CONNECTION DEVICE FOR A PERIPHERALLY RIBBED PIPE

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device for a peripherally ribbed pipe (4), comprising:—a pipe receptacle (1) having a receiving opening for receiving an end of the pipe (4); and—at least one catch element (3) for fastening the pipe (4) in the pipe receptacle (1). The pipe receptacle (1) has a longitudinal center plane (M), which extends through the receiving opening. The catch element (3) has a first point (S1), which allows movement of at least part of the catch element relative to the pipe receptacle (1), and a second point (S2), which is designed to engage in a corrugation trough (41) of the peripherally ribbed pipe (4). At least when the pipe (4) is inserted and fastened, the first point (S1) lies closer to the longitudinal center plane (M) than the second point (S2) does. The connection device according to the invention allows easy, leak-tight and secure fastening of a pipe.

Claims

1. A connection device for a peripherally ribbed pipe, wherein the connection device comprises a pipe receptacle having a receiving opening for receiving an end of the pipe and at least one latching element for fastening the pipe in the pipe receptacle, wherein the pipe receptacle has a longitudinal center plane which extends through the receiving opening, wherein the latching element has a first point which allows movement of at least part of the latching element relative to the pipe receptacle, and a second point which is designed to engage in a corrugation trough of the peripherally ribbed pipe, wherein, at least when the pipe is inserted and fastened, the first point lies closer to the longitudinal center plane than the second point.

2. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second point has a longitudinal extent which runs parallel to the longitudinal center plane and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the pipe receptacle.

3. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching element is a bow-shaped clamp with two lateral limbs, a web connecting the two lateral limbs and two fastening limbs, wherein the fastening limbs together form the first point and the web forms the second point.

4. The connection device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fastening limbs terminate freely.

5. The connection device as claimed in claim 3, wherein two clamps are present, the two clamps being arranged on two opposing sides of the periphery of the pipe receptacle, and wherein one fastening limb of one of the clamps is connected to a fastening limb of the other clamp via a connecting limb, such that the two clamps form a common one-piece component.

6. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching element is retained in a resilient manner in the pipe receptacle.

7. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching element protrudes over the pipe receptacle in the region of the second point.

8. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pipe receptacle has at least one recess on its periphery and wherein the latching element protrudes with its second point into this recess.

9. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a seal is present, the seal being arranged in the pipe receptacle for axial contact with one end of the pipe.

10. The connection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the seal is able to be compressed in the axial direction when the pipe is inserted.

11. The connection device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the seal bears against an inner wall of the pipe receptacle.

12. The connection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pipe receptacle forms at least one visual access point to the seal.

13. The connection device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pipe receptacle has at least one recess on its periphery and wherein the latching element protrudes with its second point into this recess and wherein the visual access point is formed by the recess.

14. The connection device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one visual access point is partially or entirely concealed by the pipe (4) when the pipe is correctly and fully inserted and fastened.

15. A connection device for a pipe, wherein the connection device comprises a pipe receptacle having a receiving opening for receiving an end of the pipe, at least one fastening element for fastening the pipe in the pipe receptacle and a seal, wherein the pipe receptacle permits at least one first visual indication relating to the seal before the pipe is inserted and in that the pipe receptacle permits a second visual indication, which differs from the first visual indication, when the pipe is correctly and fully inserted and fastened.

