JP2022545864A - Nipples for screw-type couplings, couplings and methods for connecting nipples - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a nipple for a screw-type coupling. The nipple is a hand-held movable nipple, having one or more threads (12) for a threaded connection in the coupling and having a locking sleeve (10) with a gear (20) and a gear (20 ) and having one or more pinions (22) containing means (24) for connecting to an external rotary tool, and rotatably supporting the lock sleeve (10), It comprises a nipple body (40) that supports the gear housing (30) and a stopper (50) that prevents relative rotation between the nipple body (40) and the gear housing (30). Also disclosed herein are such nipples and couplings in screw-type couplings. The method applies to the step of aligning the nipple and coupling to engage the threaded connection and the means (24) for connecting the hand held electric rotary power tool (80) to the external rotary tool. and operating a handheld electric rotary power tool (80) to rotate the locking sleeve (10), thereby connecting the nipple in the screw-type coupling with the coupling. [Selection drawing] Fig. 6

Description

The present disclosure relates to screw to connect couplings, one type of quick connect coupling. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to nipples for screw-type couplings and methods of connecting such nipples to couplings in screw-type couplings.

A quick connect coupling comprises a male part, the nipple, and a female part, the coupling. A screw-type coupling is a type of quick-connect coupling that is connected by screwing one of the nipple and coupling into the other. As such, screw-type couplings are known, but their handling and operation have attracted attention in recent years. US Pat. No. 2,967,069 and US Pat. No. 1,379,519 disclose prior art useful in understanding the background art.

One challenge, for example, is the time it takes to screw a nipple into the corresponding coupling. This task can take several minutes and it is desirable to reduce the time significantly, preferably by 75%. Screw-type couplings are often quite large. The pressure within the coupling and within the fluid system to which it belongs makes this difficult. In many cases, there are not only spatial constraints but also environmental concerns where the couplings are located. Due to these problems, connecting a screw-type coupling is not only time-consuming, but also requires a lot of work.

A further problem is that the solution to these problems must be connectable to conventional screw-type couplings. Regardless of any modifications made to the nipples or couplings in the screw-type couplings, the conventional nipples and couplings must be connectable to the modified nipples and couplings.

It would also be desirable to provide a robust screw-type coupling that is inexpensive and easily manufacturable. Additionally, the screw-type coupling must be able to provide good and reliable flow through the coupling. The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,967,069 British Patent No. 1379519

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a nipple for a screw-type coupling and a method for connecting such a nipple and a coupling in a screw-type coupling.

This task can be solved by the features defined in the independent claims. Further configurations are characterized by the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment, a nipple for a screw-type coupling is disclosed, the nipple being a handheld movable nipple. The nipple has one or more threads 12 for a threaded connection in the coupling and has a locking sleeve 10 with a gear 20 and means 24 for engaging the gear 20 and connecting to an external rotary tool. a gear housing 30 having one or more pinions 22 including a nipple body 40 rotatably supporting the lock sleeve 10 and supporting the gear housing 30; relative rotation between the nipple body 40 and the gear housing 30; and a stopper 50 for preventing Gears 20 are circumferentially disposed about locking sleeve 10 and are oriented axially away from the face of the nipple. Gear 20 is integral with locking sleeve 10, so locking sleeve 10 and gear 20 constitute the same part and are separate parts from the nipple.

According to one embodiment, locking sleeve 10, gear housing 30, and nipple body 40 may be separate parts in the nipple.

According to one embodiment, nipple body 40 may have one or more openings 46 for receiving at least a portion of one or more pinions 22 .

According to one embodiment, the pinion(s) 22 may be one pinion 22; or two pinions 22 may be arranged 180 degrees to each other; or three pinions 22. can be positioned at 120 degrees to each other.

According to one embodiment, one or more pinions 22 and gears 20 can form bevel gears.

According to one embodiment, each of the one or more pinions 22 may be perpendicular to the axial direction of the nipple and each of the one or more pinions 22 may have an axial projection 23. , each of its axial projections 23 can be supported by a nipple body 40 .

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further comprise a holder 32 connected to the gear housing 30, which holder 32 may retain the pinion 22 of the bevel gear within the gear housing 30 and the nipple body 40. .

According to one embodiment, one or more pinions 22 and gear 20 may form a worm gear.

According to one embodiment, one or two means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool may be arranged one at one end of the pinion 22 in the worm gear or one at each end, in which case The two means 24 can be arranged one on each side of each other and aligned perpendicularly to the axial direction of the nipple.

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further comprise a locking mechanism 60, 62, 64 for locking or unlocking the locking sleeve 10 with respect to the nipple body 40.

