Patent ID: 8201644

Claim:
A pipe joint for use in drill strings in rotary boring applications, the pipe joint comprising: a tubular-outer member having a first end and a second end and having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming an annular shoulder; an inner member having a first end and a second end, the inner member being arranged generally coaxially within the outer member and forming an annular fluid flow path between the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member; and a spacing assembly having a first end and a second end; wherein the spacing assembly is unattached to both the inner member and the outer member; wherein the inner member defines a stop sized to restrict axial movement of the inner member in a first direction; and wherein the spacing assembly is disposed around a circumference of the inner member, and is positioned between the shoulder of the outer member and the stop of the inner member such that the first end of the spacing assembly is engageable with the shoulder and the second end of the spacing assembly is engageable with the stop; and wherein the spacing assembly defines a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the fluid flow path.