TORQUE SHOULDER OF A PREMIUM CONNECTION

Abstract

A threaded tubular connection is provided. The threaded tubular connection includes a pin having external threads, a pin seal surface, and a pin torque shoulder at a free end and a box for receiving the pin, the box having internal threads for interacting with the pin threads, a box seal surface for contacting the pin seal surface and a box torque shoulder for contacting the pin torque shoulder. The pin and box define a longitudinal axis. The pin torque shoulder has a first pin shoulder surface and a second pin shoulder surface, the first pin shoulder surface intersects an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a first angle and the second pin shoulder surface intersects the perpendicular axis at a second angle. The box torque shoulder has a first box shoulder surface and a second box shoulder surface. The first box shoulder surface intersects an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a third angle and the second box shoulder surface intersects the perpendicular axis at a fourth angle. A further tubular connection and method are also provided.

Claims

1-28. (canceled)

29. A threaded tubular connection comprising: a pin, the pin having external threads, a pin seal surface, and a pin torque shoulder at a free end; and a box for receiving the pin, the box having internal threads for interacting with the external threads, a box seal surface for contacting the pin seal surface and forming a seal, and a box torque shoulder for contacting the pin torque shoulder, the pin seal surface being axially spaced apart from the pin torque shoulder, wherein a gap is formed between the pin and box between the seal and the pin torque shoulder; the pin and box defining a longitudinal axis, the pin torque shoulder having a first outwardly facing pin shoulder surface and a second inwardly facing pin shoulder surface, the first pin shoulder surface intersecting an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, the second pin shoulder surface intersecting the perpendicular axis at a second angle, the first pin shoulder surface and the second pin shoulder surface meeting at a pin vertex to define a receptacle, and the box torque shoulder having a first inwardly facing box shoulder surface and a second outwardly facing box shoulder surface, the first box shoulder surface intersecting an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a third angle, the second box shoulder surface intersecting the perpendicular axis at a fourth angle, the first box shoulder surface and the second box should surface meeting at a box vertex to define a nose.

30. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the receptacle and nose are V-shaped.

31. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the receptacle and nose are bull nosed or curved.

32. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the first pin shoulder surface is a same length as the second pin shoulder surface.

33. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the first pin shoulder surface is longer than the second pin shoulder surface.

34. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the first, second, third and fourth angles have an absolute value from 3 to 60 with respect to the perpendicular axis.

35. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 34, wherein an absolute value of the first angle is different from an absolute value of the second angle.

36. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the first and third angles are positive angles with respect to the perpendicular axis and the second and fourth angles are negative angles with respect to the perpendicular axis.

37. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein an absolute value of the first angle is greater than an absolute value of the second angle.

38. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the pin vertex and box vertex are offset from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis.

39. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 38, wherein an amount of the offset is selected to improve contact pressure between the pin sealing surface and box sealing surface.

40. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the first and second angles are selected so a larger component of a force acting on the pin is an axial component force.

41. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the first angle is equal to the third angle and the second angle is equal to the fourth angle.

42. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the pin torque shoulder has a geometry that is similar to a geometry of the box torque shoulder.

43. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the receptacle is V-shaped and the nose is rounded, curved or bull nosed.

44. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the receptacle is rounded, curved or bull nosed and the nose is V-shaped.

45. The threaded tubular connection as recited in claim 29, wherein the pin torque shoulder has a geometry that is different from a geometry of the box torque shoulder.

46. A threaded tubular connection comprising: a pin, the pin having external threads, a pin seal surface, and a pin torque shoulder at a free end; and a box for receiving the pin, the box having internal threads for interacting with the external threads, a box seal surface for contacting the pin seal surface and forming a seal, and a box torque shoulder for contacting the pin torque shoulder, the pin seal surface being axially spaced apart from the pin torque shoulder, wherein a gap is formed between the pin and box between the seal and the pin torque shoulder; the pin and box defining a longitudinal axis, the pin torque shoulder having a pin geometry which includes a first outwardly facing pin shoulder surface and a second inwardly facing pin shoulder surface, the first pin shoulder surface intersecting an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, the second pin shoulder surface intersecting the perpendicular axis at a second angle, the first pin shoulder surface and the second pin shoulder surface meeting at a pin vertex, and the box torque shoulder having a box geometry which includes first inwardly facing box shoulder surface and a second outwardly facing box shoulder surface, the first box shoulder surface intersecting an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a third angle, the second box shoulder surface intersecting the perpendicular axis at a fourth angle, the first box shoulder surface and the second box should surface meeting at a box vertex, wherein the pin geometry is not complementary with the box geometry.

