Patent ID: 8096585

Claim:
Tubular joint comprising a bell end ( 4 ) of a first pipe element, the bell end ( 4 ) extending along a central axis (X-X), being equipped with an internal groove ( 18 ) and a free extremity ( 16 ) in which is inserted a spigot end ( 6 ) of a second pipe element, the internal grove ( 18 ) forming a truncated cone-shaped groove wall ( 20 ) which forms a first angle (α) with the central axis and is inclined to the central axis (X-X) while narrowing toward the free extremity ( 16 ) of the bell end ( 4 ), a seal ( 8 ) disposed in the internal groove ( 18 ), at least one locking element ( 12 ) adapted to lock the spigot end ( 6 ) relative to the bell end ( 4 ), the spigot end ( 6 ) and the bell end ( 4 ) defining a radial clearance (J) between themselves, this clearance being able to be situated either in a first range of clearances or in a second range of clearances, the clearances of the second range of clearances being smaller than the clearances of the first range of clearances, characterised in that the locking element ( 12 ) comprises at least one main fixing tooth ( 36 ) adapted to bite into an external surface ( 22 ) of the spigot end ( 6 ) and a contact face ( 28 ) which, when the seal is unstressed, is inclined at a second angle (β) relative to the central axis (X-X), this second angle (β) being substantially identical to the first angle of inclination, and which is adapted to be applied to the groove wall ( 20 ) and to achieve locking by a wedge effect during pressurisation and when the clearance (J) lies in the first range of clearances, and in that, during pressurisation and when the clearance lies in the second range of clearances, the locking element ( 12 ) is adapted to form a rocking point ( 34 ) of this element ( 12 ) around the groove wall ( 20 ), and the main fixing tooth ( 36 ) is adapted to bite into the external surface ( 22 ) by the arch-buttress effect of the locking element ( 12 ) between the spigot end ( 6 ) and the bell end ( 4 ).