Abstract: A plug-in connector for tube and hose lines includes a nozzle with a catch shoulder extending around at least a part of the outer circumference. The catch shoulder is formed by an inclined surface with a slope that increases from the outer circumference and a catch surface following in the insertion direction. A plug may be latched to the catch surface of the nozzle by at least two spaced-apart latching locations and supports a radially-displaceable, essentially U-shaped catch spring having two lateral legs formed as catch legs. Both latching locations of the catch spring can latch reliably and simultaneously, even if the nozzle is inserted into the plug at an angle, by forming the catch spring with at least one additional approximately centered latching location disposed between the plug and the nozzle. The additional latching location is located forward of the two lateral latching locations in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A connecting device for a plug-in connection of at least one pipeline having a housing part having at least one receiving opening for the insertion of the pipeline. A clamping ring is arranged in the receiving opening and, in order to lock the pipeline in place, interacts with an inner cone of the housing part. The housing part is made in two parts including a base part and an insert part, which is connected to the base part via a snap-in action forming-fitting connection. The insert part has a direct seal for resting on the circumference of the inserted pipeline. The insert part is formed of a first relatively hard and dimensionally stable plastic material, and has a dirt seal which consists of a second, relatively soft and elastic plastic material and is molded directly into the first material as a single piece with a cohesive material joint therebetween.

Abstract: A collet quick connect fluid coupling includes a self-centering structure that is received within a channel (36) in a pilot (32). The channel and self-centering leg (28) ensures the collet (26) is approximately centered within the housing (22) as a tube (38) is moved into the housing. This prevents misalignment of the collet relative to the tube (38). In a preferred embodiment, the collet (26) has a ramp (30) on an inwardly facing surface that cams along a surface on the pilot (32), assisting the collet (26) in expanding when a tube (38) is moved into a housing (22).

Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes projections projecting axially from circumferential positions on a distal part of an annular body, each projection having an engaging hook projecting in one circumferential direction at an end part thereof. The body and the projections are formed independently of each other, and the apparatus includes a fixing structure for fixing the projections to the positions on the distal part. After inner peripheries of the projections are placed on the outer periphery of the distal part adjacent to an outward overhang, the fixing structure is detachably fixed on the outer periphery in a side of the projections axially opposing to the overhang and has an inward tapering surface fitted on an outward tapering surface of each projection to fix the projections at the predetermined positions on the outer periphery, and includes a cutout exposing the outward tapering surface of at least one projection.

Abstract: A pipe sealing gasket is shown which is designed to be received within a groove provided within a socket end of a thermoplastic pipe in a pipe sealing system. The sealing system includes a male, spigot pipe end which is joined to a mating female belled pipe end. The belled pipe end has an internal groove adjacent a mouth region thereof which is simultaneously formed under temperature and pressure as the mouth region is forced over a forming mandrel and about a sealing gasket located on the forming mandrel so that the sealing gasket is prelocated within the internal groove. The sealing gaskets of the invention have a specially designed sealing capability to seal volume ratio.

Abstract: A quick to connect and quick to disconnect fluid coupling has a clip, a male portion having an annular groove adapted to receive the clip, a female portion, and a sealing element. The female portion has a dual function frustoconical portion adapted to compress the sealing element during joinder of the male portion with the female portion as well as to compress the clip into the annular groove in preparation of separating the male portion from the female portion. Further, a sleeve is slideably placed about the male portion and adapted to capture the clip compressed within the annular groove.

Abstract: An installation groove is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a tube joint body, into which a fluid tube is inserted. An annular fixing ring is installed through interaction with the installation groove. A cylindrical guide member is arranged inside of the body. A chuck is provided that engages with an outer circumferential surface of the fluid tube, thereby retaining the fluid tube. When a fastening pawl of the chuck bites into the outer circumferential surface of the fluid tube, the guide member is pressed radially outwardly by the chuck, with the tube joint body being interposed between the guide member and the fixing ring.

Abstract: A hydraulic connector made entirely of an elastomeric material connects tubes or other hydraulic circuit components used in machines for extracorporeal blood treatment. The hydraulic connector comprises a main body (2), which defines a conduit (3), and a predetermined number of protuberances (6) fashioned to enable a stable engagement of the connector to an end of a tubular port (7) of tubing or other hydraulic component. The conduit (3) exhibits a first longitudinal portion (3a) directed along a first development axis (9) and a second longitudinal portion (3a) directed along a second development axis (10); the axes (9, 10) do not coincide.

