Patent ID: 8505984

Claim:
A connection assembly comprising: a) a box end connection member comprising: i) a substantially tubular body having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, a central through bore extending from said upper end to said lower end, and a plurality of transverse sockets extending through said body member from said outer surface to said central bore; ii) at least one lug finger disposed at said lower end of said body; b) at least one ball received within said at least one transverse socket; c) a sleeve slidably disposed over said body of said box end connection member, said sleeve having an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface and a plurality of spaced circumferential grooves around said inner surface; and d) a pin end connection member, adapted to be partially received within said box end connection member, comprising: i) a substantially tubular body having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface and a central through bore extending from said upper end to said lower end, and a plurality of circumferential grooves disposed around said body; ii) a shoulder member extending radially outward from said body, having at least one lug recess adapted to receive a lug finger of said box end connection member.