Connecting Means for Connecting a Pipe to a Pipe Section at an Opening, Such as, for Example, a Pipe Section at a Discharge Opening, and a Method for Connecting a Pipe Using Such Connecting Means

Abstract

Connecting means (1) for connecting a pipe (2) to a pipe section (3) at an opening (4) of an installation (5) with a coupling piece (11) “which can be provided over the pipe section (3); tightening means (12) for tightening and sealing the coupling piece (11) against the pipe section (3), and an auxiliary tool (18, 23) which can work together with the tightening means (12) for tightening or relaxing the latter, wherein the auxiliary tool (18) protrudes through the opening (4) during the manipulation, activation and/or deactivation process and can thus be operated by an installer from the side (19) of the opening (4).

Claims

1. A connecting system comprising: a coupling piece configured to be fitted over first end of a pipe section; tightening means configured to tighten and seal the coupling piece against a second end of the pipe section at an opening; and an auxiliary tool configured to act on the tightening means for tightening or loosening the tightening means; wherein the auxiliary tool protrudes through the opening during an act on the tightening means so it is configured to be operated by an installer from a side of the opening opposite a side with the pipe section.

2. The connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling piece is part of a screw coupling and is provided with an internal screw thread; and wherein the tightening means contains a sealing ring and a tubular, internal screw piece provided with an external screw thread configured to cooperate with the internal screw thread of the coupling piece.

3. The connecting system according to claim 2, wherein the internal screw piece is further provided with a collar extending radially inwards and which is provided with a slot; and wherein the auxiliary tool comprises a spanner, one end of which configured to be provided in the slot in a fitting manner in order to screw the internal screw piece in the coupling piece and to tighten the sealing ring between the coupling piece, the internal screw piece and the pipe section at the opening.

4. The connecting means according to claim 1, wherein the coupling piece is part of a clamp coupling and provided with a folded edge which is directed radially inward to form a slot with a U-shaped cross section; wherein the tightening means comprises a hose-spring clamp in the shape of an annular spring element with an inner diameter that decreases as the annular spring element relaxes; and wherein the hose-spring clamp, in a tensioned state, is configured to be fitted in the U-shaped slot.

5. The connecting system according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary tool comprises a hook-shaped end with which the hose-spring clamp is configured to be held in the tensioned state; and wherein, by removing the auxiliary tool, the tightening of the hose-spring clamp in the U-shaped slot of the coupling piece is activated, and the folded edge of the coupling piece is clamped against the pipe section at the opening so as to form a seal.

6. The connecting system according to claim 5, wherein the tightening means further comprises a holder comprising a tubular piece provided at one end with a protruding edge in which the hose-spring clamp can be retained; and wherein the holder is configured to be fitted in the coupling piece of the connecting means.

7. The connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling piece is formed by the end of the pipe itself to be connected.

8. The connecting system according to claim 1 further comprising one or more additional connection devices for connecting the pipe to the coupling piece.

9. The connecting system according to claim 8, wherein each additional connection devices is selected from the group consisting of a screw-on clamping ring and a clamping device.

10. The connecting system according to claim 8, wherein each additional connection device is selected from the group consisting of glue and an adhesive.

11. A method for connecting a pipe to a first end of a pipe section comprising: applying a coupling piece of a connecting means over a first end of the pipe section at an opening; applying a tightening means in the coupling piece; tightening the tightening means by manipulating and/or activating the tightening means with go auxiliary tool along aside at the opening opposite the pipe section; and removing the auxiliary tool.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein applying the tightening means comprises: applying a sealing ring over the pipe section in the coupling piece at the opening; applying an internal screw piece; and tightening the sealing ring by means of the auxiliary tool in the form of a spanner with which the internal screw piece can be tightened.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein applying the tightening means comprises: applying a holder in the coupling piece in which a hose-spring clamp is held tight by means of the auxiliary tool with a hook-shaped end; inserting the hose-spring clamp into a folded edge with a U-shaped cross-section so as to form a slot of the coupling piece; and removing the auxiliary tool by a downward movement, wherein an internal diameter of the hose-spring clamp decreases and a clamping of the folded edge of the coupling piece against the pipe section is obtained.

14. The method according to claim 11 further comprising: providing the pipe over the coupling piece; and connecting the pipe to the coupling piece by applying a glue or by screwing on a clamping device.

