DE29909995U1 - Universal connection system - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1999 GM 36/99 Hans-Peter Geiger
73105 Dürnau

Universal connection system

The invention relates to a universal connection system for connecting pipes joined together, with straight cut and/or miter cut pipe ends for straight, crosswise, T-shaped as well as acute and obtuse angled pipe connections as well as for connecting pipes with angle pieces, pipe bends, profiles, hollow profiles and plates, as design elements such as railings, exhibition and presentation elements, for pipe systems for guiding cables as well as gaseous and liquid media of all kinds.

There are known systems for connecting pipes in which the joints of the pipes are connected to one another by pipe sockets or union nuts. When connecting pipes in angled areas of rooms, standardized connecting elements such as T-pieces, angle pieces and pipe bends are required, which must have an internal thread at the end and are screwed into the pipe ends with an external thread. These systems have the disadvantage that the pipe connection is visible from the outside and unsightly, and is complex and expensive to manufacture and assemble. Welded pipe connections are also known, which, although they ensure relatively flat transitions at the joints, have to be destroyed if repairs are required or if the pipe routing is changed, which regularly leads to deformations and, above all, to irreparable damage to the surface protection of the pipes.

From DE 297 09 986 U1 a pipe connection system is known which provides for the connection of a pipe section of in particular stair railings and the like with a spherical corner part which

at least one threaded bore with a bore axis extending through the center of the ball, the connecting pin having a recess on the ball side with a support surface adapted to the surface of the ball at least in some areas and a bore opening in the region of the recess for a fastening screw which can be screwed into the threaded bore, the screw head of which is supported on a curved abutment surface of the connecting pin, the radius of which starts from the center of the ball when the connecting pin is attached to the ball,

&iacgr;&ogr; a special abutment is designed that is inserted into the interior of a pipe

and screwed to the spherical corner part through the front pipe opening. The disadvantage of this system is that the abutment requires a specially shaped pipe end that serves as a counter bearing within the pipe. Such a pipe connection is complex and expensive to manufacture.

DE 195 25 334 A1 designs a kit of various round bars for constructing a cranked round bar train. In order to use as few space-saving round bars as possible, it is proposed to provide the round bar with a hemispherical end at least at one end of the bar, which has the same radius as the round bar, in order to allow circular cylindrical recesses to be made in this end. The cylinder radius of the recess is the same as the circular profile radius of the round bar and intersects the cylinder axis in the bar axis. This creates a sickle-shaped segment in the inner angle area between the intersecting bar and cylinder axis. This solution is an elegant connection for round profiles that can be assembled with threaded bolts. However, due to its designed centric screw connection, it is not suitable for pipes and is complicated and expensive to manufacture.

From DE 298 11 026 111 a connection system for pipes is known which is characterized by an expandable sleeve arranged in at least one pipe end, which are connected to one another by conical disks arranged on both sides and a spacer disk by a centrally arranged shaft screw and in which by a mounting pin which can be screwed radially into the spacer disk

the expandable sleeve is clamped axially in the pipe. When assembled, the spacer disc with the opening for the mounting pin can be seen between two pipe joints. For a T-shaped pipe connection or a connection with a pipe bend, additional spacers and split fittings with different angles are required.

required. This pipe connection is based on a centric connection of the clamping parts, which closes the pipe system at the connection points. These pipe connections are not suitable for pipe systems in which gaseous or liquid media or &iacgr;&ogr; cables are to be routed. In addition, each pipe connection is

the spacer disc arranged between two pipe ends, which is visible from the outside, is visually disturbing, can only be handled with special tools and is questionable from a safety point of view, since the connection point is accessible to everyone.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a universal connection system with invisible connecting elements for pipes joined together with a straight cut and/or with a miter cut as well as pipe ends with a miter cut with molded radii for straight, T-shaped, cross-shaped as well as acute and obtuse-angled pipe connections as well as for the connection of pipes with angle pieces, pipe bends, profiles, hollow profiles and plates, which is also suitable for pipe systems for guiding cables as well as gaseous and liquid media of all kinds.

The object is achieved by a universal connection system with the characterizing features of claim 1.

The universal connection system, which consists of clamping systems and/or clamping systems coupled with linear and/or articulated connecting elements with axially and radially movable connection points, can be connected to one another in a variety of ways using centrally arranged threaded bolts, is characterized by a simple construction of the individual parts and their connection. It enables extremely cost-effective production of the individual parts and easy-to-use assembly. The variable usability of the clamping systems

alone and in conjunction with other clamping systems and/or with various connecting elements with axially and radially movable connection points arranged as required, ensures an easy-to-install straight, T-shaped and crosswise as well as acute and obtuse-angled connection through the arrangement of threaded bolts

of pipe sections among themselves or of pipe sections with solid profiles, angle pieces, pipe bends, plates and the like. The permeable clamping systems and connecting elements and pipe connections provided with sealing elements enable the use of the universal connection system not only for

Design elements such as railings and presentation elements but also for pipe systems, for routing cables as well as gaseous and liquid media.

A particular advantage of the universal connection system according to the invention is that it can be locked from the open end faces of the pipes and disappears completely into the pipes, thereby creating a pipe connection point that meets all optical requirements and meets all safety requirements with regard to unauthorized intervention in such a connection.

