Drilling quick connectors

Abstract

A quick connector fitting assembly is provided which includes a fitting which releasably connects to a well casing for providing an interface for the attachment of various types of well related equipment. The quick connector fitting connects using fasteners to a lip or groove formed on the casing. The fasteners can easily connect or disconnect from the groove or lip facilitating the quick connection and disconnection of the fitting from the casing.

1. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 a tubular male receiver comprising, 
 a first end for coupling to the well casing, 
 a second end above the first end, said second end forming a mouth, and 
 a first annular lip formed around the second end, the annular lip having a lower annular surface extending circumferentially around the second end below an upper surface and a peripheral surface between the lower and upper surfaces, said lower surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction; and 
 a fitting mounted over the second end of the male receiver, the fitting comprising,
 a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as the an outer surface diameter of the annular lip, said cylindrical inner surface surrounding and being adjacent to said lip peripheral surface,  
 a second section over above the first section, 
 a surface at an upper end of the second section for interfacing with the equipment to be mounted, and 
 at least a threaded opening formed radially through the first section,; and 
 
 a fastener threaded through the opening and having a frusto-conical tip portion for engaging the lower sloping surface of the first lip for and pulling the fitting against the male receiver and for fastening the fitting to the male receiver. 
 
     
     
       2. An assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a seal between the annular lip and the first section. 
     
     
       3. An assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a second a annular lip formed around the outer surface of the male receiver below and spaced apart from the first lip forming a groove therebetween. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as recited in  claim 3  further comprising at least one depression on the second annular lip for accepting a torque tool for torquing the male receiver to the coupling. 
     
     
       5. An assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a coupling member for coupling the male receiver to the casing, wherein the coupling member comprises inner threads for threading to an outer surface of the well casing and to the outer surface of the male receiver. 
     
     
       6. An assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the fitting further comprises intermediate section between the first and second sections, wherein the intermediate section has a frusto-conical inner surface and wherein the annular lip comprises an upper surface sloping slopes downward in a radially outward direction, wherein the frusto-conical inner surface is complementary to the lip upper surface. 
     
     
       7. An assembly as recited in  claim 6  wherein the annular lip lower surface slopes upwards in a radially outward direction, and wherein threading of the fastener on the threaded opening causes the fastener to engage the sloping lower surface of the lip, wherein as the fastener is further threaded, the lip lower surface guides the fastener downward causing the fitting to move downward and the frusto-conical inner surface to engage the complementary upper surface of the lip. 
     
     
       8. An assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the fitting comprises four radially threaded openings through the second section and wherein the assembly comprises four fasteners threaded through the openings and engaging the lower surface of the lip. 
     
     
       9. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 an annular fitting having an inner and an outer surface for fitting over a well casing, comprising,
 a surface at a top end of the fitting for providing an interface for the equipment to be mounted, 
 an annular surface extending from the inner surface for engaging the casing mouth, and 
 an annular groove formed on the outer surface near a lower end of the fitting, the groove having an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface therebetween; 
   an annular retainer slip comprising,
 an upper annular lip extending radially inward for fitting within the tilting annular groove, and 
 a lower annular lip extending radially inward and having an annular edge comprising a surface for frictionally engaging an outer surface of the casing; and 
   a clamp surrounding the retainer slip for compressing the retainer slip toward the casing.   
     
     
       10. An assembly as recited in  claim 9  further comprising:
 an inner annular groove formed on the inner surface of the fitting below the fitting annular surface; and 
 an annular seal within the inner annular groove. 
 
     
     
       11. An assembly as recited in  claim 10  further comprising:
 a second annular groove formed on the inner surface of the fitting below the first annular groove; and 
 a second annular seal within the inner annular groove. 
 
     
     
       12. An assembly as recited in  claim 10  further comprising an injection fitting extending from the outer surface of the fitting and providing access to the annular groove for injecting the groove with a sealing material. 
     
     
       13. An assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the retainer slip lower annular lip surface for engaging the outer surface of the casing comprises teeth. 
     
