Joining and connecting element for corrugated pipes

The connecting component or the connecting fitting (1) comprises at least one locking element which can be shifted-in and shifted-out radially to the longitudinal axis (14) of the fitting (1). The locking element is, for example, connected as a wing (7) via a hinge (22) with the fitting (1) or forms an additional element. On the inside face (10) of the locking element (7) are disposed a multiplicity of locking splice-clips (12) which are resilient. When a pipe end is slid into the fitting (1) with the locking elements (7) closed, these locking splice-clips (12) can be deflected. When load is applied against the insertion direction they become clawed in the pipe jacket. This embodiment permits the shifting-in or dosing of the locking elements (7) in a preassembly step and yet ensures a secure connection. The release of the connection through the radial shifting-out of the locking elements (7) is possible at any time.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates to a joining and connecting component for corrugated
 pipes with at least one hollow core space encompassed by a casing, with an
 insertion opening for receiving a pipe end, at least one breach in the
 jacket of the casing for receiving an additional locking element and at
 least one locking element, which can be shifted-in or shifted-out radially
 with respect to the jacket of the casing, with parts which engage the
 jacket of the corrugated pipe.
 Swiss Patent CH 684 293 discloses a connecting component of this type which
 comprises releasable locking elements for connecting the connecting
 component with the end of a corrugated pipe. In this connecting component
 a hollow core space with an insertion opening for receiving a pipe end is
 provided in the casing of the connecting component. In the jacket of the
 casing is at least one breach which is intended for receiving the locking
 element. The locking element in this known disposition is comprised of a
 radially swiveling pivot wing which is connected at one end via a hinge
 with the casing of the connecting component. At the other end of the pivot
 wing a holding element is formed which, when the pivot wing is in the
 closed position, engages a corresponding holding rib on the casing. On the
 inside face, directed toward the hollow core space of the casing, of the
 pivot wing are disposed radially directed, rigid locking cleats, which,
 when the pivot wing is closed, engage at least one of the corrugation
 valleys at the end of the corrugated pipe. Connecting this known
 connecting component with the end of a corrugated pipe takes place such
 that the corrugated pipe is inserted into the hollow core space and
 subsequently the pivot wing is swiveled into the breach on the jacket of
 the casing and closed and the holding elements are latched. In this
 position of the pivot wing a secure and firm connection is formed between
 the connecting component and the end of the corrugated pipe. This
 connection can only be released with an auxiliary tool. When such joining
 and connecting components are applied in practice the requirement is often
 made that the joining and connecting components are completely prepared
 before they are connected with the end of the corrugated pipe and that,
 after the insertion of the pipe end, no additional steps are necessary.
 Closure of the pivot wings after they are installed often is difficult or
 can be overlooked by the assembly personnel.
 A further connecting fitting with a locking element detachable from the
 casing is disclosed in German Patent DE 29 08 337. In the case of this
 connecting fitting a breach through the jacket is also provided in the
 casing into which a C-form locking element can be inserted in the radial
 direction. On this locking element on the inside face, directed toward the
 hollow core space, of the casing are disposed rigid ribs which, when the
 locking element is installed, engage the corrugation valleys at the end of
 the corrugated pipe and block it. At both free ends of the C-form locking
 element are disposed stop cams which engage locking ribs on the casing of
 the connecting fitting. This locking element is radially inserted and
 moved into the locking position only after the pipe end has been inserted
 into the hollow core space of the connecting fitting. Since the locking
 element is independent of the casing of the connecting fitting, it can be
 lost. In the case of an unfavorable position of the connecting fitting,
 the correct installation of the locking element in the assembly position
 is also often made difficult. The releasing of the locking connection in
 this solution also takes place with an auxiliary tool by means of which
 the locking element is detached from the casing of the connecting fitting
 and is subsequently moved radially outwardly. The pipe end can
 subsequently be pulled out without hindrance from the hollow core space of
 the connecting fitting without the corrugations engaging any part of the
 locking element. This permits the simple and interference-free separation
 of the pipe end from the connecting fitting.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is the task of the present invention to provide a joining and connecting
 component or fitting in which the locking element can be moved or swiveled
 completely out of the jacket in the radial direction and simultaneously
 the insertion of the pipe end into the connecting component is possible
 with the locking element shifted-in or closed. A preassembled connecting
 fitting or connecting component is to be provided in the case of which,
 after the pipe end has been inserted into the hollow core space of the
 casing, no additional steps are necessary in order to establish the
 locking connection.
