Flexible pipe joint

1. An apparatus for securing a flexible pipe to a further flexible pipe in an end-to-end configuration, comprising:

an elongate tubular element comprising a first and second end and an outer surface comprising a raised central region;

a ring member located entirely over a portion of the raised central region of the tubular element; and

a slot formed in an outer surface of the raised central region and extending at least partially across the raised central region, or formed in an inner surface of the ring member and extending at least partially over the raised central region, wherein the raised central region has an inner surface, wherein the elongate tubular element and the raised central region are separate components that are securely connected to one another along the inner surface of the raised central region to form a unitary tubular element, and wherein the unitary tubular element is formed prior to any portion of the ring member being located over any portion of the raised central region.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the slot is formed in the outer surface of the raised central region, and wherein the slot is at least partially covered by the ring member.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said slot extends wholly through a length of the raised central region.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the slot is formed in the inner surface of the ring member, and wherein the slot is at least partially covered by the outer surface of the raised central region.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the slot is formed in the outer surface of the raised central region and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a slot formed in the inner surface of the ring member, wherein the slot formed in the outer surface of the raised central region and the slot formed in the inner surface of the ring member are in fluid communication with each other.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the raised central region comprises at least one abutment surface extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the raised central region, and wherein the at least one abutment surface comprises a raised ring region extending circumferentially at least partially around an end region of the raised central region.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ring member is substantially U-shaped or L-shaped or T-shaped having a substantially cylindrical inner bore extending longitudinally through the ring member.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first and second ends of the tubular element are inwardly tapered.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slot is helically shaped.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slot is substantially straight.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said straight slot extends longitudinally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular element.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the elongate tubular element and the raised central region are integrally formed.