The structural design of the clamping systems according to claim 2 is particularly noteworthy, which allows the clamping system to be pre-assembled before use in the pipe, which simplifies the assembly of the pipe connections and is therefore cost-effective. The connection of the clamping system ensures an absolutely stable and adaptable radial tension in the pipe, which compensates for irregularities in the inner pipe, by means of an axial three-screw tension distributed over its circular surfaces. The through-openings arranged in the clamping system and distributed over the circular surfaces form channels that allow gaseous and liquid media to pass through or cables to pass through. The clamping systems can be used alone as a straight connecting element and in a second embodiment of the ring disk with a radially arranged threaded through hole, the clamping systems can also be used alone for a T-shaped and cross-wise connection. The clamping system parts

Centrally arranged through hole with internal thread enables a simple screw connection via threaded bolts of different lengths with other clamping systems or connecting elements according to claims 3 to 6 as well as their easy radial locking with clamping screws arranged axially in the clamping systems or with nuts arranged at the end on a central threaded bolt, by means of clamping rings in the pipe.

&iacgr;&ogr; The connecting element according to claim 3 is also advantageous in that

Due to its hollow profile and the end, central and crosswise bearings for arranging connection points according to claim 6 as well as the central elongated holes, not only does it allow a straight, T-shaped and crosswise pipe connection, but above all it allows an acute and obtuse angle pipe connection in the range of 180° on both sides of the pipe axis according to claim 7 that can be easily and individually regulated along the pipe axis during assembly in the pipe, at an inclination angle that can be adjusted as required, which can also be locked via the open front sides of the pipe sections. In addition, other elements such as solid profiles, plates or turnbuckles according to claim 8 can also be arranged directly at the central connection point of this connecting element by means of threaded bolts molded onto or screwed into the elements.

The radially pivotable connecting element according to claims 4 and 5 is particularly advantageous, as it consists of two joint legs connected to one another by a joint bolt, which are each provided with bearings at their free leg ends for the arrangement of connection points and which can be connected to clamping systems by means of threaded bolts and enable, in addition to straight-line connections, mainly pipe connections, which allow for angles of 180° to <45° on both sides of the joint leg axes. The embodiment according to claim 4 provides a compact and short shape of the joint legs and the second embodiment according to claim 5 provides an extended shape of the joint legs. The second embodiment slightly limits the minimum angular position of the joint legs to one another, but ensures

An angled pipe connection that is subject to particular stresses also requires a stable locking mechanism.

Also to be emphasized are the connection points that can be arranged on the connecting elements according to claim 5, which consist of a hinge pin designed as a turned part with a central threaded through hole at right angles to the pin axis, which can be inserted into two oppositely arranged bearing points of the connecting elements in such a way that it is axially

&iacgr;&ogr; and is radially movable. Due to the mobility of the connection points

A threaded bolt screwed into the hinge bolt can also perform a relative movement axially and radially. This movable arrangement supports an adaptable radial centering and spreading of the clamping systems pre-assembled with connecting elements in the pipe sections, even if the inner pipe casings have certain unevennesses.

The variability of the universal connection system according to the invention is further characterized by its ability to be combined with elements according to claim 8, for example with turnbuckles, which is made possible by a left-hand thread that can be arranged in the clamping systems and underlines the versatile applicability of the connection system.

An advantageous design of the pipe ends with a bevel running towards the middle of the pipe according to claim 9 ensures such an exact connection point for pipe connections for design elements or for cable guides that it is not a problem at all if the pipe system is made up of many short pipe pieces. This also has the advantage that the pipe pieces can be surface-treated without any problem, whereby design wishes up to gold plating can easily be met.

A further advantageous design of the pipe ends with a two-stage bevel running towards the pipe center according to claim 10 is particularly suitable for pipe systems that are intended to guide liquid or gaseous media. In the second stage of the bevels inside the pipes, sealing elements are arranged, whereby the

Sealing elements according to claim 11 can be designed in different shapes according to different requirements.

The closure of pipe system ends according to claim 12 by means of a

Machine screw with washer in front and a sealing element inserted into the clamping system in place of the last clamping ring supports the flexibility of the universal connection system, especially for pipe systems that carry gaseous and liquid media.

Finally, the manufacture of all parts of the universal connection system from stainless steel and the sealing elements from acid-resistant material according to claim 13 ensures that corrosion damage is excluded and surface treatments of all kinds as well as connections with all types of material and the conveyance of gases and liquids, including those that are aggressive, such as acids and alkalis, in the pipe systems are possible. The exclusive use of profile and/or turned and milled parts as well as the use of standardized parts also simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process and ensures extremely cost-effective manufacture, assembly and maintenance of the universal connection system.

The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, in which like parts are designated by like numbers. The drawings show in

Fig.1 the front view of the retaining ring disc of the clamping system,

Fig.2 the side view of Fig.1,

Fig.3 the front view of the ring disc of the clamping system,
Fig.4 the side view of Fig.3,

Fig.3a the front view of the ring disc of the clamping system in a second version,

·

- 8 Fig.4a
the side view of Fig.3a,

Fig.5 the front view of the end ring of the clamping system, Fig.6 the side view of Fig.5,

Fig.7 the front view of a clamping ring of the clamping system. Fig.8 the side view of Fig.7,

Fig.9 the front view of an assembled clamping system,

Fig.9a the front view of a pre-assembled clamping system in a second embodiment,

Fig. 10 the opposite view of Fig.9,

Fig.11 the side view of Fig.9,

Fig.11a the side view of a clamping system screwed with centric threaded bolts and nuts,

Fig.11b the side view of Fig. 11a with crosswise arranged threaded bolts,

Fig. 12 the front view of a straight, T-shaped and cross-shaped connecting element,