Abstract: A female connector for releasable coupling with a male connector is disclosed herein. The male connector defines a fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be received within the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature. The female connector comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation element. The opening is adapted to guide the male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature of the male end and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation element is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male end.

Abstract: An instantaneous connection device includes a tubular body and a tight element which is used to hold the end of a line in the body and includes a holding element arranged to receive the end of the line and a cam element arranged between the body and the holding element and used to move the holding element from a free state into a state wherein it grips the end of the line when it is axially displaced in the tubular body between a first position and a second position. The holding element includes two jaws independently mounted in the body so as to slide between the two positions, and the cam element includes two transversal pins that are fixed to the jaws or body so as to slidingly co-operate, with transversal surfaces fixed to the body or the jaws and inclined in relation to the sliding direction.

Abstract: A quick to connect and quick to disconnect fluid coupling has a clip, a male portion having an annular groove adapted to receive the clip, a female portion, and a sealing element. It is improved by the female portion having a dual function frustoconical portion adapted to compress the sealing element during joinder of the male portion with the female portion as well as to compress the clip into the annular groove in preparation of separating the male portion from the female portion. Further, a sleeve is slideably placed about the male portion and adapted to capture the clip compressed within the annular groove.

Abstract: A socket of a fluid coupling device includes a housing with a cavity centered on an axis. A pawl, attached to the housing, is pivotable about a pivot location relative to the housing, and has a catch section located axially outward from the pivot location. A spring biases the catch section radially inward. A plug is configured to move axially into the cavity while sliding against the catch section to move the catch section radially outward, against bias of the spring, out of the way of the plug. After an axially-outwardly facing catch surface of the plug passes the catch section, the catch section can pivot radially inward and abut the plug catch surface to capture the plug in the socket.

Abstract: A connecting device for a pipe comprises a coupling body and a clamping collar. The clamping collar is divided into an axially inner function section and an axially outer actuation section, with a seal positioned between facing front sides of the axially inner function section and the axially outer actuation section. The seal is for sealing against an inner wall of the coupling body and against an outer wall surface of a pipe received within the clamping collar, when the clamping collar is within the coupling body.

Abstract: A connection device for fluid lines has a housing in which at least one housing recess is formed stepped in the longitudinal direction and merging at an inner end thereof with a fluid duct. An attachment means is fixed in the housing recess and defines a passage opening rendering possible the plugging into position of a fluid line to be connected. A sealing ring is associated with said attachment means. The sealing ring has an inner periphery matching the outline of the fluid line to be connected and being penetrated by the fluid line when connected. A centering section of the housing recess is located axially within the attachment means. An adapter ring is provided able to be inserted into the centering section for bridging over any radial intermediate space present between the outer periphery of the line's end section and the inner periphery of the centering section.

Abstract: A quick connector has a connector housing, a tube connection component, a pipe body and a retainer. The quick connector further has a checking operation portion provided with a holding component. The holding component has a fitting hole and a gate component which is continuous with an opening end of the fitting hole. The holding component is adapted to cause the pipe body connected to the housing to fit in the fitting hole through the gate component in a snap-on manner and to connect with an outer circumference of the pipe body by rotary motion of the checking operation portion. The holding component is also adapted to be prevented from connecting with the outer circumference of the pipe body if the pipe body is not fully inserted into the connector housing.

Abstract: A tube connector including a tubular connector body having an inboard contact surface facing an outboard open end, a collet extending into the open end and towards the contact surface, and an o-ring positioned between the collet and the contact surface. The o-ring provides a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and an outer circumference of a tube inserted through the collet and into the connector body. The connector also includes a relatively rigid ring guide positioned between the o-ring and the collet. The ring guide is adapted to protect the o-ring and maintain the o-ring in a proper position for providing a fluid-tight seal and includes a sloped or radiused outboard surface for guiding an inserted tube and a sloped inboard surface for contacting the o-ring.

