Leg closure

In combination, a diaphragm and annular diaphragm retaining means retaining said diaphragm therein, said diaphragm comprising:

• flexible member means having a peripheral portion and an inner portion;
• annular substantially rectangular cross-sectionally shaped reinforcing member means located in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means;
• first reinforcing means having a peripheral portion bonded to said reinforcing member means and extending through the peripheral portion and through the inner portion of said flexible member means, said first reinforcing means comprising:
• a plurality of layers of reinforcing means;
• second reinforcing means having a peripheral portion secured in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means and extending inwardly into the inner portion of said flexible member means and terminating inwardly of said reinforcing member means and the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means with said second reinforcing means overlaying a portion of the inner portion of said reinforcing means, said second reinforcing means comprising:
• a plurality of layers of reinforcing means;
• whereby said diaphragm is retained by said diaphragm retaining means by means of a plurality of fasteners extending through said diaphragm retaining means, through said flexible member means, through said first reinforcing means of said diaphragm, through said second reinforcing member means of said diaphragm and when said diaphragm is deformed into engagement with the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means, said second reinforcing means provides additional reinforcement to said diaphragm in the portion of said diaphragm deformed into engagement with said annular diaphragm retaining means.

In combination, a diaphragm and annular diaphragm retaining means retaining said diaphragm therein, said diaphragm comprising:

• flexible member means having a peripheral portion and an inner portion;
• annular substantially rectangular cross-sectionally shaped reinforcing member means located in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means;
• first reinforcing means having a peripheral portion bonded to said reinforcing member means and extending through the peripheral portion and through the inner portion of said flexible member means, said first reinforcing means comprising:
• a plurality of layers of reinforcing means;
• second reinforcing means having a peripheral portion secured in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means and extending inwardly into the inner portion of said flexible member means and terminating inwardly of said reinforcing member means and the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means with said second reinforcing means overlaying a portion of the inner portion of said reinforcing means, said second reinforcing means comprising:
• a plurality of layers of reinforcing means;
• whereby said diaphragm is retained by said diaphragm retaining means by means of an interference fit therein and when said diaphragm is deformed into engagement with the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means, said second reinforcing means provides additional reinforcement to said diaphragm in the portion of said diaphragm deformed into engagement with said annular diaphragm retaining means.

In combination, a diaphragm and an annular diaphragm retaining means retaining said diaphragm therein for closing the bore of a tubular support member of a marine platform or a similar structure, said diaphragm comprising:

• flexible member means having a peripheral portion and an inner portion;
• annular substantially rectangular cross-sectionally shaped reinforcing member means located in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means;
• first reinforcing means having a peripheral portion bonded to said reinforcing member means and extending through the peripheral portion and through the inner portion of said flexible member means;
• second reinforcing means having a peripheral portion secured in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means and extending inwardly into the inner portion of said flexible member means and terminating inwardly of said reinforcing member means and the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means with said second reinforcing means overlaying a portion of the inner portion of said reinforcing means;
• and
• said annular diaphragm retaining means comprising a pair of annular plates releasably secured to each other retaining said diaphragm therebetween, said annular diaphragm retaining means having one of said pair of annular plates secured to the bottom of said tubular support member of said marine platform or similar structure, thereby closing said bore of said tubular support or similar structure by said diaphragm and said diaphragm retaining means being installed thereon;
• whereby when said diaphragm is deformed into engagement with the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means, said second reinforcing means provides additional reinforcement to said diaphragm in the portion of said diaphragm deformed into engagement with said annular diaphragm retaining means.

In combination, a diaphragm and an annular diaphragm retaining means retaining said diaphragm therein for closing the bore of a tubular support member of a marine platform or a similar structure, said diaphragm comprising:

• flexible member means having a peripheral portion and an inner portion;
• annular substantially rectangular cross-sectionally shaped reinforcing member means located in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means;
• first reinforcing means having a peripheral portion bonded to said reinforcing member means and extending through the peripheral portion and through the inner portion of said flexible member means, said first reinforcing means comprising:
• a plurality of layers of reinforcing means;
• second reinforcing means having a peripheral portion secured in the peripheral portion of said flexible member means and extending inwardly into the inner portion of said flexible member means and terminating inwardly of said reinforcing member means and the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means with said second reinforcing means overlaying a portion of the inner portion of said reinforcing means, said second reinforcing means comprising:
• a plurality of layers of reinforcing means;
• and
• said annular diaphragm retaining means comprising a pair of annular plates releasably secured to each other retaining said diaphragm therebetween, said annular diaphragm retaining means having one of said pair of annular plates secured to the bottom of said tubular support member of said marine platform or similar structure, thereby closing said bore of said tubular support or similar structure by said diaphragm and said diaphragm retaining means being installed thereon;
• whereby when said diaphragm is deformed into engagement with the inner diameter of said annular diaphragm retaining means, said second reinforcing means provides additional reinforcement to said diaphragm in the portion of said diaphragm deformed into engagement with said annular diaphragm retaining means.