Pipe thread protector with a detent

Abstract

A thread protector comprises a substantially closed end and a threaded inner annular wall extending from the substantially closed end. There is a detent disposed within an interior of the thread connector. The detent includes a resilient flap with an edge which is spaced-apart from and facing the threaded inner annular wall of the thread protector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A male thread protector comprising:
 a substantially closed end;   a threaded outer annular wall extending from the substantially closed end; and   a detent disposed on the threaded outer annular wall, wherein the detent is a resilient member which interrupts threading on the threaded outer annular wall.   
     
     
         2 . The male thread protector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the detent is a resilient member which is press fit into a recess in the threaded outer annular wall. 
     
     
         3 . The male thread protector as claimed in  claim 1  further including an annular flange at an open end thereof and spaced-apart bumpers extending circumferentially along the annular flange. 
     
     
         4 . The male thread protector as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the bumpers are crescent-shaped and each have a crescent-shaped recess. 
     
     
         5 . The male thread protector as claimed in  claim 1  further including an opening which extends through the substantially closed end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A female thread protector comprising:
 a substantially closed end;   a threaded inner annular wall extending from the substantially closed end; and   a detent disposed within an interior of the female thread connector, wherein the detent includes a resilient flap with an edge which is spaced-apart from and facing the threaded inner annular wall.   
     
     
         7 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 6  further including an elongate member extending from the substantially closed end and a socket in the resilient flap, wherein the elongate member is received by the socket. 
     
     
         8 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 6  further including three elongate members extending from the substantially closed end and three sockets in the resilient flap, wherein each elongate member is received by a corresponding one of the sockets. 
     
     
         9 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the elongate member extends from the substantially closed end in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the female thread protector. 
     
     
         10 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 6  further including a tab extending substantially perpendicular from the resilient flap. 
     
     
         11 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 6  further including a plurality of spaced-apart ribs extending about and between the threaded inner annular wall and the substantially closed end of the female thread protector. 
     
     
         12 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 11  further including an annular ring which passes through the ribs. 
     
     
         13 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 6  further including spaced-apart bumpers extending circumferentially along the substantially closed end thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the bumpers are crescent-shaped and each have a crescent-shaped recess. 
     
     
         15 . The female thread protector as claimed in  claim 6  further including an opening which extends through the substantially closed end thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A combination of a pipe and a thread protector:
 the pipe having an inner wall and a male threaded pipe end; and   the thread protector having a substantially closed end, a threaded inner annular wall extending from the substantially closed end, and a detent disposed within an interior of the thread protector and which includes a resilient flap with an edge which is spaced-apart from and facing the threaded inner annular wall;   wherein the detent frictionally engages the inner wall of the pipe when the threaded pipe end of the pipe and the thread protector are threadedly engaged, thereby resisting rotational motion of the thread protector relative to the threaded pipe end of the pipe.   
     
     
         17 . The combination of a pipe and a thread protector as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the thread protector further includes an elongate member extending from the substantially closed end thereof and a socket in the resilient flap, wherein the elongate member is received by the socket. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of a pipe and a thread protector as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the thread protector further includes a plurality of spaced-apart ribs extending about and between the threaded inner annular wall and the substantially closed end of the thread protector, and wherein there is an annular ring which passes through the ribs. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of a pipe and a thread protector as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the thread protector further includes spaced-apart bumpers extending circumferentially along the substantially closed end thereof, the bumpers being crescent-shaped and each having a crescent-shaped recess. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of a pipe and a thread protector as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the thread protector further includes an opening which extends through the substantially closed end thereof.