Abstract: An instantaneous connection device includes a tubular body, a tight element used to hold the end of a line in the body and includes an elastically deformable annular sealing element and a holding element that are arranged to receive the end of the line, a cam member for moving the holding element from a free state into a state wherein it grips the end of the line when it is axially displaced in the tubular body from a first position to a second position, and an elastic member for bringing the holding element back towards its second position. The sealing element is mounted between a radial shoulder of the body and a radial face of the holding element. The radial shoulder and the radial face are provided with reciprocal reliefs for laterally coming into contact with the annular sealing element.

Abstract: A Vari-Stage Coupling device is discussed in this disclosure that accomplishes the goal of coupling different styles of tubing in one device. Long runs of irrigation tubing from the source of the water to the eventually dispersion contain devices that join a larger piece of tubing to a smaller piece of tubing as pressure loss degrades the flow of the water so smaller less expensive tubing is used in stages in long runs. It is also common to have a larger manifold or supply line branch off into smaller branch lines through the use of “T” fittings. It is also common to use rigid PVC tubing, which possess a smoother bore with less resistance to create a pressure drop, on long runs where flexible polyethylene or similar tubing is then attached to the end of the PVC.

Abstract: The plug type connection of this invention consists of two coupling parts which can be fitted together, to be precise a socket part and a plug part, it being possible for the plug part, with a plug shank, to be inserted in a sealing manner into a locating opening of the socket part and to be releasably locked in the plugged-in state via a locking arrangement, the locking arrangement consisting, on the one hand, of two outer, radial, flange-like retaining webs, axially adjacent in the plug-in direction in the plugged-in state, of the two coupling parts and, on the other hand, of a retaining element which, with at least one retaining section which is C-shaped in axial section, axially and radially encloses the retaining webs of the two coupling parts in a positive-locking manner.

Abstract: A connecting device for a pipe comprises a coupling body and a clamping collar. The clamping collar is divided into an axially inner function section and an axially outer actuation section, with a seal positioned between facing front sides of the axially inner function section and the axially outer actuation section. The seal is for sealing against an inner wall of the coupling body and against an outer wall surface of a pipe received within the clamping collar, when the clamping collar is within the coupling body.

Abstract: A Push To Connect (PTC) fitting cartridge for connecting to a pneumatic device, such as, an air brake or a height control valve, the PTC fitting cartridge including at least one protrusion positioned on an outer surface of the PTC fitting cartridge, which is provided to interact with an undercut positioned on an inner surface of a port. The undercut interacts with the protrusion to substantially eliminate stress on the surrounding material to reduce the chance of fraction thereof.

Abstract: A chuck includes an annular ring portion, a first engaging portion which extends along a central axis of the annular ring portion and which engages with the first tube joint member, and a second engaging portion which extends from the annular ring portion along the central axis of the annular ring portion and which elastically engages with a second tube joint member. A-three-dimensionally shaped portion, which is an end of the second engaging portion, includes a pair of expanded portions on a metal plate. The annular ring portion is formed by rounding the metal plate with both ends, which are not fixed to one another so that both ends are displaceable circumferentially.

Abstract: A pressed connection arrangement including a first pipe end and a connection piece configured to receive the pipe end. The connection piece has a ring-shaped receiving device and the ring-shaped receiving device includes a cutting ring and a sealing ring. A separating ring is located between the sealing ring and the cutting ring such that the separating ring holds the cutting ring at a distance from the sealing ring.

Abstract: A female element for a quick connection for removably joining pipes of fluid under pressure and which is adapted to receive a male element. The female element includes at least one locking member movable within a guide channel that extends transverse with respect to an axis of fit of the male and female elements and which member has one end which is configured and adapted to be cooperatively engaged in a peripheral groove of the male element. The locking member is also provided with a tab which projects radially with respect to a body of the female element and which is cooperatively engaged by two portions of a control ring that is movable over the body of the female element in order to move the locking member within the guide channel between an inner locking position and an outer release position.

Abstract: A quick coupling comprising a body with a conical opening and an outside thread, a nut with a central through orifice and a cylindrical counterbore extending the through orifice and tapped over its portion that is remote from the through orifice, and a conical surface connecting the through orifice to the counterbore, the coupling comprising a ring housed in the counterbore of the nut, the ring having a front face directed towards the thread that is fitted with a sealing gasket whose rear face facing towards the coupling surface co-operates therewith to define a radial expansion housing for a split spring washer.