According to one embodiment, locking sleeve 10 may be mounted between nipple body 40 and gear housing 30 .

According to one embodiment, the stopper 50 may be a plurality of stoppers 50, each stopper 50 being partly positionable in the groove 52 of the nipple body 40 and partly in the groove of the gear housing 30. It can be placed within 54.

According to one embodiment, a screw-type coupling comprises a nipple according to embodiments disclosed herein and a coupling.

According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for connecting a nipple according to any one of the above embodiments and a coupling in a screw-type coupling. The method comprises steps 910 of aligning the nipple and coupling to engage the threaded connection, applying 920 to the means 24 for connecting the handheld electric rotary power tool 80 to an external rotary tool, and Step 930 of operating the handheld electric rotary power tool 80 to rotate the locking sleeve 10, thereby connecting the nipple in the screw-type coupling with the coupling.

According to one embodiment, the method of the present invention may further comprise the following steps when the nipple and coupling with locking mechanism are connected. That is, a step 940 of locking the locking sleeve 10 to the nipple body 40 using the locking mechanisms 60, 62, 64 can be further included.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a quick connect screw-type coupling is provided. In at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided where the locking sleeve can be easily and quickly manipulated to establish a connection with the coupling. In at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manufacture, and robust. In at least one embodiment, a method is provided for connecting such nipples and couplings in screw-type couplings.

At least one of the embodiments described above provides one or more solutions to the problems and shortcomings in the background art. Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the present application provide only some of each of the advantages described. Neither advantage is critical to each embodiment. Any embodiment disclosed herein can be technically combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to illustratively explain the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the coupling in a screw-type coupling without gears; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a nipple in a screw-type coupling without a gear; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along line AA of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in FIG. 7; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 14 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along line AA of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in FIG. 13; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a connection method for connecting a nipple and a coupling in a screw-type coupling, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.

Figures 1 and 2 show a screw-type coupling (TLX from CEJN.RTM. TLX) in schematic form without a gear and not the claimed nipple. FIG. 1 shows the female part 1 (also known as coupling 1) in a screw-type coupling. Figure 2 shows the male part 2 (also known as nipple 2) of the coupling. Both Figures 1 and 2 show a cross-sectional view from the center of the screw-type coupling on the left and a schematic representation of the outer surface of the screw-type coupling on the right. The nipple 2 has a locking sleeve 10 that is rotatable relative to the nipple body 40 . By rotating the lock sleeve 10, the inner thread of the lock sleeve 10 meshes with the outer thread of the coupling 1, thereby bringing the coupling 1 and the nipple 2 together so that they can be completely connected. can. A pin 64 can then be inserted to lock the locking sleeve 10 non-rotatably with respect to the nipple body 40 . Pin 64 can be attached by wire 66 to nipple 2 or to a hose connected to nipple 2 .

3-14 show schematic illustrations of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 3-8 show exemplary embodiments with bevel gears and FIGS. 9-14 show exemplary embodiments with worm gears.

3 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment with bevel gears, FIG. 4 shows an end view with nipple body 40 shown, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with bevel gears. indicates FIG. 4 also shows a schematic diagram of how an external rotary tool 80 can be used to drive the bevel gear. The tool 80 can be plugged into one or more pinions having means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool 80, as described below.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment with a nipple bevel gear. Nipples are for screw type couplings. The nipple is a handheld movable nipple. That is, the nipple can be manually handled and moved by an operator, for example, lifted by human strength. The nipple is therefore less than 70 kilos, preferably less than 50 kilos. No external lifting tools or machines need to be used to handle or move the nipple.

The nipple comprises a locking sleeve 10 with one or more threads 12 for threaded connections in the coupling. The locking sleeve can have a single thread or a double thread. Preferably, the locking sleeve has a single thread so that the nipple can be connected to couplings in other existing screw-type couplings. Lock sleeve 10 has a gear 20 . Gears 20 are circumferentially disposed about locking sleeve 10 and are oriented axially away from the face of the nipple. Gear 20 is integral with locking sleeve 10, so locking sleeve 10 and gear 20 constitute the same part and are separate parts from the nipple. Alternatively, locking sleeve 10 and gear 20 may be separate pieces. According to one embodiment, locking sleeve 10 may be substantially cylindrical with one or more threads 12 inside one end thereof. According to one embodiment, the gear 20 is located at the other end of the locking sleeve 10 and can be axially oriented.

