Importance

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Abstract

A pipe connector includes a tubular pin member having a generally frusto-conical outer peripheral surface and a tubular box member having a generally frusto-conical inner peripheral surface corresponding to the frusto-conical outer peripheral surface of the pin member and overlies the frusto-conical surface of the pin member when the members are fully engaged together. The members include with inter-engageable annular projections and grooves on the said peripheral surfaces for axially locking the members together when they are fully engaged together, the projections and grooves being spaced apart along the surfaces. Means are provided for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure between the overlying parts of the surfaces of the members when fully engaged together to expand the box member and/or contract the pin member to bring the projections out of engagement with the corresponding grooves and permit the members to be disengaged. The members include means for radially restraining the free end of at least one of the members of the connector and the extent of the radial overlap at full engagement of at least the projections and grooves in the region of the free end of the one member and the corresponding inner end of the other member is reduced relative to that in the region of the centre of the connector.

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First Claim