Connecting system for telescopingly engaged elements and method of maintaining the elements together using the system

摘要

The combination of a first tubular element and a second tubular element. The first tubular element has a first axis, a first portion with a radially outwardly facing surface and a first connecting assembly with a first circumferentially facing surface. The second tubular element has a second portion with a second axis, a radially inwardly facing surface, and a second connecting assembly with a second circumferentially facing surface. The first portion is extendable within the second portion so that the radially inwardly facing surface on the second tubular element surrounds the radially outwardly facing surface on the first tubular element. The first and second tubular elements are positionable in a first relative axial position wherein relative movement of the first and second tubular elements around the first and second axes between a) a first relative rotational position and b) a second relative rotational position causes the first and second connecting assemblies to cooperate to draw the first and second portions axially towards each other. The first and second connecting assemblies cooperate so that the first and second circumferentially facing surfaces confront each other with the first and second tubular elements in the second relative rotational position to thereby block relative movement of the first and second tubular elements from the second relative rotational position back into the first relative rotational position.