GB2480060A

GB2480060A - A mooring line swivel connector for connecting chains

Info

Publication number: GB2480060A
Application number: GB1007374A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Mark Prentice; Alan James Duncan
Original assignee: INTERMOOR Ltd
Current assignee: INTERMOOR Ltd
Priority date: 2010-05-04
Filing date: 2010-05-04
Publication date: 2011-11-09
Also published as: GB201007374D0

Abstract

A mooring line swivel connector for joining together two lengths of chain comprises an elongate main body with first and second opposite ends (only one shown) which can swivel relative to each other, each end comprising a slot 60 for receiving a chain link, each slot defining a pair of side portions /jaws 62, 62', each side jaw having a recess 68 and a bore 70 extending from the slot to the recess, each end further comprising a pin assembly having a pin with a first head 76, a second head 86 and a shank 74, at least one of the heads 86 being a removable head which is secured to the pin by a locking member 88. The recesses define seats in which the peg / pin head rest. The securing member / removable head 86 may be a ring which has keyways and the locking member engages with the keyways to lock the securing member to the pin.

Description

Swivel Connector

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector for joining heavy duty anchoring chains or mooring lines to each other. In particular, this invention relates to long term mooring swivel connectors for connecting chains in offshore applications.

b. Related Art Long term mooring components may be used in several applications, for example in the long-term mooring of floating production systems or mooring of mobile offshore units.

The mooring lines used in these situations are generally of a significant length, and typically they are too long to be produced or handled in one single length. Therefore, typically lengths of chain have to be joined together during the off shore installation process.

Several types of chain connectors are known in the art such as Kenter shackles, Pear links and C-type connectors. The choice of mooring line connector solution will often be driven by the method of installation and the handling requirements arising from the particular application. Of particular relevance for long term mooring is the H-link. However, the H-link has several disadvantages in many mooring situations. Firstly the H-link typically comprises a body having a rigid and generally rectangular cuboid shape and as such it is unable to pass easily over line handling rollers and pulleys. Furthermore, the means for connecting ends of mooring lines to the H-link are typically bulky and further restrict the handling of the connected lines.

In addition, large mooring systems require life spans of up to 30 years in a permanent position and, therefore, any connectors must withstand the harsh offshore environment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mooring line connector which deals with these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a mooring line swivel connector for joining together two lengths of mooring chain comprising an elongate main body, a first pin assembly and a second pin assembly, wherein: -the main body has at opposite first and second ends respectively a first portion and a second portion and between said portions a swivel joint, the swivel joint permitting rotational movement between said first and second portions; -the first portion has a first slot therein, said slot being open towards the first end for receiving a link in a first mooring chain; -the second portion has a second slot therein, said slot being open towards the second end for receiving a link in a second mooring chain; -each slot defines a pair of side portions, each pin assembly being engageable and disengageable with one of said pairs of side portions in order, respectively to attach and detach a corresponding one of said mooring chains to the swivel connector; -the first and second pin assemblies each have a shank, a first head and a second head, said shank extending between said heads at opposite ends of the shank; -each of said side portions has a first bore and a recess, the bore extending from the corresponding slot to the recess; -each recess has a seat in which a corresponding one of said heads is seated when the pin assembly is engaged with said side portions such that each head is substantially contained within the corresponding recess; -the shank of each pin assembly, when said heads are seated in said recesses, spans a corresponding one of said slots for engagement through an eye of said link received within said slot; -at least one of said heads of each pin assembly is a removable head, the pin assembly having a securing means by which said removable head may, in use, be connected and disconnected from the corresponding shank so that each pin assembly can be engaged and disengaged from the corresponding side portions; and -each pin assembly has a locking means for locking said securing means in order to lock said removable head to said shank when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portion.

It is an advantage if the elongate main body is substantially cylindrical so that the connector is able to pass smoothly over conventional rollers and pulleys when the chains are being manipulated. In this respect it is preferable if the side portions are rounded cheeks so that the connector is less liable to snag on a part of machinery or a vessel used to transport and move the chains.