47. A method for forming a threaded tubular connection comprising the steps of: providing a pin having external threads, a pin seal surface and a pin torque shoulder at a free end, the pin torque shoulder including a pin geometry having a first outwardly facing pin shoulder surface and a second inwardly facing pin shoulder surface meeting at a pin vertex, providing a box having internal threads, a box seal surface and a box torque shoulder at a free end, the box torque shoulder including a box geometry having a first inwardly facing box shoulder surface and a second outwardly facing box shoulder surface meeting at a box vertex, the pin seal surface of being axially spaced apart from the pin torque shoulder, wherein the pin geometry is not complementary with the box geometry; stabbing the pin into the box to engage the external threads and internal threads with one another; rotating the pin with respect to the box until the pin seal surface contacts the box seal surface to form a seal; and further rotating the pin with respect to the box until the box shoulder surface contacts the pin shoulder surface; wherein a gap is formed between the pin and box between the seal and the pin torque shoulder and a gap is formed between the pin vertex and the box vertex.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be elucidated with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0022] FIGS. 1A to 1D show details of a torque shoulder as known in the art;

[0023] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a cross section view of a premium connection for an oil pipe according to the present invention, in a second stage of make-up, the hand tight position;

[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the connection in a third stage of make-up, the shoulder tight position;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of a premium connection for an oil pipe according to the present invention, a pin of the oil pipe being stabbed into a box of the connector;

[0026] FIGS. 5 A and 5B show details of the torque shoulder according to the present invention and as shown in FIGS. 2A to 4;

[0027] FIGS. 6 to 8 show details of additional embodiments of torque shoulders according to the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a force diagram of the forces applied to a pin in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and b;

[0029] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a further preferred embodiment of a torque shoulder according to the present invention; and

[0030] FIGS. 11A and 11B show another preferred embodiment of a torque shoulder according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIG. 1A shows a traditional torque shoulder and metal-to-metal seal combination as known in the art. Box 1520 includes box seal surface 1524 and box torque shoulder 1526. Pin 1420 includes pin seal surface 1424, nose 1428 and pin torque shoulder 1426. As shown in FIG. 1, pin seal surface 1424 is located at an end of pin 1420. The nose 1428 of pin 1420 is wedged between pin seal surface 1424 and pin torque shoulder 1426 when the connection is formed. The connection of pin 1420 and box 1520 defines a longitudinal axis of the pipe and connector (not shown). An axis X is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and runs through the end of the torque shoulders 1426, 1526 at pin nose 1428. Pin torque shoulder 1426 and box torque shoulder 1526 each include a single shoulder surface that is angled with respect to perpendicular axis X. An interior angle A formed between torque shoulders 1426, 1526 and perpendicular axis X may be, for example, approximately 15, that is, 15 in the clockwise direction from axis X. This angle of incline is known in the prior art. In this example the pin nose 1428 is tightly wedged between box seal surface 1524 and box torque shoulder surface 1526. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,821.

[0032] FIG. 1D shows a premium connection as known in the prior art. FIG. 1B shows a close up of the connection of FIG. 1D when the torque shoulders 1426, 1526 just begin to contact. A gap Sc exists between an outer surface of pin 1420 and a counter-bore surface of box 1520 and is necessary for ease of assembly. While angle A is beneficial to lock the pin 1420 and box 1520 together after assembly, FIG. 1C shows that, during further screwing of the connection, angle A causes the pin 1420 to crash into the box 1520. This undesirable contact can prevent proper positioning of the connection during assembly and may cause damage to seal surfaces 1424, 1524 or torque shoulders 1426, 1526.

