US 12,270,496 B2
Hinged quick-release connector
Chandu Kumar, Fort Worth, TX (US); and Joe Allen Sutton, Weatherford, TX (US)
Assigned to SPM Oil & Gas Inc., Fort Worth, TX (US)
Appl. No. 17/905,117
Filed by SPM Oil & Gas Inc., Fort Worth, TX (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 26, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/020101
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 26, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/174129, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/982,017, filed on Feb. 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0139413 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 23/08 (2006.01); F16L 23/22 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 23/08 (2013.01) [F16L 23/22 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A quick-connector assembly for joining abutting flanged ends of two tubular members, comprising:
a first connector portion;
a second connector portion;
a rotatable hinge having a hinge pin coupling the first connector portion and the second connector portion so that the first and second connector portions encircle about abutting flanged ends of the tubular members when the first and second connector portions are in a closed position;
a stand having a bracket having at least one hole for accommodating the hinge pin and having a vertical post for at least partially supporting a weight of the quick-connector assembly and the flanged ends of the tubular members.