The nipple comprises a gear housing 30 having one or more pinions 22 that mesh with the gear 20 . The gear housing 30 can be a separate part, preferably an outer part. The gear housing 30 may be substantially cylindrical and may have a nipple body 40 inside it. One or more pinions 22 have means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool 80, for example as shown in FIG. The rotary tool 80 is not part of the nipple. Means 24 may be any connection for a rotary tool, such as an internal slot or cross drive; internal or external triangle, square, hex, or double square; internal or external Torx; any internal socket head screw; Connections similar to these can be used. Preferably, internal connections are used for means 24 . This allows the rotary tool to engage not only near or inside one or more pinions 22, but also inside the gear housing 30, thus improving stability and handling.

The nipple comprises a nipple body 40, which may also be referred to as the central portion of the male portion that connects to the coupling, which is the female portion. The nipple body 40 rotatably supports the lock sleeve 10 . This allows the locking sleeve 10 to rotate about the stationary nipple body and bring the nipple and coupling together in a screw-type coupling. Nipple body 40 supports gear housing 30 . The nipple can be fluid, eg hydraulic, pneumatic, high pressure fluid. The nipple can be for a single fluid hose or can be a coaxial nipple.

The nipple is provided with a stop 50 that prevents relative rotation between its body 40 and gear housing 30 . The stop may be an elongated stop member 50 partially within a groove in nipple body 40 and partially within a corresponding groove in gear housing 30 . The nipple body 40 and the gear housing 30 together with the stopper 50 can rotatably support the locking sleeve 10 . This allows the lock sleeve 10 to rotate relative to the nipple body 40 and gear housing 30 . Locking sleeve 10 can be rendered non-rotatable relative to nipple body 40 and gear housing 30 by separate locking mechanisms 60, 62, 64, as described below, thereby providing a screw-type coupling. The nipple and coupling are lockable.

Locking sleeve 10, nipple body 40, and gear housing 30 may be separate parts in the nipple. Separate parts are clearly shown in FIGS. 3-14. This allows easy assembly of the nipple. According to one embodiment, locking sleeve 10 is mounted between nipple body 40 and gear housing 30, preferably rotatably mounted. Preferably, one end of lock sleeve 10 is rotatably mounted between nipple body 40 and gear housing 30 . According to one embodiment, gear housing 30 can partially overlap lock sleeve 10 . According to one embodiment, gear housing 30 may overlap nipple body 40 . According to one embodiment, the lock sleeve 10 can be partially inserted into the gear housing 30 as well as partially overlapped with the nipple body 40 . The nipple body 40 may have a first surface 42 axially that prevents the locking sleeve 10 from axially disengaging from the nipple body 40 . The locking sleeve is thereby retainable between the nipple body first surface 42 and the gear housing 30 . The nipple body 40 can essentially consist of two parts, which can be assembled, eg screwed together. One part can have a first side 42 and the other part can have a second side 44, as best shown in FIGS. Portions of gear housing 30 and lock sleeve 10 are retainable between first surface 42 and second surface 44 such that portions of gear housing 30 and lock sleeve 10 are axially held by nipple body 40. held. This allows the nipple to be easily assembled, resulting in a robust nipple.

According to one embodiment, nipple body 40 may have one or more openings 46 for receiving at least a portion of one or more pinions 22 . One or more pinions 22 can thereby be rotatably supported by the nipple body 40 . Gear housing 30 may have one or more openings 36 for receiving at least a portion of one or more pinions 22 . Thereby, one or more pinions 22 may be rotatably supported by gear housing 30, as best shown in FIGS.

According to one embodiment, the one or more pinions 22 may be one pinion 22; or two pinions 22 preferably arranged at 180 degrees to each other; pinions 22 can be preferably arranged at 120 degrees to each other. This allows for easy access with rotary power tool 80 to operate the gear of the nipple in a screw-type coupling.

According to one embodiment, one or more pinions 22 and gears 20 may form bevel gears, as best shown in FIGS. 6-8. The bevel gear can be a straight bevel gear, a spiral bevel gear, a zerol bevel gear, or a hypoid bevel gear.

According to one embodiment, each of the one or more pinions 22 may be arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the nipple. Each of the one or more pinions 22 can have an axial projection 23 and each axial projection 23 can be supported by the nipple body 40 . The axial projection 23 can be directed toward the central portion of the nipple. Preferably, each axial projection 23 is fittable within each opening 46 of the nipple body 40 . Thereby, one end of the axial projection 23 can be supported by the nipple body 40 . Each of the one or more pinions 22 can have an extension 25 and each extension 25 can be supported by a holder 32 .