Fig. 13 the side view of Fig. 12,

Fig.14 the top view of Fig.12,

Fig. 15 the front view of a hinge pin with central threaded hole,

Fig.16 the side view of Fig.15,

Fig. 17 the front view of a connecting element pre-assembled with cross-threaded bolt and straight end clamping systems,

Fig. 18 the top view of Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 the representation according to Fig. 17 with clamping systems arranged crosswise over threaded bolts,

&iacgr;&ogr; Fig.20 a straight pipe connection with a straight

connecting element,

Fig.21 a T-shaped pipe connection with a connecting element,

Fig.22 an acute-angle adjustable connection of a pipe with a cylindrical profile piece with a connecting element,

Fig.23 a cross-shaped pipe connection with a connecting element,

Fig.23a a T-shaped pipe connection with a pipe end provided with a mitre cut with the same radius on both sides,

Fig.23.b an obtuse-angled pipe connection with a pipe end provided with a mitre cut with different radii,

Fig.24 the front view of a segment of a joint leg of the radially pivotable connecting element,

Fig.24a the front view of a segment of a second joint leg of the radially pivotable connecting element,

Fig.24b the front view of a mounted radially pivoting connecting element provided with hinge pins in a straight line representation,

Fig.24c the top view of a section of an assembled, radially pivotable connecting element in a straight line representation in two pipe sections joined together,

Fig.24d a side view of section A- A from Fig.24c,

Fig.2^e the front view of an assembled radially pivoting connecting element provided with hinge pins in an obtuse-angled representation,

&iacgr;&ogr; Fig.25 the front view of a segment of a joint leg

a radially pivotable connecting element in a second embodiment,

Fig.26 the front view of a segment of the other joint leg,

Fig.27 the front view of a second segment of the other joint leg,

Fig.28 the side view of a segment of the joint legs,

Fig.29 the front view of an assembled radially pivotable connecting element provided with hinge pins in the second embodiment with several spacer segments in a straight line representation,

Fig.30 a second front view of a mounted radially pivotable connecting element provided with hinge pins in the second embodiment with a spacer segment in a straight line representation,

Fig.31 the top view of Fig. 29,

Fig.32 the top view of Fig. 29 with clamping systems arranged via threaded bolts,

Fig.33 the top view of an angled pipe connection,

Fig.34 the front view of an angled pipe connection in an obtuse-angled representation

Fig.35 the front view of an angle piece with central threaded hole,

Fig.36 the side view of Fig.35,

Fig.37 Front view of a blunt 90° pipe connection with clamping system, sealing element, threaded bolt and with an angle piece with through-channel,

Fig.37a the top view of Fig.37,

Fig.38 a 45° pipe connection without sealing element and

through channel,

Fig.39 a 120° pipe connection from Fig.38,
Fig.40 Front view of a cylindrical sealing ring,

Fig.40a Side view of Fig.40,

Fig.41 Front view of a sealing element made of a metal ring with a concave outer surface and a seated O-ring,

Fig.42 Front view of a sealing element consisting of a metal ring with rectangular outer surface and cylindrical metal sealing ring,

Fig.43 Front view of a straight pipe connection with a single-stage bevel and subsequent countersink at the pipe ends and a cylindrical sealing ring,

Fig.44 Front view of a straight pipe connection with two-stage bevelled pipe ends and a metal ring with concave surface and O-ring as a sealing element,

Fig.45 Front view of a straight pipe connection with two-stage bevelled pipe ends and a metal ring with a rectangular molded surface and a cylindrical ring sitting on top as a sealing element,

Fig.46 Front view of a straight pipe connection with two-stage chamfered pipe ends and a cylindrical sealing sleeve as a sealing element.

&iacgr;&ogr; The universal connecting element 1 according to the invention consists of

a first embodiment of a clamping system 2 with the associated individual parts according to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. A receiving ring disk 9, a ring disk 11 and an end ring disk 12 preferably have an outer diameter of 35 mm. The receiving ring disk 9 and the end ring disk 11 are, for example, 5 mm thick and flat on their outer surface and on the opposite surface there is a bevel of preferably 30° to 45° to the center of the disk on the circumference. The receiving ring disk 9 is also equipped on its bevelled surface with a hollow cylinder 9', which is formed at right angles to the bevelled surface and has a length of preferably 20 mm and an outer diameter of 14 mm, in which a continuous internal thread 9" of the preferred size M 10 is arranged clockwise. The ring disk 11 is preferably 8 mm long and, like the end ring disk 12, is also equipped with an inner ring diameter of 14 mm. A clamping ring 10, preferably made of round material with a diameter of 3 to 3.2 mm, an outer ring diameter in the unclamped state of, for example, 35 to 35.2 mm and with an expansion angle of preferably 30° to 45°, the ring disk 11, a second clamping ring 10 and an end ring disk 12 are placed on the hollow cylinder 9' in the following order, with the clamping rings 10 being seated in the bevels of the receiving ring disk 9 and the end ring disk 12. The In one embodiment, the receiving ring disk 9, the ring disk 11 and the end ring disk 12 are preferably each provided with three evenly spaced and uniformly shaped and sized holes distributed over the ring surfaces, preferably in the form of an elongated hole and

axially extending through holes 13 and with, for example, three through holes 14, preferably offset by 120°, arranged between the through holes 13 with a diameter of preferably 5.3 mm, wherein the through holes 14 of the receiving ring disk 9 have an internal thread 14' of, for example, M 5. The parts, put together in the order listed, are fastened according to Fig.9 with the clamping screws 15 introduced from the end ring disk 12, for which, for example, machine screws with

