Riser connector

A system for introducing upwardly a flexible member into a tubular fixed structure with a sleeve surrounding the flexible member in a region where the flexible member attaches to the tubular fixed structure, the system enabling the flexible member to be drawn upwardly into a bore of the tubular fixed structure, said bore being defined by an inner surface of said tubular structure, the system comprising:

• a plurality of locking dogs attached to and radially moveable with respect to the sleeve between an inner locking position in which they are engaged with the flexible member and temporarily clamp together the sleeve and the flexible member, and an outer release position in which they are disengaged from the flexible member,
• a latch ring disposed on a substantially cylindrical surface so that it may be deflected axially along said surface on contact between the sleeve and tubular fixed structure to permit release of said locking dogs when the sleeve attains a fixed disposition with respect to the tubular fixed structure, such as to permit continued movement of the flexible member with respect to the sleeve;
• wherein said sleeve comprises a main body and a nose cone, said nose cone being axially moveable from an extended position to a compressed position relative to said main body;
• and
• wherein a rim of said nose cone is in axial alignment with said latch ring so that when said nose cone moves from said extended position to said compressed position said rim abuts said ring and moves it axially out of radial alignment with said locking dogs.