 This task is solved through the characteristics defined in the
 characterizing clause of the claims. Advantageous further developments of
 the invention are evident based on the characteristics of the dependent
 patent claims.
 Compared to known fittings, the joining and connecting component according
 to the invention has the advantages demanded according to the task
 formulation. The locking splice-clips disposed on the inside face,
 directed toward the hollow core space of the casing, of the locking
 element are not oriented radially but rather substantially axially in the
 direction of the longitudinal axis of the connecting component or of the
 hollow core space. This makes possible the secure connection of one of the
 ends of the locking splice-clip with the locking element and the free
 movability of the other second end region. The entire locking splice-clip
 or only a partial region can be implemented so as to be resilient. Between
 the freely movable second end region of the locking splice-clips and a
 groove face on the inside face of the locking element, a free interspace
 is implemented which ensures the movability of the free end region. To
 secure the end of the corrugated pipe inserted into the hollow core space
 of the casing, on the movable end region of the locking splice-clips lock
 pawls are formed which in the locked state engage one of the corrugation
 valleys on the jacket of the corrugated pipe. When sliding the corrugated
 pipe into the hollow core space of the casing these lock pawls are
 displaced outwardly which is possible due to the elasticity of the locking
 splice-clips and the free interspace behind the locking splice-clips. When
 placing load onto the corrugated pipe against the direction of insertion,
 i.e. when the pipe and the fitting are mutually loaded under tension, the
 lock pawls on the locking splice-clips catch in the jacket of the
 corrugated pipe and become clawed into the corrugation valleys, it is no
 longer possible to pull the pipe from the fitting since the form of the
 lock pawls prevent a radial yielding and clawing occurs due to the spring
 effect. Releasing the lock connection is only possible if the locking
 element is swiveled or moved radially out of the jacket of the joining or
 connecting component. This is possible in known manner with the aid of an
 auxiliary tool and specifically if the locking element is developed as
 pivot wing, as well as also as C-form supplementary element or in another
 form which can be radially shifted-out from the casing.
 The implementation according to the invention of the joining and connecting
 fitting permits the closing or the shifting-in of the locking element with
 the casing before the pipe end is inserted into the hollow core space.
 This permits the preassembly of the corresponding fittings without
 additional assembly step and it is no longer necessary to move the locking
 elements into the locking position after the pipe end is inserted into the
 fitting. In the case the locking element is implemented as supplementary
 element the advantage is also obtained that this supplementary element can
 no longer be lost during transportation, storage and installation of the
 fitting since it is already installed in or shifted into the fitting and
 in the locking position is releaseably connected with it. With the
 implementation according to the invention, consequently, the advantages of
 the known fittings with radially unshiftable locking elements is retained
 and additionally the advantage is brought about that preassembly is
 possible and the pipe end can also be slid into the fitting even with the
 shifted-in locking element. For disassembling the connection the locking
 element continues to be simply releasable with an auxiliary tool and the
 connection between pipe end and fitting can be faultlessly detached
 without the pipe end or the locking element being damaged. Consequently, a
 joining and connecting component according to the invention can be reused
 any number of times since, when separating and assembling pipe and
 connecting component, no damage to the lock pawls or locking splice-clips
 on the locking element occurs. In addition to the already known advantages
 of the known joining and connecting component with radially unshiftable
 locking elements, the further advantages of handling and simpler assembly
 are obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 The joining and connecting component 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a casing 3
 and a threaded pipe 27. In the casing 3 is disposed a hollow core space 4
 which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14. This hollow
 core space 4 serves for receiving the end of a corrugated pipe 2 which is
 connected in this region with casing 3. On casing 3 are articulated two
 locking elements each in the form of a pivot wing 7 and specifically via a
 hinge 22. The free end of each pivot wing 7 in the closed state engages a
 locking region 26 (see FIG. 2) on casing 3 and is latched via a locking
 hook 25. The implementation of casing 3 and of the pivot wing 7 is evident
 in known manner in CH 684 293.
 FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the fitting according to FIG. 1 and
 specifically along line A--A. Via the hinge 22 each pivot wing 7 which
 forms a locking element, is connected with casing 3. On the free end 23 of
 the pivot wing 7 is formed a holding element 24 which in the closed state
 of the pivot wing 7 engages the locking region 26 and cooperates with the
 locking hook 25. In casing 3 is formed a radial breach 6 to which the
 locking element or the pivot wing 7 is shifted-in. In the example shown
 two such breaches 6 are present which oppose one another. On the inside
 face 10 of the locking element 7 which in the closed state of the pivot
 wing 7 is directed toward the hollow core space 4 of casing 3, several
 locking splice-clips 12 are disposed. The implementation of these locking
 splice-dips 12 is evident in FIG. 4 which represents a cross section
 through the locking element 7 in the region of a locking splice-clip 12
 and is explained with the aid of this FIG. 4. Each of the locking
 splice-clips 12 is connected on a first end 15 with the inside face 10 of
 the locking element 7. This first end 15 in the shifted-in state of the
 pivot wing 7 is directed toward the insertion opening 5 of the casing 3.
 The second opposing end region 16 of the locking splice-clip 12 is freely
 movable and directed away from the insertion opening 5 of the hollow core
 space 4 on casing 3. Consequently, the locking splice-clips 12 extend
 substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the hollow
 core space 4. In the example depicted the entire locking element 7 is
 produced of an elastic synthetic material of stable shape and each locking
 splice-clip 12 acts as a spring. In order for the spring effect of the
 locking splice-clips 12 to be utilized an interspace 20 is formed between
 the free second end region 16 of each locking splice-clip 12 and a groove
 face 18 on the inside face 10 of the locking element 7. With radial force
 exertion onto the free end region 16 of the locking splice-clip 12 this
 end region 16 can be resiliently displaced into the interspace 20 in the
 radial direction. On the second free end of each locking splice-clip 12 a
 lock pawl 17 is formed which extends in the radial direction toward the
 axis 14 of the hollow core space 4. The lock pawl 17 comprises on the side
 directed toward the insertion opening 5 of the hollow core space 4 an
 oblique ramp face 31 which extends away from the insertion opening 5. The
 opposing face adjoining it is implemented as a retaining face 32 and this
 retaining face 32 extends approximately at right angles to the axis 14 of
 the hollow core space 4 or has a somewhat lesser slope than the ramp face
 31. This lends the lock pawl 17 the form of a claw. If a pipe end is slid
 in the direction of arrow 33 against the lock pawl 17, the latter is
 radially deflected due to the oblique ramp face 31. The height 21 of the
 lock pawl 17 is approximately equal to the interspace 20 behind the
 locking splice-clip 12 such that the pipe end can be slid through
 unhindered. As soon as the pipe end is slid in completely, the lock pawl
 17 snaps into a corrugation valley on the jacket 9 of the pipe 2 and
 blocks potential movements counter to the direction of arrow 33. In the
 non-blocked position, between each locking splice-clip 12 and the groove
 face 18 an angle 38 between 0.degree. and approximately 30.degree. is
 formed. The groove face 18 extends parallel to the center axis 14 and the
 locking splice-clip 12 parallel or converging toward the inside. The
 shaping of the lock pawl 17 and the parallel or slightly oblique center
 portion 28 on the lock splice-clip 12 cause the lock pawl 17 under load
 counter to the direction of arrow 33 to become clawed in the direction of
 the center axis 14 of the hollow core space 4 and retain a slid-in pipe
 end 2 in the casing 3. The center portion 28 of the locking splice-clip 12
 is therein bent resiliently outwardly into the hollow space 20 and the
 lock pawl 17 is pressed radially inwardly.
 In FIG. 3 is depicted the fitting with the end of a pipe 2 slid into it
 with the locking wings 7 shifted-in and latched in the locking position.
 The lock pawl 17 is shifted into a corrugation valley 34 on jacket 9 of
 pipe 2 and locks this against being pulled out of the casing 3. Potential
 pull-out forces cause the augmented clawing of the lock pawl 17 into the
 jacket 9 of the pipe 2 such that pulling out the pipe 2 from the hollow
 core space 4 of casing 3 becomes impossible. Pulling the pipe 2 out of
 casing 3 is only possible when the pivot wings 7 are swiveled or shifted
 radially out of the breach 6 and thus the locking splice-clips 12 and the
 associated lock pawls 17 are also shifted-out from the jacket 9 of the
 corrugated pipe 2. At the inner end of the hollow core space 4 is emplaced
 a seal 40 which seals the jacket 9 of the pipe 2 against the casing 3.