&iacgr;&ogr; preferably 4 mm Allen head and an external thread of

5.3 mm were used, are detachably connected to the through holes 14 with internal thread 14' of the receiving ring disk 9 according to Fig. 10, whereby the through openings 13 neglected in Fig. 11 and the other figures for reasons of clarity lie congruently one above the other and form channels 2 ^1. A clamping system 2 pre-assembled according to Fig. 11 is now inserted with the clamping screws 15 pointing towards the front side into a pipe section 8 with a preferred internal diameter of 36 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm. The clamping screws 15 are tightened with a size 4 mm Allen key, whereby the clamping rings 10 are pushed apart at a preferred spreading angle of 30° to 45° and pressed radially against the inner wall of the pipe section 8. A threaded bolt 6 can now be screwed into the internal thread 9" of the hollow cylinder 9' of the clamping system 2, either continuously or on both sides, which serves as a straight connection between two pipe sections 8 equipped with clamping systems 2 in the manner described above. Such an embodiment for a straight pipe connection, which is also shown as an end piece, is shown in Fig. 43, where the two pipe ends are provided with a chamfer 8" of preferably 10° and a subsequent right-angled countersink of 1 mm depth and width and are connected in a sealed manner with a cylindrical ring disk 26, preferably made of an acid-resistant material. The chamfered pipe ends seal the pipe joint together with the cylindrical ring disk 26 so tightly that this form of the universal connection system 1 can be used for pipe systems that carry liquid media, for example, where the media flow

is ensured by the channels 2' arranged in the clamping systems 2.

A second embodiment of the universal connection system 1 is characterized by an embodiment of the clamping system 2 with a ring disk 11 according to Fig.3a and Fig.4a, wherein the ring disk 11 is designed in a preferred length of 20 mm and with a radial through-threaded bore 11" of the preferred size M 10 with countersinks 11'" in the lateral surfaces

&iacgr;&ogr; and preferably with two axial through holes 13

A clamping system 2 mounted with this ring disk 11 in the previously described order is detachably connected to one another by a threaded bolt 6 with an M 10 external thread running centrally through the clamping system 2 and nuts 6' with an M 10 internal thread screwed onto its two free ends. Threaded bolts 6 can be screwed into the radial threaded through-hole 11" on one or both sides as shown in Fig. 11b, whereby a straight, T-shaped or crosswise connection can be made with just one clamping system 2.

A third embodiment of the universal connection system 1 is characterized by the coupling of clamping systems 2 with a connection element 3 according to Fig. 12 to Fig. 14. A connection element 3 is made, for example, from a 98 mm long square hollow profile with a side length of 25 mm and open and rectangular end faces. In its surfaces, according to Fig. 14, bearing points 16" with a preferred diameter of 16.1 mm are arranged opposite one another at the ends. Between each of the end-arranged bearing points 16" there is an elongated hole 16'" with a preferred width of 16.2 mm and a length of 50 mm. In addition, the connection element 3 has two further central bearing points 16" arranged opposite one another and crosswise to the end-arranged bearing points 16", preferably with the same diameter as the end-arranged bearing points 16". If required, hinge pins 23 according to Fig. 15 with a preferred length of 32 mm, a diameter of 16 mm

- 15 -

and a central radial threaded through hole 23' of size M 10 and provided with threaded bolts 6. Fig. 17 and 18 show the equipment of a connecting element 3 with three hinge bolts 23 and threaded bolts 6 arranged on them in two views, with the centrally arranged threaded bolt 6 aligned at a right angle and clamping systems 2 screwed onto the end threaded bolt 6. In Fig. 19, the two ends of the centrally arranged threaded bolt 6 are also provided with clamping systems 2 in order to increase the versatility of the

&iacgr;&ogr; to show possible applications of this connecting element 3.

With this connection system 1, which is pre-assembled according to different requirements, various straight pipe connections according to Fig.20, a T-shaped pipe connection according to Fig.21 and Fig.23a and a crossed pipe connection according to Fig.23 can be easily assembled.

An embodiment of a T-shaped connection with an acute or obtuse angle to the axis X of a pipe section with an element 7, here for example with a solid profile 25, is shown in Fig. 22, wherein the connecting element 3 pre-assembled with the middle hinge pin 23 and the threaded bolts 6 and clamping systems 2 arranged at the ends is introduced into a pipe section 8 which is equipped with an obliquely designed through-bore 8' in its pipe jacket, which can be slightly larger than the outside diameter of the threaded bolt 6 and can also be elliptical in some cases. The pre-assembled connection system is pushed into the pipe section 8 until the middle hinge pin 23 with its threaded through-bore 23' has reached a position which is congruent with the through-bore 8 ¹ of the pipe section 8. Now, from the outside, through the through hole 8 ¹ , for example, the solid profile 25 with a preferably molded external thread can be screwed directly into the threaded through hole 23" of the hinge pin 23. With the solid profile 25 screwed in, the middle hinge pin 23 can now be pivoted about its pin axis W to any angle of inclination α in the range of 180° to the axis X of the connecting element 3. With the pivoting process of the solid profile 25, the pre-assembled

.;&diams;

Connection system within the pipe section 8 is moved along the axis X until the desired angle position is reached. From the open end faces of the pipe section 8, the clamping systems 2 can now be clamped in the pipe section 8 using the Allen key and the solid profile 25 can be firmly screwed in place. A

The T-shaped pipe connection not shown in the drawings can of course also be produced by inserting a pipe section 8 with a straight cut into the pipe through an opening 8' machined into the pipe casing of the other pipe section 8 and locking it in place using the clamping systems 2. The similar T-shaped

A pipe connection with an adjustable acute or obtuse angle to the axis X, for example with a pipe section 8 which is provided with a mitre cut with a molded radius, is shown in Fig. 23b.

