CA1164679A - Well christmas tree guard apparatus - Google Patents
Well christmas tree guard apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1164679A CA1164679A CA000363423A CA363423A CA1164679A CA 1164679 A CA1164679 A CA 1164679A CA 000363423 A CA000363423 A CA 000363423A CA 363423 A CA363423 A CA 363423A CA 1164679 A CA1164679 A CA 1164679A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lock
- padlock
- latches
- shroud
- pair
- Prior art date
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Abstract
S P E C I F I C A T I o N
Inventors: Walter M. Camos and William L. Doize Invention: "Well Christmas Tree Guard Apparatus"
Abstract of the Disclosure An oil or gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus provides an annular guard body which is protectively secured about a bolted flanged connection of the well Christmas tree, the guard so placed forming an envelope about the flanged connection and preventing access by a thief to the bolts and thus discouraging removal of the bolts from the bolted connection. The protective guard body thus prevents removal of the Christmas tree from its location at the well head by theft denying access to the bolted connection which flanges the Christmas tree to the remainder of the well. In the preferred embodiment the guard body provides a pair of annular shroud halves which are hingedly connected allowing them to be pivotally moved from an outer position allowing removal from the flanged connection to an inner closed operative position providing an overall annular guard body which is latched into position about the desired bolted connection. The guard body hinge as well as the latch structure can be protectively covered by a connected shroud or housing about the latch structure, or the hinge respectively.
Inventors: Walter M. Camos and William L. Doize Invention: "Well Christmas Tree Guard Apparatus"
Abstract of the Disclosure An oil or gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus provides an annular guard body which is protectively secured about a bolted flanged connection of the well Christmas tree, the guard so placed forming an envelope about the flanged connection and preventing access by a thief to the bolts and thus discouraging removal of the bolts from the bolted connection. The protective guard body thus prevents removal of the Christmas tree from its location at the well head by theft denying access to the bolted connection which flanges the Christmas tree to the remainder of the well. In the preferred embodiment the guard body provides a pair of annular shroud halves which are hingedly connected allowing them to be pivotally moved from an outer position allowing removal from the flanged connection to an inner closed operative position providing an overall annular guard body which is latched into position about the desired bolted connection. The guard body hinge as well as the latch structure can be protectively covered by a connected shroud or housing about the latch structure, or the hinge respectively.
Description
1 sackground of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to anti-the~t devices ~or oil/gas well Christmas tree structures. Even more particu-larly, the present invention relates to a well Christmas tree ~uard apparatus which prevents removal of the well Christmas tree from its position at the well head by denying access to the bolted flanged connection which connects the Christmas tree to the remainder of the gas or oil well.
General Background and Prior Art In the oil and gas industry, it is well known that the pp~r most portion of a well as it leaves the surface of the ~round is provided with a structure known in the art as a "Christmas tree". The Christmas tree is yenerally an assembly of valves, tees, crosses, and other fi-ttings at the well head used to control oil or gas production and to give access to the well tubing. Other fittings such as choke jackets, pressure yuages, and the like, can become part of what is known in the art as t}le "Christmas tree".
This assembly of valves, tees and other fittings which is affixed to the gas well or oil well at the well head is ~nerally attached to the well head by means of a flan(3ed bolted collnectioll.
This merely refers to a connection in which two flanged memb~rs (usually circular in shape) are abutted together in a face-to-face relationship, with each flanye member having a plurality of peripheral holes which are aligned during assembly to provide a plurality of aligned openings through which bolted connections call be made. These nut and bolt fasteners are placed through the holes and tightened and the connection is perfected by means of a torque wrench or the like so that no leakage occurs.
Many times, a master va]ve is provided on the Christmas tree whic}-~
~, _ ,~
1~46~9 `- ' , ;
l controls th-` tlow o (]as or oil directl.y ~rom thc wcl]. i.tsclf.
This valvc call be closed, prevellting any flow of wel.l to the Shristmas tree itself. When the master control valve is closed, the Christmas tree can be entirely removed by disassembling one of the bolted connections above the master valve itself on the Christmas tree. Since many oil fields are in remote areas where adec~uate security is often not possible, and because the bolted connections are easily disassembled, the expensive Christmas tree structure is highly susceptible to theft by persons having some skill in piping, or generally some experience in oil or gas field work.
The thieves could in removing a Chri.stmas tree use a truck equipped with an air compressor and proper power tools.
In a remote oil field, the bolted connection could quickly be broken and the Christmas tree hoisted on to the truck and removed with the entire theft being undetected in most cases. I`he owner of the well who is victimized in such a way not only loses the price of the Christmas tree itself, but is further faced with the cost of installing a new Christmas tree in its proper position, alld he loses vclluable pr.oductiorn`c)f oil or gas while the well i~self is shut clown.
Ot~ vcllud~l~ ty~ piplng aevices such as very expensive valves, are faced similarly with the problem as above described w.ith respect to oil or gas well Christmas trees. Many times, .~.5 a very expellsive control valve could be mounted on a pipeline itself, and could be easily removed by unbolting as is the case with the Christmas tree structure. These valves and con-tollers are quite expensive, and their removal likewise brings a loss of production or supply of oil or gas flowing with the pipeline.
It is to this general problem that the pxesent invention is directed.
Several locking type c3evices have been patented which have attempted to solve the problern generally of preventing the removal of a bolt from a nut and thus, securing in a locking ~. J ~ - "~ r ~467~ ;
1 manner a bolted connection. None of the prior art devices, however, solves the problems and shortcomings which have plagued the prior art and which problems are solved by the present in-vention in a simple, inexpensive and effective manner.
~lost prior art devices which have been patented relate generally to the problem of providing a locking assembly or a nut or bolt on an individual bol-ted connection. U. S. Patent Number 3,295,579 entitled "Lock Bolt" and assigned to Allis Chalmers Manufacturin(3 Company of Milwau~ee, Wisconsin shows such a locking assembly for an individual bolt.
