Patent ID: 8128129

Claim:
A double-ended flexible pipe joint comprising: an outer housing; a first extension pipe extending from a first end of the housing; a second extension pipe extending from a second end of the housing; a first primary annular elastomeric flex element disposed in the housing and mounting the first extension pipe to the housing; a second primary annular elastomeric flex element disposed in the housing and mounting the second extension pipe to the housing; an inner housing disposed within the outer housing; a first secondary annular elastomeric flex element disposed in the inner housing and mounting the first extension pipe to the inner housing; and a second secondary annular elastomeric flex element disposed in the inner housing and mounting the second extension pipe to the inner housing; wherein tension upon the first and second extension pipes places each of the first and second primary flex elements and each of the first and second secondary flex elements in compression; and wherein the first and second secondary flex elements are mounted to the inner housing for containing fluid pressure within the first and second extension pipes so that the first and second primary flex elements are not subjected to the fluid pressure within the first and second extension pipes.