     
       14. An assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein the retainer slip comprises at least two sections and wherein the fitting outer annular groove has a bottom surface that slopes downward in a radially outward direction, wherein the retainer slip upper lip has a bottom surface that slopes downward in a radially outward direction, wherein as the clamp is tightened around the retainer slip it causes the teeth on the bottom lip to engage the outer surface of the casing fixing the retainer slip relative to the casing, wherein further tightening of the clamp causes the retainer slip upper lip bottom surface to ride on the fitting annular groove bottom surface causing the fitting to move downward and the fitting inner lip to seat on the casing. 
     
     
       15. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing having a mouth and outer threads, the assembly comprising:
 an annular bushing for threading threaded on and surrounding a well casing head, the bushing having an a generally cylindrical outer surface and comprising, and a depression on the outer surface; 
 a fitting mounted over the bushing, the fitting having a central opening and comprising,
 an annular shoulder formed around the central opening for seating on the mouth of the casing, 
 an annular wall extending downward from the shoulder surrounding the bushing and the well casing and having an inner surface diameter not less than the an outer surface diameter of the bushing, and a radially threaded bore aligned with the depression, and 
 a surface at an upper end of the fitting for interfacing with the equipment; and 
 
 a fastener having outer threads matched to the threads on the radial bore, wherein the fastener is threaded through the threaded bore and extends into the depression for fastening the fitting to the bushing and thereby the casing. 
 
     
     
       16. An assembly as recited in  claim 15  further comprising:
 an annular groove formed on the shoulder; and 
 an annular seal seated in the groove. 
 
     
     
       17. An assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein the depression formed on the outer surface of the bushing is an annular groove. 
     
     
       18. An assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein the groove has an upper surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction, wherein the fastener has a head having a tip having a frusto-conical shaped surface, wherein as the fastener is threaded on the threaded bore a frusto-conical surface of the tip engages the upper surface of the groove guiding the fastener in a downward direction and thereby causing the fitting to move downward for sitting on the mouth of the casing. 
     
     
       19. An assembly as recited in  claim 18  comprising:
 a plurality of threaded bores formed on the annular wall aligned with the annular groove; and 
 a plurality of fasteners for threading into the threaded bores for engaging the groove. 
 
     
     
       20. An assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein each fastener further comprises a shaft extending from the tip and having a threaded section, wherein the assembly further comprising comprises lock nuts having inner threads matched to the threads of the threaded section, wherein each nut is threaded on the shaft from an end opposite the tip, wherein the nut contacts the annular wall and exerts a radially outward force on the fastener. 
     
     
       21. An assembly as recited in  claim 20  further comprising a retainer behind the shaft threads on each fastener for preventing the lock nuts from sliding off the fastener shafts. 
     
     
       22. A method for removably connecting a fitting to a well casing having a mouth and external threads allowing for the attachment of well related equipment, the method comprising the steps of:
 threading a bushing on the external threads of the casing, the bushing having an a generally cylindrical outer surface and an annular groove formed on said generally cylindrical outer depression surface; 
 mounting a fitting over the bushing and well head casing, the fitting providing an interface for mounting well related equipment; and 
 orienting the fitting to a desired position over the bushing and casing; and 
 threading a fastener through the fitting to engage the annular groove on the bushing fastening the fitting against the depression annular groove on the bushing. 
 
     
     
       23. A method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the depression on the bushing is an annular groove, the method further comprising the step of orienting the fitting to a desired position over the bushing and casing prior to the step of fastening. 
     
     
       24. A method as recited in  claim 23  wherein the step of fastening comprises the step of threading fasteners through the fitting to engage the groove. 
     
     
       25. A method as recited in claim  24  22 further comprising the step of threading a nut on a fastener from end opposite an end engaging the groove for contacting the fitting and preventing the loosening of the fastener from the fitting. 
     
     
       26. A method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the step of fastening comprises the step of pulling the fitting toward the casing for seating on the mouth of the casing. 
     
