Connector for pipes or rods

摘要

Coupling member 5 is associated with a ring 2 from which extend a plurality of radially flexible fingers 3 provided with engagement ribs 10 engageable in grooves 11 in a second coupling member 8 to be abutted against member 5. The fingers 3 are held in their radially inner engaged position by a locking ring 12 axially movable relative to ring 2 between the locking position shown and an inoperative position (Figure 1, not shown). The locking ring 12 may be associated with disengagement means 13 which, as the locking ring 12 moves to its inoperative position, engage the ends of the fingers 3 to move them radially outwardly to disengage the ribs 10 from the grooves 11. The ring 2 may be axially movable or fixed relative to members. When fixed, guide vanes (101 Figure 10) may be provided between the fingers 3 to define a guide surface in the region of the ribs 10 which lies between the operative and inoperative positions of the fingers 3 to prevent inadvertent engagement of the ribs 10 and grooves 11 when the fingers 3 are in their inoperative positions.