Abstract:
A quick-action coupling for coupling pipes includes a tubular inner part having an outer surface for supporting a pipe to be coupled; an inner sleeve and a clamping ring, each surrounding at least a portion of the tubular inner part for clamping the pipe to be coupled between the outer surface of the tubular inner part and the clamping ring; a toothed ring between the inner sleeve and the clamping ring; and an outer sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner sleeve, the toothed ring and the clamping ring, the outer sleeve comprises a cylindrical region having at least two inside diameters (d 1 , d 2 ) and a conical region, wherein the clamping ring is received in the conical region.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a quick-action coupling for pipes, with a tubular inner part, with an inner sleeve, with a clamping ring, with a toothed ring having teeth and with an outer sleeve. 
   In pipeline construction, in particular for domestic pipeline systems, that is to say for the indoor supply of hot and cold water for sanitary purposes and for the heating circuits, plastic pipelines are increasingly being used. Above all in heating systems with hot water lines laid in the floors, at least two couplings must be produced for each heatable room. Approximately 20 to 30 couplings are necessary for a normal one-family house. The couplings must be capable of being installed quickly, reliably and permanently. 
   DE 196 45 853 C1 discloses a generic quick-action coupling. A connection region of an adapter receives the end of a pipeline. The connection region of the adapter comprises, from the outside inward, a conically designed connection sleeve and a clamping cone which cooperates with the connection sleeve and which is held under spring tension in the axial direction by a spring. The clamping cone has, on the side facing the pipe, toothing elements which engage into the outer wall of the pipe. The pipeline end is introduced into the adapter. When a retaining clip which holds the spring under pretension is drawn away, the spring presses the clamping cone with a defined force into the likewise conically designed clamping sleeve, and the toothing elements engage into the pipe outer wall. This quick-action coupling is used as part of an adaptable pipeline installation system for medium-carrying pipelines for a wide pressure and temperature range. The quick-action coupling is composed essentially of metal parts. 
   DE 101 57 304.9 (not published prior to the present specification) describes a quick-action coupling for pipes, which comprises an adapter with a coupling region and with a connection region, the coupling region being designed for coupling to a pipe connection part suitable for it, and the connection region being designed for connection to a free end of a pipeline. Arranged in the connection region, around the end of the pipeline, are a part-circular toothed ring, a part-circular clamping cone and a circular connection sleeve. The adapter has, in the connection region, at least two latching fingers arranged on a circle and extending in the axial direction, in each case with latching steps projecting in the radial direction, and a driver ring for driving the connection sleeve is arranged in the connection region so as to be axially displaceable with respect to the latching fingers and so as to be radially latchable with respect to the latching steps. 
   DE 102 12 735.2 (not published prior to the present specification) describes a quick-action coupling for pipes, which comprises a tubular inner part, a clamping ring and a toothed ring having part-circular teeth. The quick-action coupling has an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve which consists of at least two parts. 
   The object of the invention is to provide a quick-action coupling which is constructed from as few individual parts as possible, which is compatible with the pipeline system and which can be produced cost-effectively both in terms of production and in terms of assembly on the construction site. The quick-action coupling is to ensure an absolutely secure and reliable connection, even without the aid of installation tools. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The foregoing object is achieved by a quick-action coupling for pipes, comprising a tubular inner part, an inner sleeve, a clamping ring, a toothed ring having teeth and an outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has a cylindrical region with at least two different inside diameters and a clamping region designed conically on an inside surface. 
   The quick-action coupling is constructed from as few individual parts as possible. The assembly of the quick-action coupling together with the pipeline system on the construction site involves as few steps as possible. 
   To achieve a simple handing of the coupling, advantageously the inner sleeve is composed of two virtually identical halves. 
   Handling is further simplified by the formation of holding fingers on the inner sleeve for firmly holding the toothed ring before assembly on the construction site. 
   Preferably, the parts of the quick-action coupling are produced essentially from plastic, advantageously the outer sleeve and/or the inner sleeve being transparent. 
   For safety reasons, that is to say for checking the correct connection of the coupling to the pipeline, the outer sleeve and/or the inner sleeve are/is produced from a transparent plastic. Inspection windows arranged at a suitable point may likewise be envisaged. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features according to the invention are listed in the remaining subclaims. In support of the claims, reference is made to the description of the Figures. 
