Patent ID: 9714731
Date: 2017-07-25
CPC Classifications: E21B,F16L

Claim:
1. A system for joining pipe segments, comprising: a first pipe connector connected to a first pipe segment; a second pipe connector threadingly connectable to the first pipe connector, and connected to a second pipe segment; the first and second pipe connectors having a common axis and annular first and second shoulders, respectively, that abut each other when the first and second pipe connectors are connected together; a recess in the first shoulder extending radially inward from an outer surface of the first shoulder; and an elongated key having first and second lengthwise surfaces, the second lengthwise surface having protrusions that extend radially and embed into and form radial grooves in the second shoulder of the second pipe connector when the key is forced radially inward into the recess, and wherein an axial thickness of the key from the first to the second lengthwise surface decreases with distance radially inward from an outer surface of the key, wherein a portion of the first shoulder within the recess has at least one radially extending notch, and the first lengthwise surface of the key has a mating radially extending spline that mates with the notch when the protrusions embed into the second shoulder.