US3037797A - Coupling devices - Google Patents

Description

June 5, 1962 c. c. BROWN COUPLINGDEVICES 4 Sheets+Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 23, 1958 z. W. QM" 0R. 5 m w w i m J A aw r. J; EM 7 Q.b Ma 23333 5 6A oz 3 9 o B .v 4/4 1 a k /77// v W. 7 4m l 22 66 June 5, 1962 Filed Oct. 25, 1958 C. C. BROWN COUPLING DEVICES 26- Z/a/J 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 III;

CICERO C. BROWN I INVENTOR. d B

June 5, 1962 c. 0. BROWN 3,037,797

COUPLING DEVICES Filed Oct. 23, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNE Y5 June 5, 1962 c. c. BROWN COUPLINGDEVICES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 25, 1953 373 0 2 RUB 15a III- I 15a I I5: I 13 CICERO c. BROWN INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 3,037,797 COUPLING DEVICES Cicero C. Brown, 8490 Katy Road, Houston, Tex. Filed Oct. 23, 1958, Ser. No. 769,188 9 Claims. (U. 285-18) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in coupling devices.

In various types of well apparatus, it is desirable to couple or latch a tubular conductor to a particular tool or to another conductor and to subsequently effect a release of said connection. For example, in multiple well production apparatus, a number of tubing strings are run into the well independently of each other and as each string is finally landed, its lower end is connected or coupled to a well packer or other tool; when subsequent removal is necessary, the coupling must, of course, be releasable. Since well tubing strings extend for considerable distances in the order of thousands of feet, it is of advantage if the coupling is engageable and disengageable by a straight longitudinal movement of the conductor and without the necessity of rotating or otherwise manipulating said conductor.

One type of satisfactory coupling device is illustrated in the co-pending application of C.C. Brown and C. B. Cochran, Serial No. 756,552, filed August 22, 1958. In such device, a predetermined upward pull on the conductor will effect a release of the coupled elements and although the invention of said application has been found entirely satisfactory in use, there are certain instances, particularly in the deeper wells involving long tubing strings, where shrinkage or drawing up of the tubing may apply sufficient force to the device to effect an unintentional disconnection of the coupling.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an improved coupling device having all of the advantages of the device disclosed in said co-pending application but in addition having a positive locking feature which prevents unintentional disconnection from any cause.

An important object is to provide an improved coupling device which may be engaged and disengaged by straight line movement and which is so constructed that any pressure which acts in a direction tending to separate the members of the device is utilized to maintain said members in coupled position.

A further object is to provide a coupling device, of the character described, wherein a locking element, preferably in the form of a movable mandrel or sleeve, is associated with the latching members of the device in such manner that said element positively prevents disengagement or release of said latching members until said element is actuated, whereby premature or unintentional disconnection of the coupling device is impossible.

Another object is to provide a coupling device, of the character described, wherein the locking element which controls the latching members and the positions to which said members may move may be automatically moved into locking position by mechanical means when the members of said device move into connected position; or said element may be moved by mechanical or hydraulic means controlled from the surface. The invention contemplating movement of said locking element from its loci-ring position by either hydraulic or mechanical means as desired.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference dfififlh? Patented June 5, 1952 wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a coupling device constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating the coupling elements moving toward a coupled position;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view with the locking element or sleeve of the device moved into its locking position;

FIGURE 3 is a similar View showing the members of the coupling device in fully coupled position and illustrating the manner in which pressure, which may tend to separate the device, acts to maintain the parts in such coupled position;

FIGURE 4 is a View similar to FIGURE 3 and showing the relationship of the locking element or sleeve of the device whereby uncoupling of the parts may be effected;

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a modified form of the coupling device illustrating the parts moving toward a coupled position;

FIGURE 8 is a similar view illustrating the parts in coupled position;

FIGURE 9 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of still another form of the invention showing the parts moving toward a coupled position;

FIGURE 10 is a similar view showing the parts in fully coupled position.

FIGURE 11 is a schematic view of a wire line tool which may be employed to effect release of the modification shown in FIGURES 9 and 10; and

FIGURE 12 is a schematic view of a well bore having packers and multiple tubing strings to be located therein and showing one use of the improved coupling device. In the drawings (FIGURES 1 to 4), the letter A designates an outer coupling member which may take the form of a housing or casing having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough. Anannular locking recess 11 is formed within the bore and said recess is defined by a straight wall section 11a, an upper annularbeveled surface 12 and a lower annularbeveled surface 13. An

to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof,

inclined guide surface 14 is preferably formed at the upper end of the outer housing A.