     One possible exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling without a pipeline to be connected, 
       FIG. 2  shows a three-dimensional view of the inner sleeve, of the toothed ring and of the clamping ring, 
       FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipeline in the installed state before the first commissioning of the pipeline, 
       FIG. 4  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipeline in the installed state after the pipeline has been subjected to pressure, 
       FIG. 5  shows a possible application of the quick-action coupling, 
       FIG. 6  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling in a second exemplary embodiment, with a pipeline not yet connected, 
       FIG. 7  shows a three-dimensional view of the inner sleeve with toothed ring and clamping ring from  FIG. 6 , 
       FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipeline in an intermediate phase, 
       FIG. 9  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipeline in the final installed state, 
       FIG. 10  shows a further possible application of the quick-action coupling, 
       FIG. 11  shows a partially sectional view of a detail of a pipeline system with two quick-action couplings according to the invention, 
       FIG. 12  shows a view of the detail of the pipeline system of  FIG. 11  in the assembled state, 
       FIG. 13  shows a section through an adapter of the quick-action couplings of  FIGS. 11 and 12  before assembly, 
       FIG. 14  shows a section through the adapter of  FIG. 13  in a first phase of assembly, 
       FIG. 15  shows a section through the adapter of  FIG. 14  in a final phase of assembly, 
       FIG. 16  shows a section through the adapter of  FIG. 15  in a pipeline system subjected to the pressure of the medium, and 
       FIGS. 17 to 19  show further examples of the application of the quick-action coupling. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling  1  for connection to a pipeline which can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The quick-action coupling  1  consists of a nipple-shaped, essentially cylindrically designed inner part  2 , of an inner sleeve  3 , of an outer sleeve  4 , of a clamping ring  5  and of a toothed ring  6 . With the exception of the toothed ring  6  made from metal, all the parts of the quick-action coupling  1  can be produced from plastic material in an injection molding method. The quick-action coupling  1  serves for making a connection between a pipeline, not illustrated here, and a pipe connection part  10 . The pipeline can be pushed on, as on a nipple, and connected on the right side of the inner part  2 , and the pipe connection part  10  is illustrated as being pushed on, as on a nipple, on the opposite, left side of the inner part  2 . 
   On the outside of the cylindrical inner part  2  are formed grooves  21  in which O-ring seals  22  are arranged. This ensures that the medium in the pipeline system is sealed off outwardly. Two different projections  23 ,  24  are formed on the outer circumference of the inner part  2  approximately in the middle between the two nipple-shaped regions having the grooves  21  and the O-ring seals  22 . A first projection  23  serves as a stop for the pipe connection part  10  and a second projection  24  serves for receiving the inner sleeve  3 . 
   The inner sleeve  3  is constructed from at least two part-circular parts, for example from two half shells  31 ,  32 . The half shells  31 ,  32  of the inner sleeve  3  are produced in a mold on a plastic injection molding plant, can be connected to one another by means of a small web  39  and are produced in pairs. The inner sleeve  3  may also be produced from a plurality of part-circular shell parts  31 ,  32 . Further projections  33 ,  34  are formed on the inside of the inner sleeve  3 . A groove  35  having a defined geometry is formed between the first projection  33  and the second projection  34 . The geometry of this groove  35  coincides exactly with the geometry of the second projection  24  of the inner part  2 . During the premounting of the quick-action coupling  1 , the shell parts  31 ,  32  are laid on the inner part  2  and folded shut. In this case, the groove  35  is filled exactly with the second projection  24  of the inner part  2 . The coincidental geometries of the groove  35  and of the projection  24  rule out a faulty premounting. 
   The inner sleeve  3  has on the outside, in the region of the projections  33 ,  34 , an external thread  36  which cooperates with an internal thread  41  formed on the inside of the outer sleeve  4 . A plurality of fingers  37  are formed on the inner sleeve  3  on the right side of the latter, that is to say on the pipeline side. At the free ends of the fingers  37 , the radially outward-pointing surfaces of the fingers  37  are designed in such a way that, at least during premounting, the toothed ring  6  is carried by these finger outer surfaces. The fingers  37  are relatively slender and are integrally formed resiliently on the inner sleeve  3 . The fingers  37  may also be formed by a plurality of slots in the wall of the inner sleeve  3 . Owing to the pretension of the resilient fingers  37 , during premounting the toothed ring  6  cannot come loose from the inner sleeve  3  and cannot easily be lost. If the toothed ring  6  made from metal is designed continuously over 360° on the outer circumference, the shell parts  31 ,  32  are also partially held together after being folded shut around the inner part  2 . The premounting of the quick-action coupling  1  is thereby further simplified. 