16. The connection device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the two other fastening limbs of the two clamps transition into one respective freely terminating connecting limb

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a connection device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the connection device according to FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a first side view of the connection device according to FIG. 1;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a second side view of the connection device according to FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the connection device according to FIG. 1 before an assembly of a corrugated pipe;

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the connection device according to FIG. 1 during the assembly of the corrugated pipe;

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the connection device according to FIG. 1 after the assembly of the corrugated pipe has taken place;

[0058] FIG. 8 shows a first perspective view of a connection device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a second perspective view of the connection device according to FIG. 8;

[0060] FIG. 10 shows a first side view of the connection device according to FIG. 8;

[0061] FIG. 11 shows a second side view of the connection device according to FIG. 8;

[0062] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the connection device according to FIG. 8 before an assembly of a corrugated pipe;

[0063] FIG. 13 shows a side view of the connection device according to FIG. 8 during the assembly of the corrugated pipe;

[0064] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the connection device according to FIG. 8 after the assembly of the corrugated pipe has taken place;

[0065] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of two latching elements of the connection device according to the invention in a first embodiment;

[0066] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a latching element of the connection device according to the invention in a second embodiment;

[0067] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a latching element of the connection device according to the invention in a third embodiment and

[0068] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a latching element of the connection device according to the invention in a fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0069] A first exemplary embodiment of the connection device according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. The connection device has a pipe receptacle 1 which is preferably configured from plastics. The pipe receptacle 1 has a substantially cylindrical base body 10 which encloses a receiving opening, in this case a through-opening 16. In this example, the base body 10 is substantially circular cylindrical. The corrugated pipe 4 to be received is a round pipe in this case.

[0070] The base body 10 has on its periphery at least one, in this case two, recesses 12. The two recesses 12 are flanked by a wall which forms side walls which are raised thereby. The raised side walls transition into an outwardly inclined collar 11 which forms an insertion aid for the corrugated pipe 4 to be inserted.

[0071] A base 13 which is defined from the base body 10 by a partially or fully peripheral groove 14 is arranged at the opposing end of the pipe receptacle 1. Depending on the field of use for which the connection device is planned, the device is provided with further elements. If the device serves, for example, for connecting two pipes, the base 13 is connected to a second pipe receptacle which is configured to be similar or the same and which can receive a second pipe. The common through-opening 16 is rectilinear, angled or curved, depending on the type of connection. A manifold element can also be arranged between the base 13 and the second pipe receptacle, so that two or more lines can branch off, and thus two or more further pipe receptacles are formed with the first pipe receptacle in a common component. Moreover, the base can be fixedly connected to an inlet, an outlet or a fitting or releasably fastened thereto.

[0072] A seal 2 is arranged in the pipe receptacle 1. The seal is configured to be hollow-cylindrical and is preferably located on a lower edge formed by the base 13. Preferably, the seal 2 bears against the inner wall of the through-opening 16 but is preferably not fixedly connected to the pipe receptacle 1, at least with its outer lateral surface. The seal 2 has an upwardly oriented planar front face 20. The seal 2 protrudes over the lower edge 120 of the recess 12 but is preferably lower than the two protruding side surfaces with the collar 11. The pipe receptacle 1 is preferably provided with an identification plate 17 or a different type of inscription.

[0073] The seal 2 is preferably produced from a flexible compressible material, in particular from a foam material. The seal preferably has a different color from the pipe receptacle 1.

[0074] The connection device according to the invention has at least one latching element, in this case in the form of a bow-shaped clamp 3. In this example, there are two clamps 3 which are shown in FIG. 15. The clamps are preferably manufactured from metal or plastics. Preferably, the clamps are configured in one piece and further preferably in the form of a curved bar. Each clamp 3 has two lateral limbs 30, a web 31 connecting these lateral limbs 30 and two freely terminating fastening limbs 32. In this example, the clamp 3 forms a flat plane, wherein the fastening limbs 32 preferably run parallel to the web 31. Alternative embodiments, however, are also possible. Preferably, these individual portions of the clamps 3 are configured in a rectilinear manner. In other embodiments, these individual portions are curved. In particular, the lateral limbs 30 are curved such that they nestle against the outer contour of the pipe receptacle 1. Alternatively or additionally, the web 31 is curved in the assembly direction of the pipe so as to place more load in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the pipe than at the edge of the pipe, in the case of a load introduced into the pipe. Additionally, such a configuration counteracts the web 31 being bent upwardly.

