Patent ID: 6991269

Claim:
A device for connecting a first terminal portion of a pipe element and a second terminal portion of a pipe element, comprising: a seal between an end face of the first terminal portion and an end face of the second terminal portion; fixing means mounted on the first and second terminal portions and associated thereat with first and second axial abutment means along the first and second terminal portions for holding the first and second terminal portions close together and compressing the seal between end faces of the first and second terminal portions; wherein the first axial abutment means comprise a first removable bush that is provided with means for axial blocking the first removable bush along the first terminal portion and an outer shoulder on the first terminal portion close to the end face thereof, wherein the second axial abutment means comprise a second removable bush that is provided with means for axial blocking the second removable bush along the second terminal portion and an outer shoulder on the second terminal portion close to the end face thereof, wherein the first and second removable bushes are openable to allow them to be engaged laterally on the corresponding one of the first and second terminal portions and being arranged to cooperate with the outer shoulder thereof, and wherein the fixing means comprises snap-fit tabs having one end integral with one of the first and second removable bushes and an opposing end that extends axially beyond the end face of the corresponding one of the first and second terminal portions and that is arranged to grip the other of said first and second removable bushes.