Patent ID: 8720953

Claim:
A connector for use with a subsea riser installation, the connector comprising: a body, wherein the body comprises: a first connecting face comprising a through-passageway and adapted for connection to a first external conduit element and a ball joint within the body, wherein the ball joint comprises a through-passageway which is substantially aligned with the through-passageway in the first face; and a second connecting face on an opposite side of the connector to the first connecting face and adapted for connection to a second external conduit element; and at least one detent mechanism adapted to engage a corresponding locating feature on the ball joint, the locating feature comprising an indentation on the ball joint, wherein the through-passageway in the first face and the through-passageway in the ball joint are maintained in alignment, wherein the ball joint is prevented from moving relative to the body until a predetermined bending moment is applied to the ball joint across the axis of the through-passageway in the ball joint, and wherein the at least one detent mechanism comprises a detent acted on by an applied linear force.