A fourth embodiment of the universal connection system 1 consists of a coupling of clamping systems 2 with a radially pivotable connecting element 4, which is formed from two joint legs 18 and 19, which are connected by a joint pin 17 and can be pivoted radially about a pin axis Z. The connecting element 4 enables angular pipe connections in a range of preferably 179° to < 45° to the joint leg axes Y. The joint legs 18 and 19 in a compact embodiment are each formed from a preferably 62 mm long and 31 mm wide segment 18' and a 60 mm long and 27 mm wide segment 19' according to Fig. 24 and 24a, which are preferably designed as closed eyelets notched on one side and rectangular on the other hand, wherein the front side of the segment 18' designed as a closed eyelet notched on one side is preferably designed with a radius of 15.5 mm and that of the segment 19' with a smaller radius of 13.5 mm. Bearing points 18" or 19" with a diameter of preferably 16 mm are formed on the end of the segments 18' and 19' and a through hole 18'" and 19"' with a diameter of preferably 6 mm is arranged approximately in the middle. Two segments 18' and two segments 19' are connected to each other opposite one another using a spacer segment 20 and a conventional screw connection so that the

Bearing points 18" and bearing points 19" and the rounded front sides of the segments 18' and 19' are congruently opposite, creating permeable legs 18 and 19. The bearing points 18" and 19" on the front sides of the joint legs 18 and 19, which are rounded as a closed eyelet notched on one side, are connected to one another by a preferably snug-fitting joint pin 17 with a diameter of 18 mm and can be pivoted radially about the pin axis Z. Fig.24b shows a front view of the described pre-assembled

&iacgr;&ogr; connecting element 4 without hinge pin 23. Fig.24c

shows a top view of a connecting element 4 with hinge pins 23 in a connection of two pipe sections 8 and Fig.24d shows a section A-A through the pipe connection in Fig.24c. In the sectional view it can be clearly seen how the segments 18' and 19' of the hinge legs 18 and 19 are mounted in the pipe section 8 and that in addition to the radial tension via the clamping systems 2 (not shown in detail), they ensure a locking of the radially pivoting connecting system 4 within the pipe sections 8. Fig. 24e shows an arrangement of the connecting element 4 without connection points 5 at an obtuse angle to the hinge leg axes Y with which such a pipe connection can be produced by coupled clamping systems 2. This radially pivoting connecting element 4 represents a compact design.

Figures 25 to 28 describe a second embodiment of a radially pivotable connecting element 4 with an extended leg design, which is formed from a one-part joint leg 21 and a two-part joint leg 22, which are connected to one another by a joint pin 17 and can be pivoted radially about the pin axis Z. The joint leg 21 is formed from two preferably 120 mm long and 27 mm wide segments 21' according to Fig. 25, which are rounded on one end face and rectangular on the opposite end face.

In addition, a bearing point 21" is formed on each end of each segment 21' and two through holes 21'" with a diameter of preferably 6 mm are arranged approximately in the middle. The joint leg 22 is made of two preferably 81 mm long

and 27 mm wide segments 22' according to Fig.26 and two preferably 71 mm long and 27 mm wide segments 22'" according to Figure 27. The segments 22' are each equipped at one end with a bearing point 22" with a preferred diameter of 18 mm on the rounded end faces and preferably 16 mm on the rectangular end faces and at the opposite end with two through holes 22"" each with a preferred diameter of 6 mm. One segment 22' and one segment 22'" are each connected via the

Ø 22" through holes and conventional screw connections

connected to each other. Two segments 21' and two pre-assembled segments 22' with 22"' are connected to each other with the aid of preferably two spacer segments 20 opposite each other in such a way that the bearing points 21" and bearing points 22" and the rounded front sides of the segments are congruently opposite each other, whereby the legs 21 and 22 are formed. The bearing points 21" and 22" on the rounded front sides of the joint legs 21 and 22 are connected to each other by a snug-fitting joint pin 17 with a preferred diameter of 18 mm and can be pivoted radially about the pin axis Z.

A connecting element 4 pre-assembled in this way is shown in more detail in Fig. 29 to 31, where Fig. 29 shows a front view of a connecting element 4 with split spacer segments 20 and Fig. 30 with a one-piece spacer segment 20. Fig. 31 shows a top view of the pre-assembled connecting element 4 according to Fig. 29, which is equipped with a hinge pin 23 at each end, which in turn can be connected to a clamping system 2 via threaded bolts 6, as can be seen in Fig. 32. Now a pipe section 8 with at least one pipe end provided with a miter cut is placed on the pre-assembled one hinge leg 21 and the clamping system 2 is screwed tight on the front side. Then, according to Fig.33, a second pipe section 8, also provided with a mitre cut of the same angle, is placed on the joint leg 22, the joint leg 22 with the pipe sections 8 is pivoted about the bolt axis Z until the mitre cuts of the pipe sections 8 lie against each other, for example as in Fig. 34, and the second

Clamping system 2 is screwed to the front. In this way, any pipe connection can be made in the angle range mentioned above. The same assembly procedure is provided for the compact version of the joint legs 18 and 19.