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further comprise one or more holders 32 connected to the gear housing 30 . Each holder 32 can hold a respective pinion 22 of the bevel gear within the gear housing 30 . The holder 32 can hold the pinion 22 within and/or against the nipple body 40 , preferably within the opening 46 . Thus, one end of axial projection 23 can be supported by nipple body 40 and the opposite end of pinion 22 can be supported by holder 32 and opening 36 in gear housing 30 . The holder 32 can be a screw head with an opening for the pinion.

According to one embodiment, each pinion 22 may have a diameter that fits into each opening 36 of gear housing 30 . According to one embodiment, the stopper 50 may be a plurality of stoppers 50, each stopper 50 being partly positionable in the groove 52 of the nipple body 40 and partly in the groove of the gear housing 30. It can be placed within 54. According to one embodiment, each groove 52 for the stopper 50 in the nipple body 40 can be the same length as the stopper 50 and/or each groove 54 for the stopper 50 in the gear housing 30 can be It can be longer than stop 50 to allow relative sliding movement between nipple body 40 and gear housing 30 during nipple assembly. This is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 12. FIG.

9 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment with a worm gear, FIG. 10 shows an end view with the nipple body 40 shown, and FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with a worm gear. indicates FIG. 10 also shows a schematic of how an external rotary tool 80 can be used to drive the worm gear.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment with a worm gear on the nipple. Nipples are for screw type couplings. According to one embodiment, one or more pinions 22 and gear 20 form a worm gear (worm drive). According to one embodiment, the nipple comprises only one pinion 22, which pinion 22 may be a worm in the form of a screw. The worm can mesh with gear 20 . Gear 20 may be a worm gear. The worm gear can be a straight worm gear, a spiral worm gear, a zerol worm gear, or a hypoid worm gear.

According to one embodiment, the nipple has one or two means 24 for connecting to the external rotary tool 80, one at one end of the pinion 22 in the worm gear or one at both ends of the pinion 22 in the worm gear. can have each. The two means 24 can be positioned opposite each other and aligned perpendicular to the axis of the nipple. The two means 24 can be coaxial. The worm gear 22 has means 24 for connection to an external rotary tool 80, for example as shown in FIG. The rotary tool 80 is not part of the nipple. Means 24 may be any connection for a rotary tool, such as an internal slot or cross drive; internal or external triangle, square, hex, or double square; internal or external Torx; any internal socket head screw; Connections similar to these can be used. Preferably, internal connections are used for means 24 . This allows the rotary tool to engage not only near or inside one or more pinions 22 (worm gear 22), but also inside the gear housing 30, thus improving stability and handling.

According to one embodiment, two means 24 are provided, each connectable to the ends of the worm gear 22 . Preferably, this connection is made by a threaded connection, as best shown in FIG. Each end of the worm gear 22 is connectable to means 24 for connecting to an external rotary tool 80 by a holder 32, eg a bolt. Each means 24 may have an extension 25 connected to each end of the worm gear 22 by a holder 32 .

According to one embodiment, the nipple may further comprise a locking mechanism 60, 62, 64 for locking or unlocking the locking sleeve 10 with respect to the nipple body 40. The locking mechanism is best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12. FIG. Pin 64 can be inserted through hole 62 in locking sleeve 10 . A pin 64 can be inserted through one hole 62 from the outside of locking sleeve 10 until it emerges from the other aligned coaxial hole 62 in locking sleeve 10 . The pin 64 can prevent the sides of the nipple body 40 from rotating. Accordingly, pin 64 may be parallel to side 60 . Thereby, the lock sleeve 10 can be non-rotatably locked together with the nipple body 40 .

According to one embodiment, a screw-type coupling includes any one of the embodiments described herein for nipples and couplings. Interchangeability can be ensured by ensuring that the locking sleeve 10 has the same thread and diameter as conventional locking sleeves in other screw-type couplings. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, locking sleeve 10 is freely configurable with the same thread and diameter.

To illustrate the method of the present invention, FIG. 15 illustrates a nipple according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein and a coupling according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in a screw-type coupling. 1 shows a schematic representation of a method for connecting the . The first two method steps 910, 920 can be performed in any order and the other method steps 930, 940 can be performed in order. The method shown in FIG. 15 includes the steps of aligning the nipple and coupling to engage the threaded connection 910 and applying the means 24 for connecting the handheld electric rotary power tool 80 to an external rotary tool. 920 and step 930 of operating the handheld electric rotary power tool 80 to rotate the locking sleeve 10, thereby connecting the nipple in the screw-type coupling with the coupling.

According to one embodiment, the method of the present invention further comprises the following step as a final step when the nipple is provided with a locking mechanism and the nipple and coupling are connected. That is, further including a step 940 of locking the locking sleeve 10 to the nipple body 40 using the locking mechanisms 60,62,64.