~. S. Patent ~umber 3,600,914 entitled "Theft Prevention evice for Tractor Drawn Trailers" shows a prior art type locking ~vic~ for tractor trailer trucks to prevent their theft.
l1.S. ~atent ~umber 3,930,432 entitled "~astening Assembly"
1?~ provides a protective cover over a bol-ted connection. A cap and base element are provided which can be welded toge-ther marginally to prevent access to the bolt head itself.
U. S. Patent Number 3,696,646 also shows an assembly for locking a single nut or bolt to resist unwanted removal.
These prior art devices unfortunately require that s~par~te lockin~ mechanism be provided for each individual bolt. This method of locking each individual bolt can become ~3uite expensive and time consuminc3 when attempting to solve the p~bl~m presented above and as solved by the present invention.
~lany bolted flanged connections in piping require as many as t~lve (12) or more bolts to complete a bolted connection. The n~lmber of bolts is, of course, a function generally of the diameter of the flanged connection.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a guard apparatus having an overall structure which protectively encapsulates an entire bolted connection portion of a piping system denying access to the bolts in the bolted conllect iOIl .
It is another object of the present invention to provide and oil/gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus having an overall 6~7~
structure which protectively encapsulates an en-tire bolted connection portion of an oil well Christmas tree apparatus denying access to the bolts in the bolted connection.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree guard apparatus which is simple, economical, and easy to construct.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree guard apparatus which provides a pair of hingedly connected guard halves which can assemble and disassemble for quick placement or removal from a selected Christmas tree flanged connection.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree guard apparatus wherein the latching and hinge portions of the guard apparatus are themselves pro-tectively covered by encasing protective shrouds or housings, thus discouraging disassembly of the guard by vandalism.
A feature of the present invention is that it will substantially encapsulate and cover all of the bolt and nut members of a flanged piping connection at for example, an ~0 oil/gas well Christmas tree.
Another feature of the present invention is that it provides a guard apparatus which is difficult to disassemble, and discourages removal of itself by vandalism from an oil or gas well Christmas tree apparatus and thus, discourages, or prevents theft of the well Christmas tree itself.
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided an oil/gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus com-prising a) a shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, each of the shroud halves having a sidewall portion and an attached top portion, b) hinge means for pivotally attaching the pair of shroud halves, the shroud halves being pivotally movable from a closed protection position about a flanged bolted ~ ~ . ~
6~675~
connection of the Christmas tree to an open position for removal from the flanged bolted connection portion of the Christmas tree, ~he shroud hal~es forming a protective enclosure about the flanged bolted connection in the closed position, so as to prevent removal of the bolts therefrom and further forming, in the closed position~ a central open-ing in the top portion of the shroud through which opening a portion of the Christmas tree at the bolted connection can pass, c) a pair of latches securing the pair of shroud halves in the closed position, at least one of the latches being provided with a lock carriage, a conventional padlock being affixable to the latches at the lock carriage, and so secllred, preventing a release of the latches from the closed position; and d) a lock housing at least partially surround-ing during locked operation the lock carriage and an affixed padlock, the lock housing fitting about the carriage and the padlock while affixed to the locX carriage, yet being removable from the lock carriage with the padlock.
In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a flanged connection guard apparatus comprising a) a protective shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, the shroud halves being hingedly connected and movable between open and closed positions, and providing a space therebetween for the placement of a bolted connection within the shroud halves when the shroud halves are assembled in the closed position, b) a lock carriage formed on the pair of shroud halves when the pair of shroud halves are assembled together in the closed position, the lock carriage providing a plcce for the attachment of a conventional padlock thereto, with the placement of the conventional padlock on the lock carriage thereafter preventing disassembly of the shroud halves, c) a lock housing at least partially surrounding the lock carriage and a padlock affixed to the lock carriage during locked closed ~ 4a -~L646~79 operation, the lock housing being secured to the shroud by the lock carriage and the affixed padlock during such closed operation.
- 4b -6~79 1 Brief nescri~ltion of thc~ nrawin~Ts _ . _ . . .... . . . . . ... . _ _ . ... . _ _ . _ . . .
For a further understancling of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had -to the followinq detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are give like reference numerals ancl wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical oil/gas Christmas tree apparatus showing the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention affixed thereto at a bolted connectioll;
Figure 2 is a perspective partially cut-away view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the pre:Eerred, embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 3A is a side view of the pr~ferred ernbodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a front view of an alternate construction of the apparatus of the present invention;
:)0 Figure 4A is a side view of an alternative construction of the preTerred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invent:ion;
F`igure 5 is a top view of the embodiment shown in Fi~ures 3-4~;
Fi~ure~ 6A-6C are top and front views respectively ?~ ~ the lock housing portion of the embodiment shown in Figures 3-5;
Figures 7A and 7B are side and front views respectively of a hin~e member portion of the ernbodiments shown in Figures 3-5.
Figure 8 is a partial front view of the hinge por-tion of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
1 Detailed Description of the Prefe r d F,mbodiment In Fiyure 1, there can be~ seen a perspective view of a ~ypical oil or gas well Christmas tree 20. Chris-tmas tree 20 is known in the art generally as an assembly of valves, tees, crosses, and other fittings at the well head, used to control oil or gas production and to give access to the well tubing.
As can further be seen by an inspection of Figure 1, bolted con-nections 27 are provided on Christmas tree 20 which bolted connections 27 are generally flanged connections and provide points for the disassembly of Christmas tree 20 as is known in the art.
In Figure 1, Christmas tree 20 is provided at one bolted ~langed connection 27 with the Christmas tree guard apparatus 10 of the prescl-t invention attachecl thereto with the bolted connection 27 being shown in phantom lines.
Figures 2 through 7 illustrate more particularly the structure of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the - present invention designated generally in Figures 2 and 3 by the numeral 10.
Guard 10 is comprised generally of a pair of guard shroud halves 12, 14. Shroud halves 12, 14 are generally circular, havillg annular ~eripheral side walls 18 and each having a semi-circular shroud top portion 15, 17 respectively.