A fifth embodiment according to Fig. 37 to 39 represents a pipe connection with a solid angle piece 25 according to Fig. 35 and 36. A straight cut pipe piece 8 is pre-assembled with a clamping system 2 and a threaded bolt 6 and by means of

&iacgr;&ogr; the threaded bolt 6 into a hole of an angle piece 24 with

formed stop at a 90° angle according to Fig. 37, a 45° angle in Fig. 38 and at a 120° angle in Fig. 39. This screw connection can of course also be made with other elements 7 such as pipe bends or plates. Fig. 37 also shows an embodiment of the pipe connection in which the angle piece 24 has a through opening 13 which forms a channel 2' through the angle piece 24 and in which the blunt connection points are sealed with an O-ring 28. This connection can also be used for pipe connections which carry gaseous or liquid media.

An embodiment not shown in detail in the drawings represents the connection between a pipe section 8 equipped with a clamping system 2 and a threaded bolt 6. In this embodiment, only a left-hand thread is arranged in the hollow cylinder 9' of the clamping system 2, whereby a conventional turnbuckle can be connected to the universal connection system 1 by means of a threaded bolt 6 and used to clamp pipes or other systems.

Figures 40 to 42 show various embodiments of sealing elements 0. Thus, Fig. 40 and 40a show a cylindrical sealing ring 26. Fig. 41 shows a metal ring 27 with a concave outer surface 27' and an O-ring 28 seated thereon, and Fig. 42 shows a metal ring 27 with a rectangular outer surface 27' and a cylindrical metal ring 29 seated thereon.

Figures 43 to 46 show pipe connections with the last pipe section 8 of a pipe connection, which can transport liquid or

gaseous media, wherein the last clamping system 2 in each case has a sealing element O in place of a clamping ring 10, the pipe connection point is sealed with sealing elements O of Fig.40 to 42, the pipe ends are chamfered differently and in which the connection of the clamping systems 2 is made with a machine screw 31 instead of with a threaded bolt 6.

Thus, Fig.43 shows the sealed connection of two pipe sections 8, the pipe ends of which are connected to a pipe center, preferably

&iacgr;&ogr; 1 mm wide and at an angle &bgr; of 10° bevel and

are provided with a subsequent rectangular 1 mm wide recess in which a cylindrical sealing ring 26 according to Fig.40 and 40a with an outer diameter of preferably 37 mm, an inner diameter of 27 mm and a thickness of 2 mm is seated, which seals the connection point of the two pipe sections 8. Fig. 44 shows a sealed connection of two pipe sections 8, the pipe ends of which are provided with a two-stage bevel running towards the inside of the pipe, the first stage of which is preferably 1 mm wide from the pipe jacket and has a bevel angle of 10° and the second stage of which is preferably 1 mm wide and has a bevel angle of 30°, and in the second bevel stage of which there is a metal ring 27 with a concave outer surface 27' and with an O-ring 28 seated therein, the metal ring having an outer diameter of preferably 35.7 mm and a width of 12 mm and the outer surface of which is designed with a concave groove preferably 4.1 mm wide and 2 mm deep in which a standardized O-ring 28 corresponding to the size of the groove is seated as shown in Fig. 41.

Fig. 45 shows a connection of two pipe sections 8 sealed according to Fig. 41, the pipe ends of which are also provided with a two-stage bevel running towards the inside of the pipe, whereby a cylindrical metal ring 27 with a rectangular groove is used as the sealing element 0, in which, for example, a cylindrical metal ring 29 is mounted according to Fig. 42. The connection point is shown in the not yet firmly screwed state because the cylindrical metal ring 29 adapts to the two-stage bevel of the pipe ends when the clamping pieces 2 are connected with the machine screw 31. Finally, Fig. 46 shows another sealed

- 21 -

Pipe connection variant with a cylindrical sealing sleeve 30 inserted into the pipe ends, preferably with an outside diameter of 36.1 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5 mm.

List of reference symbols used

1 universal connection system,

2 clamping system 2' channels,

3 connecting element,

4 articulated connecting element,

5 connection points,

6 threaded bolt, 7 element, 8 pipe section, 8' through hole, 8" bevel, 8"'two-part bevel, 9 retaining ring disc, 9' hollow cylinder, 9" internal thread,

10 clamping ring,

11 ring disk,

11 'inner diameter,

11" radial through hole, 11" counterbore,

12 end ring disc, 12' inner diameter, 13 through holes,

14 through holes, 14 internal threads,

15 clamping screws,

16 hollow profile, 16' end faces, 16" bearing points, 16"' slotted holes,

17 hinge pins,

18 joint legs, 18' segments, 18" bearing points, 18'" through holes,

19 joint legs, 19 segments,

19" bearings,

20 spacer segments,

21 joint legs, 21' segment, 21 "bearing points, 21'" through holes,

22 joint legs, 22'segment,

22" bearings, &iacgr;&ogr; 22"'segment,

22"" through holes,

23 hinge pins,

23' through hole,

24 Angle piece, 25 Full profile,

26 cylindrical ring disc,

27 cylindrical metal ring,

27' concave or rectangular shell surface,

28 O-ring,

29 cylindrical metal ring,

30 cylindrical sealing sleeve,

31 machine screw,

X axis of the connecting element 3, Y axes of the joint legs, Z bolt axis of the joint leg bolt, W bolt axis of the joint bolts.