Preferably part of the shanks of each pin assembly are held within the bores and the shanks are able to rotate freely within said bores to permit the chains that are joined to the connector to twist relatively freely.

To improve the wear of the connector components, it is preferable if the cross-sectional shape of the shank is non-circular. Ideally the cross-sectional shape of the shank is pear-shaped to engage with an eye of a chain link.

In a preferred embodiment, the securing means comprises a ring that fits over an end of the shank.

Preferably the securing means includes keyways and the locking means comprises a member that engages with said keyways in the securing means to prevent the securing means being detached from the end of the shank. More preferably, at least one end of said shank includes a slot, and said locking member engages with said slot and said keyways to prevent the securing means being detached from the end of the shank.

To enable the connector to pass smoothly over pulleys, for example, without getting caught, ideally the heads of said pin assemblies do not protrude from said main body when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portions. Preferably, said heads of said pin assemblies are flush with an outer surface of the main body when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portions. More preferably the heads of said pin assemblies are recessed below an outer surface of the main body when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portions.

The design of the connector of the present invention having separable end portions, means that end portions of different sizes may be used in a single connector. Ideally said first slot in the first portion and the respective pin assembly have dimensions suitable for receiving a link in a first mooring chain of a first size; said second slot in the second portion and the respective pin assembly have dimensions suitable for receiving a link in a second mooring chain of a second size; and said dimensions of said first slot and respective pin assembly are smaller than said dimensions of said second slot and respective pin assembly, such that connector can join together first and second chains of different sizes. This allows two chains of different sizes to be joined together easily, without the need for multiple connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a swivel connector according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the connector of Figure 1 showing the components of the swivel mechanism; Figure 3a is a plan view from the top of the connector of Figure 1; Figure 3b is a plan view from the side of the connector of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the connector of Figure 1 showing a retaining pin, securing ring and locking bar; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a retaining pin according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for securing a link of a chain to the swivel connector; Figure 6 is a longitudinal view of the pin of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a longitudinal view of the pin of Figure 5, from a direction perpendicular to the view in Figure 6; Figure 8 is an end view of the pin of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a securing ring according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for securing the pin of Figure 5 to the connector; Figure 10 is an end view of the securing ring of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line XI-XI of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a locking bar for use with the securing ring of Figure 9; and Figure 13 is a plan view of the locking bar of Figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a mooring line swivel connector 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for use in long term mooring applications. The connector 1 comprises an elongate main body 2 and two pin assemblies 4, 6 which are each removable from the main body so that chain links 100, 100' may be connected and disconnected to the swivel connector 1. The elongate main body 2 is substantially cylindrical when assembled and has a first end portion 8 and a second end portion 10. In this example, the first end portion 8 comprises a female end component 12 and the second end portion 10 comprises a male end component 14. The main body 2 also comprises a swivel mechanism, or swivel joint, 16 which connects the female and male components 12, 14. The swivel joint 16 allows the end portions 8, 10 to rotate with respect to each other around the longitudinal axis of the elongate body 2.

Typically, the elongate main body will have a length of between 0.9 and 1.0 m and a width, or diameter, of between 0.3 and 0.4 m, and will have main components machined from forged steel of a similar composition or grade to that used in the chain links 100, 100'. The swivel connector is rated loads of about to 480 tonnes.

Each of the female and male components 12, 14 comprises a connection portion 18, 18' and a bearing portion 20, 22 at an opposing end of the component to the connection portion 18, 18', as shown most clearly in Figure 2. The bearing portion of the female component 12 has a substantially hollow cylindrical cross-section such that an end face 24 of the bearing portion 20 is in the form of an annular end surface 24. The bearing portion 22 of the male component 14 also has a substantially circular cross-section and includes a bearing surface 26. The bearing surface 26 has a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the annular end surface 24 of the female component 12. The bearing portion 22 of the male component 14 further comprises a shaft 28 projecting longitudinally from the centre of the bearing surface 26, such that the axis of the shaft 28 and the plane of the bearing surface 26 are at right angles.

