Patent ID: 7284770

Claim:
A pipe thread protector comprising: a case attachable to an end of a pipe to protect a threaded region of the pipe, the case comprising a first rigid polymeric material with a first distal end adjacent to a cylindrical or frustoconical portion comprising threads over at least a portion of its length which are adapted to engage the threaded region of an attached pipe, and further comprising a second end comprising an annular end portion configured to abut a distal end of an attached pipe and limit the distance the case can be pressed on a pipe in the intended use; a first seal member comprising a first elastomeric material softer than the first rigid polymeric material that is both disposed so as to be detachable from a first annular recess which is proximate to the first distal end of the case and adjacent to the threads of the cylindrical or frustoconical portion of the case, wherein said first seal member comprises at least one sealing surface which extends outwardly from said first recess so as to sweep over threads of a pipe while the case is being pressed on a pipe in the intended use; and a second seal member comprising a second elastomeric material softer than the first rigid polymeric material that is both disposed so as to be detachable from a second annular recess which is proximate to the second, annular end portion of the case and comprises at least one sealing surface which extends outwardly from said second recess so as to abut the distal end of a pipe and thereby limit the distance the case can be pressed on a pipe that has been attached in the intended use.