[0075] The clamps 3 are connected to the pipe receptacle 1. Depending on the embodiment, the clamps are pivotably retained, resiliently retained or fixedly connected in a receptacle 15 for the bow-shaped clamp, or integrally formed on the pipe receptacle 1. In the case of a fixed connection or a one-piece integral portion, the bow-shaped clamp is configured such that it permits an at least slightly flexible pivoting movement of the lateral limbs 30 relative to the fixedly retained fastening limbs 32. The web 31 and the lateral limbs 30 thus form the pivotable part of the latching element at the position S1.

[0076] In this example, the fastening limbs 32 are retained in the groove 14, as can be clearly identified in FIGS. 1 to 4. Depending on the embodiment, the fastening limbs are adhesively bonded, welded, latched, inserted or pivotably and/or resiliently retained in a corresponding bearing.

[0077] Each clamp 3 is connected to the pipe receptacle 1 such that the web 31 comes to rest in the receptacle. At the same time, the web protrudes into the imaginary outer periphery of the pipe receptacle 1. The web 31 preferably protrudes over the upper front face 20 of the seal 2.

[0078] As can be clearly identified in particular in FIGS. 1 and 4, the point at which the clamp 3 is connected to the pipe receptacle 1, and about which the lateral limbs 30 are pivotable, is located closer to a longitudinal center plane M of the pipe receptacle 1 than the web 31. In FIG. 4, the longitudinal center plane M runs perpendicularly to the drawing plane. In FIG. 3, the longitudinal center plane is located in the drawing plane. In FIG. 3, the longitudinal axis L is shown. This connecting point is denoted here as the first point S1. The web 31 defines a second point S2, the meaning thereof being described below. If two clamps 3 or if a double-sided clamp is present with two webs 31, the longitudinal center plane M is preferably located centrally between the two clamps 3 or between the two webs 31. Preferably, the angle between the longitudinal center plane M and the lateral limbs 30 is between 20° and 45°, in particular approximately 35°.

[0079] In FIGS. 5 to 7 it is shown how the corrugated pipe 4 can be connected by this connection device according to the invention. In FIG. 5 the state before the assembly is shown. The seal 2 can be clearly identified. The corrugated pipe 4 has ribs 40 and corrugation troughs 41.

[0080] In FIG. 6, the corrugated pipe 4 has now been inserted into the pipe receptacle 1 and the seal 2. The clamp 3 is preferably limited in its position relative to the longitudinal center axis L and to the longitudinal center plane M, by bearing against the side walls of the recess 12, i.e. the aperture. Thus it is ensured that the clamp 3 is always located outside the internal diameter of the pipe 4 and the ribs 40 can press securely onto the clamp 3. If the corrugated pipe 4 is pushed in further, the front face of the corrugated pipe 4 or at least the rib 40 furthest to the front is positioned on the upper front face 20 of the seal. This front face is generally a cut surface. The cut surface can be configured differently. Generally, the cut surface is not planar and often it is not at right-angles to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The seal 20 is compressed when the corrugated pipe 4 is pushed in further in the axial direction L. The clamp 3 is pushed outwardly by the ribs 40, i.e. the lateral limbs 30 pivot about the point of articulation, i.e. about the first point S1, and the ribs 40 slide along the web 31 downwardly in the direction of the base 13 until the pipe 4 cannot be pushed in any further due to the maximum pressing of the seal 2 or a stop provided in the interior of the pipe receptacle 1. Preferably, in this end position the seal 2 is compressed to a sufficient extent that it is no longer visible in the recess 12. The recess thus forms an aperture or a visual display or a visual access point for the correct connection of the connection device and corrugated pipe 4. In this position, the web 31 and thus the second point S2 are located in a corrugation trough 41 and retain the pipe 4 fixed in this position. The pipe 4 can no longer be pulled out. Rather, the specific arrangement of the first and second point S2 relative to the longitudinal center axis M reinforces the retaining action when the pipe 4 is pulled. The clamp 3, however, can be released by a simple tool, for example by a screwdriver or a rod, in a simple manner from the corrugation trough 41 and the pipe can be removed again.

