Patent ID: 6568875
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: B63B,Y10T

Abstract:
A connector for use in a tension leg platform, comprising:a female portion comprising an abutment ring having an internally continuous abutment shoulder, a male portion comprising a mandrel with a continuous ring body having a plurality of radially slotted apertures, and a plurality of independently movable locking segments lying slideably against said mandrel to form a discontinous segmented ring wherein each of said plurality of locking segments lies against said mandrel in a first radial position along a ledge, and wherein said locking segments are independently displaced axially and radially sliding along said mandrel from said first radial position when said male portion is first joined with said female portion and wherein each of said locking segments freely slide back into said first radial position after said male portion is joined and substantially aligned with said female portion such that said locking segments are positioned between said ledge and said abutment shoulder.