A view of Figure 2 will reveal that each shroud top portlon 15, 17 is generally semi-ci.rcular, but having an inner cut out portion to provide a circular opening 30 in guard body 12 when the two (2) shroud halves 12, 14 are assembled, as is illus~rated in Figure 2. It should be understood that this "assembled" or "closed" position is the position which guard 10 will assume when its in its protective, closed and if desired locked position about a desired flanged, bolted connection, 27.
This operative closed position is also seen in Figure 1.
Shroud halves 12, 14 will move pivotally apar~ (See arrows, F`igure 2). As shroud halves 12, 19 move apart in a such a fashioll, guard assembly 10 can be removed or placed upon Lhe desired boltcd conl-ection with the latchcci 32, 34 thcrea~ter . _ ~ J
~ ~ ~j4~b7~
l bcinc~ secur~d by lock housing 40 and padlock 50, as will be described more fully hereinafter.
~ote however at this time, that lock housing 40 slips over latches 32, 34 with`latches 32, 34 penetrating openings 42 which are sized to correspond with the front faces 32a, 34a (and cross sectional area) of latches 32, 34. Before loc'~
hOUSi.119 40 is so positiGned, a padlock 50 can be inserted throu~h opening 60 and during insertion of housing 40 to latches :~2, 34 hung on lock carriage grooves 36 of latches 32, 34.
Shims 41 insure a tight fit of lock 50 within housing 40. Top ~3 deters vandalism to cut lock 50 once affi.xed.
~in~e structure 16 is best shown in Figure 8. Hinge 16 can be a conventional type hinye structure having an inner hinge pin 16a and a plurality of outer hinge collars 21a-21c.
It will be understood that two (2) hinge collars 21a and 21c will be affixed to one of the shroud halves 12 with the other hinge collar 21b affixed to the other shroud half 14. Thus, a pivotal hinge connection will be forrned as is desirable.
A pair of hinge covers 22, 24 (See Figure 5) will ~0 protectively cover h~nge 16 to prevent or at least deter the removal of yuard structure 10 by a disassembly at hinge 16 by vandalism or other destruction. Hinge covers 22, 24 provide an inner hin~e cover 24 and an outer hinge cover 22 which arcuatly correspond to one another and pivotally move with ~5 each shroud half 12, 14 to which is attached ~See arrows 23, Figure 5).
The structure of guard 10 is further shown in Figures 3-6.
A pair of latches 32, 34 are attached to shroud halves 12, 14 respectively at the opposite portion from hinge structure lG.
Latches 32, 34 are each generally affixed by welding or like means to its corresponding shroud half 12, 14 respectively (See Figures 2 and 3).
The outwardly extendiny portion of each latch mernber 32, 34 abutts in a face-to-face rel.ltionship, with each providiny - 1 an upper lock carria~ cJroove 36 which can be f~r example a semi-circular groove cut in the upper surface portion of eaeh latch member 32, 34, and sized to hold the upper or shackle 51 ~
portion of padlock 50. ~D
~ In Figure 7A there can be seen latch 32 with its loc~ carriage groove 36 and a lock 50 attached thereto shown in phantom lines. Each latch 32, 34 further provides an under-side latch recess 31 which provides a space for the lower body portion of lock 50.
Latches 32, 34 carrying padlock 50 at lock carriage 36 will thus be prevented from lateral movement to an opened position as is illustrated by the arrows of Figure 2.
In Figures 6A-6C, there is seen a lock housing 40 having a pair of generally rectangular openings 42. Lock housing 40 slides onto and fits over the assembled latches 32, 34 when they are in their elosed position. Lock housing 40 can be seen in phantom lines as shown in Figure 5.
From the abovc, one can see that a ty~ical col)vclltional padlock 50 will be piaced into the space 60 provided within the peripheral ai~e walls 62 of housing 40 before it assemhl.y with .. latches 3,, 34. In Figures 2 and 5, there can be seen four (4)peripheral side walls 62 which are integrally form2d providinc~
an inner lock recess 60. A lower opening is providecl to lock houàin~3 40 all.owiTlg a conventional padlock 50 to be added to the padlock space 60 before placemellt of housing 40 ovc~r l.atches 32, 34.
~ith lock shackle 51 resting on lock carriage 36 and completely surrounded by lock housing 40 i.n a protect.ive manner, ~he padlock shackle 51 is closed, thereafter performi.ng its locking fullction by preventin~ the lateral. movemellt of latches 32, 34.
Note from an inspection of Figures 2 and 6a-6c that a plurality or shim members 4:L can be used to fit pad].ock 50 to housing 40 with minimum tolerances. Preferably, shims 41 would be utili.zed to insure a very tight fit of padl.ock 50 within the inllerspace 60 of housing 4(). Such a shimming would further discoura~e vandalism by the placement of any pryin~ tools into the spacers betweeTl lock 50 and walls 62 of housi.ng ~ln.
An inspection of Figure 7A will illustrate how padlock 50 and its shackle 51 are affixed to latches 32, 24 cn to prevent the removal of housing 40 therefrom. ~ote that the front face 32a, 34a is of a height of Dl. However, a d-istance D2 is provided and si~ed -to correspond with a selected padlock 50 Wit]l D2 being the distance between the padlock 50 and the upper portion of shackle 50 when padlock 50 is locked.
D2 further represents a minimal distance between lock carriage 36 and recess 31. It will be seen from the above, that a removal of lock 50 will not be possible once the shackle 51 portion has been secured since the distance D2 between the shackle 5I and the lock 50 will be smaller than distance Dl. Distance Dl could be provided of a distance lesser than the distance between lock 50 and shackle 51 when th2 lock is opened, allowing removal of the lock 50 from latches 32, 34 after opening of lock 50 by key.
l~rom the above, lt will be seen that each guard apparatus 10 must be supplied by~a manufacturer Wit}l a lock which corresronds to the above specifications, namely, the lock ~hrn ~l)elled must ~ave a clearance which all~ws it to be place~ over the front fac~ 32a, 34a of latches 32 34, the distance . .
l-l beillc3 illustrated in Fiyure 7~. Further, the lock ITI~St have a clearance which is approximately equal to distance D2 namely the distance between lock carriage 36 and the innerface 31a of recess 31. Generally, thc padlock will be inserted into space 60 of housing 40 before the insertion of housing 40 and the enclosed lock 50 over latches 32,34. During this insertion, shackle 51 of lock 50 will be opened. Once housing 40 and the enclosed lock 50 are applied to latch 34, 36 padlock 50 will be secured (See Figures 1 and jA) by closing shackle 51.
