An apparatus is proposed for applying and removing protective caps (1) to and from the ends of elongate members (6). The protective cap (1) has a hard base portion (5) and a cover portion (2) of flexible, resilient material, extending from the base portion (5) and operative to cover a portion of an outer surface of the elongate member (6). The apparatus comprises: a gripping mechanism (44) operative to grip the hard base portion (5) of the protective cap (1); a drive mechanism, connected to the gripping mechanism (44), operative to move the protective cap (1) to and from the end of the elongate member (6); and a tool operative to perform at least one of the operations of (i) unfurling the cover portion to secure it to the outer surface of the elongate member, (ii) furling the cover portion to detach it from the outer surface of the elongate member.

A system and a protector for protecting pipes is proposed, wherein the protector comprises a bumper portion made out of an elastomer and an engaging portion made out of a polymeric material.

A thread protector that has an external sleeve having threads disposed on an inner side to engage with pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member. The thread protector also has a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to engage with the pin end of the tubular member, the threads on the inner side of the external sleeve are disposed axially adjacent to the flange and radially adjacent to the end of the pin end of the tubular member. A method of protecting the pin threads of the pin ends of the tubular members. The method includes screwing the thread protector on the pin threads of the pin end of the tubular member.

A pull off pipe cap (1) that fully seals the end of the pipe or pipe fitting to protect the pipe during construction especially while pouring concrete foundations around pipes. The pull off pipe cap is easily found under poured concrete and is easily removed from the pipe or pipe fitting without a need for demolition of the concrete slab and excavation around the pipe.

A protective cap (1) is proposed for an end of an elongate member (6), such as a male connecting end of a pipe or tube. The cap (1) comprises a sheath of flexible, resilient (i.e. elastic) material (2) to cover part of the outer surface of the member (6) at an end of the member. The protective cap (1) can be applied to the end of the member by unfurling at least part of the sheath 3 from a gathered configuration, such as a rolled-up configuration. The protective cap (1) includes resilient ridges (8) extending inwardly from an insert member (2), and/or a chip at least partly within the cap.

A thread protector for use with sucker rods and other downhole tools is pushable onto an end of the sucker rod for secure retention. The thread protector is optionally squeezed and rotated for release from the end of the sucker rod. Included on the protector is a sleeve having a closed end and an opposite open end for receiving and pushably engaging with the end of the sucker rod. The sleeve has one or more first regions around a circumference of the sleeve having reduced diameter for engagement with one or more regions of the end of the sucker rod and one or more second regions around the circumference of the sleeve having enlarged diameter. Application of pressure to the one or more second regions of the sleeve causes disengagement of the one or more first regions from the end of the sucker rod for removal of the thread protector.

A thread protector for use with sucker rods and other downhole tools is pushable onto an end of the sucker rod for secure retention. The thread protector is optionally squeezed and rotated for release from the end of the sucker rod. Included on the protector is a sleeve having a closed end and an opposite open end for receiving and pushably engaging with the end of the sucker rod. The sleeve has one or more first regions around a circumference of the sleeve having reduced diameter for engagement with one or more regions of the end of the sucker rod and one or more second regions around the circumference of the sleeve having enlarged diameter. Application of pressure to the one or more second regions of the sleeve causes disengagement of the one or more first regions from the end of the sucker rod for removal of the thread protector.

There is provided a pipe thread protector having first and second ends, threading extending from the first end towards the second end thereof, and a bore extending from the first end to the second end thereof. A seal couples to the first end of the pipe thread protector and is tubular. The seal tapers in a direction extending from a proximal end thereof towards a distal end thereof, and tapers in a direction extending from an outer surface thereof to an inner surface thereof. There is additionally provided a pipe thread protector assembly including a pipe thread protector, a coupling via which the pipe thread protector and a male threaded end of a pipe threadably couple together, and a seal coupled to an inner end of the pipe thread protector. The seal is shaped to protect and extend along an outer end surface of the pipe.

There is provided a pipe thread protector having first and second ends, threading extending from the first end towards the second end thereof, and a bore extending from the first end to the second end thereof. A seal couples to the first end of the pipe thread protector and is tubular. The seal tapers in a direction extending from a proximal end thereof towards a distal end thereof, and tapers in a direction extending from an outer surface thereof to an inner surface thereof. There is additionally provided a pipe thread protector assembly including a pipe thread protector, a coupling via which the pipe thread protector and a male threaded end of a pipe threadably couple together, and a seal coupled to an inner end of the pipe thread protector. The seal is shaped to protect and extend along an outer end surface of the pipe.

A double-headed tube structure comprises a tube body, a first tube head, an annular retaining member and a second tube head. The first tube head and a first end portion of the tube body are hermetically connected together. A second end portion of the tube body is sleeved on an outer circumference of the annular retaining member. The second end portion of the tube body, the annular retaining member and the second tube head are hermetically connected together. The annular retaining member communicates with the tube body and the second tube head. The first and second tube heads are sealedly welded at both ends of the tube body by a two-step forming process. Through the annular retaining member, the tube body is not deformed in the two-step forming process, thereby improving the welding and sealing effect.