Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of installing a string of pipe in the earth, comprising the steps of: axially inserting a first pipe into a second pipe while preventing relative rotation therebetween until further insertion of said first pipe into said second pipe is prevented by a stop, rotating said first pipe within said second pipe less than one revolution until tooth-like projections on said first pipe engage tooth-like projections on said second pipe, driving the pipes into the earth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of installing a string of pipe in the earth, comprising the steps of: axially inserting a first pipe into a second pipe while preventing relative rotation therebetween until further insertion of said first pipe into said second pipe is prevented by a stop, rotating said first pipe within said second pipe less than one revolution until tooth-like projections on said first pipe engage tooth-like projections on said second pipe, driving the pipes into the earth.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of installing a string of pipe in the earth, at least two of the pipes having cooperable male and female coupling elements on their adjacent ends, the coupling elements having cooperable latching means and lands and grooves, with the lands comprising no-lead thread segments, the female coupling element having a shoulder comprising: moving one pipe axially relative to the other pipe, without relative rotation, and inserting the lands of the male coupling element of the first pipe into the grooves of the female coupling element of the second pipe, until the male coupling element of the first pipe engages the shoulder on the female coupling element of the second pipe, rotating the first pipe relative to the second pipe without further axial movement until the thread segments of the male element of the first pipe engage the thread segments of the female element of the second pipe, latching said elements against disengagement of said thread segments, lowering said connected pipes vertically downwardly, and putting at least one of said pipes into the earth in substantially vertical position.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of installing a string of pipe in the earth, at least two of the pipes having cooperable male and female coupling elements on their adjacent ends, the coupling elements having cooperable latching means and lands and grooves, with the lands comprising no-lead thread segments, the female coupling element having a shoulder comprising: moving one pipe axially relative to the other pipe, without relative rotation, and inserting the lands of the male coupling element of the first pipe into the grooves of the female coupling element of the second pipe, until the male coupling element of the first pipe engages the shoulder on the female coupling element of the second pipe, rotating the first pipe relative to the second pipe without further axial movement until the thread segments of the male element of the first pipe engage the thread segments of the female element of the second pipe, latching said elements against disengagement of said thread segments, lowering said connected pipes vertically downwardly, and putting at least one of said pipes into the earth in substantially vertical position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined by claim 2 wherein the last step is accomplished by driving.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined by claim 2, and including drilling a hole in the sea floor for the pipe prior to step of putting the pipe in the earth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined by claim 2, and including sealing around the circumference of said male element within said female element.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of connecting first and second pipes having cooperable male and female coupling elements on the adjacent ends of said pipes, the coupling elements having no-lead thread segments and facing shoulders, comprising: moving one pipe axially relative to the other without relative rotation until the coupling elements are telescoped and the shoulder on the male coupling element of the first pipe engages the shoulder on the female coupling element of the second pipe, rotating one of the pipes relative to the other without further axial movement until the thread segments of the coupling element of the first pipe engage the thread segments of the coupling element of the second pipe.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of connecting first and second pipes having cooperable male and female coupling elements on the adjacent ends of said pipes, the coupling elements having no-lead thread segments and facing shoulders, comprising: moving one pipe axially relative to the other without relative rotation until the coupling elements are telescoped and the shoulder on the male coupling element of the first pipe engages the shoulder on the female coupling element of the second pipe, rotating one of the pipes relative to the other without further axial movement until the thread segments of the coupling element of the first pipe engage the thread segments of the coupling element of the second pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined by claim 6 and including latching said elements against disengagement of said thread segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined by claim 6 and including the steps of: stopping said rotation; and latching said elements against disengagement independent of said thread segment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined by claim 6 wherein said step of rotation occurs with the shoulders in engagement.