In this position the padlock 50 can be unlocked qnly hy a person having the key thereto. Recess 31 prevents removal of lock housing 40 after the padlock lS closed. The entire assembly of lock 50 and housing 40 will be easily slipped off latches 32, 34 when-a key unlocks padlock 50.
The entire assembly of latches 32, 34 and lock housing 40 with its enclosed padlock 50 is further protectively covered by a latch housing 25 which is gene~ally rectangular as is seen in i~igures 2 and 3. I.atch housillg 25 is provic-le~ with two (2) generally ell shaped members 26, 28 which members correspond ~
to one another being of substantially identical shape and $
size and mate at surface 29 when halves 12, 14 are assembled ~
in the closed position (See Figure 3). CD
Figure 1 illustrates the guard apparatus 10 of the present invention in its functional pcsition about a typical flanged boltcd connection 27. In Figure 1, there can be seen guard 10, latch housing 25, hinge 16, and padlock 50.
ln The opening 30 in ~uard 10 once assembled allows the passage of Christmas tree 20 therethrough as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 2, there can be seen the affixation of guard 10 to a flanged, bolted connection 27, with opening ~0 allowing a more narrow portion of the lS Christmas tree 20 to pass therethrough. This narrow portion is desigllated by t~e numeral 70 in Figure 2.
I`ig~res 3 alld 3~ illustrate an alternative construction o~ the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present inven-tion designated generally by the numeral 11~ ~,uard apparatus 11 will be substantially identical to the embodiment illustrate in Figures 4 and 4A, but there are also bottom plate 15B, 17B pro-vided to each guard half 12, 14.` `An opening 30B similar to opening 30 in Figure 5 allows a valve or pipe to pass therethrough. The el~ odimellt illustrated in Figures 3 and 3A and designated by tl-c numcral 11 will be utilized on flanged connections where the guard could be moved in either direction away from the flanged ~onnection 27. The embocliment shown in Figures 4 and 4A as was ~iscussed ~ith respect to the preferred embodiment will be utilized Ol~ llanged conllections where movement of the guard apparatus in onlv 3a possible in one~ direction. Such an example of the application of guard apparatus 11 would be in the case of a simple bolted flanged connection of a pipeline. If the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 4A were utilized, the entire guard apparatus 10 could be merely slid off the flanged connection in the direction 3, coincident with the bore of the pipeline. However, if the flanged connection were immediatel.y adjacent a huge valve body for e~ample, movement away from the flanged connection 27 could not be accomplished. In such a case, the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 4A could be used. _~_ ~64679 1 Guards 10, 11 could be manufacturecl of any suitable preferably structural material, such as steel or the like.
The construction would be generally welded for strength. A
suitably thickened metal should be used such as one quarter inch (1/4") or one half inch (1/2") plate steel. If used in corrosive environments, such as offshore, the device could be manufactured of stainless steel, or could be painted with a suitable protective anti-corrosive coating.
The guard apparatus of the present invention as above described would thus provide a suitable structural anti-theft covering to the bolted connection of a Christmas tree 20 which bolted connection is highly susceptible to disassembly ~hus allowlng the theft of the entire Christmas tree or like valuable piping implement or fitting itself.
Guard 10 would be a significant deterent -to an individual attempting to steal Christmas tree 20 or like expensive fitting. When so used as is taught with the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, guard 10 will only be removed by using time consuming and destructive means, such as a welding .>0 torch to cut through the steel. 1~his would present a significant amount of equipment; as well as, a significant amount of time to the thief and thus discourage his theft of the device.
Thc guard 10 taught by the present invention would be easily fabricated in a welding shop, and could be easily fabricated of steel as above described.
Lock housing 40, latches 32, 32 and lock carriage 36 provide a combination locking arrangement to guard 10 which allows a relatively inexpensive padlock 50 to form the finally locking function once the device is constructed within the teaching of the present invention.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpre~ted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
What is claimed as inventlon is:
General Background and Prior Art In the oil and gas industry, it is well known that the pp~r most portion of a well as it leaves the surface of the ~round is provided with a structure known in the art as a "Christmas tree". The Christmas tree is yenerally an assembly of valves, tees, crosses, and other fi-ttings at the well head used to control oil or gas production and to give access to the well tubing. Other fittings such as choke jackets, pressure yuages, and the like, can become part of what is known in the art as t}le "Christmas tree".
This assembly of valves, tees and other fittings which is affixed to the gas well or oil well at the well head is ~nerally attached to the well head by means of a flan(3ed bolted collnectioll.
This merely refers to a connection in which two flanged memb~rs (usually circular in shape) are abutted together in a face-to-face relationship, with each flanye member having a plurality of peripheral holes which are aligned during assembly to provide a plurality of aligned openings through which bolted connections call be made. These nut and bolt fasteners are placed through the holes and tightened and the connection is perfected by means of a torque wrench or the like so that no leakage occurs.
Many times, a master va]ve is provided on the Christmas tree whic}-~
~, _ ,~
1~46~9 `- ' , ;
l controls th-` tlow o (]as or oil directl.y ~rom thc wcl]. i.tsclf.
This valvc call be closed, prevellting any flow of wel.l to the Shristmas tree itself. When the master control valve is closed, the Christmas tree can be entirely removed by disassembling one of the bolted connections above the master valve itself on the Christmas tree. Since many oil fields are in remote areas where adec~uate security is often not possible, and because the bolted connections are easily disassembled, the expensive Christmas tree structure is highly susceptible to theft by persons having some skill in piping, or generally some experience in oil or gas field work.