   On the pipeline side, the clamping ring  5  is arranged, following the toothed ring  6 , within the outer sleeve  4 . The outer sleeve  4  encloses the clamping ring  5 , the toothed ring  6  and the inner sleeve  3  in succession. The outer sleeve  4  has one behind the other, as seen from the pipeline, four different regions with different tasks: a conical region with a conically designed inner surface  42  which cooperates with the likewise conically designed outer surface  52  of the clamping ring  5 , a following first cylindrical region  43  with an inside diameter d 1 , for receiving the outer wall  61  of the toothed ring  6  and the fingers  37  of the inner sleeve  3 , a wider cylindrical region  44  having the internal thread  41 , with an inside diameter d 2 , and a final cylindrical region  45  with an inside diameter d 3  for firmly holding the shell parts  31 ,  32  of the inner sleeve  3 . The inner sleeve  3  has a rim region with a larger outside diameter than the rest of the outer sleeve. This rim region acts as a stop  38  for the outer sleeve  4  when the outer sleeve  4  is being screwed on. 
   The clamping ring  5  is designed conically on the outer surface area  52  and is adapted correspondingly to the conical inner surface  42  of the outer sleeve  4 . Furthermore, the clamping ring  5  has at least one projection  53  in the inner region. The projections  53  serve for increasing the pressure which acts on the pipeline when the quick-action coupling  1  is in the state assembled together with the pipeline. The lateral surface area  52  of the conical clamping ring  5  is always, at least in regions, in contact with the conical inner surface  42  of the outer sleeve  4  at any time, that is to say both after premounting and in the ready-installed state. The inner sleeve  3  and/or the outer sleeve  4  are/is manufactured from transparent material, for example plastic. 
   The inner sleeve  3 , the toothed ring  6  and the clamping ring  5  are illustrated three-dimensionally in  FIG. 2 . In order to make mounting easier, the inner sleeve  3  may be manufactured from two half shells  31  and  32 , the half shells  31  and  32  being connected by means of a web  39 . All the other reference symbols correspond to those of  FIG. 1 . The toothed ring  6  has, on the inner circumference, teeth  62  for the retention of the pipeline. The conical outer surface  52  and the projections  53  have already been described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The conical clamping ring  5  has a slot  54 . The clamping ring  5  is pretensioned before the first introduction into the conical region of the outer sleeve  4 . The pretensioning of the clamping ring  5  serves for holding the toothed ring  6  nondisplaceably on the fingers  37  of the inner sleeve  3 . 
   The mounting of the quick-action coupling  1  takes place in that, in a first step, after the O-rings  22  have been placed into the grooves  21  of the inner part  2 , the two halves  31  and  32  are applied to the inner part  2  with an appropriate fit, the projection  24  of the inner part  2  engaging into the groove  35  of the inner sleeve  3 . The projection  24  fits exactly with the groove  35 . The two halves  31  and  32  are manufactured in such a way that, in the closed folded-shut state, a closed external thread  36  is obtained which cooperates with the internal thread  41  of the outer sleeve  4 . In a second step, the toothed ring  6  is pushed onto the fingers  37  of the folded-together inner sleeve  3  and is held firmly on the outer surfaces of the fingers  37 . 
   In a third step, the clamping ring  5  is introduced under pretension into the outer sleeve  4 . Finally, in a fourth step, the outer sleeve  4  is screwed onto the inner sleeve  3  as far as the stop  38 . The quick-action coupling  1  is thus premounted for installation on the construction site. During the introduction of the pipe connection part  10 , latching fingers  17 , which are formed resiliently on the inner sleeve  3 , latch into a groove  18  of the pipe connection part  10 . The groove  18  can be seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 . The arrangement of the latching fingers  17  on the half shells of the inner sleeve  3  can best be seen in  FIG. 2 . 
