Tubular end protector

A protector for an elongate member, the protector comprising:

• a rigid portion formed from a first material having a first elastic modulus, having a body portion defining a central axis and for axial insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the elongate member;
• a cover portion extending from the body portion;
• and
• a flexible portion formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus,
• the flexible portion having one or more resilient members comprising a plurality of first flexible ridges, each first ridge extending away from the axis to a radial distance which is substantially constant along at least a portion of the length of the first ridge, and
• wherein, as the body portion is received within the cavity of the elongate member, the first ridges deform in an axial direction to engage the inner surface of the cavity to form a seal between the body portion and the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member.

A protector for an elongate member, the protector comprising:

• a rigid portion formed from a first material having a first elastic modulus, having a body portion for insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the elongate member, and a cover portion extending from the body portion;
• and
• a flexible portion formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus,
• and the flexible portion having a plurality of resilient members comprising a plurality of deformable fins extending along an axial direction of the body portion,
• wherein, when the body portion is inserted into the cavity and the protector is rotated about the central axis, the fins deform into a locking configuration to hold the protector in place.

A method for manufacturing a protector,

• the protector comprising:
• a rigid portion formed from a first material having a first elastic modulus, having a body portion defining a central axis and for axial insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the elongate member;
• a cover portion extending from the body portion;
• and
• a flexible portion formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus,
• the flexible portion having one or more resilient members comprising a plurality of first flexible ridges, each first ridge extending away from the axis to a radial distance which is substantially constant along at least a portion of the length of the first ridge, and
• wherein, as the body portion is received within the cavity of the elongate member, the first ridges deform in an axial direction to engage the inner surface of the cavity to form a seal between the body portion and the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• providing the first and second materials in a liquid state;
• injecting the first and second materials into a mould;
• forming the rigid portion from the first material;
• and
• forming the flexible portion from the second material.

A method of applying a protector to a non-threaded pipe,

• the protector comprising:
• a rigid portion formed from a first material having a first elastic modulus, having a body portion defining a central axis and for axial insertion into a cavity defined by an end portion of the non-threaded pipe;
• a cover portion extending from the body portion;
• and
• a flexible portion formed from a second material having a second elastic modulus and provided on an outer surface of the body portion, the second elastic modulus being smaller than the first elastic modulus,
• the flexible portion having one or more resilient members comprising a plurality of first flexible ridges, each first ridge extending away from the axis to a radial distance which is substantially constant along at least a portion of the length of the first ridge;
• and
• the method comprising inserting the body portion of the protector into the cavity of the non-threaded pipe, whereby the first ridges deform in an axial direction to engage the inner surface of the cavity to form a seal between the body portion and the inner surface of the cavity, and the cover portion covers an end surface of the elongate member.