Tubing string rod running nipple

An elongated tubular nipple is provided including upper and lower ends. The interior of the nipple defines a longitudinal bore extending therethrough and the lower and upper ends of the bore are downwardly and upwardly flared, respectively. The upper end portion of the nipple includes an externally threaded diametrically enlarged portion for threaded engagement within the internally threaded upper end of a tubular pumping tee mounted atop a tubing string section and the length of the nipple from the externally threaded diametrically enlarged portion to the lower end thereof is such to enable the nipple, when mounted within a pumping tee, to have its lower end at least closely adjacent the upper end of the tubing section from which the pumping tee is supported. The interior diameter of the nipple bore is of a size to substantially equal the interior diameter of the tubing string section from which the pumping tee is supported and the nipple serves to form an upward extension of the bore of the tubing string section through the pumping tee, whereby the sucker rod sections and scrappers or centralizers on the sucker rod sections may be guided as the sucker rod is being withdrawn from or downwardly inserted into the tubing string.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
From time to time the sucker rods and pumps located at the bottom of an oil 
well need to be serviced. When service is to be performed, access to these 
units can be had only by withdrawing them from the well. 
When the well is to be serviced, the stuffing box is first removed from the 
pumping tee and the sucker rods are then elevated out of the tubing string 
in order to withdraw the pump from the bottom of the well. As the sucker 
rods are withdrawn upwardly through the tubing string, the scrappers and 
centralizers attached to the sucker rods can engage the interior of the 
upper portion of the pumping tee and be damaged or knocked off the sucker 
rod. Accordingly, a need exists for structure whereby an upward extension 
of the interior of the uppermost tubing string section through the pumping 
tee may be provided. The nipple of the instant invention is downwardly 
telescopingly receivable within the pumping tee and movably threadingly 
supportable therefrom with the lower end of the nipple closely opposing 
and forming an upward continuation of the upper end of the tubing section 
upon which the pumping tee is mounted. 
Various forms of guiding sleeves, and the like, for use in conjunction with 
oil well equipment and also for protecting the interiors of tubular 
members are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,056,427, 3,225,833, 3,459,270, 
3,473,607 and 4,020,874. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The nipple of the instant invention comprises an elongated tubular member 
having a smooth cylindrical bore formed longitudinally therethrough. The 
nipple is adapted to be utilized in upstanding position and the lower end 
of the nipple bore is downwardly flared while the upper end of the nipple 
bore is upwardly flared. The upper end portion of the nipple includes a 
first diametrically enlarged and externally threaded portion which is 
downwardly threadedly engageable within the internally threaded upper end 
of a pumping tee and the length of the nipple from the externally threaded 
upper end portion downwardly to the lower terminal end of the nipple is 
such that when the nipple is threadedly engaged within the internally 
threaded upper portion of a pumping tee, the lower end of the nipple will 
be positioned in alignment with and closely adjacent the uppermost tubing 
string from which the pumping tee is threadingly supported. Further, the 
upper terminal end of the nipple includes a second further diametrically 
enlarged and externally threaded upper end portion upon which a working 
table may be removably threadedly engaged after the nipple has been 
supported in position from the pumping tee. 
The main object of this invention is to provide a tubular guide for use 
with conjunction with a pumping tee and as an upward continuation of the 
interior of the tubing string section to which the pumping tee is secured. 
In this manner, the sucker rod sections as well as the centralizers and 
scrappers supported from the sucker rod may be upwardly guided through the 
tee in order to prevent damage to the internal threads of the pumping tee 
at the upper end thereof and to also prevent damage to the centralizers or 
scrappers mounted on the sucker rod. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a nipple which may be 
readily constructed of different diameters to be utilized in conjunction 
with different pumping tees. 
Still another object of this invention is to provide a running nipple which 
may be constructed of different diameters and lengths so as to be 
adaptable for use in conjunction with different size pumping tees. 
Still another object of this invention is to provide a pumping tee which 
will also facilitate the downward running of a sucker rod and the 
centralizers or scrappers supported therefrom. 