According to one embodiment, a hand held electric rotary power tool 80 is used to manipulate a nipple according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein to establish a quick and strong connection. be able to. Even if residual pressure remains in the system connected to the screw-type coupling, the nipple and coupling can be connected by hand-held electric rotary power tools.

According to at least one embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided a nipple for a screw-type coupling, which can be connected quickly and which can overcome residual pressure in the system by force. be. According to at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided, where the locking sleeve can be easily and quickly manipulated to establish a connection with the coupling. According to at least one embodiment, a nipple in a screw-type coupling is provided that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manufacture, and robust. According to at least one embodiment, a method is provided for connecting such nipples and couplings in screw-type couplings.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the nipples in screw-type couplings and the methods for connecting the nipples. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed nipples. The description and examples herein are exemplary only, with the actual scope being defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

1 Coupling 2 Nipple
10 locking sleeve
12 Thread
20 gear
22 Pinion
23 Axial projection
24 Means for connecting to external tools
25 extension
30 gear housing
32 Holder
36 Gear housing 30 opening
40 nipple body
42 1st page
44 Side 2
46 Aperture
50 stopper
52 Groove in nipple body 40
54 Groove in gear housing 30
60 sides
62 holes
64 pins
66 wires
80 external rotary tool

Claims (15)

A nipple for a screw-type coupling, said nipple being a handheld movable nipple,
- a locking sleeve (10) with one or more threads (12) for a threaded connection in the coupling and with a gear (20);
- a gear housing (30) having one or more pinions (22) which mesh with said gear (20) and which include means (24) for connecting to an external rotary tool;
a nipple body (40) that rotatably supports the lock sleeve (10) and that supports the gear housing (30);
a stopper (50) for preventing relative rotation between the nipple body (40) and the gear housing (30);
In a nipple comprising
The gear (20) is circumferentially disposed about the locking sleeve (10) and axially oriented away from the nipple plane, the gear (20) interfacing with the locking sleeve (10). Nipple, characterized in that it is integral and that said locking sleeve (10) and said gear (20) constitute one and the same part and are separate parts from said nipple. A nipple according to claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve (10), the gear housing (30) and the nipple body (40) are separate parts in the nipple. 3. A nipple according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said nipple body (40) defines one or more openings (46) for accommodating at least part of said one or more pinions (22). Have a nipple. Nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pinion or pinions (22) are one pinion (22) or two pinions (22) arranged at 180 degrees to each other. A nipple, which may be a single pinion (22) or three pinions (22) arranged at 120 degrees to each other. Nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pinion(s) (22) and the gear (20) form a bevel gear. 6. A nipple according to claim 5, wherein each of said one or more pinions (22) is perpendicular to the axial direction of said nipple and each of said one or more pinions (22) , axial projections (23), each of said axial projections (23) being supported by said nipple body (40). 7. A nipple according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a holder (32) connected to said gear housing (30), said holder (32) holding said pinion (22) of said bevel gear in said gear housing. (30) and a nipple retained within said nipple body (40). Nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pinion(s) (22) and gear (20) form a worm gear. 9. A nipple according to claim 8, wherein at one end of said pinion (22) in said worm gear, a piece of means (24) for connection to an external rotary tool is arranged and axially of said nipple. two means (24) for connection to an external rotary tool are positioned one on each side, aligned perpendicularly to or at opposite ends of said pinion (22) on said worm gear, and A nipple aligned perpendicular to the axial direction of said nipple. A nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a locking mechanism (60, 62, 64) for locking or unlocking the locking sleeve (10) with respect to the nipple body (40) further comprising a nipple. A nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said locking sleeve (10) is mounted between said nipple body (40) and said gear housing (30). A nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the stopper (50) comprises a plurality of stoppers (50), and a part of each stopper (50) is formed by the nipple body (40). ) and a portion of each stop (50) is located in a groove (54) of the gear housing (30). A screw-type coupling, comprising a nipple according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and a coupling. A method for connecting a nipple and a coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in a screw-type coupling, comprising:
- aligning the nipple and the coupling to engage a threaded connection (910);
- applying (920) a hand-held electric rotary power tool (80) to means (24) for connecting to an external rotary tool;
- operating the handheld electric rotary power tool (80) to rotate the locking sleeve (10), thereby connecting the nipple in the screw-type coupling with the coupling (930);
method including. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein a locking mechanism (60, 62, 64) is used to disengage the locking sleeve (10) when connecting the nipple and the coupling according to claim 10. The method further comprising locking (940) against the nipple body (40).

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