 The locking element 7 described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4 with at
 least two locking splice-clips 12 can be shifted-in and shifted-out any
 number of times. When establishing or separating the locking connection
 between pipe 2 and casing 3 the locking element 7 is not damaged and can
 therefore be used several times. Yet, the locking connection is highly
 secure and resists high pull-out forces on pipe 2.
 In FIG. 5 is shown a locking element 8 such as is used as supplementary
 element. In casing 3 of a connecting component 1 on the jacket a radial
 breach 6 is disposed into which the locking element 8 is slid radially.
 The locking element 8 is C-shaped and comprises at the free ends holding
 elements 30 which are inserted into guidances 35 on casing 3 and cooperate
 with ribs 36. The casing 3 of the connecting component 1 is shown in FIG.
 5 only in the left partial region as a partial segment in order to
 illustrate the connection between the locking element 8 and the casing 3.
 Further details regarding this type of connection between corrugated pipe
 2 and casing 3 with a locking element in the form of a supplementary
 element 8 correspond to the disposition, known per se, according to DE 29
 08 337. In the disposition according to the invention on the locking
 element 8 locking spliceclips 13 are disposed on the inside face 11
 directed in the locking position toward the hollow core space 4 of casing
 3.
 FIG. 6 represents a radial section through the locking element 8 according
 to FIG. 5 in the region of a locking splice-clip 13. In the shifted-in
 state of the locking element 8 the end face 37 of the locking element 8 is
 directed toward the insertion opening 5 of the hollow core space 4 (see
 FIG. 1). The first end region 15 of the locking splice-clip 13 is
 connected with the inside face 11 in the region of the end face 37. The
 second end region 16, directed away from the end face 37, of the locking
 splice-clip 13 is freely movable and the locking splice-clip 13 is
 directed approximately in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the
 hollow core space 4. The locking element 8 in this embodiment example is
 also fabricated of elastic synthetic material of stable shape and the
 material is of such strength that it lends the locking splice-clip 13 the
 function of a spring. On the free end region 16 of the locking splice-clip
 13 again a lock pawl 17 is implemented which in the direction of end face
 37 has an oblique ramp face 31. The opposing retaining face 32 abutting
 the ramp face 31 extends approximately radially with respect to the
 longitudinal axis 14 of the hollow core space 4 or has a somewhat lesser
 slope than the ramp face 31. On the inside face 11 of the locking element
 8 is also implemented in this embodiment example a groove with a groove
 face 19, and between this groove face 19 and the free end region 16 of the
 locking splice-clip 13 is a free interspace 20. In this embodiment example
 the locking splice-clips 13 also form with the groove face 19 an angle 39
 between 0.degree. and approximately 30.degree.. The locking splice-clip 13
 can be deflected outwardly in the radial direction until it is in contact
 on the groove face 19 and the lock pawl 17 is virtually immersed in the
 groove. This deflection of the locking splice-clip 13 takes place by
 inserting a pipe end in the direction of arrow 33 and over the ramp face
 31. When the corrugated pipe 2 is completed inserted in the connecting
 component 1 and the locking element 8 forming a supplementary element is
 shifted into the casing 3 and, via the holding elements 30 and the ribs
 36, is locked, the lock pawls 17 act upon the locking splice-clips 13 in
 at least one corrugation valley on the corrugated pipe 2 and block it
 against being pulled out in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14, or
 against the direction of arrow 33, from casing 3. Releasing the connection
 between corrugated pipe 2 and casing 3 is only possible if the locking
 element 8 is radially shifted out from the breach 6 on casing 3 and the
 corrugated pipe 2 is released. In this embodiment the locking element 8
 with the resilient locking splice-clips 13 is also reusable any number of
 times since during the establishment and the breaking of the connection
 between corrugated pipe 2 and casing 3 no damage occurs of the locking
 elements 8 or locking splice-clips 13. Yet locking elements 8 of the type
 according to the invention ensure an absolutely secure connection between
 corrugated pipe 2 and connecting component 1. The effect of the locking
 splice-clips 13 with the lock pawls 17 is the same as described in FIG. 4.
 The implementation according to the invention and the disposition of the
 locking splice-clips 13 with increasing pull-out force on pipe 2 effects
 an increasing clawing of the lock pawls 17 into the pipe jacket. With the
 loading removed, unlocking is possible without difficulties and with an
 auxiliary tool in known manner.