Abstract: A union coupler assembly for coolant lines comprising a coupler body, a first coolant line end portion, and a second coolant line end portion. The coupler body has a passageway extending between first and second ends, two tapered annular grooves, a snap ring disposed within each tapered annular groove, and a plurality of o-rings seated in corresponding annular grooves. The coolant line end portions are fabricated from metal and have tapered ends and grooves formed in their outer surfaces. The coolant line end portions are movable between an engaged position, wherein the snap rings engage the grooves in the coolant line end portions, and a disengaged position, wherein the snap rings do not engage the grooves in the coolant line end portions.

Abstract: A fluid connector, for use in the medical field, has a tubular male socket and a tubular female socket. Each socket includes a fitting end for an end piece and a nesting end. The female socket has external notches for axially retaining a locking collar which is fixed on the male socket by penetration of lugs into ports on the collar.

Abstract: A tube can be easily attached to and detached from the tube joint by one hand. The tube joint comprises: a body proper having one open end, from which the tube is inserted; and a locking member locking the tube in the body proper. The locking member includes: a ring section sliding on an inner face of the body proper and moving in an axial direction; a plurality of flexible extended sections extended from the ring section toward the one open end of the body proper; and a plurality of claw sections radially projected inward from front ends of the flexible extended sections. The body proper has a tapered section, which reduces a diameter of the front ends of the flexible extended sections when the locking member is moved toward the one open end and the front ends of the flexible extended sections enter the tapered section, whereby the claw sections bite and lock the tube.

Abstract: A locking ring designed to work in a self restraining pipe joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternative pipe coupling apparatus, to conventional tapered screw threads usually used to join ends of pipe sections to fixtures. The invention utilizes a bayonet style interlocking arrangement having a male element and a female element which join together and are opposingly biased against one another by a spring-like retaining ring to ensure an appropriate rigid and leak-proof connection between two elements.

Abstract: A connector system for interconnecting a hearing aid (3) with a fixture (5) anchored in a bone segment (7). An abutment (9) has a contact surface (21) with is a substantially circular surface. A connector plate (17) with a substantially circular connector contact surface (20) is in contact with the abutment contact surface (21) when the hearing aid (3) is connected to the abutment (9). The abutment (9) has a wide abutment coupling area and a narrow portion. The abutment coupling area is enclosable by coupling shoes (15). The coupling shoes (15) exert a pressure against the abutment coupling area disposed on a mantle surface (25) of the abutment. The coupling shoes are movable in a radial direction relative to the connector plate (17). The coupling area has an increasing diameter in a lateral direction (L).

Abstract: A device for gripping the external wall surface of a pipe or bar. The device includes a tubular body having at least one end open for insertion of a pipe or bar, and a cage with balls or rollers cooperating with a first tapered internal wall part of the body. A resilient mechanism pushes the cage in an axial direction to cause the balls or rollers to grip the external wall of an inserted pipe or bar. The device also has a compressible member located within the body and cooperating with a second tapered inner wall part of the body and movable relative thereto when increased fluid pressure is present within the body. Under increased pressure it also grips the external wall of the inserted pipe or bar.

Abstract: A multi-diameter tube coupling is provided for interconnecting flexible plastic tubing of the type used in drip irrigation systems and the like, wherein the tube coupling is adapted for use with a range of different tubing sizes. The tube coupling includes a central body defining an internal flow path, with a retainer collet mounted thereon at each open end of the flow path to capture a seal member having a compliant, pressure-activated seal lip. The retainer collet includes an annular array of lock fingers for unidirectional slide-fit locked reception of one end of a length of tubing within a range of different sizes, with the seal lip engaging the tubing to provide a substantially leak-proof connection. Alternatively, the collet lock fingers accommodate slide-fit locked reception of a barbed swivel adapter, with the seal lip engaging the adapter to provide a substantially leak-proof connection.

Abstract: A coupler having a tubular body (6) which is arranged to receive a tubular element for transporting fluid and including a pipe end, and which is provided with elements (11) for snap-fastening the tubular element, the coupler including a bushing (15) provided on the inside with elements (23, 25) for retaining the pipe end, which elements are selectively activatable and deactivatable, wherein the bushing is mounted in the tubular body to be movable axially between a position for activating the retaining elements and a position for deactivating the retaining elements, and wherein the bushing is provided with snap-fastening elements complementary to those of the body for co-operating therewith in the activation position.