[0081] During the insertion of the pipe 4, if the web 31 were not to come to rest in a corrugation trough 41, after the release of the pipe by the fitter, the seal 2 would push the pipe 4 counter to the assembly direction to a sufficient extent that the web 31 could engage in the next corrugation trough 41. Preferably, the device is configured such that the seal continues to be ensured and the seal 2 is not yet visible in the recess 12, i.e. in the aperture. The assembly thus meets the specifications as before and is correspondingly correct.

[0082] A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 to 14. The same parts are provided with the same reference signs and are not described again in detail. This connection device is suitable for connection to a flat corrugated pipe 4. The base body 10 is configured in turn to be hollow-cylindrical. The base body now has, however, an elongated basic shape with two planar side walls 100 arranged parallel to one another and two opposing outwardly curved side walls 101. Each clamp 3 is arranged in the region of one of the two curved side walls 101. The two curved side walls 101 have corresponding recesses 12, the seal 2 in turn protruding over said recesses. These recesses 12 also serve as a visual access point for monitoring the correct assembly. The web 31 of the clamp 3 in turn protrudes into these recesses 12 and preferably protrudes over the seal 2. In this case, however, the web 31 is also preferably located below the uppermost edge of the pipe receptacle 1. In FIG. 10 the longitudinal center plane M runs perpendicularly to the drawing plane. In figure lithe longitudinal center plane is located in the drawing plane. The longitudinal axis L is shown in FIG. 11.

[0083] In other embodiments, irrespective of the shape of the pipe receptacle, no recess is present and/or the web 31 protrudes over the uppermost edge of the pipe receptacle 1. In particular in the last-mentioned case, no indentation or recess 12 is required in the pipe receptacle 1 in order to apply the inventive teaching. For example, it is sufficient if the web 31 is curved inwardly in order to be able to engage in the corrugation trough 41 of the inserted pipe 4.

[0084] The clamp 3 can have very different shapes. The clamp can also be designed, for example, as a double clamp as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18. In the embodiment according to FIG. 16, two pairs of lateral limbs 30 with one respective web 31 connecting the lateral limbs are present. The two pairs of lateral limbs 30 preferably enclose an angle of between 40° and 90°, preferably of approximately 70°. The fastening limbs 32 adjoining the lateral limbs 30 are curved toward one another and thus no longer run parallel to the webs 31. Alternatively, the fastening limbs run parallel to the webs 31. A free end of one of the fastening limbs 32 of the first pair is connected by means of a first connecting limb 33 to a fastening limb 32 of the second pair. One respective second connecting limb 33′ is also arranged on the two other fastening limbs 32 of the pairs. These second connecting limbs 33′, however, are not connected together but bear against one another or on one another. As a result, the clamp 13 can be inserted in a simpler manner into the groove 14 and connected to the pipe receptacle 1. In FIG. 16 the connecting limbs 33, 33′ are configured to be curved. However, the connecting limbs can also be configured in a rectilinear manner.

[0085] The curved design of the connecting limbs 33, 33′ and/or the lateral limbs 30 has the advantage that the clamps are more suitably adapted to the contour of the pipe receptacle 1. As a result, less installation space is required and the load can be more effectively introduced into the pipe receptacle 1. The rectilinear design of the limbs has the advantage that it leads to lower manufacturing costs.

[0086] In the embodiment according to FIG. 17, pairs of connecting limbs 33′ are present on both sides. These connecting limbs can run freely toward one another, bear against one another or be fixedly connected together, for example welded or soldered.

[0087] In the embodiment according to FIG. 18, the double clamp is formed from a single, closed and curved wire loop.

[0088] The connection device according to the invention permits a simple and secure and preferably leak-tight fastening of a pipe.