The thieves could in removing a Chri.stmas tree use a truck equipped with an air compressor and proper power tools.
In a remote oil field, the bolted connection could quickly be broken and the Christmas tree hoisted on to the truck and removed with the entire theft being undetected in most cases. I`he owner of the well who is victimized in such a way not only loses the price of the Christmas tree itself, but is further faced with the cost of installing a new Christmas tree in its proper position, alld he loses vclluable pr.oductiorn`c)f oil or gas while the well i~self is shut clown.
Ot~ vcllud~l~ ty~ piplng aevices such as very expensive valves, are faced similarly with the problem as above described w.ith respect to oil or gas well Christmas trees. Many times, .~.5 a very expellsive control valve could be mounted on a pipeline itself, and could be easily removed by unbolting as is the case with the Christmas tree structure. These valves and con-tollers are quite expensive, and their removal likewise brings a loss of production or supply of oil or gas flowing with the pipeline.
It is to this general problem that the pxesent invention is directed.
Several locking type c3evices have been patented which have attempted to solve the problern generally of preventing the removal of a bolt from a nut and thus, securing in a locking ~. J ~ - "~ r ~467~ ;
1 manner a bolted connection. None of the prior art devices, however, solves the problems and shortcomings which have plagued the prior art and which problems are solved by the present in-vention in a simple, inexpensive and effective manner.
~lost prior art devices which have been patented relate generally to the problem of providing a locking assembly or a nut or bolt on an individual bol-ted connection. U. S. Patent Number 3,295,579 entitled "Lock Bolt" and assigned to Allis Chalmers Manufacturin(3 Company of Milwau~ee, Wisconsin shows such a locking assembly for an individual bolt.
~. S. Patent ~umber 3,600,914 entitled "Theft Prevention evice for Tractor Drawn Trailers" shows a prior art type locking ~vic~ for tractor trailer trucks to prevent their theft.
l1.S. ~atent ~umber 3,930,432 entitled "~astening Assembly"
1?~ provides a protective cover over a bol-ted connection. A cap and base element are provided which can be welded toge-ther marginally to prevent access to the bolt head itself.
U. S. Patent Number 3,696,646 also shows an assembly for locking a single nut or bolt to resist unwanted removal.
These prior art devices unfortunately require that s~par~te lockin~ mechanism be provided for each individual bolt. This method of locking each individual bolt can become ~3uite expensive and time consuminc3 when attempting to solve the p~bl~m presented above and as solved by the present invention.
~lany bolted flanged connections in piping require as many as t~lve (12) or more bolts to complete a bolted connection. The n~lmber of bolts is, of course, a function generally of the diameter of the flanged connection.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a guard apparatus having an overall structure which protectively encapsulates an entire bolted connection portion of a piping system denying access to the bolts in the bolted conllect iOIl .
It is another object of the present invention to provide and oil/gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus having an overall 6~7~
structure which protectively encapsulates an en-tire bolted connection portion of an oil well Christmas tree apparatus denying access to the bolts in the bolted connection.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree guard apparatus which is simple, economical, and easy to construct.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree guard apparatus which provides a pair of hingedly connected guard halves which can assemble and disassemble for quick placement or removal from a selected Christmas tree flanged connection.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree guard apparatus wherein the latching and hinge portions of the guard apparatus are themselves pro-tectively covered by encasing protective shrouds or housings, thus discouraging disassembly of the guard by vandalism.
A feature of the present invention is that it will substantially encapsulate and cover all of the bolt and nut members of a flanged piping connection at for example, an ~0 oil/gas well Christmas tree.
Another feature of the present invention is that it provides a guard apparatus which is difficult to disassemble, and discourages removal of itself by vandalism from an oil or gas well Christmas tree apparatus and thus, discourages, or prevents theft of the well Christmas tree itself.
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided an oil/gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus com-prising a) a shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, each of the shroud halves having a sidewall portion and an attached top portion, b) hinge means for pivotally attaching the pair of shroud halves, the shroud halves being pivotally movable from a closed protection position about a flanged bolted ~ ~ . ~
6~675~
connection of the Christmas tree to an open position for removal from the flanged bolted connection portion of the Christmas tree, ~he shroud hal~es forming a protective enclosure about the flanged bolted connection in the closed position, so as to prevent removal of the bolts therefrom and further forming, in the closed position~ a central open-ing in the top portion of the shroud through which opening a portion of the Christmas tree at the bolted connection can pass, c) a pair of latches securing the pair of shroud halves in the closed position, at least one of the latches being provided with a lock carriage, a conventional padlock being affixable to the latches at the lock carriage, and so secllred, preventing a release of the latches from the closed position; and d) a lock housing at least partially surround-ing during locked operation the lock carriage and an affixed padlock, the lock housing fitting about the carriage and the padlock while affixed to the locX carriage, yet being removable from the lock carriage with the padlock.
In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a flanged connection guard apparatus comprising a) a protective shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, the shroud halves being hingedly connected and movable between open and closed positions, and providing a space therebetween for the placement of a bolted connection within the shroud halves when the shroud halves are assembled in the closed position, b) a lock carriage formed on the pair of shroud halves when the pair of shroud halves are assembled together in the closed position, the lock carriage providing a plcce for the attachment of a conventional padlock thereto, with the placement of the conventional padlock on the lock carriage thereafter preventing disassembly of the shroud halves, c) a lock housing at least partially surrounding the lock carriage and a padlock affixed to the lock carriage during locked closed ~ 4a -~L646~79 operation, the lock housing being secured to the shroud by the lock carriage and the affixed padlock during such closed operation.
- 4b -6~79 1 Brief nescri~ltion of thc~ nrawin~Ts _ . _ . . .... . . . . . ... . _ _ . ... . _ _ . _ . . .
