Coupling of tubular sections

摘要

Tubular sections, for example of ground penetrating metal foundation piles, are connectable end to end, by a coupling comprising a first tubular section (20) having an end portion providing a socket (22) and a second tubular section (10) having an end portion providing a spigot (12) for insertion into the socket. The socket end section (20) has opposing slots (24) extending longitudinally from the open end of the socket, each slot including a lateral recess (26) remote from the open end of the socket, and the spigot end section has at least one bar (30) extending across its diameter and projecting radially outwards at each end for location axially into the opposing slots (24) of the socket (22) and for engagement into the respective lateral recesses (26) upon relative rotation of the tubular sections (20, 10), in the manner of a bayonet joint. A collar (40) is fixedly mounted around the exterior of the socket end section (20). The collar (40) has an axial length shorter than the longitudinal extent of the slots (24) so that a gap remains below the collar to enable access to the slots at their inner ends. Separate strips of material (42) are provided of a size and shape for fitting into the slots (24) after engagement of the bar (30) into the lateral recesses (26). The strips (42) are each provided with a formation, such as a notch (43), adjacent their insertion end, which can be accessed via aforesaid gap to facilitate their removal from the slots and enable disengagement of the coupling. Additional formations, such as apertures (44), may also be provided to facilitate engagement of a tool and removal of a strip after initial lifting by means of the notch.