     
       27. A method as recited in  claim 26  wherein the step of fastening further comprises the step of forming a seal between the fitting and the mouth of the casing. 
     
     
       28. A method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the step of threading comprises the step of threading the bushing to a location about ⅛ inch to ⅜ inch below the mouth of the casing. 
     
     
       29. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 a casing head comprising,
 a first portion forming a mouth and having an outer surface diameter; 
 a second portion for coupling to the well casino, and 
 a groove formed on the outer surface of the casing head; 
 
 a fitting mounted over the first portion of the casing head, the fitting comprising, 
 a first section mounted over the first portion of the casing head, the fitting first section comprising a lower an annular edge, and 
 a second section extending over the first section and having a surface for interfacing with the equipment to be mounted; 
 an annular flange nut releasably coupled to the fitting and having a channel formed on its inner surface; and comprising,
 an upper annular section coupled to the fitting, 
 an intermediate section extending from the upper section and having an inner surface diameter larger than the first section, and 
 a lower section below the upper annular section, said lower section extending from the intermediate section and having an inner surface diameter smaller than the inner surface diameter of the first section, wherein the channel is bounded by the three annular flange nut sections; 
 
 a plurality of lock load keys located in the channel and moveable to a position within the groove on the outer surface of the casing head for engaging a surface of the groove and the first section lower annular edge; and 
 a load key bolt for each load key for moving said load keys for engaging the surface of the groove, wherein threads are formed on an outer surface of the fitting first section, wherein threads are formed on the inner surface of the flange nut upper annular section, wherein the flange nut upper annular section is threaded to the fitting first section, and wherein each load key bolt radially penetrates a corresponding opening formed on the second section of the flange nut and threadedly engages a load key. 
 
     
     
       30. An assembly as recited in  claim 29  wherein the annular flange nut comprises:
 an upper annular section coupled to the fitting; 
 an intermediate section extending from the upper section and having an inner surface diameter larger than the first section; and 
 a lower section extending from the intermediate section and having an inner surface diameter smaller than the inner surface diameter of the first section, wherein the channel is bounded by the three sections. 
 
     
     
       31. An assembly as recited in  claim 30  wherein threads are formed on a lower portion of the outer surface of the fitting first section and wherein threads are formed on the inner surface of the flange nut upper section, and wherein the flange nut upper section is threaded to the lower portion of the fitting first section. 
     
     
       32. An assembly as recited in  claim 31  further comprising a load key bolt corresponding to each load key, wherein each load key bolt radially penetrates a corresponding opening formed on the second section of the flange nut and threadedly engages a load key. 
     
     
       33. An assembly as recited in claim  32  29 further comprising a retainer coupled to each load key bolt, wherein each retainer allows for rotational movement of its corresponding bolt, and wherein each retainer is mounted on an outer surface of the flange nut. 
     
     
       34. An assembly as recited in claim  31  29 wherein each load key is arc shaped. 
     
     
       35. An assembly as recited in  claim 34  wherein the groove formed on the outer surface of the casing head is an annular groove and wherein the load keys abut each other forming a ring when moved to a position in the annular groove. 
     
     
       36. An assembly as recited in claim  31  29 wherein the casing head second portion has threads formed on its inner surface for threading onto threads formed on the outer surface of the casing. 
     
     
       37. An assembly as recited in  claim 29  further comprising a coupling for coupling the casing head to the casing, the coupling having first and second ends and inner threads, wherein the first end of the coupling is threaded to the outer surface of the casing and wherein the casing head has outer threads for threading on to onto the inner threads at the second end of the coupling. 
     
     
       38. An assembly as recited in  claim 29  further comprising:
 a wear bushing lining at least a portion of the inner surface of the casing head and at least part of the inner surface of the quick connector fitting immediately above the casing head; and 
 and a clock screw radially screwed through the fitting and engaging the bushing for retaining the bushing in place. 
 
     
     
       39. An assembly as recited in  claim 29  further comprising:
 an annular groove formed on the inner surface of the fitting; and 
 a seal fitted within the annular groove for sealing against an outer surface of the casing head. 
 
