Patent ID: 7241072

Claim:
A connecting device for tubular elements ( 1 ) used for assembling modular structures, the connecting device comprising: one or more inserts ( 22 ), each insert having an expandable portion ( 2 ) and a head ( 3 ), the expandable portion ( 2 ) being insertable into one end of one of the tubular elements ( 1 ), the expandable portion being expandable for being locked therein; one or more shells ( 9 ), each shell provided with a plurality of housings ( 10 ) having a shape approximately complementary to the head ( 3 ), the head ( 3 ) being engageable in a housing ( 10 ) of the shell; and, fixing means for fixing the head ( 3 ) to a related housing ( 10 ), the head ( 3 ) and the housing ( 10 ) being approximately truncated-pyramidal shaped, the head ( 3 ) having an axial hole ( 4 ) for a screw ( 5 ), a cap ( 7 ) having inclined surfaces internally sliding over fins of the expandable portion ( 2 ), the screw being engagable in a threaded hole ( 6 ) of the cap, for causing the expansion of the expandable portion, for locking the insert ( 22 ) inside the tubular element ( 1 ).