Patent ID: RE43262

Claim:
A retaining apparatus for use in a wellhead, the wellhead having a central bore and first and second retaining means within the bore of the wellhead, the apparatus comprising: a housing for location within the bore of the wellhead; a first engagement assembly for engaging with the first retaining means in the bore of the wellhead to thereby retain the housing within the bore of the wellhead; a second engagement assembly for engaging with the second retaining means in the bore of the wellhead; a preload assembly operable when the housing is located within the bore of the wellhead to apply a preload to the housing between the first and second retaining means, the preload assembly comprises a loading member movable so as to be brought to bear against the second engagement assembly once the second engagement assembly is engaged with the second retaining means to urge the apparatus housing toward the first retaining means within the wellhead, to thereby provide the preload; the loading member is a loading ring movable longitudinally with respect to the housing; and, a threaded connection secures the loading ring to the housing, rotation of the loading ring with respect to the housing causing the loading ring to move longitudinally with respect to the housing.