Patent ID: 7482546

Claim:
A connecting element for two service switching devices, which are arranged next to one another in a row and bear against one another with broad sides of said service switching devices, housings of each of said service switching devices are formed from two shell-like housing parts, the connecting element having an approximately cylindrical basic body having a first outer diameter and front sides, on each of said front sides two axially protruding first and second spreading arms which spring open radially are integrally formed, an outer diameter of said spreading arms is smaller than the first outer diameter of the basic body, and free ends of said spreading arms have radially protruding tabs on opposite surface lines, said tabs, in a fitted state, latch in behind recesses on the housings, which are to be connected to the connecting element, of the adjacent service switching devices, wherein one distancing piece is fitted at least to a first or second spreading arm such that a height of the distancing piece determines a minimum distance to which the first and second spreading arms can be pushed towards one another, wherein the free ends of the tabs are conically tapered.