For a further understancling of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had -to the followinq detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are give like reference numerals ancl wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical oil/gas Christmas tree apparatus showing the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention affixed thereto at a bolted connectioll;
Figure 2 is a perspective partially cut-away view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the pre:Eerred, embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 3A is a side view of the pr~ferred ernbodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a front view of an alternate construction of the apparatus of the present invention;
:)0 Figure 4A is a side view of an alternative construction of the preTerred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invent:ion;
F`igure 5 is a top view of the embodiment shown in Fi~ures 3-4~;
Fi~ure~ 6A-6C are top and front views respectively ?~ ~ the lock housing portion of the embodiment shown in Figures 3-5;
Figures 7A and 7B are side and front views respectively of a hin~e member portion of the ernbodiments shown in Figures 3-5.
Figure 8 is a partial front view of the hinge por-tion of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
1 Detailed Description of the Prefe r d F,mbodiment In Fiyure 1, there can be~ seen a perspective view of a ~ypical oil or gas well Christmas tree 20. Chris-tmas tree 20 is known in the art generally as an assembly of valves, tees, crosses, and other fittings at the well head, used to control oil or gas production and to give access to the well tubing.
As can further be seen by an inspection of Figure 1, bolted con-nections 27 are provided on Christmas tree 20 which bolted connections 27 are generally flanged connections and provide points for the disassembly of Christmas tree 20 as is known in the art.
In Figure 1, Christmas tree 20 is provided at one bolted ~langed connection 27 with the Christmas tree guard apparatus 10 of the prescl-t invention attachecl thereto with the bolted connection 27 being shown in phantom lines.
Figures 2 through 7 illustrate more particularly the structure of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the - present invention designated generally in Figures 2 and 3 by the numeral 10.
Guard 10 is comprised generally of a pair of guard shroud halves 12, 14. Shroud halves 12, 14 are generally circular, havillg annular ~eripheral side walls 18 and each having a semi-circular shroud top portion 15, 17 respectively.
A view of Figure 2 will reveal that each shroud top portlon 15, 17 is generally semi-ci.rcular, but having an inner cut out portion to provide a circular opening 30 in guard body 12 when the two (2) shroud halves 12, 14 are assembled, as is illus~rated in Figure 2. It should be understood that this "assembled" or "closed" position is the position which guard 10 will assume when its in its protective, closed and if desired locked position about a desired flanged, bolted connection, 27.
This operative closed position is also seen in Figure 1.
Shroud halves 12, 14 will move pivotally apar~ (See arrows, F`igure 2). As shroud halves 12, 19 move apart in a such a fashioll, guard assembly 10 can be removed or placed upon Lhe desired boltcd conl-ection with the latchcci 32, 34 thcrea~ter . _ ~ J
~ ~ ~j4~b7~
l bcinc~ secur~d by lock housing 40 and padlock 50, as will be described more fully hereinafter.
~ote however at this time, that lock housing 40 slips over latches 32, 34 with`latches 32, 34 penetrating openings 42 which are sized to correspond with the front faces 32a, 34a (and cross sectional area) of latches 32, 34. Before loc'~
hOUSi.119 40 is so positiGned, a padlock 50 can be inserted throu~h opening 60 and during insertion of housing 40 to latches :~2, 34 hung on lock carriage grooves 36 of latches 32, 34.
Shims 41 insure a tight fit of lock 50 within housing 40. Top ~3 deters vandalism to cut lock 50 once affi.xed.
~in~e structure 16 is best shown in Figure 8. Hinge 16 can be a conventional type hinye structure having an inner hinge pin 16a and a plurality of outer hinge collars 21a-21c.
It will be understood that two (2) hinge collars 21a and 21c will be affixed to one of the shroud halves 12 with the other hinge collar 21b affixed to the other shroud half 14. Thus, a pivotal hinge connection will be forrned as is desirable.
A pair of hinge covers 22, 24 (See Figure 5) will ~0 protectively cover h~nge 16 to prevent or at least deter the removal of yuard structure 10 by a disassembly at hinge 16 by vandalism or other destruction. Hinge covers 22, 24 provide an inner hin~e cover 24 and an outer hinge cover 22 which arcuatly correspond to one another and pivotally move with ~5 each shroud half 12, 14 to which is attached ~See arrows 23, Figure 5).
The structure of guard 10 is further shown in Figures 3-6.
A pair of latches 32, 34 are attached to shroud halves 12, 14 respectively at the opposite portion from hinge structure lG.
Latches 32, 34 are each generally affixed by welding or like means to its corresponding shroud half 12, 14 respectively (See Figures 2 and 3).
The outwardly extendiny portion of each latch mernber 32, 34 abutts in a face-to-face rel.ltionship, with each providiny - 1 an upper lock carria~ cJroove 36 which can be f~r example a semi-circular groove cut in the upper surface portion of eaeh latch member 32, 34, and sized to hold the upper or shackle 51 ~
portion of padlock 50. ~D
~ In Figure 7A there can be seen latch 32 with its loc~ carriage groove 36 and a lock 50 attached thereto shown in phantom lines. Each latch 32, 34 further provides an under-side latch recess 31 which provides a space for the lower body portion of lock 50.
Latches 32, 34 carrying padlock 50 at lock carriage 36 will thus be prevented from lateral movement to an opened position as is illustrated by the arrows of Figure 2.
In Figures 6A-6C, there is seen a lock housing 40 having a pair of generally rectangular openings 42. Lock housing 40 slides onto and fits over the assembled latches 32, 34 when they are in their elosed position. Lock housing 40 can be seen in phantom lines as shown in Figure 5.
From the abovc, one can see that a ty~ical col)vclltional padlock 50 will be piaced into the space 60 provided within the peripheral ai~e walls 62 of housing 40 before it assemhl.y with .. latches 3,, 34. In Figures 2 and 5, there can be seen four (4)peripheral side walls 62 which are integrally form2d providinc~
an inner lock recess 60. A lower opening is providecl to lock houàin~3 40 all.owiTlg a conventional padlock 50 to be added to the padlock space 60 before placemellt of housing 40 ovc~r l.atches 32, 34.