15. The connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to connect the first end of the pipe section to a pipe; wherein the second end of the pipe section is further provided with an external collar; and wherein the auxiliary tool is configured to act on the tightening means by one or more of manipulating, activating and/or deactivating the tightening means.

16. The connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling piece is part of coupling selected from the group consisting of a screw coupling and a clamp coupling; and wherein: when the coupling piece is part of the screw coupling, the screw coupling provided with an internal screw thread, and the tightening means contains a sealing ring and a tubular, internal screw piece provided with an external screw thread configured to cooperate with the internal screw thread of the coupling piece; and when the coupling piece is part of the clamp coupling, the clamp coupling is provided with a folded edge which is directed radially inward to form a slot with a U-shaped cross section, the tightening means comprises a hose-spring clamp in the shape of an annular spring element with an inner diameter that decreases as the annular spring element relaxes, and the hose-spring clamp, in a tensioned state, is configured to be fitted in the U-shaped slot.

17. The connecting system according to claim 15 further comprising one or more additional connection devices for connecting the pipe to the coupling piece.

18. The connecting system according to claim 16, wherein the internal screw piece is further provided with a collar extending radially inwards and which is provided with a slot; and wherein the auxiliary tool comprises a spanner, one end of which configured to be provided in the slot in a fitting manner in order to screw the internal screw piece in the coupling piece and to tighten the sealing ring between the coupling piece, the internal screw piece and the pipe section at the opening.

19. The connecting system according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary tool comprises a hook-shaped end with which the hose-spring clamp is configured to be held in the tensioned state; wherein, by removing the auxiliary tool, the tightening of the hose-spring clamp in the U-shaped slot of the coupling piece is activated, and the folded edge of the coupling piece is clamped against the pipe section at the opening so as to form a seal; wherein the tightening means further comprises a holder comprising a tubular piece provided at one end with a protruding edge in which the hose-spring clamp can be retained; and wherein the holder is configured to be fitted in the coupling piece of the connecting means.

20. The connecting system according to claim 17, wherein each additional connection device is selected from the group consisting of a screw-on clamping ring and a clamping device.

Description

[0050] In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of connecting means according to the invention are described below by way of example without being restrictive in any way, as well as a method according to the invention for connecting with such connecting means, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of a first embodiment of connecting means according to the invention and of a pipe in the form of a drain pipe as disassembled and without any representation of a pipe section at an opening or discharge opening;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross-section according to line II-II′ through the connecting means and the drain pipe in FIG. 1, still as disassembled;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section as in FIG. 2 to a larger scale, but this time in the assembled state;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a view in perspective of a condition as the tightening means are being tightened in the drain pipe with the aid of an auxiliary tool;

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section according to line V-V′ of the connecting means shown in FIG. 4 and without the drain pipe;

[0056] FIG. 6 shows the section shown in FIG. 5 marked with F6 in perspective and to a larger scale;

[0057] FIGS. 7 and 8 show two views in perspective of the connecting means according to the invention in FIG. 1, during the connection of a drain pipe to a pipe section at a discharge opening;

[0058] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of connecting means according to the invention in a similar manner to FIG. 1, in perspective and in a disassembled state;

[0059] FIG. 10 shows the connecting means from FIG. 9 in perspective, this time as assembled;

[0060] FIG. 11 shows a section according to line XI-XI′;

[0061] FIG. 12 shows some parts of the connecting means from FIG. 10 in perspective, in particular a holder in which a hose-spring clamp is being held tightened by means of an auxiliary tool;

[0062] FIG. 13 shows the same parts as in FIG. 12 in perspective, when the auxiliary tool is removed from the hose-spring clamp by a downward movement;

[0063] FIGS. 14 and 15 show, to a larger scale and in perspective, the same positions as in FIGS. 12 and 13, wherein this time only the auxiliary tool and the hose-spring clamp are shown;

[0064] FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a hose-spring clamp in perspective;

[0065] FIG. 17 shows a view according to arrow F17 of FIG. 10 in perspective;

[0066] FIG. 18 shows an open floor in perspective, in which connecting means according to the invention as shown in FIG. 9 are connected to a drain pipe;

