Patent ID: 9151432
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: B65D,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for protecting the exposed threads on a pin end and a box end of a section of pipe attached to a coupling, the method comprising: (a) providing at a first site a section of pipe attached to a coupling, the pipe having a pin end with exposed external threads and the coupling having a box end with exposed internal threads; (b) providing at the first site a pin end thread protector comprising: (i) a cylindrical sleeve with internal threads adapted to mate with the exposed external threads on the pin end of the pipe; (ii) an open end; and (iii) a closed end having an outwardly projecting hex head; (c) providing at the first site a box end thread protector comprising: (i) a cylinder with external threads adapted to mate with the exposed internal threads on the box end of the coupling; and (ii) a closed end having an outwardly projecting hex head, the plug hex head being the same size as the cap hex head; (d) providing at the first site a first impact wrench with a hex socket mating with the hex heads of the protectors; (e) installing at the first site the pin end thread protector onto the exposed external threads of the pin end of the pipe at a set torque with the first impact wrench and hex socket; (f) installing at the first site the box end thread protector into the exposed internal threads of the box end of the coupling at a set torque with the first impact wrench and hex socket; (g) transporting the pipe and coupling with the installed protectors from the first site to a second site; (h) providing at the second site a second impact wrench with a hex socket mating with the hex heads of the protectors; (i) removing at the second site the pin end thread protector from the pipe with the second impact wrench and hex socket; and (j) removing at the second site the box end thread protector from the coupling with the second impact wrench and hex socket.