US 12,391,339 B2
Connector assemblies
Stephen P. Lindblade, Waller, TX (US); Saradhi Koneru, Houston, TX (US); and Hao Yu, Katy, TX (US)
Assigned to SOFEC, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by SOFEC, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/966,184.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/255,749, filed on Oct. 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0124086 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. B63B 21/00 (2006.01); B63B 21/50 (2006.01); F16B 7/04 (2006.01); F16B 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC B63B 21/00 (2013.01) [F16B 7/042 (2013.01); F16B 21/18 (2013.01); B63B 2021/001 (2013.01); B63B 2021/004 (2013.01); B63B 21/50 (2013.01); B63B 2021/501 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connector assembly, comprising:
a stinger comprising a first end and a second end, wherein an outer surface of the stinger defines a first groove located toward the first end thereof and a second groove located toward the second end thereof; and
a sleeve assembly comprising a first end, a second end, and a latching mechanism, the sleeve assembly being configured to receive the stinger and secure the stinger therein via the latching mechanism, wherein:
an inner surface of the sleeve assembly defines a first shoulder located toward the first end thereof and a second shoulder located toward the second end thereof,
the latching mechanism is selectively moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position,
when the latching mechanism is in the unlocked position the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly; and
when the stinger is fully positioned within the sleeve assembly and the latching mechanism is in the locked position the latching mechanism is configured to maintain a first split ring in a position partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder and a second split ring in a position partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder to secure the stinger within the sleeve assembly.