Claims (13)

1. Universal connection system for connecting pipes joined together, with straight cut and/or miter cut pipe ends for straight, crosswise, T-shaped as well as acute and obtuse angled pipe connections and for connecting pipes with angle pieces, pipe bends, profiles, hollow profiles and plates, consisting of clamping systems which are held radially in the pipe and connected by connecting elements, characterized in that a universal connection system ( 1 ) consists of one or more cylindrical clamping systems ( 2 ) with axial channels ( 2 ') and/or of clamping systems ( 2 ) which are coupled to a connecting element ( 3 ) or a radially pivotable connecting element ( 4 ), that the connecting elements ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) are each equipped at the end and the connecting element is also equipped in the middle with axially and radially movable connection points ( 5 ), that the clamping systems ( 2 ) are connected to one another or to connecting elements ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) are detachably connected via threaded bolts ( 6 ) and/or directly to elements ( 7 ), that the universal connection systems ( 1 ) are locked and fastened via radial tension of the cylindrical clamping systems ( 2 ) within pipe sections ( 8 ) in a way that is not visible from the outside, that several pipe sections ( 8 ) equipped with universal connection systems ( 1 ) are detachably connected to one another in a straight line, T-shaped, crosswise, acute or obtuse manner via the threaded bolts ( 6 ) arranged at the ends or in the middle of the cylindrical clamping systems ( 2 ) or at the end and/or central connecting pieces ( 5 ) of a connecting element ( 3 ) or ( 4 ) in such a way that pipe ends of the pipe sections ( 8 ) provided with straight cuts, miter cuts or miter cuts with a molded radius are connected via threaded bolts ( 6 ) to the clamping systems ( 2 ) are butt-joined, sealed with sealing elements (0), positively adapted to pipe casings provided with openings ( 8 '), inserted into pipe casings and/or directly connected to the elements ( 7 ). 2. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylindrical clamping system ( 2 ) consists of a receiving ring disk ( 9 ) which is flat on the one hand and chamfered from the circumference to the center on the other hand, with a hollow cylinder ( 9 ') formed at a right angle in the center of the chamfered ring surface with a continuous right- or left-handed internal thread ( 9 "), onto which a clamping ring ( 10 ), a ring disk ( 11 ), a second clamping ring ( 10 ) and an end ring disk ( 12 ) which is chamfered on one side to the center and flat on the other hand are placed, that the receiving ring disk ( 9 ), the ring disk ( 11 ) and the end ring disk ( 12 ) are each equipped with one or more through openings ( 13 ) and through holes ( 14 ) arranged axially in the ring surfaces, that the through holes ( 14 ) in the receiving ring disk ( 9 ) have an internal thread ( 9 '''), that the inner diameters ( 11 ') and ( 12 ') of the ring disk ( 11 ) and the end ring disk ( 12 ) are adapted to the outer diameter of the hollow cylinder ( 9 '), that the receiving ring disk ( 9 ), the ring disk ( 11 ) and the end ring disk ( 12 ) are connected to one another by clamping screws ( 15 ) guided in the through holes ( 14 ), or that a radially extending threaded through hole ( 11 ") with countersinks ( 11 ''') on the outer surface and one or more axial through openings ( 13 ) are arranged in the ring disk ( 11 ), and that the parts of the clamping system ( 2 ) are held by a continuous, central threaded bolt ( 6 ) and nuts ( 6 ') screwed onto it on both sides, that the outer diameter of the parts of the clamping system ( 2 ) is smaller than the Inner diameter of the pipe sections ( 8 ) to be connected, that the clamping rings ( 10 ) are each mounted in the chamfered areas of the receiving ring disk ( 9 ) and the end ring disk ( 12 ), that the through openings ( 13 ) form channels ( 2 ') running through the entire clamping system ( 2 ), and that by firmly tightening the clamping screws ( 15 ) or the nuts ( 6 ') on the central threaded bolt ( 6 ), the clamping rings ( 10 ) are spread beyond the outer diameter of the parts of the cylindrical clamping system ( 2 ) and pressed radially against the inner pipe casing of the respective pipe section ( 8 ). 3. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element ( 3 ) is a hollow profile ( 16 ) with open end faces ( 16 '), the external dimensions of which correspond at most to the external diameter of the clamping systems ( 2 ), in which two bearing points ( 16 ") are arranged at each end and opposite one another, that in each case in a plane between two bearing points ( 16 ") an elongated hole ( 16 ''') is arranged opposite one another and that two further opposite bearing points ( 16 ") are arranged centrally and crosswise to the bearing points ( 16 ") and the elongated holes ( 16 '''). 4. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element ( 4 ) in a compact design consists of two joint legs ( 18 ) and ( 19 ) connected to one another by a joint bolt ( 17 ), the external dimensions of which correspond at most to the external diameter of the clamping systems ( 2 ), that the joint leg ( 18 ) consists of two segments ( 18 ') and the joint leg ( 19 ) consists of two segments ( 19 '), that the end faces of the segments ( 18 ') and ( 19 ') are designed on the one hand as closed eyelets notched on one side and on the other hand rectangular and their surfaces are each equipped with a bearing point ( 18 ") and ( 19 ") at the end, that the segments ( 18 ') and ( 19 ') are each connected by a spacer segment ( 20 ) and conventional screw connection via through holes ( 18 ''') and ( 19 ''') are detachably connected to one another in such a way that the rounded and rectangular end faces and the bearing points ( 18 ") and ( 19 ") are congruently opposite one another, that the hinge pin ( 17 ) is guided in the bearing points ( 18 ") and ( 19 ") of the segments ( 18 ') and ( 19 ') arranged on the rounded end faces and that the hinge legs ( 18 ) and ( 19 ) can be pivoted radially about a pin axis (Z) of the hinge pin ( 17 ) on both sides to a leg axis (Y) in an angular range of 179° to < 45°. 5. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element ( 4 ) consists in an extended design of two joint legs ( 21 ) and ( 22 ) connected to one another by a joint bolt ( 17 ), the external dimensions of which correspond at most to the external diameter of the clamping systems ( 2 ), that the joint leg ( 21 ) consists of two segments ( 22 '), the end faces of which are rounded on the one hand and rectangular on the other, and the surfaces of which are each equipped with a bearing point ( 21 ") at the end, that the joint leg ( 22 ) is formed from two segments ( 22 ') and two segments ( 22 '''), that the end faces of the segments ( 22 ') are rounded on the one hand and rectangular on the other, and the surfaces of which each have a bearing point ( 22 ") on the rounded end faces, that the end faces of the segments ( 22 ''') are rectangular on both sides and at one End side each have a bearing point ( 22 "), that the segments ( 22 ') are detachably connected to the segments ( 22 ''') overlapping by one or more spacer segments ( 20 ) with conventional screw connections via through holes ( 21 ''') and ( 22 "") in such a way that the rounded end faces of the segments ( 21 ') and ( 22 ') and the bearing points ( 21 ") and ( 22 ") are congruently opposite each other, that the hinge pin ( 17 ) is guided in the bearing points ( 21 ") and ( 22 ") of the segments ( 21 ') and ( 22 ') arranged on the rounded end faces and that the hinge legs ( 21 ) and ( 22 ) are arranged around the pin axis (Z) of the hinge pin ( 17 ) on both sides to the leg axis (Y) in an angular range of 179° to < 45° can be swiveled radially. 6. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection points ( 5 ) of the connecting elements ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) consist of a joint bolt ( 23 ) which is axially and radially movable in two oppositely arranged bearing points ( 16 "), ( 18 "), ( 19 "), ( 21 ") and ( 22 ") and which is provided with a threaded through-bore ( 23 ') centrally and at right angles to a bolt axis (W). 7. Universal connection system according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that the connection point ( 5 ) arranged centrally on the connecting element (3) can be pivoted crosswise or in a T-shape and on one or both sides to an axis (X) of the connecting element ( 3 ) in an angular range of 180°, that a connecting element ( 3 ) equipped with clamping systems ( 2 ) at the end and with a hinge pin ( 23 ) in the middle is inserted into a pipe section (8) in such a way that the hinge pin (23) is accessible via openings ( 8 ') of different shapes arranged on one side or opposite one another in the pipe jacket, that a threaded bolt (6) can be arranged on one side, on both sides or continuously through the openings ( 8 ') on the central hinge pin (23), that the universal connection system ( 1 ) preassembled in this way can be inserted within the pipe section (8) in such a way that the hinge pin ( 23 ) is accessible via openings (8 ') arranged on one side or opposite one another in the pipe jacket, that a threaded bolt ( 6 ) can be arranged on one side, on both sides or continuously through the openings ( 8 ') on the central hinge pin ( 23 ), that the universal connection system ( 1 ) preassembled in this way can be inserted within the pipe section (8) in such a way that the hinge pin (23) can be inserted into ... 8 ) is movable along the axis (X) and that T-shaped or cross-shaped threaded bolts ( 6 ) are arranged on the central hinge bolts ( 23 ), which can be pivoted on both sides of the axis (X) in a range of 180 ° according to an adjustable angle of inclination (α) and that pipe sections ( 8 ) provided with a straight cut, a miter cut or a miter cut with a molded radius and chamfered can be locked via the open end faces of the pipe sections ( 8 ) by means of arranged clamping systems ( 2 ) or via the openings ( 8 ') by means of arranged clamping systems ( 2 ) or directly arranged elements ( 7 ). 8. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements ( 7 ) are angle pieces ( 24 ) designed in different shapes and angles with through openings ( 13 ), pipe bends, solid profiles ( 25 ) with molded or screwed-in threaded bolts ( 6 ), plates, turnbuckles or the like. 9. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that pipe ends of the pipe pieces ( 8 ) provided with a straight cut or with a mitre cut have a bevel ( 8 ") at an angle (β) to the inside of the pipe in the case of pipe connections for cable guides or for optical design elements. 10. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that pipe ends of the pipe sections ( 8 ) provided with a straight cut or miter cut in pipe systems for guiding liquid or gaseous media each have a two-stage bevel ( 8 ''') running from the outer pipe jacket to the pipe interior and that a sealing element (0) made of acid-resistant material is arranged between the second bevel halves. 11. Universal connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing element (0) is a cylindrical ring disk ( 26 ) or a cylindrical metal ring ( 27 ) with a concave or rectangular outer surface ( 27 ') in which an O-ring ( 28 ) or a cylindrical ring ( 29 ) is mounted, or a cylindrical sealing sleeve ( 30 ). 12. Universal connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the last pipe section ( 8 ) of a pipe connection is closed with a machine screw ( 31 ) arranged in the central thread of the clamping system ( 2 ) with a washer in front of it instead of the threaded bolt ( 6 ), wherein in the last pipe section ( 8 ) of a pipe connection which carries gaseous or liquid media, the clamping system ( 2 ) is equipped with an O-ring ( 28 ) instead of the clamping ring ( 10 ). 13. Universal connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all parts of the universal connection system ( 1 ) are profiles and/or turned or milled parts made of stainless steel in lightweight construction.