   The functioning of the quick-action coupling  1  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In the pressureless state, according to  FIG. 3 , a pipeline  20  is introduced into the quick-action coupling  1  as far as the second projection  34  of the inner sleeve  3 . When the pipeline  20  is subjected to pressure, the situation according to  FIG. 4  arises. The pipeline  20  is displaced somewhat away from the second projection  34  of the inner sleeve  3  and is held firmly by virtue of the teeth  62  arranged in the toothed ring  6  and by means of the projections  53  of the clamping ring  5 , so that a secure connection is obtained. 
     FIG. 5  shows an application of the quick-action coupling  1 . In each case two quick-action couplings  1 ,  1 ′ are connected to the ends of a pipe connection part  10 ′ which is designed here, for example, as a T-fitting. To check for a secure connection, the quick-action couplings  1 ,  1 ′ have inspection windows  19  or they consist of transparent material. During the connection of the coupling to the T-fitting  10 ′, an acoustic signal in the form of a “click” is generated as a result of the latching of the latching fingers  17  into the groove  18 . 
     FIGS. 6 to 10  show a second exemplary embodiment of the quick-action coupling. 
     FIG. 6  shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling  101  for connection to a pipeline  120  which can be seen still outside the quick-action coupling. The inner sleeve  103 , onto which the outer sleeve  104  is screwed in turn, is arranged over a nipple-shaped inner part  102  which serves as a carrier for the pipeline  120 . Inside the quick-action coupling  101 , the inner sleeve  103  is followed, as seen in the direction of the pipeline  120 , by the toothed ring  106  and the clamping ring  105 . The inner sleeve  103  is constructed in two parts from two half shell halves  107  and  108 , as is shown in  FIG. 7  described in more detail below. The inner sleeve  103  has an external thread  109  which cooperates with the internal thread  110  arranged on the outer sleeve  104 . The clamping ring  105  is designed conically on the lateral surface area  111  so as to be adapted correspondingly to the conical inner region of the outer sleeve. 
   Furthermore, the clamping ring  105  has at least one projection  118  in the inner region. The inner sleeve  103  has projections  112  which engage into the grooves  113  arranged in the inner part. The inner part  102  has at least two tubular regions  114  and  115  with different diameters. For sealing off, two O-rings  116  and  117  are attached in each case on the tubular regions  114  and  115  of the inner part. The stop  119  serves for limiting the travel of the outer sleeve  104 . The inner part  103  has, at one end, a prolongation  125 , into which clearances  121  are introduced in order to save material. The inner sleeve  103  and/or the outer sleeve  104  are/is manufactured from transparent material, for example plastic. 
   The inner sleeve  103 , the toothed ring  106  and the clamping ring  105  are illustrated three-dimensionally in  FIG. 7 . In order to make mounting possible, the inner sleeve is manufactured from two half shells  107  and  108 , the half shells  107  and  108  being connected by means of a web  126 . All the other reference symbols correspond to those of  FIG. 6 . Moreover, this embodiment of the inner sleeve  103  has no clearances  121  on the prolongation  125 . 
   The toothed ring  106  has, on the inner circumference, teeth  127  for retention of the pipeline  120 . 
   The clamping ring  105  has an interruption  123 . The conical region  111  and the projection  118  have already been described with regard to  FIG. 6 . 
   The mounting of the quick-action coupling takes place in that, in a first step, after the O-rings  116  and  117  have been put in place, the two halves  107  and  108  are applied to the inner part  102  with an appropriate fit, the projections  112  of the inner sleeve  103  engaging into the grooves  113  of the inner part. The two halves  107  and  108  are manufactured in such a way that, in the closed state, a closed external thread  109  is obtained which cooperates with the internal thread  110  of the outer sleeve. 
   In the second step, the clamping ring  105  and the toothed ring  106  are introduced into the outer sleeve  104 . 
   Finally, in the third step, the outer sleeve  104  is screwed onto the inner sleeve  103  as far the stop  119 . 
   The quick-action coupling  101  is thus mounted for installation. 
   The function of the quick-action coupling  101  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In the pressureless state, according to  FIG. 8 , the pipeline  120  is introduced into the quick-action coupling  101  as far as the inner stop  128 . When the pipeline  120  is subjected to pressure, the situation according to  FIG. 9  arises. The pipeline  120  is displaced somewhat away from the stop  128  and is held firmly by virtue of the teeth  127  arranged in the toothed ring  106  and by means of the clamping ring  105 , so that a secure connection is obtained. 