[0067] FIGS. 19 and 20 show yet another embodiment of a hose-spring clamp in perspective, respectively in a tightened and relaxed state; and,

[0068] FIG. 21 illustrates in a cross-section how a pipe section can be connected to a drain pipe at a discharge opening with connecting means containing a hose-spring clamp, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0069] The connecting means 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are intended for connecting a pipe 2, for example in the form of a straight drain pipe 2, an elbow 2, a siphon or any other type of pipe or drain pipe, to a pipe section 3 at an opening 4, typically a discharge opening 4 of a sanitary installation 5, an example of which is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0070] More specifically, in this case, the drain pipe 2 is intended to be connected to a first end 6 of the pipe section 3, the second end 7 of the pipe section 3 being fitted with an external collar 8 to form the discharge opening 4 of the sanitary installation 5.

[0071] The connecting means 1 are typically intended for situations wherein the discharge opening 4 is provided, for example, in a floor area 9 or in a low-lying area, such as for example a drain opening in a shower, in a bath or a drain opening in a floor area of a walk-in shower or similar, and wherein the discharge opening 4 is formed by the second end 7 of the pipe section 3 with collar 8.

[0072] It is clear that in such situations, connecting a drain pipe 2 to the first, free end 6 of the pipe section 3 can be very problematic, as this first end 6 is generally not easily accessible, unless access openings and space are created at the bottom 10 which are large enough for an installer to do his work there.

[0073] On the other hand, the use of a discharge opening 4 formed by the second end 7 of the pipe section 3 with collar 8 is very interesting.

[0074] After all, by properly choosing the shape of the collar 8 and providing additional means in which this collar 8 can be shifted back and forth in a sealed manner, it is still possible to position the discharge opening 4 during the installation.

[0075] This often has major advantages, for example typically in buildings where the floors are formed by wooden beams and consequently a drain pipe 2 cannot pass through the floor at any point whatsoever.

[0076] Of course there are many other possible situations in which an underlying structure can form an impenetrable obstacle to the installation of a drain pipe 2.

[0077] In such a case, the best or often the only possible solution is to shift the discharge opening 4 into a position where there is no such impenetrable obstacle.

[0078] In short, with the connecting means 1 according to the invention, such a difficult situation can also be solved in a simple manner.

[0079] To this end, the connecting means 1 first of all comprise a coupling piece 11 which can be fitted over the first end 6 of the pipe section 3.

[0080] A certain clearance is deliberately left in this case between the first end 6 of the pipe section 3 and the coupling piece 11, and one end of the coupling piece 11 is provided with a conical entrance so that the assembly of the pipe section 3 and the coupling piece 11 is smooth, even in the event of an imperfect mutual positioning of the involved elements during installation.

[0081] For example, the coupling piece 11 can be made of EPDM.

[0082] The connecting means 1 are further provided with tightening means 12 for tightening and sealing the coupling piece 11 to the pipe section 3 at the discharge opening 4.

[0083] In the embodiment of connecting means 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the coupling piece 11 is part of a screw coupling 13.

[0084] To this end, the coupling piece 11 is provided with an internal screw thread 14 and the tightening means 12 include a sealing ring 15, as well as a tubular internal screw piece 16.

[0085] The screw piece 16 has an external screw thread 17 which can work together with the internal screw thread 14 of the coupling piece 11.

[0086] The connecting means 1 further include an auxiliary tool 18 which can engage the tightening means 12 or can work in conjunction with the tightening means 12 for tightening or releasing the tightening means 12 by manipulating or activating and/or deactivating the tightening means 12.

[0087] It is essential to note that, during the manipulation, activation and/or deactivation process, the auxiliary tool 18 protrudes through the discharge opening 4 and can thus be operated by an installer from the side 19 of the discharge opening 4 opposite the side 20 with pipe section 3.

[0088] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the auxiliary tool 18 is designed for screwing in or screwing out the screw piece 16 in the coupling piece 11, depending on whether the tightening means 12 are to be tightened or relaxed.

[0089] The internal screw piece 16 is herein provided with a collar 21 which extends radially inwards and which is centrally provided with a slot 22.

[0090] In order to be able to cooperate with this screw piece 16, the auxiliary tool 18 is in this case designed as an elongated spanner 23 with an elongated body 24 which is cylindrical in this embodiment, one end 25 of which has a projection 26 extending transversely to the elongated body in a radial direction and which can be fitted into the aforementioned slot 22 for screwing the internal screw piece 16 into the coupling piece 11.