[0033] In accordance with the present invention, a premium connection is provided that includes advantages over the prior art, for example, movement of the pin may be controlled and the undesirable contact and damage to seal surfaces discussed above may be reduced. The premium connection includes pin and box torque shoulders with a plurality of surfaces, for example, each torque shoulder may have a top and bottom torque shoulder surface with respect to the orientation shown in FIGS. 2A to 11B. Another feature according to the present invention also includes seal surfaces that are spaced apart from the shoulder surfaces as shown in FIGS. 2A, 3A and 10A. A further feature includes a space existing between an edge of the pin and an edge of the box or connector even after the pin is in a final position. See FIGS. 5A and 6 to 8 and 10A.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, both torque shoulders, top and bottom, of the pin and box may contact each another at the same time. Thus, the connector provides a neutral trap for the pin. In another preferred embodiment, top torque shoulder surfaces of the pin and box may contact one another prior to bottom torque shoulder surfaces of the pin and box contacting one another. In this embodiment, the pin may bend downward. See FIG. 6. In a further preferred embodiment, bottom torque shoulder surfaces of the pin and box may contact one another prior to the top torque shoulder surfaces of the pin and box contacting one another. In this embodiment, the pin may bend upward. See FIGS. 2B and 3B. As a result, the movement of the pin can be controlled as desired.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of an oil pipe 10 and a connector 100, in a first stage, the stabbed position. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the connection with oil pipe 10 and connector 100, in a second stage, after rotation has occurred. Oil pipe 10 has a pin 20 with a threaded section 22, a pin seal surface 24 and a torque shoulder 26 at a free end. Pin torque shoulder 26 includes first surface 26a and second surface 26b. Connector 100 has two boxes 120, 120. Each box 120, 120 has a threaded section 122, a box seal surface 124 and a torque shoulder 126 on a radially inwardly projection 150. Box torque shoulder 126 includes first surface 126a and second surface 126b. In this embodiment, the first box shoulder surface 126a is complementary with the first pin shoulder surface 26a and the second box shoulder surface 126b is complementary with the second pin shoulder surface 26b.

[0036] Connector 100 has two free ends 102 and 102 as shown in FIG. 4. As described above, in the stabbed position, oil pipe 10 is stabbed or placed into connector 100 until threaded section 22 of pin 10 contacts threaded section 122 of boxes 120, 120. Rotation has not yet occurred between pin 10 and boxes 120, 120. The rotation of pin 10 and boxes 120, 120 forms the connection.

[0037] This second stage of makeup is known as the hand tight position in which the threads 22, 122 or seal surfaces 24, 24 just begin to touch one another. Threads 22 of pin 20 engage threads 122 of box 120. Pin seal surface 24 and box seal surface 124 just begin to touch. A gap or standoff Sa exists between the first surfaces 26a, 126a of pin torque shoulder 26 and box torque shoulder 126 and a gap or standoff Sb exists between the second surfaces 26b, 126b of pin torque shoulder 26 and box torque shoulder 126 in the hand tight position. In this embodiment, the standoff Sa is, for example, approximately 0.060 in. and the standoff Sb is, for example, approximately 0.030 in. The standoffs Sa and Sb may vary as a result of the designed seal interference and seal angles and do not have to be equal.

[0038] A nose 27 extends at an end of pin 20. Nose 27 is located between an inner surface 21 and an outer surface 23 of pin 20 and along a length of torque shoulder 26 in a direction of axis P, an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The nose 27 is a vertex connecting first surface 26a and second surface 26b of torque shoulder 26. In this embodiment, first surface 26a extends in one direction from outer surface 23 to nose 27 and in a second direction around an outer circumference of pipe 10. Second surface 26b extends in one direction from inner surface 21 to nose 27 and in a second direction around an inner circumference of pipe 10. The location of nose 27 is different from the position of nose 1428 shown in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1A, the nose is located at one end of the torque shoulder 1426 at an outer surface of the pin 1420 and at or near the pin seal surface 1424. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 11, nose 27 is not located at one end of the pin torque shoulder 26. Instead nose 27 is in a middle or central part of pin torque shoulder 26 with regard to a length of shoulder 26 in the profile view. The shape of nose 27 may vary and can be, for example, angular, socket, a flattened edge, a bull nose, bulb, cone, rounded, fishtail, etc. A depression 127 is located along a length of torque shoulder 126 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is a vertex connecting first surface 126a and second surface 126b. In this embodiment, the geometry of nose 27 and depression 127 are complementary so nose 27 and depression 127 fit together when pin 10 is screwed into connector 100; depression 127 contacts nose 27 and pin shoulder 26 contacts box shoulder 126. (FIG. 5).

