Abstract: Coupling apparatus capable of joining first and second conduits in a nonaligned articulated relationship may comprise: a male member having a radially enlarged end portion thereon; a female member into which the male member may be inserted; a seal assembly for sealing between the male and female members; a gripping assembly carried by the female member and radially movable from a normally expanded position, in which the male member may be freely inserted and removed from the female member, to a contracted position gripping the enlarged end portion of the male member, preventing its removal and locking it in a fixed, articulated relationship with the female member; and a load ring carried by the female member and axially movable from a first position, allowing the gripping assembly to assume its normal expanded position, to a second position engaging and forcing the gripping assembly into its contracted position.

Abstract: Apparatus for joining two conduits in an articulated relationship comprising: a male member attached to one of the conduits and having a radially enlarged portion thereon; a female member attached to the other of said conduits and into which the male member may be inserted; a gripping assembly carried by the female member and movable from a radially expanded position, in which the male member may be freely inserted and removed from the female member, to a radially contracted position gripping the enlarged portion of the male member, preventing its removal and locking it in a fixed articulated relationship with the female member; and an actuating assembly, carried by the female member, engageable with the gripping assembly and being operable by a force applied externally of the apparatus for moving the gripping assembly between its expanded and contracted positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a cylindrical first member to a second cooperating member comprising: a tubular housing adapted for connection to the second member and to coaxially receive a portion of the cylindrical first member; a gripping assembly carried by the housing and movable from a radially expanded position, in which the first member portion may be axially received in and displaced from the housing, to a radially contracted position gripping the exterior of the first member and preventing its axial displacement from the housing; and an actuating assembly carried by the housing, engageable with the gripping assembly and being operable by a force applied externally of the housing for moving the gripping assembly between its expanded and contracted positions, the actuating assembly being self-locking so that upon removal of the externally applied force the gripping assembly remains in its gripping contracted position.