David W Snider

US Patent:

57916950, Aug 11, 1998

Filed:

Apr 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/424724

Inventors:

David A. Snider - Hurst TX

Assignee:

Continental Emsco Co. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 2500

US Classification:

285177

Abstract:

A flexible joint is provided for facilitating bending of tubular segments. The flexible joint includes an outer cylindrical housing and at least one inner tubular member disposed within the outer cylindrical housing. The outer cylindrical housing has a first end which has an inwardly projecting bevel-shaped portion. The inner tubular member has a first end which has an outwardly projecting bevel-shaped portion. An elastomeric pad is bonded between an inner surface of the outer cylindrical housing and an outer surface of the inner tubular member at their respective first ends. The elastomeric pad has a bevel-shaped section which is adjacent to the inwardly projecting bevel-shaped portion of the first end of the outer cylindrical housing and the outwardly projecting bevel-shaped portion of the first end of the inner tubular member. It retains the inner tubular member within the outer cylindrical housing and permits limited axial, angular, and rotational movement of the inner tubular member relative to the outer cylindrical housing. A plurality of outer cylindrical housing/inner tubular member pairs may be linked in series, arranged in a nested telescopic fashion, or a combination of these arrangements.