The diameter of the shaft 28 is substantially smaller than the diameter of the bearing surface 26 and also smaller than the inner diameter of the annular female end surface 24, such that, when the connector 1 is assembled the shaft 28 extends within the hollow region of the female bearing portion 20.

The shaft 28 includes a first section 30, or journal 30, having a smooth surface and a second section 32, furthest from the bearing surface 26, having a threaded surface. Preferably the diameter of the second threaded section 32 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first smooth section 30 such that there is a shoulder 34 approximately midway along the length of the shaft 28 between the first and second sections 30, 32.

The swivel joint 16 comprises a flanged plain bearing ring 36 and a retaining cap 38. The plain bearing ring 36 comprises a relatively short length of tube 40 having a circular cross-section, such that the length of the tube 40 is less than its diameter. The tube has towards the female end component 12 an end bearing surface 48 in the form of an annular ring. A flange 42 projects perpendicularly from one end of the tube 40 and extends around the complete circumference of the tube 40. The flange 42 forms an annular bearing surface 44 at one end of the plain bearing ring 36. Annular grooves 46 are formed in the outer surface of the tube 40, and in use, these grooves 46 will typically be filled with grease or another suitable lubricating substance (not shown).

The retaining cap 38 has a substantially circular cross-section and facing towards the male end component 14 an end bearing surface 50 in the form of an annular ring. The inner cylindrical surface of the cap 38 is threaded so that the cap can be screwed onto the threaded section 32 of the shaft 28 to serve as a cap to the shaft 28. When assembled, the end bearing surface 50 of the retaining cap is in rotational sliding contact with the end bearing surface 48 of the tube 40 and all the tension in the connector 1 is transmitted through these end bearing surfaces as the two portions 12, 14 of the connector rotate under load.

To assemble the main body 2 of the connector 1, the plain bearing ring 36 is slid onto the first section 30 of the shaft 28. The diameter of the inner cylindrical surface of the plain bearing ring 36 is slightly larger than the diameter of the first section 30 of the shaft 28 so that the plain bearing ring 36 may rotate freely with respect to the shaft 28. When positioned on the first section 30 of the shaft 28, the bearing surface 44 of the flange 42 is in touching contact with the bearing surface 26 of the male component 14.

The retaining cap 38 is first screwed onto the threaded second section 32 of the shaft 28. The retaining cap is tightened so that the end bearing surface 50 of the cap 38 is pressed against the end bearing surface 48 of the tube 40 of the plain bearing ring 36.

The shaft 28 and swivel mechanism 16 is then pushed into the hollow region of the bearing portion 20 of the female component 12. The outer diameter of the tube 40 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the female bearing portion 20 50 that there is a push fit between these two parts 40, 20. Once the shaft 28 is pushed fully within the bearing portion 20, a rear face of the flange 42 abuts the annular end surface 24 of the female component 12.

The plain bearing ring 36 is then rigidly secured to the female end portion 12 so that the load between the bearing end surfaces 48, 50 is transmitted between the end portions 12, 14. The swivel mechanism 16 is secured within the female bearing portion 20 by screws 53 (see Fig. 1) that pass through radially oriented holes 52 in the bearing portion 20 and into corresponding holes 54 in the tube 40 of the plain bearing ring 36. Once secured, the plain bearing ring 36 is fixed rigidly to the female component 12 such that the female component 12 cannot rotate with respect to the plain bearing ring 36.

When the main body 2 of the connector 1 is assembled, because the inner cylindrical surface of the plain bearing ring 36 is able to move freely over the smooth surface of the first section 30 of the shaft 28, the male component 14 is able to rotate fully, through 360°, with respect to the female component 12. As the female and male components 12, 14 rotate, the bearing surfaces 26, 44 slide against freely each other, and the end bearing surfaces 48, 50 slide in compression against each other while the rear face of the flange 42 and the annular end surface 24 do not move with respect to each other.