An inner member generally indicated by the letter B is insertable withinbore 10 of the outer housing member and, as will be explained, is adapted to'be moved into a coupled or connected position by a straight-line movement of theinner member 13 longitudinally with respect to the outer member A. When in a coupled position (FIGURE 3), latching members ordogs 15 are maintained within the locking recess by a locking element orsleeve 26 and when said element is in its locking position, the latching elements cannot be displaced from the looking recess whereby the members A and B are retained in coupled position. 7

As will be explained in detail, the locking element orsleeve 26 may be selectively moved so as to release the latching members ordogs 15 whereby the inner member may be disconnected from the outer member by a straightline longitudinal movement. Thus, the coupling device provides inner and outer members whichmay be con nected by a straight-line longitudinal movement of the inner member relative to the outer member and said members may be positively locked againstdisengagement. Thelocking element 26 may be selectively actuated to permit retraction of the latching members or dogs and separation is effected by a straight-line longitudinal movement of the members relative to each other.

As is clearly shown in FIGURES 1 to'4, the inner memher B comprises atubular body 17 having its upper end connected through an elongate connectingsub 18 with a pipe orconductor 19. The sub has suitable packing means 20 mounted on its external surface and such packing means is adapted to seal with the bore of the outer housing member A when the members are in connected position.

Thebody 17 has its upper end connected with the lower end of thesub 18 and is tubular in cross-section. Acollar 21 having an external diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the lower portion of the body is threaded into said body and, in effect, forms the lower end thereof. The central portion of the body is formed with an annular enlarged portion and a plurality ofslots 22 are cut through the Wall of the body to divide the enlarged annular portion into a plurality of latching members ordogs 15. Each latching member or dog includes a substantially flat outer surface a, an upper beveled shoulder 15b and a lowerbeveled shoulder 15c; the shoulders of the latching dogs are adapted to co-act with thebeveled surfaces 12 and 13 of the locking recess ll'within the outer member A. The provision of theslots 22 in thebody 17 imparts a flexibility or resiliency to the latching members ordogs 15 so that said members may undergo limited radial movement. However, the inherent resiliency of the material of which the body is constructed will tend to maintain the latching dogs in their normal outward position. In such position the ex- When the locking sleeve is moved upwardly within the bore of thehousing 17 to the position shown in FIGURE 2, thesnap ring 33 disengages thegroove 32 and engages asecond groove 34 provided in the extreme lower end of thesleeve 26. When the sleeve moves upwardly, theannular projection 28 on said sleeve moves into alignment with thelocking dogs 15 and theouter surface 28a of said projection contacts the inner surface 15:! of each dog. As will be explained, thesleeve 26 moves into this position after the locking dogs have engaged the locking recess 11 of the outer member A and it is evident that the engagement of theprojection 28 will prevent movement of the dogs inwardly whereby said dogs are retained within 7 said locking recess.

ternal diameter of the circumferentially disposed dogs 15 I is somewhat larger than the diameter of thebore 10 of the outer housing A.

Thebody 17 being tubular has a bore extending entirely therethrough and an internalbeveled shoulder 23 is formed in the upper end of said bore. Below the shoulder is acounterbore 24 and at the lower end of this counterbore a second annularinternal shoulder 25 is provided. Since thecollar 21, which is connected to the lower end of thebody 17, is threaded into the lower end of the body, theupper Surface 21a of said collar provides a shoulder within the lower portion of the body.

Movable within the bore of thebody 17 between theupper shoulder 23 and theinternal shoulder 21a is the locking element orsleeve 26. This sleeve is adapted to co-act with the latchingdogs 15 and, as clearly shown in FIGURE 2, said sleeve has itsexternal diameter 27 substantially equal to the diameter of thecounterbore portion 24 of the housing. The central portion of the sleeve is enlarged to form anelongate projection 28, the upper In the operation of the device the various parts of the inner coupling member B are in the position shown in FIGURE 1 and said member is connected to theconductor 19. The member B is then moved downwardly into thebore 10 of the member A and at this time the lockingsleeve 26 is releasably latched in its lower position with respect to thedogs 15 by thesnap ring 33. As has been noted, the latching members or dogs may undergo inward radial movement because said dogs are opposite the reduced upper end ofsleeve 26. Therefore, as the inner member moves into thebore 10 of the outer member A, the latching dogs strike theinclined shoulder 14 and, due to their beveledlower ends 15c, are automatically moved inwardly so as to slide downwardly within the bore.