~ith lock shackle 51 resting on lock carriage 36 and completely surrounded by lock housing 40 i.n a protect.ive manner, ~he padlock shackle 51 is closed, thereafter performi.ng its locking fullction by preventin~ the lateral. movemellt of latches 32, 34.
Note from an inspection of Figures 2 and 6a-6c that a plurality or shim members 4:L can be used to fit pad].ock 50 to housing 40 with minimum tolerances. Preferably, shims 41 would be utili.zed to insure a very tight fit of padl.ock 50 within the inllerspace 60 of housing 4(). Such a shimming would further discoura~e vandalism by the placement of any pryin~ tools into the spacers betweeTl lock 50 and walls 62 of housi.ng ~ln.
An inspection of Figure 7A will illustrate how padlock 50 and its shackle 51 are affixed to latches 32, 24 cn to prevent the removal of housing 40 therefrom. ~ote that the front face 32a, 34a is of a height of Dl. However, a d-istance D2 is provided and si~ed -to correspond with a selected padlock 50 Wit]l D2 being the distance between the padlock 50 and the upper portion of shackle 50 when padlock 50 is locked.
D2 further represents a minimal distance between lock carriage 36 and recess 31. It will be seen from the above, that a removal of lock 50 will not be possible once the shackle 51 portion has been secured since the distance D2 between the shackle 5I and the lock 50 will be smaller than distance Dl. Distance Dl could be provided of a distance lesser than the distance between lock 50 and shackle 51 when th2 lock is opened, allowing removal of the lock 50 from latches 32, 34 after opening of lock 50 by key.
l~rom the above, lt will be seen that each guard apparatus 10 must be supplied by~a manufacturer Wit}l a lock which corresronds to the above specifications, namely, the lock ~hrn ~l)elled must ~ave a clearance which all~ws it to be place~ over the front fac~ 32a, 34a of latches 32 34, the distance . .
l-l beillc3 illustrated in Fiyure 7~. Further, the lock ITI~St have a clearance which is approximately equal to distance D2 namely the distance between lock carriage 36 and the innerface 31a of recess 31. Generally, thc padlock will be inserted into space 60 of housing 40 before the insertion of housing 40 and the enclosed lock 50 over latches 32,34. During this insertion, shackle 51 of lock 50 will be opened. Once housing 40 and the enclosed lock 50 are applied to latch 34, 36 padlock 50 will be secured (See Figures 1 and jA) by closing shackle 51.
In this position the padlock 50 can be unlocked qnly hy a person having the key thereto. Recess 31 prevents removal of lock housing 40 after the padlock lS closed. The entire assembly of lock 50 and housing 40 will be easily slipped off latches 32, 34 when-a key unlocks padlock 50.
The entire assembly of latches 32, 34 and lock housing 40 with its enclosed padlock 50 is further protectively covered by a latch housing 25 which is gene~ally rectangular as is seen in i~igures 2 and 3. I.atch housillg 25 is provic-le~ with two (2) generally ell shaped members 26, 28 which members correspond ~
to one another being of substantially identical shape and $
size and mate at surface 29 when halves 12, 14 are assembled ~
in the closed position (See Figure 3). CD
Figure 1 illustrates the guard apparatus 10 of the present invention in its functional pcsition about a typical flanged boltcd connection 27. In Figure 1, there can be seen guard 10, latch housing 25, hinge 16, and padlock 50.
ln The opening 30 in ~uard 10 once assembled allows the passage of Christmas tree 20 therethrough as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 2, there can be seen the affixation of guard 10 to a flanged, bolted connection 27, with opening ~0 allowing a more narrow portion of the lS Christmas tree 20 to pass therethrough. This narrow portion is desigllated by t~e numeral 70 in Figure 2.
I`ig~res 3 alld 3~ illustrate an alternative construction o~ the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present inven-tion designated generally by the numeral 11~ ~,uard apparatus 11 will be substantially identical to the embodiment illustrate in Figures 4 and 4A, but there are also bottom plate 15B, 17B pro-vided to each guard half 12, 14.` `An opening 30B similar to opening 30 in Figure 5 allows a valve or pipe to pass therethrough. The el~ odimellt illustrated in Figures 3 and 3A and designated by tl-c numcral 11 will be utilized on flanged connections where the guard could be moved in either direction away from the flanged ~onnection 27. The embocliment shown in Figures 4 and 4A as was ~iscussed ~ith respect to the preferred embodiment will be utilized Ol~ llanged conllections where movement of the guard apparatus in onlv 3a possible in one~ direction. Such an example of the application of guard apparatus 11 would be in the case of a simple bolted flanged connection of a pipeline. If the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 4A were utilized, the entire guard apparatus 10 could be merely slid off the flanged connection in the direction 3, coincident with the bore of the pipeline. However, if the flanged connection were immediatel.y adjacent a huge valve body for e~ample, movement away from the flanged connection 27 could not be accomplished. In such a case, the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 4A could be used. _~_ ~64679 1 Guards 10, 11 could be manufacturecl of any suitable preferably structural material, such as steel or the like.
The construction would be generally welded for strength. A
suitably thickened metal should be used such as one quarter inch (1/4") or one half inch (1/2") plate steel. If used in corrosive environments, such as offshore, the device could be manufactured of stainless steel, or could be painted with a suitable protective anti-corrosive coating.
The guard apparatus of the present invention as above described would thus provide a suitable structural anti-theft covering to the bolted connection of a Christmas tree 20 which bolted connection is highly susceptible to disassembly ~hus allowlng the theft of the entire Christmas tree or like valuable piping implement or fitting itself.
Guard 10 would be a significant deterent -to an individual attempting to steal Christmas tree 20 or like expensive fitting. When so used as is taught with the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, guard 10 will only be removed by using time consuming and destructive means, such as a welding .>0 torch to cut through the steel. 1~his would present a significant amount of equipment; as well as, a significant amount of time to the thief and thus discourage his theft of the device.
