Pipe connector apparatus having gripping and sealing means

Claim 1

Apparatus for connecting a cylindrical first member to a second member comprising: tubular body means adapted to receive one end of said first member and having means thereon for connecting said body means to said second member; gripping means carried by said body means and movable from a radially expanded position, in which said one end of said first member may be axially received and displaced from said body means, to a radially contracted position gripping the exterior of said first member and preventing its axial displacement from said body means; annular seal means carried by said body means and movable from a relaxed position in which said one end of said first member may be axially received therein, to a compressed position, sealingly engaging said one end of said first member; sleeve means carried by said body means between said gripping means and said seal means and being axially extendable to simultaneously apply forces to said gripping means and said seal means for said movement to said contracted and compressed positions, respectively, said sleeve means comprising first and second threadedly connected sleeve members, one of which is non-rotatable but both of which are axially movable relative to said tubular body means to effect said extension of said sleeve means; and rotating means carried by said body means engaging said rotatable sleeve member and operable externally of said body means for translating rotational movement thereof to axial movement of both of said sleeve members.