Patent ID: 7252459

Claim:
A device for positioning, from the level of the ground ( 6 ), a branch connection ( 10 ) on a pipeline ( 2 ), the branch connection ( 10 ) comprising a main plate ( 12 ) and a fixing plate ( 22 ), the main plate ( 12 ) and the fixing plate ( 22 ) each having a substantially semi cylindrical support surface ( 14 , 24 ) which has a circular cross-section defined by an extension axis ( 16 , 26 ), a retaining edge ( 18 , 28 ) and a free edge ( 20 , 30 ) which extends parallel with the extension axis ( 16 , 26 ) thereof at one side and the other of the support surface ( 14 , 24 ), the extension axes ( 16 , 26 ) being substantially parallel with each other, the main plate ( 12 ) and the fixing plate ( 22 ) being held together by the retaining edge ( 18 , 28 ) thereof, whilst the free edges ( 20 , 30 ) thereof can be moved relative to each other by means of rotation about an axis of articulation ( 32 ) which is substantially parallel with the extension axes ( 16 , 26 ), the device comprising: a support ( 36 ), retaining means ( 38 ) connected to the support ( 36 ) in order to retain the main plate ( 12 ) in a position in which the extension axes ( 16 , 26 ) of the support surfaces ( 14 , 24 ) are substantially parallel with the first axis of rotation ( 42 ) and the fixing plate ( 22 ) substantially comes into contact with the foot ( 40 ), a foot ( 40 ) articulated to rotate relative to the support ( 36 ) about a first axis of rotation ( 42 ), actuation means ( 44 ) for displacing the foot ( 40 ) in rotation relative to the support ( 36 ) between an introduction position and a pressing position in which the pipeline ( 2 ) is pressed between the main plate ( 12 ) and the fixing plate ( 22 ), a support element ( 50 ), and means ( 52 ) for articulating in rotation about a second axis of rotation ( 54 ) which is substantially parallel with the first axis of rotation ( 42 ), said articulation means ( 52 ) being arranged between the support element ( 50 ) and the foot ( 40 ), said support element ( 50 ) configured to come into contact with the fixing plate ( 22 ) in order to bring the fixing plate into contact with the pipeline ( 2 ).