     FIG. 10  shows an application of the quick-action coupling  101 . In each case two quick-action couplings  101 ,  101 ′ are connected to the ends of a fitting  129 . To check for a secure connection, the quick-action couplings  101 ,  101 ′ have inspection windows  130 ,  130 ′ or they consist of a transparent material. During the connection of the coupling to the fitting, an acoustic signal in the form of a “click” is generated. 
   A further exemplary embodiment of the quick-action coupling is shown in  FIGS. 11 to 19 . 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a detail of a pipeline system with two quick-action couplings. The quick-action coupling is constructed from an adapter  201 ,  201 ′ and a pipe connection part  202 . The adapter  201 ,  201 ′ consists of a coupling region  203 , which is designed complementarily to a coupling reception region  204  of the pipe connection part  202 , and of a connection region  205 . By the adapter  201 ,  201 ′ and the pipe connection part  202  being designed complementarily, a pipeline connection can be made simply and quickly. The connection region  205  of the adapter  201  serves for connection to one end  206  of a pipeline  207  and is described in more detail particularly with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 16 . The pipeline system of  FIG. 11  comprises a T-shaped pipe connection part  202  with the possibility of connecting the ends  206  of three pipelines  207 . The pipelines  207  may be produced from plastic, from composite metal/plastic materials or from light metal materials. 
   In  FIG. 11 , two pipeline ends  206  are illustrated as being connectable to two coupling reception regions  204 ,  204 ′ arranged at an angle of 90° to one another. A blind plug  208 , not a pipeline, is illustrated as being connectable to the third coupling reception region  204 ″. The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 11  shows that, by means of the combination of a T-shaped pipe connection part  202  and of a blind plug  208 , different arrangements of pipeline ends  206  can be connected to one another. It is also conceivable that the coupling reception regions  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″ have different line inside diameters, so that even pipelines with a different diameter can be connected to one another. On account of this high adaptability to different operating conditions, the pipe connection part  202  is therefore also designated as a module  202 . The blind plug  208  has a coupling region  203 ″ which is designed identically to the coupling region  203 ,  203 ′ of the adapter  201 ,  201 ′. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates the detail of the pipeline system of  FIG. 11  once again, but in the assembled state here. The inspection windows  209 ,  209 ′ are illustrated in the connection regions  205 ,  205 ′. It can be observed through these inspection windows  209 ,  209 ′ that the operation of connecting the adapter  201  to the pipe  207  is concluded completely and that a secure connection has been made. 
   The operation of connecting the pipeline end  206  to the adapter  201  is described in the individual phases of the operation with reference to the sections of  FIGS. 13 to 16 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates the end  206  of a pipeline  207  and an adapter  201 . The adapter  201  is illustrated as it is delivered on the construction site. The adapter  201  consists of the connection region  205  and, adjoining the latter in the axial direction, of the coupling region  203  and is produced essentially from plastic materials, for example in an injection molding method. The end  206  of the pipeline  207  made from plastic is calibrated internally before assembly, that is to say is set to the correct inside diameter, and is chamfered from the end, on the inside, to form a chamfer  210 . As seen from the inside outward, the following individual parts are evident in the connection region  205  of the adapter  201 : a driver ring  211 , a toothed ring  212 , a clamping cone  213  and a connecting sleeve  214 . 
   At least two latching fingers  215  are formed in the connection region  205  of the adapter  201 . At the boundary between the connection region  205  and the coupling region  203  is formed a stop  216  which serves for limiting the axial movement of the connecting sleeve  214  with respect to the connection region  205  of the adapter  201 . The stop  216  is designed as an all-round continuous annular projection on the outer circumference of the adapter  201 . The driver ring  211  is arranged so as to fit into a groove  217  on the inside of the connecting sleeve  214 . 
   The fit between the connecting sleeve  214  and the driver ring  211  is so accurate that, in the event of the axial movement of the driver ring  211 , the connecting sleeve  214  also executes the same axial movement. Both the driver ring  211  and the connecting sleeve  214  are designed continuously over the full circle circumference, at least in the region of the groove  217 , and form a stable and load-bearing combination. During the assembly of the adapter  201  together with the pipeline end  206 , this combination serves for transmitting the forces which have to be applied for assembly purposes. 