     
     
       40. A method for removably connecting a fitting to a well casing allowing for the attachment of well related equipment, the method comprising the steps of:
 releasably coupling a casing head having an external groove to the casing;   mounting a fitting over the casing head, the fitting providing an interface for mounting well related equipment;   coupling a flange nut on the fitting, the flange nut comprising a plurality of moveable load keys; and   moving the load keys into the groove for locking the fitting onto the casing head.   
     
     
       41. A method as recited in  claim 40  wherein the coupling a flange nut step comprises the step of threading the flange nut on a lower outer surface portion of the fitting. 
     
     
       42. A method as recited in  claim 41  further comprising the step of further threading the flange nut onto the fitting after the step of moving for causing the fitting to seat tightly against the casing head. 
     
     
       43. A method as recited in  claim 40  wherein the keys are arc shaped. 
     
     
       44. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 a tubular male receiver comprising,   a first end portion for coupling to the well casing,   a second end portion forming a mouth, and   an annular lip formed around the second end portion, the annular lip having a lower surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction;   a fitting mounted over the second end portion of the male receiver, the fitting comprising,   a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as the outer surface diameter of the annular lip,   second section over the first section,   a surface at an upper end of the second section for interfacing with the equipment to be mounted, and   at least an opening formed radially through the first section; and   a fastener fitted through the opening and having a frusto-conical tip portion engaging the lower sloping surface of the annular lip for pulling the fitting against male receiver and for fastening the fitting to the male receiver.   
     
     
       45. An assembly as recited in  claim 44  further comprising a seal between the annular lip and the first section. 
     
     
       46. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 a tubular male receiver comprising,
 a first end portion for coupling to the well casing, 
 a second end portion forming a mouth and having an outer surface, and 
 a groove formed on the second end portion outer surfaces the groove having an upper surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction; 
 a fitting mounted over the second end portion of the male receiver, the fitting comprising,
 a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as the outer surface diameter of the male receiver second end portion, 
 second section over the first section, 
 a surface at an upper end of the second section for interfacing with the equipment to be mounted, and 
 at least an opening formed radially through the first section; and 
 a fastener fitted through the opening and having a frusto-conical tip portion for engaging to the groove sloping upper surface for pulling the fitting against the male receiver and for fastening the fitting to the male receiver. 
 
   
     
     
       47. An assembly as recited in  claim 46  further comprising a seal between the second end portion and the first section. 
     
     
       48. An assembly as recited in  claim 46  wherein the groove circumferentially spans the entire second end portion outer surface. 
     
     
       49. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 a tubular male receiver comprising,
 a first end for coupling to the well casing, 
 a second end forming a mouth, and 
 a first annular lip formed around the second end, the annular lip having a lower surface, 
 a second annular lip formed around the an outer surface of the male receiver below and spaced apart from the first lip forming a groove there between therebetween, and 
 at least one depression on the second annular lip for accepting a torque tool for torquing the male receiver to the coupling; and 
 a fitting mounted over above the second end of the male receiver, the fitting comprising,
 a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as the an outer surface diameter of the first annular lip, 
 a second section over above the first section, 
 a surface at an upper end of the second section for interfacing with the equipment to be attached, and 
 at least a threaded opening formed radially through the first section, and 
 a fastener threaded through the opening and engaging the lower surface of the first lip for fastening the fitting to the male receiver. 
 
 
 
     
     
       50. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 a tubular male receiver comprising,
 a first end for coupling to the well casing, 
 a second end forming a mouth, and 
 a first annular lip formed around the second end, the annular lip having an upper surface sloping downward in a radially outward direction and a lower surface; and 
 a fitting mounted over the second end of the male receiver, the fitting comprising,
 a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as the outer surface diameter of the annular lip, 
 a second section over the first section, 
 a surface at an upper end of the second section for interfacing with the equipment to be attached, 
 an intermediate section between the first and second sections, wherein the intermediate section has a frusto-conical inner surface complementary to the lip upper surface; 
 at least a threaded opening formed radially through the first section, and 
 a fastener threaded through the opening and engaging the lower surface of the first lip for fastening the fitting to the male receiver. 
 
