Device, system and method for locking a connection element

Inventors: Marc Hoffstetter (Munich, DE); Georg Muratidi (Oberaula, DE)

Assignee: MAVIG GMBH

F16B21/16 F16L37/086

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12680566
App. No.: 17/525,107
Granted: Jul 14, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for locking a connection element to a tube as well as a system comprising the same. The device is configured such that the securing segment of its securing element is automatically engaged with a recess of the connection element when the connection element has reached its locking position within the tube. Thus, the connection element is locked in the tube. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for locking a connection element in a tube.

Claims (23)

1 . A system configured to be fixedly or movably attached to a ceiling, a wall or the floor, the system comprising:

a tube comprising an opening in a wall of the tube,

a connection element which is configured to be inserted at least partially into the tube;

a locking device comprising a securing element with a shaft and a securing segment at a first end of the shaft, and a housing, the securing segment comprising a concave front surface, wherein the securing element is movably arranged in the housing, wherein the locking device is arranged at the tube such that the securing segment of the locking device can protrude at least partially through the opening into the interior of the tube;

a spring which is arranged in the housing such that the spring exerts a spring force on the securing element in a longitudinal direction of the securing element;

wherein the connection element comprises a recess which is configured to be engaged with the securing segment of the locking device when the connection element has been inserted into the tube, wherein the recess is a circumferential recess, wherein the system is configured to allow a relative fixing of the connection element in a longitudinal direction while allowing rotation of the fixed connection element relative to the tube to provide an axially fixed, rotatable connection between the fixed connection element and the tube,

wherein the connection element has a cylindrical outer shell surface, having a first portion and a second portion arranged on opposite sides of the circumferential recess, wherein the first portion, and the second portion each extend along the longitudinal direction of the connection element by a greater distance than the circumferential recess, and wherein the first portion and the second portion contact an inner wall of the tube,

wherein an end of the connection element is received completely within the tube, when the locking device is engaged with the recess,

wherein the recess comprises shoulders at a top and a bottom of the recess so that the securing segment is engaged with the recess of the connection element, such that movement of the connection element along its longitudinal direction is blocked, and wherein the securing segment has a distal end with an axial surface extending along the longitudinal direction of the connection element and a chamfered section, wherein the locking device is configured such that the chamfered section slides along a front side of the connection element.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a widening portion which is provided between the shaft and the securing segment and widened in at least one spatial direction, relative to at least one of the shaft or the securing segment.

3 . The system according to claim 2 , further comprising a stop formed within the housing, wherein the spring is arranged between the stop and the widening portion.

4 . The system according to claim 2 wherein the widening portion provided between the shaft and the securing segment is widened in at least two spatial directions relative to at least one of the shaft or the securing segment.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a first opening out of which the shaft protrudes at least partially, wherein, at its end protruding out of the housing, the shaft has at least one of a circumferential recess or a marking for indicating a penetration depth of the shaft into the housing.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a second opening out of which at least one of the securing segment or the widening portion protrude(s) at least partially, and wherein the housing is configured to be fixed to at least one of the tube or an adapter element, and wherein the securing segment comprises a chamfer at its free end.

7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to engage the securing segment with the recess of the connection element in a locking state in which the connection element has been inserted into the tube by a predetermined length and to maintain said engagement.

8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the connection element which is inserted into the tube is configured as a hollow cylinder which has a chamfer at at least one of an outer side or an inner side, and wherein the tube further comprises an adapter element which is configured to fix the housing of the locking device thereto.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the connection element comprises a single recess.

10 . A method for locking a connection element to a tube by means of the system according to claim 1 , wherein the securing segment of the securing element of the locking device protrudes at least partially into the interior of the tube, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

inserting the connection element into an end portion of the tube,

advancing the connection element along a longitudinal direction of the tube such that an end of the connection element is received completely within the tube, wherein the securing segment is displaced out of the interior of the tube in that the securing segment slides along at least one of a front side or a shell surface of the connection element, so that the securing segment is moved along its longitudinal direction and allows a movement of the connection element into the interior of the end portion of the tube,

locking the connection element in a locking position within the end portion of the tube, wherein the securing element of the locking device is moved by the spring force of the spring along its longitudinal direction, so that a movement of the connection element along its longitudinal direction is blocked;