   The driver ring  211  is designed in the manner of an annular disk  211 . Part-circular and axially continuous orifices  218  are cut out in the annular disk  211 . An orifice  218  is provided in each case for each latching finger  215 . The latching fingers  215  are arranged on a circle at a distance from the inner wall of the connection region  205 . Two, three or more latching fingers  215 , which all extend in the axial direction of the adapter  201 , may be formed. The latching fingers  215  have a plurality of latching steps  219  which are formed on the latching fingers  215  so as to project in the radial direction. The driver ring  211  has a latching nose  220  in each of the orifices  218 , said latching noses being formed so as to project inward in the radial direction and cooperating with the latching steps  219  of the latching fingers  215 . 
   The toothed ring  212  and the clamping cone  213  are designed part-circularly, that is to say not all-round continuously. The toothed ring  212  and the clamping cone  213  are produced so as to be open on part of their circumference, so that, when a force acts on the toothed ring  212  and on the clamping cone  213  in the radial direction, these can vary in diameter, that is to say narrow. The toothed ring  212  is fitted into a depression  221  on the inside of the clamping cone  213 . The toothed ring  212  and the clamping cone  213  thus also form a stable unit. When pressure is exerted on the clamping cone  213  from the outside inward, the diameter of the toothed ring  212  will be reduced. The toothed ring  212  is produced from a metal band by stamping, cutting and bending and has a profile which accords exactly with the tasks of the toothed ring. Like all the other components of the quick-action coupling, the clamping cone  213  is produced from plastic in an injection molding method. 
   In the delivery state, the clamping cone  213  is located inside the connecting sleeve  214  on a circle having the largest possible diameter. The driver ring  211 , which drives the connecting sleeve  214  in the axial direction, is in latch engagement by means of the latching nose  220  with that of the latching steps  219  which is furthest away from the coupling region  203 , as seen in the axial direction. The end face of the driver ring  211  is at the same height as or is somewhat higher than the end face of the latching fingers  215 . The clamping cone  213  lies on the end face of the driver ring  211 . O-ring seals, which may be arranged in further peripheral grooves for sealing off the medium outwardly, are omitted in  FIG. 13 . 
   In  FIG. 14 , in comparison with  FIG. 13 , the adapter  201  has just been placed with the connection region  205  onto the end  206  of the pipeline  207 . On the construction site, the installer will pick up with one hand the free end  206  of the already laid flexible plastic pipeline  207  and bend it away from the wall or from the floor as far as necessary for working and with the other hand slip the adapter  201  onto the pipeline end  206 . In the state illustrated in  FIG. 14 , pressure has still not been exerted on the end  206  or on the adapter  201 . The end  206  of the pipeline  207  just touches the driver ring  211  and the clamping cone  213  has not yet been moved axially. In the state shown in  FIG. 14 , as in the state shown in  FIG. 13 , the clamping cone  213  can still be seen in the inspection window  209 . It can thus be observed through the inspection window  209  that the clamping cone  213  has not yet moved with respect to the connecting sleeve  214 . 
     FIG. 15  illustrates the adapter  201  once again, but after being slipped onto the pipeline  207  and after pressing together. The adapter  201  together with the latching fingers  215  in the connection region  205  has been pushed as far as possible through the orifice  218 . The latching nose  220  of the driver ring  211  in this case jumps over the latching steps  219  of the latching fingers  215 . The jump over the latching steps is detected by the installer as a signal perceptible audibly and by feel. Since the end  206  of the pipeline  207  lay on the driver ring  211  before the pushing movement, as a consequence of the pushing movement the clamping cone  213  is moved in the axial direction with respect to the connecting sleeve  214  and with respect to the pipeline  207 . Between the state shown in  FIG. 14  and the state shown in  FIG. 15 , the pipeline  207  does not move with respect to the connecting sleeve  214 . Only the adapter  201  together with the latching fingers  215  and the clamping cone  213  move with respect to the pipeline  207 . 
   The adapter  201  is pushed into the connecting sleeve  214  as far as the stop  216 . Since the clamping cone  213  is designed conically on the outside, and since the connecting sleeve  214  is likewise designed conically on the inside, the clamping cone  213  and therefore also the toothed ring  212  are pressed together in the radial direction, that is to say in the direction of the outer wall of the pipeline  207 , as a consequence of this axial movement. In contrast to many other quick-action couplings, for example those with a bayonet fastening or a union nut, coupling is not made by means of a rotational or screwing movement, but by means of a linear pushing movement. The adapter  201  is slipped onto the end  206  of the pipeline  207  with a push in the axial direction and can be connected, without a tool, first to the pipeline  207  and subsequently to the pipe connection part  202  or to the module  202 . 
