Patent ID: 7717472

Claim:
A method of locking tubular components in end to end relation, comprising the steps of: providing a first tubular body having a first end, a second end, an axis, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an interior circumferential tongue protruding past the second end along the interior surface, the interior circumferential tongue having an outward facing groove adapted to receive a split ring, the interior surface having an axial keyway; providing a second tubular body having a first end, a second end, an axis which is co-axial with the axis of the first tubular body, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an exterior circumferential tongue protruding past the first end along the exterior surface and adapted to overlap the interior circumferential tongue, the exterior circumferential tongue having an inwardly facing groove adapted to receive a split ring; positioning a split ring in the outwardly facing groove of the interior circumferential tongue of the first tubular body and overlapping the exterior circumferential tongue of the second tubular body to position the split ring in the inwardly facing groove, such that the split ring serves to connect the first tubular body and the second tubular body, the split ring having a tapered outer surface, such that an axial force will separate the first tubular body and the second tubular body by causing the split ring to collapse and slide inwardly due to the force exerted by the inwardly facing groove upon the tapered outer surface of the split ring until the split ring is withdrawn from the inwardly facing groove, thereby releasing the first tubular body and the second tubular body; providing a tubular insert which is adapted for insertion into the first tubular body, with means being provided to secure the tubular insert within the first tubular body; and providing a key carried by the tubular insert, the key engaging the axial keyway, when the tubular insert is fully inserted into the first tubular body the key underlies the split ring and prevents the split ring from having sufficient clearance to be withdrawn from the inwardly facing groove, thereby locking the first tubular body and the second tubular body together.