The connection portions 18, 18' of the female and male components 12, 14 are substantially hemispherical and comprise identical features. A slot 60, 60' is formed in the end of each of the connection portions 18, 18' and is open towards the respective ends of the elongate main body 2. The slots each define corresponding side portions 62, 62' or rigid jaw members 62, 62' on either side of the slot. In this example the jaw members 62, 62' are rounded cheeks. The jaw members 62, 62' have flat opposing inner surfaces 64, 64'. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the slot 60, 60' at its base 66 is slightly narrower than the width of the slot 60, 60' at the surface of the connector 10. In this way, the distance between the opposing inner surfaces 64, 64' decreases towards the base 66 of the slot 60, 60'. This is shown most clearly in Figure 4.

A recess 68 is formed in the outer surface of each jaw member 62, 62' and extends towards the slot 60, 60'. The recess 68 extends only part way through the jaw member 62, 62', and in this example the depth of the recess 68 is no more than half the thickness of the jaw member 62, 62' at any point. A bore 70 is also formed through each of the jaw members 62, 62'. The bore 70 extends through the jaw member 62, 62' from a base of the recess to the slot 60, 60'. The base of each recess 68 forms a seat around the corresponding bore 70 for a head 76, 76' of a corresponding pin assembly 4, 6, as will be described in more detail below.

Both the recess 68 and the bore 70 have circular cross-sections and the diameter of the bore 70 is less than the diameter of the recess 68. In this way the recess 68 forms a counterbore or countersink.

The pin assemblies 4, 6 each comprise a retaining member 72, or retaining pin 72.

A preferred embodiment of the retaining pin 72 is shown in greater detail in Figures 5 to 8. The pin 72 comprises a smooth shank 74 with a fixed head 76 at a first end of the shank 74 and a threaded portion 78 at the second end of the shank 74. The fixed head 76 is of one-piece construction with the shank.

As shown most clearly in Figure 8, the shank 74 of the pin 72 does not have a circular cross-section, but has a cross-sectional shape that is approximately pear-shaped. The importance of the non-circular cross-section will be described in more detail later.

In this example the fixed head 76 of the pin 72 has a circular cross-section and has a diameter larger than the largest cross-sectional dimension of the shank 74 so that the fixed head 76 extends radially outwards around the shank 74.

The threaded portion 78 of the pin 72 extends coaxially from the second end of the shank 74. The threaded portion 78 also has a circular cross-section but has a diameter that is smaller than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of the shank 74. A shallow slot or keyway 80 is cut in the end face 82 of the threaded portion 78. The slot 80 is rectangular with the depth of the slot 80 being less than half its width. Three holes 84 are positioned equidistantly in the base of the slot 80 and extend longitudinally into the threaded portion 78 of the pin 72, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

The pin assemblies 4, 6 also comprise a removable head 76 which is formed from a securing ring 86 and a locking member 88, which are shown in greater detail in Figures 9 to 13. The securing ring 86 and a locking member 88 permit the removable head 76 to be connected and disconnected to the remainder of the pin assembly 4, 6. The securing ring 86 has a threaded inner surface 90 that engages with the threaded portion 78 of the retaining pin 72. The annular front face 92 of the securing ring 86 includes four slots or keyways 94. The keyways 94 are substantially rectangular and extend radially from the inner surface 90 of the ring 86 to the outer surface. The keyways 94 are spaced equidistantly around the securing ring 86 so that the centre line of each keyway 94 is at right angles to adjacent keyways 94. In this way, pairs of keyways 94 are aligned and located on opposite sides of the ring 86. The width and depth of each of the keyways 94 is the same as the width and depth of the slot 80 in the end of the threaded portion 78ofthepin72.

The locking member, or locking bar 88 comprises a rectangular bar 96 having two similar opposite main faces 95 and two long edges 97 and two short edges 99.

The locking bar 88 also includes three holes 98 spaced along its length extending through the bar 96 between the two faces 97. The spacing between the holes 98 corresponds to the spacing between the holes 84 in the end of the retaining pin 72.