   The toothed ring  212  made from metal has, on the inner circumference, a multiplicity of teeth  222  arranged in a distributed manner, of which two teeth  222  can be seen in  FIG. 15 . The metal teeth  222  cut into the outer wall of the plastic pipeline  207 . The clamping cone  213  is no longer visible in the inspection window  209 . By observing the signal, perceptible audibly and by feel, from the latching noses  220  which jump over the latching steps  219 , and by observing the inspection window  209 , the installer can make sure that the adapter  201  has been connected to the end  206  of the pipeline  207  securely and completely. A clamping cone  213  cannot be seen in the inspection window or inspection windows  209 , but only the latching fingers  215  or, depending on the annular position of the connecting sleeve  214  with respect to the latching fingers  215 , the outer wall of the pipe  207 . In the state shown in  FIG. 15 , the pipeline system is still pressureless, that is to say the adapter has not yet been connected to the pipe connection part  202  or to the module  202  and medium pressure still does not act on the pipeline system. 
     FIG. 16  shows once again the connection of the adapter  201  to the end  206  of the pipeline  207 . In the state shown in  FIG. 16 , in contrast to the state shown in  FIG. 15 , the adapter  201  has been connected to the pipe connection part  202 , not illustrated here, and the pipeline system has been subjected to medium pressure. Due to the medium pressure, the pipeline  207  and the clamping cone  213  are pressed slightly out of the adapter  201 . 
   This state is illustrated, slightly exaggerated, in  FIG. 16 , in order to understand the conditions more clearly. Owing to the pull-out movement of the clamping cone  213  as a consequence of the pressure rise, said clamping cone being held radially by the connecting sleeve  214 , the diameter will be further reduced. The teeth  221  of the toothed ring  212  are cut further into the outer wall of the pipeline end  206 . In the regions of the toothed ring  212  where there are no teeth  222  stamped away inward, the toothed ring has an essentially cylindrical profile and will come to lie flat on the outer wall of the pipeline  207 . The special profile of the toothed ring  212  prevents the metal teeth  222  from cutting too deeply into the plastic material. The special design of the inner wall of the clamping cone  213  with a likewise cylindrical region and with further plastic teeth  223  also contributes to ensuring that the teeth  222 ,  223  do not cut into the plastic material more deeply than an exactly defined depth. This prevents the pipeline end  206  from being cut off by the metal teeth  222  in the event of an excessive pull-out force. 
     FIGS. 17 to 19  illustrate further applications of the quick-action coupling.  FIG. 17  shows the quick-action coupling from  FIGS. 11 to 16  in conjunction with a connection  225  for fittings in the sanitary sector. 
     FIG. 18  shows a pipe connection part  202  with a blind plug  208  and with two adapters  201 ,  231 . The adapter  231  has a larger diameter than the adapter  201 . This is intended to indicate that, using the same module  202 , reductions or transitions with a different diameter can also be produced. The module  202  may be produced from plastic or from metal and is thus adaptable to different pipeline materials. 
     FIG. 19  illustrates two adapters  201  and two modules  202  which are connected to one another by means of an intermediate piece  232 . The intermediate piece  232  has, on two opposite sides, coupling regions  235  which are designed identically to the coupling regions  205  from  FIGS. 11 to 16 . This is intended to indicate that what are known as manifolds or distributor fittings can also be produced by means of any number of modules  202  and intermediate pieces  232 . Instead of a further module  202 , a transition piece  236  with a thread, for example an external thread, may also be slipped onto the intermediate piece  232 . The design of the coupling region  235  is illustrated in  FIG. 19  with four outer part-circular and resilient regions  238  having latching hooks  239 . The latching hooks  239  in  FIG. 19  are designed to point radially inward, but, in a correspondingly reversed design of the coupling region  235 , may also be designed to point outward. 
   The advantages associated with the invention lie, in particular, in a simple premounting of the quick-action coupling itself. On the other hand, it affords a secure connection of the pipeline to the coupling. The quick-action coupling is distinguished by particularly few individual parts which can easily be produced.