Single element flexible connection

In a flexible joint for pipelines where an annular housing with a central cavity has a nipple partially submerged therein with said nipple having a flared end on the submerged portion, the combination which comprises:

• a. an elastomeric ring adhered to the inner surface of said flared end and internally contoured spherically with reference to a common center point spaced from said flared end and located on the longitudinal axis of said joint,
• b. an elastomeric body having an assembly of concentric spherical rings adhered therein, with said body adhered to the outer surface of said flared end and with said rings contoured and positioned in symmetry to said common center point,
• c. a collar encircling said nipple and adhered to the outer surface of said elastomeric body to maintain said body in position,
• d. support structure in said housing having an outward facing spherical surface mating in sliding relation with the internal surface of said elastomeric ring, and
• e. means to secure said collar to said housing.

In a flexible sound isolation joint for pipelines where an annular housing with a central cavity has a nipple partially submerged therein with said nipple having spherically flared end surfaces on the submerged portion, the combination which comprises:

• a. an inward facing internally grooved rubber ring adhered at its outer surface to the inner surface of said flared end and internally contoured spherically with reference to a common center point spaced from said flared end and located on the longitudinal axis of said joint,
• b. an elastomeric body having an assembly of concentric spherical structural rings embedded therein, with said body adhered to the outer surface of said flared end and with said rings contoured and positioned in symmetry to said common center point,
• c. a collar secured to said housing encircling said nipple and adhered to the outer surface of said elastomeric body to maintain said body in position, and
• d. support structure in said housing having an outward facing spherical surface mating in sliding relation with the internal surface of said first elastomeric body.

A flexible joint for pipelines comprising:

• a. an annular housing having an internal centrally located annular rib extending radially inwardly,
• b. a hollow cylinder having an external circumferential flange resting on said rib and having exterior surfaces on both sides of said flange of spherical configuration relative to a center point on the axis of said housing,
• c. two opposed nipples, each partially submerged in said housing with spherically flared end surfaces on the submerged portions,
• d. inward facing internally grooved rubber rings adhered at outer surfaces thereof to the inner surfaces of said flared ends and internally contoured spherically with reference to said center point and operating in sliding relation over the surfaces of said hollow cylinder,
• e. two elastomeric bodies each having an assembly of concentric spherical structural rings embedded therein, each said body adhered to the outer surface of one of said flared ends and with said rings contoured and positioned in symmetry to said center point, and
• f. two collars, one secured to each end of said housing and encircling one of said nipples and adhered to the outer surface of one of said elastomeric bodies to maintain said bodies in position.

A flexible joint for pipelines where a cylindrical housing has a central cavity and a pair of nipples partially submerged at opposite ends in said housing with said nipples having flared ends on the submerged portions, the combination which comprises:

• a. two elastomeric rings respectively adhered to the inner surfaces of said flared ends and internally contoured spherically with reference to a common center point which point is spaced from said flared ends and is located on the longitudinal axis of said housing,
• b. two elastomeric bodies each having an assembly of concentric spherical rings embedded therein, with said bodies respectively adhered to the outer surfaces of said flared ends and with said rings contoured and positioned in symmetry to said common center point,
• c. two collars, one encircling each of said nipples and engaging the outer surface of said elastomeric bodies to maintain said bodies in position,
• d. support structure in said housing having an outward facing spherical surface mating in sliding relation with the internal surfaces of said elastomeric rings, and
• e. means to secure said collars to opposite ends of said housing.