CONNECTING ASSEMBLY WITH A FIRST PIPE CONNECTION AND A SECOND PIPE CONNECTION AND A LOCK RING ASSEMBLY FOR A CONNECTING ASSEMBLY OF THIS TYPE
Connecting assembly that includes a first pipe connection having a central axis and a second pipe connection having a central axis. The first pipe connection is structured to be insertable into the second pipe connection. A holding rib is located on each of the first and second pipe connections coaxial to the central axes, respectively, and at least one of the holding ribs includes a rear flank arranged to delimit a groove. A lock ring includes a spring strip bent in a generally circular manner through an angle of at least 240° with at least two circumferential ends and projections directed radially inwards. At least one radial surface is positionable against the rear flank of the at least one holding rib, and a spreading element is arranged so that the circumferential ends bear against the spreading element under a spring tension of the spring strip.
1 . A connecting assembly comprising:
a first pipe connection having a central axis;
a second pipe connection having a central axis, wherein the first pipe connection is structured to be insertable into the second pipe connection;
a holding rib located on each of the first and second pipe connections coaxial to the central axes, respectively;
at least one of the holding ribs comprising a rear flank arranged to delimit a groove;
a lock ring comprising a spring strip bent in a generally circular manner through an angle of at least 240° with at least two circumferential ends and projections directed radially inwards, wherein at least one radial surface is positionable against the rear flank of the at least one holding rib; and
a spreading element arranged so that the circumferential ends bear against the spreading element under a spring tension of the spring strip.
2 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the spreading element comprises a pull-off protector that is detachable by action of one of the holding ribs.
3 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the holding rib comprises an inclined leading surface.
4 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the pull-off protector comprises at least one spring-mounted finger radially insertable into the spring strip.
5 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the finger comprises a surface running crosswise to a pulling direction.
6 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the finger further comprises a ramp surface that merges with the surface and is radially inwardly from the surface.
7 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the ramp surface is oriented at an angle to the pulling direction.
8 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the finger is arranged on a spring arm.
9 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the spring arm has a release projection protruding radially inwards that is structured and arranged to interact with the one holding rib.
10 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the release projection is axially offset from the finger.
11 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the projections have a gap in the region of the finger.
12 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the at least one finger comprises two fingers, which are offset from one another in a range of 150° to 210° in the circumferential direction.
13 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the fingers are arranged symmetrically to a pulling direction.
14 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the one holding rib has a cylinder surface on an axial end adjacent to the groove.
15 . The connecting assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the spreading element comprises a spacer section having an axially running groove, and wherein the two circumferential ends bear against the spacer section.
16 . A lock ring assembly for the connecting assembly in accordance with claim 1 comprising a spreading element arranged to maintain the spring tension on the circumferential ends.
17 . A method of connecting a first pipe connection and a second pipe connection, comprising:
inserting a portion of the first pipe connection into the second pipe connection;
opening a prestressed lock ring with a rib as the first pipe connection is inserted further into the second pipe connection, the prestressed lock ring having a circular shape through an angle of about 240° and circumferential ends held open against a spring force,
wherein the lock ring is prestressed before being opened with the rib.
18 . The method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein a spreading element is arranged to hold the circumferential ends open against the spring force.
19 . The method in accordance with claim 18 , wherein the spreading element further comprises a pull-off protector, and the method further comprises removing the pull-off protector when a projection of the lock ring is located in a groove delimited by a rear flank of the rib.