Returning to Figure 4, the pin assemblies 4, 6 fit within the respective connection portions 18, 18 of the first and second end portion 8, 10 of the main body 2. The retaining pin 72 extends through each of the bores 70 in the jaw members 62, 62' such that a central portion of the shank 74 of the pin 72 spans the slot 60, 60'. As described above, the bores 70 have a circular cross-sectional shape and the diameter of the bores 70 is greater than the largest cross-sectional dimension of the non-circular shank 74. In this way, when inserted in the connector 1, the retaining pins 72 are free to rotate about their longitudinal axes within the bores 70. However, the resulting gap between the outer surface of the shank 74 and the inner surface of the bores 70 is sufficiently narrow that the pin 72 remains substantially coaxial with the bore 70.

With the pin 72 fully inserted in the jaw members 62, 62', the head 76 of the retaining pin 72 sits within one of the respective recesses 68 so that the head 76 is seated on the base of the recess 68. With the pin 72 in this position, the threaded portion 78 of the pin 72 extends into the recess 68 on the opposite side of the main body 2.

The securing ring 86 and locking bar 88 are then used to secure the pin 72 within the connection portion 18, 18' of the connector 1. The securing ring 86 is threaded onto the threaded portion 78 of the pin 72 so that the slot 80 in the end of the pin 72 aligns with a pair of keyways 94 in the securing ring 86. Preferably, the securing ring 86 is screwed onto the end of the pin 72 until it is finger tight and then the ring 86 is loosened by up to one quarter of a turn until the slot 80 and keyways 94 are aligned. This permits the pin assembly to rotate freely within the bores. Once aligned, the locking bar 88 is then placed in the slot 80. The length of the locking bar 88 is such that it extends across the full diameter of the end of the pin 72 and into both keyways 94 in the securing ring 86 on either side of the pin 72. Fixing means, which are preferably grub screws 91 (see Fig. 1) are screwed through the aligned holes 98, 84 in the locking bar 88 and pin 72 to hold the locking bar 88 in position. With the locking bar 88 fixed to the end of the pin 72 in this way, the securing ring 86 cannot be rotated as the ends of the locking bar 88 are within the keyways 94, and, therefore, the securing ring 86 cannot be removed from the end of the pin 72. When assembled, the securing ring 86 and locking bar 88 together form the second, removable head 76 on the pin 72 which is seated on the base of the respective recess 68, and prevents the pin 72 from being withdrawn from the connector 1.

Optionally, both heads may have the same construction and be removable. The advantage of this is that it makes it easier to gain access to the removable read when it is necessary to connect or disconnect a chain to the connector.

When the pin assemblies 4, 6 are fully assembled in the connector 1, the heads 76, 76' of the retaining pin 72 are held fully within their respective recesses 68 and therefore within the main body 2. Preferably the heads 76, 76' are recessed, although the heads 76, 86, 88 may be flush with the outer surface of the main body 2. This, together with the substantially rounded cross-section and ends of the connector 1, permit the connector to move freely over rollers as the connected chains are moved.

In use, with the pin assemblies 4, 6 removed from the connector 1, an end link 100 of a first chain is positioned in one of the two slots 60 at an end of the connector 1.

A retaining pin 72 is then inserted so that the shaft 74 of the pin 72 passes through the bore 70 of a first jaw member 62', through the eye of the chain link 100 and through the bore 70 of the second jaw member 62. Once inserted, the securing ring 86 and locking bar 88 are then fastened on the end of the pin 72 as described above. The same process is used to join a second chain to the other end of the connector 1.

Typically, the shapes of the links of chains used in mooring applications are not perfectly oval or circular. The eye of a link generally narrows towards each end of the link. The non-circular shape of the shaft 74 of the retaining pin 72 is, therefore, designed to engage with the shape of the eye, with the narrower part of the pear-shaped cross-section engaging with the end portion of the link.

Shaping the retaining pin 72 in this way has the advantage that the retaining pin 72 is less likely to rotate within the eye of the chain link once connected. As the chains are moved there is a tendency for the associated retaining pins 72 to rotate within the bores 70 of the connector body 2 rather than the pins 72 rotating with respect to the links 100. This decreases the wear of the retaining pins 72, thereby increasing their useful life.