Thc guard 10 taught by the present invention would be easily fabricated in a welding shop, and could be easily fabricated of steel as above described.
Lock housing 40, latches 32, 32 and lock carriage 36 provide a combination locking arrangement to guard 10 which allows a relatively inexpensive padlock 50 to form the finally locking function once the device is constructed within the teaching of the present invention.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpre~ted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
What is claimed as inventlon is:
Claims (10)
1. An oil/gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus comprising:
a. a shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, each of said shroud halves having a sidewall portion and an attached top portion;
b. hinge means for pivotally attaching said pair of shroud halves, said shroud halves being pivotally movable from a closed protection position about a flanged bolted connection of the Christmas tree to an open position for removal from the flanged bolted connection portion of the Christmas tree, said shroud halves forming a protective enclosure about the flanged bolted connection in said closed position, so as to prevent removal of the bolts therefrom and further forming, in said closed posi-tion, a central opening in said top portion of said shroud through which opening a portion of the Christmas tree at the bolted connection can pass;
c. A pair of latches securing said pair of shroud halves in said closed position, at least one of said latches being provided with a lock carriage, a conventional padlock being affixable to said latches at said lock carriage, and so secured, preventing a release of said latches from said closed position; and d. a lock housing at least partially surrounding during locked operation said lock carriage and an affixed padlock, said lock housing fitting about said carriage and the padlock while affixed to said lock carriage, yet being removable from said lock carriage with the padlock.
a. a shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, each of said shroud halves having a sidewall portion and an attached top portion;
b. hinge means for pivotally attaching said pair of shroud halves, said shroud halves being pivotally movable from a closed protection position about a flanged bolted connection of the Christmas tree to an open position for removal from the flanged bolted connection portion of the Christmas tree, said shroud halves forming a protective enclosure about the flanged bolted connection in said closed position, so as to prevent removal of the bolts therefrom and further forming, in said closed posi-tion, a central opening in said top portion of said shroud through which opening a portion of the Christmas tree at the bolted connection can pass;
c. A pair of latches securing said pair of shroud halves in said closed position, at least one of said latches being provided with a lock carriage, a conventional padlock being affixable to said latches at said lock carriage, and so secured, preventing a release of said latches from said closed position; and d. a lock housing at least partially surrounding during locked operation said lock carriage and an affixed padlock, said lock housing fitting about said carriage and the padlock while affixed to said lock carriage, yet being removable from said lock carriage with the padlock.
2. The guard apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lock housing is a generally rectangular housing defining an inner padlock space and having a plurality of connected peripheral walls with an opening communicating with said padlock space and there is a central latch opening through said housing penetrating at least one of said walls and being receptive of said latches when closed, and said lock carriage occupies a portion of the inner padlock space of said lock housing when a padlock secures said latches and said pair of shroud halves are in said closed position.
3. The guard apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lock carriage is a groove cut on the upper surface portion of at least one of said latches.
4. The guard apparatus of claim 1 wherein said latches each have a lower recess receptive of a padlock and a lock carriage recess receptive of a padlock shackle
5. A flanged connection guard apparatus comprising:
a. a protective shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, said shroud halves being hingedly connected and movable between open and closed positions, and providing a space therebetween for the placement of a bolted connection within the shroud halves when the shroud halves are assembled in the closed position.
b. a lock carriage formed on said pair of shroud halves when said pair of shroud halves are assembled together in said closed position, said lock carriage providing a place for the attachment of a conventional padlock thereto, with the placement of the conventional padlock on the lock carriage thereafter preventing disassembly of said shroud halves, c. a lock housing at least partially surrounding said lock carriage and a padlock affixed to the lock carriage during locked closed operation, the lock housing being secured to the shroud by the lock carriage and the affixed padlock during such closed operation.
a. a protective shroud comprising a pair of shroud halves, said shroud halves being hingedly connected and movable between open and closed positions, and providing a space therebetween for the placement of a bolted connection within the shroud halves when the shroud halves are assembled in the closed position.
b. a lock carriage formed on said pair of shroud halves when said pair of shroud halves are assembled together in said closed position, said lock carriage providing a place for the attachment of a conventional padlock thereto, with the placement of the conventional padlock on the lock carriage thereafter preventing disassembly of said shroud halves, c. a lock housing at least partially surrounding said lock carriage and a padlock affixed to the lock carriage during locked closed operation, the lock housing being secured to the shroud by the lock carriage and the affixed padlock during such closed operation.
6. The guard apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lock housing is separable from said lock carriage upon removal of a padlock affixed to the lock carriage.
7. The guard apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a pair of latches secured respectively to said pair of shroud halves, said latches being adjacent when said shroud halves are moved to a closed position.
8. The guard apparatus of claim 7 wherein said latches provide thereon, said lock carriage.
9. The guard apparatus of claim 6 wherein said lock carriage is formed by a pair of latches provided respectively on said pair of shroud halves, and said latches each provide a lock carriage thereon for the affixation to said pair of latches, and there is further provided a padlock means for preventing disassembly of said latches.
10. The guard apparatus of claim 9 wherein the latch housing surrounds the pair of latches and said padlock means during operation.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000363423A CA1164679A (en) | 1980-10-28 | 1980-10-28 | Well christmas tree guard apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000363423A CA1164679A (en) | 1980-10-28 | 1980-10-28 | Well christmas tree guard apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1164679A true CA1164679A (en) | 1984-04-03 |
Family
ID=4118281
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000363423A Expired CA1164679A (en) | 1980-10-28 | 1980-10-28 | Well christmas tree guard apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1164679A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009070880A1 (en) * | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Paul Brian Fahie | Lock for cam-and-groove coupler |
-
1980
- 1980-10-28 CA CA000363423A patent/CA1164679A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009070880A1 (en) * | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Paul Brian Fahie | Lock for cam-and-groove coupler |
| US8632103B2 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2014-01-21 | Parrish Enterprises, Ltd. | Lock for cam-and-groove coupler |
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