Patent ID: 7226090
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: E21B,F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for joining a first rod section and a second rod section together, comprising: a plug fixedly engaged to a first rod section proximate end and having a plug center spline, a plurality of outer splines, a plurality of first conduits and a plurality of first connectors; a socket fixedly engaged to a second rod section distal end and having a socket receptacle, a plurality of socket receptacle splines, a plurality of second conduits, and a plurality of second connectors; a securing device for securing the plug to the socket; wherein the plug may be joined to the socket in a plurality of orientations so that, in each of the plurality of orientations, the plug mates with the socket; wherein a cavity created by the socket receptacle and the plurality of socket receptacle splines is shaped so that the plug center spline and the plurality of plug outer splines will intermesh with the socket receptacle and the socket receptacle splines when the plug and socket are plugged together; wherein the plurality of plug outer splines and the plurality of socket receptacle splines are coaxially symmetric and have the same dimensions so that an alignment of the plurality of first connectors and the plurality of second connectors can be achieved in the plurality of orientations; wherein the plug the center spline, the plurality of outer splines, and the plurality of first conduits are of unitary construction with each other; and wherein the socket, the socket receptacle, the plurality of socket receptacle splines, and the plurality of second conduits are of unitary construction with each other.