When the latching dogs reach the locking recess, said dogs will automatically spring out into the recess and the recess is of sufiicient length to permit continued downward movement of the inner member with respect to the outer member. As the parts move into the position shown in FIGURE 2, the lower end of the locking sleeve end of which is beveled at 29 with the lower end being formed witha horizontally disposedannular shoulder 30. Upward movement of the lockingsleeve 26 within the body is limited by the engagement of the upper end of said sleeve with the annularupper shoulder 23 within the body and when the sleeve is in its uppermost position (FIGURE 2), a suitable O-ring orother seal 31 seals between the sleeve and thecounterbore 24. Downward movement of the locking element orsleeve 26 within the housing is limited by engagement of thelower end 30 of theprojection 28 with theshoulder 21a formed by the upper end of thecollar 21. Thus the limits of movement of the sleeve are fixed by the spacing betweenshoulders 23 and 21a.

When the locking element orsleeve 26 is in its lowered position within the housing, as shown in FIGURE 1, the latching members or'dogs 15 are located opposite the upper end of the sleeve. Each dog is enlarged inwardly and its inner flat surface 15d is spaced from the external surface of thesleeve 26, with each dog being disposed above theexternal projection 28 on the sleeve. For releasably maintaining the sleeve in the lowered position of FIGURE 1, the lower portion of the sleeve is formedwith anexternal groove 32 which is engaged by a splitresilient snap ring 33. The snap ring'functions to releasably hold the lockingsleeve 26 in lowered position.

. member with respect to the outer member.

26 engages an upstandingannular stop member 35 which is threaded into a reduced portion 10a of the bore of the member A. Anannular shoulder 36 adjacent thestop member 35 limits the downward movement of the inner The lower end of the lockingsleeve 26 strikes thestop member 35 prior to the time that the lower end of the housing engagesshoulder 36 and, therefore, the lockingsleeve 26 is moved upwardly with respect to the housing. Thesnap ring 33 is disengaged fromgroove 32 and is reengaged withgroove 34 in the manner shown in FIGURE 2.

The upward movement of the lockingsleeve 26 to the position of FIGURE 2 locates theprojection 28 opposite the latchingdogs 15 and so long as the sleeve remains in this position inward movement of the locking dogs is prevented and said dogs are maintained Within the lockingrecess 11 of the outer member A.

After the parts have been moved to the position of FIGURE 2, any pressure within the bore of the outer member below the coupling will act in a direction to displace the inner member upwardly. This will move the parts to the position of FIGURE 3 where the shoulder 15b at the upper end of each locking dog engages the upperbeveled surface 12 of the locking recess. Thesnap ring 33 maintains the locking sleeve in a position which will prevent inward movement of the latching dogs and the coupling device will firmly connect the parts.

When it is desired to release the connection and uncouple the members, it is only necessary to drop a ball or plug 37 (FIGURE 4) through theconductor 19. The ball will seat upon the upper end of thesleeve 26 and upon the application of pressure will move the sleeve 7 downwardly within the housing to its initial position.

force applied to thesleeve 26 to move said sleeve to the release position.

The coupling device may be used in any environment where it is desired to couple two members to each other but in FIGURE 12 one use of said device with multiple well packers is illustrated. As shown in this figure, three packers P1, P2 and P3 are adapted to be run into the well bore W on a tubing string T1 and are positioned to separate the production from three producing formations F1, F2 and F3. These packers are old in the art and any one of a number of packers now in general use may be employed. An example of this type of packer is illustrated on pages 935-936 involume 1, Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services (22nd edition, 1957), which is published by the Gulf Publishing Company, Houston Texas.

As illustrated in FIGURE 12, a second tubing string T2 is adapted to be connected through a J-slot or other releasable connection I with the upper packer P3 and a pipe section T3 has its upper end connected with said packer P3; this pipe section extends downwardly for connection with the packer P2. The outer housing A of the coupling device is located in the packer P2 while the inner member B is mounted on the lower end of the section T3 to make the connection.