Although not illustrated, the connector 1 may be provided as part of a set of similar -14-connectors for connecting a range of differing sized chains 100, 100' together. The width of each of the slots 60, 60' should ideally be matched to the thickness of the chain links, and optionally the diameter and cross-sectional profile of each pin shank should be matched to the eyes of the engaged chain links. A set of such connectors 1 therefore facilitates the joining together of different sized chains.

However, it is possible to disconnect the end portions 8, 10 by disengageing the joining screws 53. The multipart construction of the connector 1, and in particular the use of separable end portions 8, 10, means that end portions of different sizes may joined together to form a connector 1 having slots 60, 60' of the desired width.

This allows two chains of different sizes to be joined together easily, without the need for have a full set of multiple connectors for all possible combinations of chain size. By tailoring the size of each end portion 8, 10 and the respective pin assemblies 4, 6 to the dimensions of the chain, the connector 1 engages fully with the eye of the chain link 100, 100' and the wear on both the connector 1 and chain is reduced.

The ability of the retaining pins 72 to rotate within their respective bores 70, and the two end portions 8, 10 of the main body 2 to rotate with respect to each other means that chains connected using this connector 1 remain easy to handle. In addition, the shape of the main body 2 of the connector 1 and the feature that the pin assemblies 4, 6 do not protrude from the surface of the main body 2 mean that the connector 1 is able to pass easily over conventional rollers and pulleys used to install and manipulate the mooring chains without getting caught on any mechanisms.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mooring line swivel connector for joining together two lengths of mooring chain comprising an elongate main body, a first pin assembly and a second pin assembly, wherein: -the main body has at opposite first and second ends respectively a first portion and a second portion and between said portions a swivel joint, the swivel joint permitting rotational movement between said first and second portions; -the first portion has a first slot therein, said slot being open towards the first end for receiving a link in a first mooring chain; -the second portion has a second slot therein, said slot being open towards the second end for receiving a link in a second mooring chain; -each slot defines a pair of side portions, each pin assembly being engageable and disengageable with one of said pairs of side portions in order, respectively, to attach and detach a corresponding one of said mooring chains to the swivel connector; -the first and second pin assemblies each have a shank, a first head and a second head, said shank extending between said heads at opposite ends of the shank; -each of said side portions has a first bore and a recess, the bore extending from the corresponding slot to the recess; -each recess has a seat in which a corresponding one of said heads is seated when the pin assembly is engaged with said side portions such that each head is substantially contained within the corresponding recess; -the shank of each pin assembly, when said heads are seated in said recesses, spans a corresponding one of said slots for engagement through an eye of said link received within said slot; -at least one of said heads of each pin assembly is a removable head, the pin assembly having a securing means by which said removable head may, in use, be connected and disconnected from the corresponding shank so that each pin assembly can be engaged and disengaged from the corresponding side portions; and -each pin assembly has a locking means for locking said securing means in order to lock said removable head to said shank when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portion.
2. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elongate main body is substantially cylindrical.
3. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the side portions are rounded cheeks.
4. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein part of the shanks of each pin assembly are held within the bores and the shanks are able to rotate freely within said bores.
5. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the shank is non-circular.
6. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the shank is pear-shaped.
7. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises a ring that fits over an end of the shank.
8. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means includes keyways and the locking means comprises a member that engages with said keyways in the securing means to lock the securing means to the end of the shank.
9. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in Claim 8, wherein at least one end of said shank includes a slot, and wherein said locking member engages with said slot and said keyways to lock the securing means to the end of the shank.
10. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said heads of said pin assemblies do not protrude from said main body when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portions.
11. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said heads of said pin assemblies are flush with an outer surface of the main body when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portions.
12. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said heads of said pin assemblies are recessed below an outer surface of the main body when each pin assembly is engaged with the corresponding side portions.
13. A mooring line swivel connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: -said first slot in the first portion and the respective pin assembly have dimensions suitable for receiving a link in a first mooring chain of a first size; -said second slot in the second portion and the respective pin assembly have dimensions suitable for receiving a link in a second mooring chain of a second size; and -said dimensions of said first slot and respective pin assembly are smaller than said dimensions of said second slot and respective pin assembly, such that connector can join together first and second chains of different sizes.
14. A mooring line swivel connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.