[0091] The other end 27 of the auxiliary tool 18 is provided with a pair of wings extending transversely to the elongated body 24 of the auxiliary tool 18 serving as a handle 28, which will facilitate the manual tightening or unscrewing of the screw piece 16.

[0092] The length L of the spanner 23 is sufficient for the spanner 23 to extend from the tightening means 12 to above the discharge opening 4 over a sufficient length for an installer to be able to easily work with it.

[0093] The aim is that, during the connection, the seal 15 between the coupling piece 11, the internal screw piece 16 and the pipe section 3 of the discharge opening 4 is tightened by turning the spanner, indicated by arrow R in FIG. 8, so that the screw coupling 13, formed by the screw piece 16, the coupling piece 11 and the seal 15, is clamped to the pipe section 3.

[0094] The different elements are herein geared to each other in such a way that the seal 15 pushes with a force F against the pipe section 3, whereby a clamping is obtained that is preferably sufficiently great to be able to bear a certain vertical load.

[0095] For example, in the clamped state, it must be possible to permanently suspend a minimum vertical load of 20 kg, directed downwards, on the coupling piece 11 without the coupling piece 11 being displaced over the pipe section 3.

[0096] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the coupling piece 11 is provided with an edge 29 which is recessed slightly radially inward to form an inner circular opening having a diameter D corresponding to the outside diameter D′ of the pipe section 3 at the discharge opening 4.

[0097] This edge 29 is provided with a radially inwardly directed indentation 30 against which the seal 15 can rest while the tightening means 12 are being tightened.

[0098] The inner diameter of the coupling piece 11 increases linearly from the indentation 30 according to a bevel 31 up to an inner diameter D″ corresponding to the inner diameter D″ of the internal screw thread 14 in the coupling piece 11.

[0099] The side of the seal 15, which must be directed towards the edge 29 and indentation 30 of the coupling piece 11 during assembly, has an external bevel 32 which is complementary to the bevel 31 in the coupling piece 11.

[0100] The part of the seal 15 that connects to the bevel 31 has a more or less constant thickness T corresponding to the thickness T′ of the screw piece 16.

[0101] On the radial inside, however, the seal 15 is provided with ridges 33 to improve the seal's grip on the pipe section 3.

[0102] All this is shown in more detail in FIG. 6.

[0103] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8 discussed here, the connecting means 1 are equipped with additional connection devices 34 for connecting the drain pipe 2 to the coupling piece 11.

[0104] In this case, these additional connection devices 34 consist of a glue or adhesive and this glue is applied between the outside of the coupling piece 11 and the inside of a connection sleeve at the end of the drain pipe 2.

[0105] In some countries it is prohibited to glue the joints and, as an alternative, for example additional connection devices 34 can be used in the form of a screw clamp or the like.

[0106] In another embodiment, however, according to the invention, it is not excluded to provide the coupling piece 11 along an integral part of the drain pipe 2 formed by the end of the drain pipe 2 itself to be connected.

[0107] A method according to the invention for connecting a pipe, such as for example a drain pipe 2, to the first end 6 of a pipe section 3, wherein the second end 7 of the pipe section 3 is fitted with an external collar 8 to form an opening 4, for example a discharge opening 4 of a sanitary installation 5, with connecting means 1 according to the invention is simple and as follows.

[0108] A first step consists in fitting the coupling piece 11 of the connecting means 1 over the first end 6 of the pipe section 3 at the discharge opening 4.

[0109] In a next step, the tightening means 12 can be inserted into the coupling piece 11.

[0110] Subsequently, the aim is to tighten the tightening means 12 by manipulating and/or activating the tightening means 12 with the auxiliary tool 18 along the side of the discharge opening 4 opposite the pipe section 3.

[0111] The auxiliary tool 18 can then be removed.

[0112] In the case of FIGS. 1 to 8, providing the tightening means 12 consists of first providing a sealing ring 15 in the coupling piece 11 over the pipe section 3 of the discharge opening 4, followed by an internal screw piece 16.

[0113] The sealing ring 15 is then tightened using the auxiliary tool 18 in the form of a spanner 23 which fits with the protrusion 26 into the slot 22 and which can be used to tighten the internal screw piece 16.