In the use of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 12, the three packers P1, P2 and P3 are run on the string T1, which string has a safety joint S disposed between the packers P2 and P3. At the time that the packers are runv the connecting section T3 is placed in position connecting the packers P2 and P3. After the packers are in proper position, the second tubing string T2 is then lowered and coupled through the J-slot with the uppermost packer. In this type of installation a third string (not shown) is also connected with upper packer P3 to conduct fluids from the upper formation. In removing the assembly the string T2 as well as the third tubing string (not shown) are first removed. Tubing T1 is then manipulated to disconnect the safety joint S'in the manner shown in FIGURE 12 and this disconnects upper packer P3 from the intermediate packer P2; at this time it is necessary that a straight longitudinal lifting on the pipe T1 will result in a disconnection between section T3 and the intermediate packer. By utilizing the coupling device of this invention as the connecting means between the pipe T3 and the intermediate packer, release may be accomplished by a straight-line motion.

In FIGURES 7 and 8 a modified form of the invention is illustrated. In this form an outer coupling member of housing A1 is formed with a locking recess 111; the upper end of the recess is defined by a beveled shoulder 112 while the lower end thereof is defined by anenlarged stop shoulder 113. The upper end of thebore 110 of member A is suitably inclined at 114.

The inner member is constructed of atubular body 117 and said body is preferably formed of anupper section 117a and a lower section 11717 which are suitably threaded together. An annular packing 1211 is mounted on the body. Suspended from the lower end of the body are resilient latchingdogs 115 with each dog being provided with a central flat surface 1151:, an upper beveled surface 11511 and a lower beveled surface 1150. The latching dogs are suspended from an annular shoulder 41) which is provided on the lower end of thebody 117.

Movable within the lower portion of the bore of the body between an internalannular shoulder 123 and an internal shoulder 121 is a lockingsleeve 126. The extreme upper end of the sleeve is reduced as shown at 126a to form an externalannular shoulder 41. This shoulder is adapted to engage beneath asnap ring 133 similar to the snap ring of the first form. Spaced below the shoulder is an annular groove 134, which when thesleeve 126 is in a raised. position, is engaged by the snap ring. The lower end of thesleeve 126 projects down- 6 wardly below the latchingdogs 115 and carries a locking collar or projection 128.

In the operation of this form the inner member B1 is lowered into the outer member A1 with the parts in the position of FIGURE 7. At this time the locking sleeve 128 is latched against movement within the bore of thehousing 117. As the inner member moves into the position shown in FIGURE 8 where the latchingdogs 115 are opposite the recess, the lower end of the lockingsleeve 126 engages theshoulder 113. Continued downward movement of the member B1 causes the inner surfaces of the latchingdogs 115 to become aligned with the enlarged collar or projection 128, as shown in FIGURE 8. At this time thesnap ring 133 has moved into engagement with the groove 134 ofsleeve 126 to latch the sleeve in its locking position. Thereafter, any pressure from below the member B1 would merely slide the entire assembly upwardly to engage the shoulders 11512 of thedogs 115 with the internal shoulder 112 of the locking recess. So long assleeve 126 remains in the position shown in FIGURE 8 with respect to thedogs 115, said dogs are maintained against disengagement from the recess 111.

The release of the inner member from the outer member in this form is eifected by dropping or pumping a plug or ball and applying pressure tosleeve 126 or a wire line tool may be lowered and a downward jar applied to said sleeve to move the sleeve back to the position of FIGURE 7. Of course at this time the inner locking sleeve has its lower end spaced above theshoulder 113 which will allow downward movement of the sleeve relative to the latching dogs. As the sleeve moves downwardly, theprojection 12% also moves downwardly below the dogs to permit said dogs to be retracted whereby the coupling may be disengaged.

With respect to the form of the invention of FIGURES 7 and .8, it would be possible to employ this form without thestop shoulder 113. In such case theexternal diameter 115d of the upper end of the latchingdogs 115 would be less than the diameter of the bore 116 of the housing A1 so as to provide a clearance between these parts. The length of the latching dogs is such that when the dogs are suspended from the supportingshoulder 40, the lower ends of said dogs are aligned with the locking collar 128.

With the external surface of the upper portion of the latching dog body having a free clearance within the bore of the outer housing A1, it will be evident that as soon as the. enlarged lower ends of or the latching dogs move opposite the recess, the weight of the latching dog assembly will cause the same to slide downwardly from the position of FIGURE 7 to the positionv of FIG- URE 8; in such position the locking collar or enlargement 128 is behind the latching dogs and will prevent their inward movement. Any pressure below the unit will merely move the shoulder 1151) of each latching dog into engagement with the upper shoulder 112 of the locking recess and the members of the coupling device can not be separated. The release of this form would be effected in the same manner as heretofore described. Obviously, where the clearance is provided between theexternal diameter 115a of the latching dogs and the bore of the housing, thestop shoulder 113 may be completely eliminated since movement of the partsinto locking position as shown in FIGURE 8, will beautomatically efiected as the dog members move opposite the locking recess.

