US Patent 10301885 Bend stiffener

A bend stiffener 4 comprising a plurality of beams 5a-g arranged to be disposed around a tubular member 2. A support is provided for connecting the bend stiffener 4 to the tubular member 2. A first rigid rod 6a connects a first beam 5b of the plurality of beams to a second beam 5c of the plurality of beams. The first rigid rod 6a is connected at a surface of the first beam 5b such that it does not lie on the same axis as a second rigid rod 7a connected at an opposite surface of the first beam 5a. A stiffness of any of the plurality of beams and connectors between beams and rods provides bend stiffening to the tubular member 2.