[0039] The difference in width between standoff Sa and standoff Sb occurs because nose 27 is not initially aligned with depression 127 with respect to the longitudinal axis. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, nose 27 is situated below depression 127. This offset between nose 27 and depression 127 forces pin 10 to bend upwards as nose 27 is received in depression 127. Bending pin 10 forces nose 27 into depression 127 and results in a tighter connection. In a different embodiment, nose 27 may be situated above depression 127 so the pin is forced to bend downwards thereby also resulting in a tighter connection. See, for example, FIG. 6.

[0040] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the third stage of make-up, a first shoulder tight position, which occurs after further rotation of pin 20 with respect to box 120. The seal surfaces 24, 124 are forced together by screwing pin 20 into box 120 until torque shoulders 26, 126 contact one another. In this preferred embodiment, for example, the complementary second surfaces 26b, 126b just contact one another. As a result, the standoff Sb between second surfaces 26b, 126 is eliminated. However, standoff Sa between complementary first surfaces 26a, 126a still exists. Additional rotation has not yet occurred after the point of contact between shoulders 26, 126 so there is no additional torque force applied to shoulders 26, 126, in this position. A distance 51 in the radial direction exists between the edge of pin 20 and surface BS of box 120. The relative angles of seal surfaces 24, 124, force apart an edge of pin 20 and surface BS of box 120 by an amount of seal interference 51 designed into the connection to provide sufficient contact pressure in order to form a leak tight seal.

[0041] The fourth stage of make-up, a second shoulder tight position, occurs after further rotation of pin 20 with respect to box 120. The seal surfaces 24, 124 are further forced together by screwing pin 20 into box 120 until torque shoulder first surfaces 26a, 126a contact one another. The radial distance 51 is reduced by the amount of the radial offset between vertices 27, 127. Forcing the end of the pin radially outward forces the seal surfaces 24,124 tighter together creating a better seal. The V shape between the first and second shoulder surfaces keeps gap 51 from being zero and causing undesirable contact between the box and pin.

[0042] The fifth and final stage of making up the connection is the power tight position. During the power tight stage additional torque is applied to torque shoulders 26, 126 but very little additional rotation occurs, about 0.01 turns, for example. Because very little additional rotation occurs, the power tight position for the connection looks like the shoulder tight position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0043] The amount of torque build up is a function of friction, stiffness of the pin, stiffness of the box around the seal area, the amount of thread interference, if any, the lubricant and the amount of interference in the seals. Once seal surfaces 24, 124 contact each other, torque begins to build up rapidly. The torque build up is caused by seal surfaces 24, 124 being wedged together. The torque continues increasing at an approximately constant rate until the shoulders 26, 126 contact in the shoulder tight position. The torque builds up extremely rapidly after shoulders 26, 126 contact one another. Once shoulders 26, 126 contact, additional torque is applied until the pre-determined power tight position is reached and the desired amount of torque is achieved. Very little additional rotation of the connection is needed to reach the desired final make-up torque, for example, approximately 0.01 turns.

[0044] FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a cross section view of a torque shoulder embodiment in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A to 4, pin 20 is designed as a male component and box 120 is designed as a female component so box 120 can receive pin 20. In this embodiment, pin torque shoulder 26 and box torque shoulder 126 both have a V-shaped cross section. Pin seal surface 24 and box seal surface 124 are spaced apart from each respective torque shoulder 26, 126, with respect to a longitudinal axis (not shown) defined by the connection of the pipe and connector. Torque shoulders may also have cross sections of another shape or design.

