Patent ID: 7175207

Claim:
Connection element for connecting building components or sub-assemblies mechanically, the connection element, comprising: two coupling halves ( 1 a , 1 b ) which can be brought into engagement by a joining movement; fastening means, wherein said coupling halves are arranged to be fastened to the building components or sub-assemblies being connected, using said fastening means, the coupling halves ( 1 a , 1 b ) and the fastening means being so dimensioned that, when forces occurring in use are applied, a predetermined mechanically stable state of the connected building components or sub-assemblies is maintained, wherein line coupling halves ( 2 a , 2 b , 10 , 22 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ) for connecting liquid lines or gas lines or electrical lines or signal lines are arranged inside the coupling halves ( 1 a , 2 b ), wherein the line coupling halves in the in-use state are connected to the end portions of the lines being connected, and wherein the coupling halves have openings through which the lines pass to the outside; and wherein the coupling halves in the in-use connected state are in the form of housings for the line coupling halves ( 2 a , 2 b , 10 , 22 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ), wherein the housing is formed, such that the line coupling halves and the end portions of the lines being connected are protected from damaging operational or environmental influences, wherein the connection element is so arranged such that, first the coupling halves are completely connected and thereafter the line coupling halves are joined together, wherein the connection element is so arranged that the line coupling halves can be connected singly or together by means of a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism having the following features: a slide mechanism ( 14 ) for bringing together the line coupling halves, and a drive mechanism ( 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ) to drive the slide mechanism.