 
 
     
     
       51. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 an annular fitting having an inner and an outer surface for fitting over a well casing, the fitting having an inner surface and an outer surface and a top end over a bottom, the fitting comprising,
 a surface at a the top end of the fitting for providing an interface for the equipment to be mounted, 
 an annular surface extending from the inner surface for engaging the casing mouth, 
 an inner annular groove formed on the inner surface of the fitting below the fitting annular surface, 
 an injection fitting extending from the outer surface of the fitting and providing access to the inner annular groove for injecting the groove with a sealing material, and 
 an annular groove formed on the outer surface near a lower end of the fitting, the groove having an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface therebetween; 
 
 an annular retainer slip comprising,
 an upper annular lip extending radially inward for fitting within the fitting outer surface annular groove, and 
 a lower annular lip below the upper annular lip extending radially inward and having an annular edge comprising a surface for engaging an outer surface of the casing; and 
 
 a clamp surrounding the retainer slip for compressing the retainer slip toward the casing. 
 
     
     
       52. A quick connect assembly:
 a tubular member comprising,
 a first end for coupling to a well casing, 
 a second end forming a mouth, and 
 a first annular lip formed around the second end, the annular lip having a lower surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction, said lower surface being below an upper surface; and 
   a fitting mounted over the second end of the tubular member, the fitting comprising,
 a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as an outer surface diameter of the first annular lip, 
 second section above the first section, 
 a frusto-conical section between the first and second sections, wherein the frusto-conical section has a frusto-conical inner surface and wherein the upper surface above the lower surface, said upper surface slopes downward in a radially outward direction, wherein the frusto-conical inner surface is complementary to the lip upper surface, 
 at least an opening formed radially through the first section, and 
 a fastener penetrating the opening and having a frusto-conical tip portion engaging the lower sloping surface of the first annular lip for pulling the fitting against the tubular member and fastening the fitting to the tubular member, wherein when the fastener is threaded through the opening it engages the sloping lower surface of the lip, and wherein during further threading of the fastener, the lip lower surface will guide the fastener downward causing the fitting to move downward and the frusto-conical inner surface to engage the complementary upper surface of the lip. 
   
     
     
       53. An assembly as recited in claim 52 further comprising a seal between the annular lip and the first section. 
     
     
       54. An assembly as recited in claim 52 further comprising a second annular lip formed around the outer surface of the tubular member below and spaced apart from the first lip forming a groove therebetween. 
     
     
       55. An assembly as recited in claim 52 further comprising at least one depression on the second annular lip for accepting a torque tool for torquing the tubular member to the coupling. 
     
     
       56. An assembly as recited in claim 52 wherein the fitting comprises four radial openings through the second section, said openings being equidistantly located around the second section, and wherein the assembly comprises four fasteners penetrating the openings and engaging the lower surface of the lip. 
     
     
       57. A quick connect assembly:
 a well tubular member comprising,
 an end forming a mouth, and 
 a first annular lip formed around the end, the first annular lip having a lower surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction, said lower surface being below an upper surface, said upper surface sloping outward and downward; 
 a second annular lip formed around an outer surface of the tubular member below and spaced apart from the first annular lip forming a groove therebetween; and 
   a fitting mounted over the end of the tubular member, the fitting comprising,
 a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as an outer surface diameter of the first annular lip, 
 second section above the first section, 
 a third section between the first and second sections having an inner surface complementary to the annular lip upper surface, 
 at least an opening formed radially through the first section, and 
 a fastener penetrating the opening and having a frusto-conical tip portion for engaging the lower sloping surface of the first annular lip for pulling the fitting against the tubular member and for fastening the fitting to the tubular member, wherein when the fastener is threaded through the opening it engages the sloping lower surface of the first annular lip, and wherein as the fastener is further threaded, the first annular lip lower surface guides the fastener downward causing the fitting to move downward and the third section inner surface to engage the complementary upper surface of the first annular lip. 
   