In FIGURES 9 and 10 still another modification is shown. In this form the outer coupling member A2 hasits bore 210 formed withalocking recess 211. The inner coupling member 132 is constructed similarly to themember 13 of the first form in that it includes atubular housing 217 having the latchingdogs 215 which are similar in construction to thedogs 115. An internal shoulder 2.23 is formed within the upper portion of the bore of thehousing 217.

Instead of the lockingsleeve 26, the form shown in FIGURE 9 includes a lockingsleeve 226. This sleeve carries asnap ring 233 in its upper end which is engageable with anannular groove 234 provided in the bore of the housing below theshoulder 223. When thering 233 is engaged with the groove, the lockingsleeve 226 is in its raised position with respect to the dogs and said dogs are opposite a recessed portion 226a in the external surface of the sleeve. In this position thedogs 215 may undergo inward radial movement whereby said dogs may enter thebore 210 of coupling member A2 and move into position opposite thelocking recess 211.

When the lockingsleeve 226 is moved downwardly, asnap ring 333 at its lower end is engageable within an annular groove 334 provided in the lower end of thehousing 217 to latch the sleeve in lowered position (FIG- URE When in such position, an enlarged portion 228 of the locking sleeve moves opposite the inner surfaces of the latchingdogs 215 to retain them within the recess.

The operation of this form is substantially similar to the other forms heretofore described. The parts of the inner member B2 are in the position of FIGURE 9 within thesleeve 226 maintained in its upper position by thesnap ring 234. After the latchingdogs 215 have moved opposite thelocking recess 211, which positioning is controlled by the lower end of thehousing 217 engaging astop shoulder 213 in the outer member A2, a suitable actuating tool T is lowered by means of awire line 50. The tool T is provided with spring pressed elements 51 which are engageable with aninternal shoulder 52 formed within the bore of the sleeve. By connecting suitable jars in .theline 50, a downward jarring on thesleeve 226 may be elfected to move the sleeve to the position shown in FIGURE 10. In such position the enlarged portion 228 of the Sleeve moves behind the latchingdogs 215 and maintains the same within the locking recess.

When it is desired to release the connection of FIG-URES 9 and 10, a releasing tool T1, shown schematically in FIGURE ll, is lowered by means of thewire line 50.

This tool has spring presseddogs 51a which are directed upwardly and which are adapted to engage ashoulder 53 within the bore of the sleeve. An upward pull may thus be applied to thesleeve 226 to return it to the posi tion of FIGURE 9 whereby thedogs 215 may be retracted from the lockingrecess 211. a

It is pointed out that in the form shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 the lockingsleeve 226 is actuated by mechanical means. However, the upper end of the lockingsleeve 226 could 'be extended inwardly so as to provide a seat for the reception of a ball or plug and it would be possible to lower the sleeve with respect to the dogs by means of fluid pressure. Similarly, if desired, the sleeves 26'and 1260f the othcrforms of the invention could be provided withtheshoulders 52and 53 so as to be capable of actuation by mechanical means. In all forms of the invention a locking element orsleeve is employed for co-action with the locking dogs in a manner to assure that said dogs can not be. disengaged until said sleeve is actuated. The device. thus provides a positive coupling means which can not be unintentionally or prematurely disconnected. It is pointed out that where the device is used with long strings of well tubing, itmay occur that the tubing will shrink and unlessa positive connection is maintained, the members of the coupling-device might be separated. With the present arrangement it is impossible to disconnect the 7 members of the device until the locking sleeve is in the proper position. WhatI claim is:

l; A coupling device including, an outer tubular housing having an annular locking reccss'in the" wall of its bore, an inner member insertable into the bore of the outer member, said inner member comprising a tubular body, a latching dog mounted for lateral movement on the body, means normally urging the dog to a radially outward position, said latching dog being movable outwardly into the locking recess of the outer member when the inner member is fully inserted into the outer member, a locking sleeve slidably mounted within the bore of the tubular body and having an external projection on its outer surface, said sleeve being movable to a lower position within the body in which said projection is below the latching dog to allow lateral movement of the dog and also being movable to an upper position within the body in which position the projection is aligned and coacts with said dog to prevent lateral movement of said dog and maintain it in position engaging the locking recess, and an abutment within the outer housing engageable by the lower end of the locking sleeve as the tubular body is fully inserted into the housing for moving said locking sleeve from said lower position to said upper position within the bory whereby the projection on said sleeve is moved into lateral alignment with the latching dog to thereafter prevent inward radial movement of said dog.-

2. A coupling device as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the abutment which is engageable by the locking sleeve is an annular shoulder within the outer housing located to be engaged by the locking sleeve prior to the time that the tubular body of the inner member is completely inserted within the outer housing.

