Patent ID: 8657341

Claim:
A connecting element for establishing a frictional connection with a cylindrical body, comprising: a substantially rigid basic structure; and a plurality of contact elements connected with the substantially rigid basic structure, the plurality of contact elements providing at least one contact surface, each of the at least one contact surface for contacting the cylindrical body at an outer circumference of the cylindrical body to establish the frictional connection between the cylindrical body and the plurality of contact elements, wherein, between at least a portion of the plurality of contact elements, a receiving space is formed for receiving the cylindrical body, the receiving space being configured for enlargement by moving apart the at least one contact surface, to receive cylindrical bodies of different diameters in the receiving space; wherein the plurality of contact elements is configured as a resilient structure which, at two ends thereof, is connected to the substantially rigid basic structure and between the two ends provides the at least one contact surface, so that the at least one contact surface, under an elastic deformation of the resilient structure of the plurality of contact elements between the two ends, can be moved apart from contact surfaces of other contact elements against reset forces generated by deformation of the resilient structure of the plurality of contact elements; wherein the plurality of contact elements is connected with the substantially rigid basic structure via a one-piece design; and wherein a portion of the one-piece design is in direct contact with an inner surface of the substantially rigid basic structure and the one-piece design has a continuous perimeter forming a closed shape.