     
     
       58. An assembly as recited in claim 57 wherein the fitting further comprises a frusto-conical section between the first and second sections, wherein the frusto-conical section has a frusto-conical inner surface and wherein the first annular lip comprises an upper surface sloping downward in a radially outward direction, wherein the frusto-conical inner surface is complementary to the first annular lip upper surface. 
     
     
       59. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 an annular fitting for fitting over a well casing, the fitting having an inner surface and an outer surface and a top end over a bottom end comprising,
 a surface at the top end of the fitting for providing an interface for equipment to be mounted, 
 an annular surface extending from the inner surface for engaging the casing, 
 an inner annular groove formed on the inner surface of the annular fitting below the fitting annular surface, 
 an annular seal within the inner annular groove, and 
 an annular groove formed on the outer surface near a lower end of the fitting, the groove having an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface therebetween; 
   an annular retainer slip comprising,
 an upper annular lip extending radially inward for fitting within the fitting annular groove, and 
 a lower annular lip below the upper annular lip extending radially inward and having an annular edge comprising a surface comprising teeth for frictionally engaging an outer surface of the casing; 
   a clamp surrounding the retainer slip for compressing the retainer slip toward the casing, wherein the retainer slip comprises at least two sections and wherein the fitting outer annular groove has a bottom surface that slopes downward in a radially outward direction, wherein the retainer slip upper lip has a bottom surface that slopes downward in a radially outward direction, wherein as the clamp is tightened around the retainer slip it causes the teeth on the bottom lip to engage the outer surface of the casing fixing the retainer slip relative to the casing, wherein further tightening of the clamp causes the retainer slip upper lip bottom surface to ride on the fitting annular groove bottom surface causing the fitting to move downward and the fitting inner lip to seat on the casing.   
     
     
       60. An assembly as recited in claim 59 further comprising:
 a second annular groove formed on the inner surface of the fitting below the first annular groove; and   a second annular seal within the inner annular groove.   
     
     
       61. A quick connect assembly for providing an interface for the attachment of equipment to a well casing, the assembly comprising:
 casing head comprising,
 a first portion forming a mouth and having an outer surface; 
 a second portion for coupling to the well casing, and 
 a groove formed on the outer surface of the casing head; 
   a fitting over the first portion of the casing head, the fitting comprising,
 a first section mounted over the first portion of the casing head, the fitting first section comprising a lower annular edge, and 
 a second section extending over the first section and having a surface for interfacing with the equipment to be mounted; 
   an annular flange nut releasably coupled to the fitting and having a channel formed on its inner surface;   a plurality of load keys located in the channel and moveable to a position within the groove on the outer surface of the casing head for engaging a surface of the groove and the first section lower annular edge;   a load key bolt for each load key for moving said load keys for engaging the surface of the groove;   a wear bushing lining at least a portion of the inner surface of the casing head and at least part of the inner surface of the quick connector fitting immediately above the casing head; and   a lock screw radially screwed through the fitting and engaging the bushing for retaining the bushing in place.   
     
     
       62. A quick connect assembly:
 a tubular member comprising,
 a first end for coupling to a well casing, 
 a second end above the first end, said second end forming a mouth, and 
 an annular lip formed around the second end, the annular lip having a lower annular surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction, said lower surface being extending circumferentially around the second end below an upper surface, and a peripheral surface between the lower and upper surfaces; 
   a fitting mounted over the second end of the tubular member, the fitting comprising,
 a first section having a cylindrical inner surface having a diameter at least as large as an outer surface diameter of the annular lip said cylindrical inner surface surrounding and being adjacent to said lip peripheral surface, 
 a second section above the first section, and 
 at least an opening formed radially through the first section; 
   a fastener penetrating the opening and having a frusto-conical tip portion for engaging the lower sloping surface of the annular lip for pulling the fitting against the tubular member and for fastening the fitting to the tubular member; and   at least one depression on the annular lip for accepting a torque tool for torquing the tubular member to the coupling.