending, longitudinal flange engaging one of said notches, such that rotation of said back-up ring results in rotation of said collet; one or more sealing rings adjacent said collet and surrounding a portion of said stiffener member; one or more washers positioning said one or more sealing rings; and a spacer for locating said one or more washers.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/313,102, filed on Aug. 17, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60313102 |
Aug 2001 |
US |