Tubular connection floating shoulder ring

A floating shoulder ring is arranged to occupy the J.-space between pin ends of coupled pipe sections. The length of the ring is arranged to allow the pipe connection to approach the specified torque for shoulderless connections before the ring begins to function as an abutment between the approaching pipe ends: The torque accepted by the ring limits the radial force imposed by tapered threads on both pipe and coupling. The ring is provided with modified threads on the outer surface to engage the inner threads of the coupling, in the J-space, to retain the ring in the coupling during handling in preparation for assembly into a pipe string. The modified threads yield axially when substantially forced. Threads that slip axially, non-destructively, and threads that deform under sufficient axial force are provided.