Patent ID: 8109688

Claim:
A device for connecting lines, said device comprising at least one connector, each connector further comprising: an inner cylindrical connecting piece having an entry section at a free end thereof and having a retention section at a base end thereof, the retention section having an outer radius greater than that of the entry section, and a curved transitional region connecting the entry section to the retention section; an outer cylindrical connecting piece arranged substantially concentrically about the inner connecting piece and having a free end and having a base end, the outer piece base end being connected in homogenous one-piece construction with the inner piece base end; an annular groove defined between said inner and outer pieces for receiving a line end of one of the lines to be friction welded therein; and a feature adapted to withdraw melt produced during the friction welding away from an area of melt origin to substantially prevent the melt from entering the line, said feature selected from the group consisting of a radial opening in the outer piece connecting the groove with an outer surface of said connector and a recess formed in outer surfaces of said entry section, transitional region and retention section, with recess ends bounded by the inner piece free end and base end.