Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Steen

Thomas L. Steen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9890598
    Abstract: A key assembly is press fit into an annular space between a box and pin member to resist relative rotation of the box and pin members. The key assembly includes wedge like members that contact one another along complementary tapered surfaces, and when in contact generate radial forces into the box and pin member to secure the connection between the box and pin. The outer wedge is inserted first into the annular space between the box and pin members, and has rows of elongate teeth that project radially outward into contact with an inner surface of the box member. Because the outer wedge is pushed radially outward against the box member rather than axially sliding therebetween, the teeth protrude into the surface of the box member thereby increasing the anti-rotation force created by the outer wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Steen, John E. Nelson, Chau Hoang, Daniel C. Benson, Stephen D. Peters
  • Patent number: 9714731
    Abstract: A system for joining pipe segments, the system including a first pipe connector connected to a first pipe segment, and a second pipe connector threadingly connectable to the first pipe connector, and connected to a second pipe segment. The system further includes a recess in the outer surface of the first pipe connector, and an elongated key having first and second lengthwise surfaces. One of the lengthwise surfaces has protrusions that embed into a transverse surface of the second pipe connector when the key is mounted into the recess. The thickness of the key decreases with distance radially inward from the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. O'Dell, Thomas L. Steen, Joseph W. Pallini, Stephen D. Peters, William R. Patterson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9708865
    Abstract: A pipe connection includes a pin having external threads and a box having internal threads. A circumferentially extending row of pin teeth are located on an exterior portion of the pin. A slot extends through a side wall of the box. A key is carried in the slot, the key having a row of key teeth that mate with the pin teeth. The key is mounted to the box such that a movable portion of the key is radially movable relative to the box between radially outward and radially inward positions. The key is biased toward the inward position, so that the key teeth ratchet on the pin teeth during make-up of the pin and the box. The key and pin teeth have a saw-tooth configuration to resist unscrewing rotation of the pin and the box. The key may be an integral part of the side wall of the box or a separate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Steen, Daniel C. Benson, David L. Ford, Christopher Loftin
  • Publication number: 20140167408
    Abstract: A pipe connection includes a pin having external threads and a box having internal threads. A circumferentially extending row of pin teeth are located on an exterior portion of the pin. A slot extends through a side wall of the box. A key is carried in the slot, the key having a row of key teeth that mate with the box teeth. The key is mounted to the box such that a movable portion of the key is radially movable relative to the box between radially outward and radially inward positions. The key is biased toward the inward position, so that the key teeth ratchet on the pin teeth during make-up of pin and the box. The teeth have a saw-tooth configuration to resist unscrewing rotation of pin and the box. The key may be an integral part of the side wall of the box or a separate component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Steen, Daniel C. Benson, David L. Ford, Christopher Loftin
  • Publication number: 20140166308
    Abstract: A key assembly is press fit into an annular space between a box and pin member to resist relative rotation of the box and pin members. The key assembly includes wedge like members that contact one another along complementary tapered surfaces, and when in contact generate radial forces into the box and pin member to secure the connection between the box and pin. The outer wedge is inserted first into the annular space between the box and pin members, and has rows of elongate teeth that project radially outward into contact with an inner surface of the box member. Because the outer wedge is pushed radially outward against the box member rather than axially sliding therebetween, the teeth protrude into the surface of the box member thereby increasing the anti-rotation force created by the outer wedge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Steen, John E. Nelson, Chau Hoang, Daniel C. Benson, Stephen D. Peters
  • Publication number: 20140103640
    Abstract: A system for joining pipe segments, the system including a first pipe connector connected to a first pipe segment, and a second pipe connector threadingly connectable to the first pipe connector, and connected to a second pipe segment. The system further includes a recess in the outer surface of the first pipe connector, and an elongated key having first and second lengthwise surfaces. One of the lengthwise surfaces has protrusions that embed into a transverse surface of the second pipe connector when the key is mounted into the recess. The thickness of the key decreases with distance radially inward from the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin E. O'Dell, Thomas L. Steen, Joseph W. Pallini, Stephen D. Peters, William R. Patterson, JR.
  • Patent number: D343775
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas L. Steen