Abstract: A coupling part joins at least one tubular or bar-shaped part to a further part. The coupling part contains at least one sleeve part that accommodates the tubular or bar-shaped part, whereby at least one first detent element is provided on the inside of the sleeve part and interacts with a first counter detent element provided on the tubular or bar-shaped part. The detent connection of the first detent and counter detent element can be disengaged by displacing the sleeve part. A coupling part of the aforementioned type is characterized by its ability to be easily disengaged.

Abstract: A connector assembly for allowing a free-flowing medium to pass through includes: a hollow female element with a transverse closure wall and passage openings which are formed in the side wall, a male element which can be inserted into the female element and can be coupled thereto, an adapter socket, inside which the female element can be displaced in the axial direction between a position in which it closes off the flow of medium and in which the passage openings are closed off by the adapter socket, and a position in which it allows medium to flow through and in which the passage openings are not closed off by the adapter socket. The female element is provided, at a distance from the transverse closure wall, with connecting elements which can form a connection with connecting elements arranged on the male element and/or a coupling piece which is coupled thereto.

Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe segments together is disclosed. The coupling is derived from a standard fitting and has a housing with a socket and a first expanded region adjacent to the socket and a second expanded region adjacent to the first expanded region. A sealing member is positioned in the first expanded region, a retainer is positioned in the second expanded region and a support washer having transversely oriented radial and coaxial flanges is positioned adjacent to the retainer. A lip turned inwardly on the second expanded region overlaps the radial flange and captures the support washer, retainer and sealing member within the coupling. The retainer has a plurality of radial teeth angularly oriented to engage a pipe and prevent its removal from the coupling.

Abstract: A water purifier is composed of a valve main body and a filtration portion, which are coupled to each other in an attachable and detachable manner at the main body side coupling portion and the filtration portion side coupling portion. Consequently, the water purifier filtration portion can be connected to the water purifier main body in a single step with ease in a secure manner, and at the same time, the water purifier filtration portion will not fall off easily even when water with a high water pressure flows in. Also, the water purifier is provided with a concave portion and a sensor packing formed as an integral portion of the concave portion and protruding toward an indicator portion on a wall surface of a cartridge. The indicator portion is provided with a conductive member at a position where it is brought into contact with a first input portion by a water pressure and thereby closes an electric circuit on a circuit board.

Abstract: An insertion sleeve for a pipe coupling. The coupling includes a rigid stiffener tube in a fixed position within a shell, the stiffener tube having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of a pipe to be secured by the coupling. The insertion sleeve includes a cylindrical portion having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the pipe, a first end of the sleeve which may be axially inserted over the stiffener tube, and a second end of the sleeve having a shoulder to abut the pipe after axial insertion of the pipe over the first end and the cylindrical portion and having a tapered opening in angular relation to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A fluid quick connect includes a body having a conical, split end retainer slidably mounted in a recess in at least one end of the body. The retainer has a leading edge extending into a through bore in the body which is engagable with an annular flange on an endform inserted into the housing forcing the retainer angularly outward in the recess to allow passage of the annular flange of the endform past the retainer. A biasing force on the retainer due to the expansion of the diameter of the retainer moves the retainer back to a position in which the leading edge extends behind the trailing edge of the annular flange on the endform to latch the endform in the housing. The retainer and conical recess maybe used at one end of the housing for connection with one end form or at both ends of the housing to fluidically couple two end forms.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for connecting one end of a pipe to a bore provided in a fluid transport circuit element, the device comprising a tubular body (10) defining an inner channel (11) for receiving the pipe end, means (17) for retaining the pipe end in a predetermined axial position in the inner channel and means (23) for fixing the tubular body in the hole in a predetermined axial position, means (22) for stopping the pipe end mounted on the tubular body designed to be mobile between a projecting position in the inner channel so as to counter the drive-up of the pipe end to its axial position and a retracted position so as to clear the passage for the pipe end towards its predetermined axial position, the stop means (22) being designed to co-operate with the element such that they shift from their projecting position to their retracted position when the tubular body is driven in the hole up to its predetermined axial position.