3. A coupling device including an outer tubular housing having an annular locking recess in the wall of its bore, an inner member insertable into the bore of the outer member, said inner member comprising a tubular body, latching dogs mounted on the body for lateral movement and engageable within the locking recess of the outer member when the inner member is moved into said outer member, means for resiliently urging the dogs outwardly of the body, the locking recess extending longitudinally a substantially greater distance than the vertical extent of each dog whereby said dogs and the body on which they are mounted may undergo limited movement relative to the housing after said dogs are disposed in said recess, a locking sleeve movable between limits within the bore of the body of the inner member whereby the sleeve may assume different positions with respect to the tubular body and latching dogs, said sleeve having a reduced portion which is adapted to be located opposite the latching dogs when said sleeve is in a lower position relative to the body, the sleeve also having a projection adapted to be disposed opposite the dogs when the sleeve is in an upper position relative to the body, retaining means on said sleeve and on said body for releasably retaining the locking sleeve in its lower position within the body with its reduced portion opposite the latching dogs whereby the latching dogs may undergo inward radial movement, means for moving the locking sleeve longitudinally upwardly relative to the body to locate the projection of said sleeve opposite the latching dogs after said dogs have engaged within the locking recess of the outer member, whereby inward radial movement of said dogs is prevented and the dogs are maintained in engagement with the locking recess.

4. A coupling device as set forth inclaim 3, wherein the means for moving the locking sleeve upwardly comprises an annular abutment within the housing which is engageable by said sleeve prior to the time that the tubular body of the inner member is fully inserted into said outer housing. 7

5.. A coupling device as set forth inclaim 3, wherein the means for moving the locking sleeve upwardly comprises an annular abutment within the housing which is engageable by said sleeve prior to the time that the tubular body of the inner member is fully inserted into said outer housing. I j

6. A, coupling device as set forth in claim '1, together with a releasable means for releasably latching said locking sleeve, in its lower position within said tubular body and for releasably latching said locking sleeve in its upper position within said tubular body, said releasable means including at least one resilient holding means cooperating with an adjacent surface, said holding means and said adjacent surface being located one on said locking sleeve and one on said tubular body.

7. A coupling device as set forth inclaim 6, wherein said resilient holding means is disengaged to release said locking sleeve from its lower position within the tubular body by the force applied to the locking sleeve by reason of its engagement with the abutment within said outer housing, and hydraulically-actuated means for releasing said releasable holding means from a position latching said locking sleeve in its upper position within said tubular body.

8. A coupling device as set forth inclaim 6, wherein said resilient holding means is disengaged to release said locking sleeve from its lower position within the tubular body by the force applied to the locking sleeve by reason of its engagement with the abutment within said outer housing, and a closure lowerable into position closing the upper end of the locking sleeve, whereby fluid pressure may be applied to said closure to disengage the releasable holding means and thereafter move said locking sleeve from its upper position to its lower position within the body so that the projection on said sleeve is again below the latching dog to allow subsequent inward movement of the dog.

9. A coupling device as set forth inclaim 3 wherein the means for moving the locking sleeve upwardly comprises an annular abutment within the housing which is engageable by said sleeve prior to the time that the tubular body of the inner member is fully inserted into said outer housing, and a closure adapted to be lowered to seat on the upper end of the locking sleeve after the locking sleeve has been moved upwardly relative to the body, whereby pressure fluid may be applied against the closure and sleeve, to move said sleeve to its lower position within the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,155,620 Scaramucci Apr. 25, 1939 2,778,433 Brown Jan. 22, 1957 2,822,048 Tlausch Feb. 4, 1958 2,846,014 Daffin et a1. Aug. 5, 1958 2,862,560 Bostock et a1 Dec. 2, 1958 2,885,011 Frost May 5, 1959 2,927,640 Kenneday Mar. 8, 1960

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