[0045] The V shaped extension of pin torque shoulder 26 engages with the V shaped receptacle of box torque shoulder 126 to reduce or prevent movement of pin 20 in multiple directions, e.g., radially inward or outward. For example, first surfaces 26a, 126a prevent pin 20 from being driven upwards into a corner of box 120 by keeping the nose 27 of pin 20 down. And, second surfaces 26b, 126b prevent externally applied pressure from forcing pin 20 inward which de-energizes seal surfaces 24, 124.

[0046] An interior angle Va is formed between first surfaces 26a, 126a and axis P. Interior angle Va may be 15, which is 15 in the counter-clockwise direction with respect to axis P. An interior angle Vb is formed between second surfaces 26b, 126b and axis P. Interior angle Vb may be 15, which is 15 in the clockwise direction with respect to axis P. Angles Va, Vb may vary and be, for example, from 3 to 60, 3 to 60, respectively. In addition, interior angle Va may be different from or equal to an absolute value of interior angle Vb. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, angle Va is 15 and is not equal to an absolute value of angle Vb which is 45 because 15|45| so Va|Vb|. In another example, angle Va may be 20 and angle Vb may be 10 in which case Va|Vb| because 20|10|.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5B, nose 27 and depression 127 are located at or near a center torque shoulders with respect to a length of shoulders 26a, 26b, 126a, 126b in the direction of axis P. First pin surface 26a has the same or near similar length to second pin surface 26b and first box surface 126a has the same or similar length to second box surface 126. In the FIG. 5B embodiment, nose 27 and depression 127 serve as the vertex of interior angles Va, Vb however, this is a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment. The geometry of torque shoulders 26, 126 including nose 27, depression 127 and angles Va, Vb is variable. Different shapes and positions of vertices may be used. Different shapes or angles of surfaces 26a, 26b, 126a, 126b or Va, Vb may be used. For example, the position of nose 27 does not have to be in a center of torque shoulder 26 but instead could be located closer to inner surface 21 than outer surface 23.

[0048] As shown in another preferred embodiment in FIG. 6, first surfaces 26a, 126a are longer than second surfaces 26b, 126b and first angle Va is greater than the absolute value of second angle Vb. FIG. 7 shows first surfaces 26a, 126a are shorter than second surfaces 26b, 126b and first angle Va is less than second angle Vb. The geometry of first surfaces 26a, 126a, second surfaces 26b, 126b and vertices (nose, depression) 27, 127 are designed to produce the desired results. As discussed above, the vertices 27, 127 may be initially mis-aligned to force an end of the pin down in order to straighten out or minimize bending of the pin, for example. Or, for example, the end of pin 20 may need to be forced up in order to increase contact pressure on the seals 24, 124.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows another preferred embodiment of torque shoulders 26, 126 in which the shoulders 26, 126 have a bullet, bull nose or curved shape cross section as opposed to the V shaped cross section shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. First surface 26a has a first radius Ra, second surface 26b has a second radius Rb, first surface 126a has a third radius Rc and second surface 126b has a fourth radius Rd. First and third radii Ra, Rc, may be different from or equal too second and fourth radii, respectively Rb, Rd. Nose 27 is located between first surface 26a and second surface 26b. Depression 127 is located between first surface 126a and second surface 126b. As discussed above with respect to the V-shaped cross section embodiment, first surfaces 26a, 126a, second surfaces 26b, 126b and radii Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and vertices may be adjusted to force pin 20 up or down to trap pin 20 in a desired position with respect to the box 120. In another embodiment the pin may having a single surface with a single radius and the box may have a single surface with a single radius. In this embodiment, the pin radius and box radius may or may not be equal and centerlines of the radii may or may not be the same distance from the axis. If the two radii are offset radially with respect from each other then the end of the pin will be either forced upwards or downwards, depending upon how the two radii are offset.

[0050] The V shaped cross section and bull nose cross section designs of torque shoulders 26, 126 is advantageous over the prior art because the male and female geometry traps or constrains pin in a radial position within the box and thereby reducing or preventing movement of the pin. By adjusting the design of shoulders 26, 126, bending, bowing or deflection of the pin may be compensated for or minimized. In addition, the contact pressure of the seal surfaces 24, 124 maybe increased. Other benefits may be derived therefrom as well.