[0114] After the tightening means 12 have been tightened, the drain pipe can be fitted over the coupling piece 11 and connected to the latter, for instance by applying adhesive 34.

[0115] It is not excluded according to the invention to change the sequence of steps described here.

[0116] FIGS. 9 to 18 show another embodiment of connecting means 1 according to the invention.

[0117] In this embodiment, the coupling piece 11 is part of a clamp coupling 35.

[0118] To this end, the coupling piece 11 is provided with a folded edge 36 which is directed radially inwards to form a slot 37 with a U-shaped cross-section.

[0119] In this embodiment, the tightening means 12 include a hose-spring clamp 38 in the form of a spring element 39 with two free ends 40 and 41 and which is folded into an open, annular spring element 39, whose internal diameter E decreases when the spring element 39 relaxes.

[0120] The hose-spring clamp 38 can be provided in its tensioned state, i.e. with enlarged internal diameter E, in a fitting manner into the U-shaped slot 37.

[0121] The hose-spring clamp 38 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 14 and 15, and in the relaxed state of the hose-spring clamp 38, its two free ends 40 and 41 will overlap slightly.

[0122] These free ends 40 and 41 are folded radially outwards to form outwardly directed protrusions 42 and 43.

[0123] These protrusions 42 and 43 ensure that the ends 40 and 41 can easily be grasped using pliers or the like to move them towards each other and thus tighten the hose-spring clamp 38, resulting in an increase in the internal diameter E.

[0124] In this embodiment of connecting means 1 according to the invention, there is also an auxiliary tool 18, which this time has a different design.

[0125] More specifically, the auxiliary tool 18 has an elongated body 24, which in this case is flat and has a hook-shaped end 44, with a section 45 extending parallel to the elongated body 24 and with a central slot 46 which also extends longitudinally parallel to the elongated body 24.

[0126] With this auxiliary tool 18, the hose-spring clamp 38 can be held in a tensioned state by retaining the radially outwardly directed protrusions 42 and 43 of the hose-spring clamp 38 in the slot 46 at the hook-shaped end 44 of the auxiliary tool 18.

[0127] This state is shown in FIG. 14.

[0128] By removing the auxiliary tool 18, the hose-spring clamp 38 relaxes, with the protrusions 42 and 43 moving apart according to the arrows U in FIG. 15, resulting in a reduction of the internal diameter E of the annular element 39.

[0129] In this case, the tightening means 12 are additionally equipped with a holder 47 which consists of a tubular piece which is provided at one end 48 with a protruding edge 49 in which the hose-spring clamp 38 can be held.

[0130] The edge 49 is interrupted and the holder 47 has an opening 50 at the point of interruption so that the protrusions 42 and 43 of the hose-spring clamp 38 can fall into this opening 50, and the hook-shaped end 44 can retain these protrusions 42 and 43.

[0131] The tubular holder 47 can be provided into the coupling piece 11 of the connecting means 1 in a fitting manner.

[0132] The opening 50 has a height H that is large enough for the hook-shaped end 44 to move downwards, as shown by arrow N in FIG. 12, while the protrusions 42 and 43 are being released to thus relax, at least partially, the hose-spring clamp 38.

[0133] Indeed, the folded edge 36 of the coupling piece 11 is intended to be clamped against the pipe section 3 at the discharge opening 4 with a clamping force K so as to form a seal.

[0134] By moving the hook-shaped auxiliary tool 18 downwards during the connection of the connecting means 1, the tensioning of the hose-spring clamp 38 in the slot 36 of the coupling piece 11 can be activated.

[0135] In doing so, an installer can again simply operate the auxiliary tool from side 19 at the discharge opening 4 opposite the side 20 with the pipe section 3.

[0136] The second embodiment of connecting means 1 according to the invention discussed here again include additional connection devices 34 for connecting the drain pipe 2 to the coupling piece 11.

[0137] In this case, these additional connection devices 34 are not formed by an adhesive, but by a screw-on clamping ring or clamping device 51 which can be applied over the coupling piece 11 and which, by tightening it and by deforming the coupling piece 11, ensures a clamping with the pipe section 3.