Abstract: The invention provides a pre-assembled coupling for leaktight coupling of a fluid transport tube and an endpiece provided with at least one coupling element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking device for extension pipe of a vacuum cleaner which can be easily operated, especially in separating the extension pipe supporting holder, and be compactly manufactured since the components do not require much space. The locking device according to the present invention comprises a holder connected to an operation handle and having a locking hole formed on one side to correspond to a fixing hole of the operation handle, and a locking/unlocking lever having a hook portion movable into and out of the locking hole, and a button portion formed opposite to the hook portion along the diameter, the locking/unlocking lever movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a locked position in which the hook portion is inserted into the locking hole, and an unlocked position in which the hook portion is escaped out of the locking hole. The button portion is disposed such that a force for unlocking the combination is applied in the same direction as the holder separating direction.

Abstract: A device for gripping the external wall surface of a pipe or bar. The devices includes a tubular body having at least one end open for insertion of a pipe or bar, and a cage with balls or rollers cooperating with a first tapered internal wall part of the body. A resilient mechanism to push the cage in an axial direction to cause the balls or rollers to grip the external wall of an inserted pipe or bar. The device also has a compressible member located within the body and cooperating with a second tapered inner wall part of the body and movable relative thereto when increased fluid pressure is present within the body. Under increased pressure it also grips the external wall of the inserted pipe or bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for blocking a liquid- and/or vapour-flow from a hose and positioning a hose rupture to a coupling in the hose, e.g.

Abstract: A pipe joint provided with a pipe joint main body having an insertion cylinder portion inserted to an end portion of a pipe to be connected, a seal member attached to a peripheral groove on the insertion cylinder portion, a clamp ring with a slit for fastening the end portion of the pipe outserted to the insertion cylinder portion with elastic fastening force, and a diameter-extension piece detachably held at the slit as to extend the clamp ring resisting the elastic force of the clamp ring and detached by contact with a forth end of the pipe.

Abstract: The snap connection for sealed and releasable connection of a first tube end (10) with a second tube end (20), with spring arms (33), with a first outer stop projection (14) on the first tube end (10), with a first elastically deformable ring (31) connected with the spring arms (33), and with two first inner stop cams (34) on the first ring (31) cooperating with the first outer stop projection (14), is characterized according to the present invention by a second outer stop projection (23) on the second tube end (20), a second elastically deformable ring (32) connected with the spring arms (33) with distance from the first ring (31), and by two, second inner stop cams (35) on the second ring (32) cooperating with the second outer stop projection (23). Both rings with their stop cams, connected to one another via the spring arms, form a double-connection element (30) separable by and on both tube ends (10, 20), which can be made from a plastic injection molding part.

Abstract: A connector with a connector body, a seal (such as an O-ring), a guide, a cap, and a collet. The guide may include in an outboard radiused surface and a substantially flat surface to contact the seal. The cap may be fixed in one and of the connector body. The collet may be reversibly and placed within the cap and include a surface to bias to tooth members against tubing, thereby to prevent the tubing from being withdrawn from the connector body. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A connector for connecting two tubular members has a pin and a box, the box having a bore that receives the pin in stabbing engagement. The bore having a grooved profile, and a split lock ring mounted to the pin, the lock ring snapping into engagement with the grooved profile in the box when the box and pin are stabbed together to lock the tubular members together. An annular wedge shoulder is located on the pin axially spaced apart and facing a rim on the box. The wedge shoulder and rim are inclined relative to each other, resulting in a closer axial distance between them at outer diameters of the pin and box than farther inward. An annular recess is located on the pin at an inner portion of the wedge shoulder, the recess having an inner wall facing outwardly.

Abstract: A bottom connector for the tendon of a tension leg platform uses a latch ring with an outer profile to engage a mating profile in a receptacle on the sea floor. The latch ring moves radially within a housing, relative to the receptacle, between an engaged position and a retracted position. The latch ring engages the receptacle by lowering the connector into the receptacle below the mating profile and then lifting it until the latch ring locks into the receptacle. The latch ring disengages the receptacle by lowering the connector beyond a recess located below the mating profile and then lifting the connector out of the receptacle. As the connector is lifted above the recess, a retaining ring is actuated by the recess to retain the latch ring in its retracted position.