Patent ID: 6123363
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
A pipe connection for joining pipe ends, said connection comprising:a lipped pipe end having a lipped connection face at its distal end and defining a first plurality of spaced apart grooves each defining flats encircling the outside of the pipe end;a grooved pipe end having a grooved connection face at its distal end and defining a second plurality of spaced apart grooves each defining flats encircling the outside of the second pipe end;an annular lip extending outwardly from and centered about said lipped connection face, said lip extending from said lipped connection face by a distance equal to at least 20% of the depth of a complementary recess that receives at least a portion of said lip;an annular groove defined by and centered about the grooved connection face to retain a gasket and to provide said complementary recess for receiving at least an outer portion of the annular lip for aligning engagement with said lip as said lipped and grooved connection faces are urged toward each other;at least two semi-cylindrical links adapted to together substantially encircle said lipped and grooved pipe ends, each link defining two longitudinally spaced apart groups of grooves each group of grooves defining flats for engaging the flats in one of said first and second plurality of grooves and each link having a ramped outer surface; and,an annular sleeve having an internal sloped surface for encircling said links and retaining said links in contact with said pipe ends.