[0138] To this end, the coupling piece 11 is equipped with an annular strip 53 on the edge 52 opposite the folded edge 36, on which the clamping device 51 can be fitted.

[0139] The method according to the invention involved in the use of the connecting means 1 as shown in FIGS. 8 to 19 is very similar to the method discussed earlier.

[0140] In this case, however, applying the tightening means 12 consists of inserting the holder 47 into the coupling piece 11, in which the hose-spring clamp 38 is being held in a tensioned state by means of the auxiliary tool 18 with hook-shaped end 44.

[0141] The hose-spring clamp 38 is further inserted into the folded edge 36 with U-shaped slot 37 of the coupling piece 11.

[0142] Tightening the tightening means 12 consists in removing the auxiliary tool 18 by performing a downward movement according to arrow N, wherein the internal diameter E of the hose-spring clamp 38 decreases and a clamping of the folded edge 36 of the coupling piece 11 against the pipe section 3 is obtained.

[0143] In a preferred embodiment of connecting means 1 in accordance with the invention, the parts are aligned in such a way that the auxiliary tool 18 is pushed away as a result of the insertion of the pipe section 3.

[0144] In this way, it is avoided that the hose-spring clamp 38 would be partially relaxed prematurely or, in other words, when the pipe section 3 has not yet been inserted with a required minimum length into the coupling piece 11, which would result in the tightening means 12 being tightened when the elements concerned are not sufficiently assembled yet.

[0145] In yet another preferred embodiment, an additional auxiliary tool is also provided, with which the hose-spring clamp 38 can also be released again, wherein this additional auxiliary tool can also be operated from the side of the opening 4.

[0146] After the tightening means 12 have been correctly tightened, the drain pipe 2 is fitted over the coupling piece 11 and the drain pipe is connected to the coupling piece 11 by screwing on the clamping device 51.

[0147] FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment for the hose-spring clamp 38, wherein in this case the protrusions 42 and 43 do not protrude radially outwards, but protrude downwards from the annular element 39.

[0148] It is clear that by using an adapted auxiliary tool 18, the same operation of the connecting means 1 can be obtained in a very simple manner, with the advantage that the radial dimensions of the hose-spring clamp 38 may be less in this case.

[0149] FIGS. 19 to 21 included show another similar embodiment of connecting means 1 according to the invention, wherein yet another type of hose-spring clamp 38 is used.

[0150] In this embodiment, the ends 40 and 41 of the annular spring element 39 are fitted with annular protrusions 42 and 43, each centrally provided with an opening 54.

[0151] These openings 54 can be superimposed by clamping the hose-spring clamp 38, and the hose-spring clamp 38 can be held in this tensioned state with an adapted auxiliary tool 18 which in this case has a hook-shaped round end 4 and can be inserted into the superimposed openings 54 in a fitting manner to this end.

[0152] This is shown in FIG. 19.

[0153] By removing the auxiliary tool 18, the state shown in FIG. 20 is obtained, wherein the internal diameter E of the annular element 39 has decreased.

[0154] Its application for connecting a drain pipe 2 to a pipe section 3 at a discharge opening 4 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 21.

[0155] This time, the coupling piece 11 is an integral part of the drain pipe 2 and no holder 47 for holding the hose-spring clamp 38 is used.

[0156] In principle, the connecting means 1 and methods described above can be used every time a large element is to be connected to a pipe section or pipe.

[0157] In this description, the starting point is always a situation in which the various elements are unassembled, for example as in the state shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9.

[0158] In practice, the assembly of these elements can take place at the site of the installation, for example on a construction site.

[0159] However, according to the invention, it is not excluded to provide users with an already assembled unit or prefab set, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 4 and 10.

[0160] The installer then only has to fit this set at the desired location and activate the tightening means 12 with the auxiliary tool 18 or 23 in order to make the connection.

[0161] The invention is by no means limited to the embodiments of connecting means 1 according to the invention for connecting a pipe 2, described by way of example and illustrated in the figures, such as for example a drain pipe 2, to a pipe section 3 at an opening 4, for example a discharge opening 4 of a sanitary installation 5; on the contrary, such connecting means 1 can be realised in many other ways while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0162] The invention is by no means limited to the embodiments of a method according to the invention, described by way of example and illustrated in the figures; on the contrary, such a method can be carried out in many other ways while still remaining within the scope of the invention.