Patent ID: 7238880

Claim:
A connecting element for a mechanical and electrically conductive connection, comprising: an operating element having first and second plates which are directed toward one another such that two conically tapering faces are arranged on respective opposite sides of the first and second plates, thereby forming two conically tapering openings with cone openings directed opposite to one another; first and second wedges respectively inserted in the two cone openings, wherein the first and second wedges can be displaced with respect to each other such that faces of the wedges drive the conical tapering faces of the first and second plates away from one another; a supporting wall, with at least one of the first and second plates supported against the supporting wall by a tensioning loop; and the tensioning loop passing through the supporting wall, wherein when the first and second wedges are displaced with respect to each other driving the conical tapering faces of the first and second plates away from one another, the tensioning loop is tensioned.