A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to 
provide a running nipple in accordance with the preceding objects and 
which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple 
construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be 
economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in 
operation. 
These together with other objects and advantages which will become 
subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation 
as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to 
the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals 
refer to like parts throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally 
designates a tubing string including an uppermost tubing section 12 to 
which a conventional pumping tee 14 is threadedly mounted. The tubing 
section 12 projects upwardly through a tubing head 16 of a well and the 
interior of the pumping tee is hollow and includes an upper end threaded 
bore 18 registered with the lower end threaded bore 20 in which the 
externally threaded upper end of the tubing section 12 is threadedly 
engaged. 
A sucker rod assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 22 
extends downwardly through the pumping tee and the tubing string 10 and 
includes a plurality of sucker rods 24 having centralizers and/or parafin 
scrappers 26 mounted thereon. 
When it is desired to withdraw the sucker rod assembly 22 from the 
associated well, the assembly 22 is upwardly withdrawn from the well and 
the various centralizers or scrappers 26 pass outwardly from the upper end 
of the tubing section 12 and are then upwardly withdrawn through the upper 
threaded bore 18 of the pumping tee 14. Contact of the centralizers or 
scrappers 26 with the threads of the bore 18 may cause damage to the 
threads and also damage to the centralizers or scrappers 26. In addition, 
when the sucker rod assembly 22 is again lowered into the tubing string 
10, contact of the centralizers or scrappers 26 with the threads of the 
bore 18 may also cause damage to the threads and also damage to the 
centralizers or scrappers 26. Further, contact of the scrappers or 
centralizers 26 with the threads of the bore 18 may cause the centralizers 
or scrappers 26 to be knocked from the sucker rod assembly 22 and to 
become jammed within the pumping tee 14. 
The running nipple of the instant invention is referred to in general by 
the reference numeral 28 and comprises an elongated tubular member 30 
having a central cylindrical bore 32 formed therethrough. The upper end 
portion of the tubular member 30 includes a first diametrically enlarged 
and externally threaded portion 34 and the upper terminal end of the 
tubular body 30 includes a second further diametrically enlarged and 
externally threaded terminal end 36. 
When the nipple 28 is to be utilized in conjunction with tubing string 
sections 12 which are two inches in diameter, the bore 32 will be two 
inches in diameter, the over-all length of the nipple 10 will be 
approximately ten inches and the lower end portion of the nipple below the 
diametrically enlarged end portion 34 will be approximately four inches. 
The external diameter of the diametrically enlarged portion 34 will be 
approximately 31/2 inches and the external diameter of the diametrically 
enlarged upper terminal end 36 will be approximately 41/2 inches. 
The lower end of the bore 32 includes a 1/4 inch 30 degree chamfer 38 and 
the upper end of the bore 32 is chamfered approximately 15 degrees as at 
40. Also, the external diameter of the lower end portion of the tubular 
member 30 is approximately 23/8 inches. 
In operation, the nipple 28 is downwardly threaded into the bore 18 in a 
manner illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. If it is desired, a working 
table (not shown) may then be threaded onto the diametrically enlarged 
upper terminal end 38 of the nipple 28. Thereafter, the sucker rod 
assembly 22 may be upwardly withdrawn from the associated well through the 
tubing string 10 and as the centralizers or scrappers 26 pass from the 
upper end of the tubing section 12 they will immediately be drawn into the 
chamfered lower end of the bore 32 for upward guiding of the centralizers 
or scrappers 26 through the pumping tee 14 in a manner positively 
preventing contact of the centralizers or scrappers 26 with the threads 18 
and damaging the latter or the centralizers or scrappers 26. Of course, 
when the sucker rod assembly 22 is to be again lowered into the associated 
well, the nipple 28 remains in place and serves to guide the sucker rod 
assembly 22 downwardly through the pumping tee 14. Of course, as each 
centralizer of scrapper 26 is lowered into the nipple 20, it is guided 
therethrough pass the thread 18 and into the upper end of the uppermost 
tubing section 12. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily 
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and 
accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, 
falling within the scope of the invention.