[0051] Preferably, first and second angles Va, Vb or first and second radii Ra, Rb are designed to be small enough so a larger component of force F acting on pin 20 is an axial component A and not a radial component R. See FIG. 9.

[0052] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a torque shoulder connection for a pin and box in which the V-shaped shoulder design is inverted compared to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A to 9. In this embodiment, pin 220 is a female member and box 320 is a male member. Box 320 includes a box seal surface 324, first shoulder surface 326a, second shoulder surface 326b. A nose 327 is formed between first shoulder surface 326a and second shoulder surface 326b. Pin 220 includes a pin seal surface 224, first shoulder surface 226a and a second shoulder surface 226b. A depression 227 is formed between first shoulder surface 226b and second shoulder surface 226b. In this embodiment, the vertex between box surfaces 326a and 326b forms nose 327 and the vertex between pin surfaces 226a and 226b forms depression 227. Nose 327 and depression are complementary surfaces so nose 327 is received in depression 227 by rotation of pin 220 in box 320 in the same manner as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2a to 5B. This inverted shoulder design may also apply to the bull nose embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

[0053] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a torque shoulder connection wherein the pin 520 and box 420 have different shoulder surface geometries and vertices 527 and 427 are not complementary with one another according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A shows a pin 520 having a rounded or bull nosed shoulder surface 526 with a first shoulder surface 526a and a second shoulder surface 526b. A vertex 527 is located between the first shoulder surface 526a and second shoulder surface 526b. Box 420 includes a v-shaped box shoulder surface 426 with a first shoulder surface 426a and second shoulder surface 426b. A vertex 427 is located between the first shoulder surface 426a and second shoulder surface 426b. Pin 520 and box 420 contact one another in the same manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A to 5B. Rotation of pin 520 into box 420 provides for contact of first shoulder surface 526a with first shoulder surface 426a and for contact of second shoulder surface 526b with second shoulder surface 426b. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, vertex 427 and vertex 527 may not be in contact with one another due to the different surface geometries of shoulder 526 and shoulder 426. A gap or space 530 will be present between vertices 426, 526 after makeup. Also, due to the variation in geometry and design of shoulder surfaces 526, 426, shoulder surfaces 526, 426 will not be in contact with one another along a portion of surfaces 526, 426.

[0054] FIG. 11B shows a pin 520 having a v-shaped pin shoulder surface 526 and a box 420 with a rounded or bull nosed box shoulder surface 426. Pin shoulder surface 526 has a first shoulder 526a and a second shoulder surface 526b. A vertex 527 is located between the first shoulder surface 526a and second shoulder surface 526b. Box shoulder surface 426 has a first shoulder surface 426a and second shoulder surface 426b. A vertex 427 is located between the first shoulder surface 426a and second shoulder surface 426b. Pin 520 and box 420 contact one another in the same manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A to 5B and 11A. Rotation of pin 520 into box 420 provides for contact of first shoulder surface 526a with first shoulder surface 426a and for contact of second shoulder surface 526b with second shoulder surface 426b. A space 530 is present between vertices 427 and 527.

[0055] In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the pin 520 and box 420 may be designed so that vertices 527 and 427 are aligned with each other so pin shoulder surfaces 526a, 526b contact box shoulder surfaces 426a, 426b at the same time when pin 520 is being inserted into box 420 during make-up. Alternatively, the shoulder surfaces 526, 426 and vertices 527, 427 may be designed so first shoulder surfaces 526a, 426a contact first, then second shoulder surfaces 526b, 426b contact as pin 520 is further screwed into box 520. In another variation, the shoulder surfaces 526, 426 and vertices 527, 427 may be designed so second shoulder surfaces 526b, 426b contact first, then first shoulder surfaces 526a, 426a contact as pin 520 is further screwed into box 520.

[0056] Shoulder surfaces 426, 526 may be designed with a variety of geometries, including, but not limited to, bull nose, bullet shaped, angular, rounded or fishtail, for example.

[0057] In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and examples thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.