# US 11,072,978 B2 · Bend restrictor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,072,978 B2 - Document ID: US11072978B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/644,025 - Filed: 2018-09-04 - Published: 2021-02-04 - Granted: 2021-07-27 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-04 - Assignees: Balmoral Comtec Limited - Applicants: Balmoral Comtec Limited - Inventors: Blair Stewart; Aneel Gill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11072978B2 ## CPC - E21B 17/017: {Bend restrictors for limiting stress on risers} - E21B 17/105: {split type} - F16L 1/123: {Devices for the protection of pipes under water} - E21B 17/015: {Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract An apparatus (1) for restricting the bending of a tubular member underwater comprises a plurality of interlocking modules each formed from a first half shell component (2) circumferentially displaced from a second half-shell component (3), wherein the first half shell component comprises one or more projections (19) extending from a side edge (18) thereof and the second half shell component comprises one or more grooves (21) in a side edge (18) thereof, the projections and grooves being angled to the side edges of the first and second half shell components, the arrangement being such that when assembled together each of the one of more projections of the first half shell component are inter-engaged with a corresponding groove of the second half shell component to secure the two half shells together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for restricting the bending of a tubular member underwater, said apparatus comprising a plurality of interlocking modules each formed from a first half shell component circumferentially displaced from a second half-shell component, each of the first and second half-shell components comprising a first end and a second end and side edges extending between the first and second ends, wherein the first half shell component comprises one or more projections extending from the side edge thereof and the second half shell component comprises one or more grooves in the side edge thereof, the projections and grooves being angled the side edges of the first and second half shell components towards the first end of the components, the arrangement being such that when assembled together each of the one of more projections of the first half shell component are inter-engaged with a corresponding groove of the second half shell component to secure the two half shells together such that the two half shells cannot be radially separated without axial displacement of one half shell component relative to the other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections of the first half shell component and the grooves of the second half shell component are provided in both side edges of the respective components. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections and grooves are provided at an angle of between 40 and 50 degrees to the side edges of the components. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first half shell component comprises two angled projections and the second half shell component comprises two cooperating angled grooves. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the groove or grooves of the second half shell component have a depth of around 50% of the thickness of the second half shell component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the projection or projections have a thickness of around 50% of the thickness of the first half shell component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the or each projection comprises a base portion in the region where the projection meets the side edge of the first half shell component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second half shell components comprise a female portion and a male portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a channel is formed through each half shell component from the female to the male portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the channel is open at either end and forms a conduit through which a tubular member can pass. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the male portion of the conduit comprises an elongate neck. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the diameter of the neck is less than the diameter of the female portion of the components. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the neck terminates in a nose portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the nose portion has a diameter greater than the neck but less than that of the female portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a first abutment surface is provided between the neck and the nose portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a second abutment surface is provided within the socket of the female portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a third abutment surface is provided between the female portion and the neck portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a fourth abutment surface is provided on an outer end surface of the female portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the arrangement of abutment surfaces is such that when a plurality of modular components are interconnected, the first and third abutment surfaces of a first module abut with the second and fourth abutment surfaces respectively of a second module. ### Claim 20 A module of a bend restrictor apparatus comprising a first half shell component circumferentially displaced from a second half-shell component, each of the first and second half-shell components comprising a first end and a second end and side edges extending between the first and second ends, wherein the first half shell component comprises one or more projections extending from the side edge thereof and the second half shell component comprises one or more slots, the arrangement being such that each of the one of more projections of the first half shell component is inter-engaged with a corresponding slot of the second half shell component and wherein the projections and slots are angled from the side edges of the first and second half shell components towards the first end of the components, such that the first and second half shell components cannot be radially separated without axial displacement of one half shell component relative to the other.