# US 2013/0154256 A1 · Joint unit and joint assembly comprising such a joint unit for non-detachable connection of media-conveying lines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0154256 A1 - Document ID: US20130154256A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/719,834 - Filed: 2012-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: Fränkische Industrial Pipes GMBH & CO. KG - Inventors: Sören Schröter; Mario Willner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130154256A1 ## CPC - F16L 37/084: combined with automatic locking - F16L 37/0987: {the flexible hook being progressively compressed by axial tensile loads acting on the coupling} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A joint unit is provided, including a main body, a bush, which is fastened to the main body and forms with the main body a receiving space for a connecting piece, and a separately formed retaining unit arranged in a radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush. The radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush is open towards an axial end face of the bush in at least two circumferential portions. A connection assembly is further provided, including a joint unit and a connecting piece. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 -15. (canceled) ### Claim 16 A joint unit, comprising: a main body, connected with a connecting piece not forming part of the joint unit; a bush, which, when the joint unit is assembled, is fastened to the main body in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the joint unit and forms with the main body a receiving space open towards the free end thereof, which space receives the connecting piece; and a retaining unit formed separately from the bush, which is arranged in a circumferential groove in the bush, the circumferential groove being open radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis, the retaining unit comprising a first bearing surface directed in the opening direction of the receiving space, for interacting with a first mating bearing surface of the bush directed opposite to the opening direction, and the retaining unit further comprising a second bearing surface directed opposite to the opening direction, for interacting with a second mating bearing surface of the connecting piece directed in the opening direction, wherein the radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush is open in at least two circumferential portions towards an axial end face of the bush. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The joint unit according to claim 16, wherein the retaining unit comprises a plurality of spring elements projecting radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis from a base element of the retaining unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The joint unit according to claim 17, wherein the base element is a split ring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The joint unit according to claim 17, wherein the spring elements are configured as barb elements and comprise the second bearing surface of the retaining unit directed opposite to the opening direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The joint unit according to claim 17, wherein the first bearing surface of the retaining unit directed in the opening direction of the receiving space is formed on the base element of said unit, and the associated first mating bearing surface is formed by a defining face of the circumferential groove of the bush. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The joint unit according to claim 16, wherein an antitwist projection, which projects radially inwards from the base of the circumferential groove, is provided at a predetermined circumferential position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The joint unit according to claim 16, wherein the retaining unit is made from a material more flexible than the bush. ### Claim at position 9 -30. (canceled) ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) The joint unit according to claim 22, wherein the material comprises a plastic material. ### Claim 32 A joint unit, comprising: a main body, connected with a connecting piece not forming part of the joint unit; a bush, which, when the joint unit is assembled, is fastened to the main body in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the joint unit and forms with the main body a receiving space open towards the free end thereof, which space receives the connecting piece; and a retaining unit formed separately from the bush, which is arranged in a circumferential groove in the bush, the circumferential groove being open radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis, the retaining unit comprising a first bearing surface directed in the opening direction of the receiving space, for interacting with a first mating bearing surface of the bush directed opposite to the opening direction, and the retaining unit further comprising a second bearing surface directed opposite to the opening direction, for interacting with a second mating bearing surface of the connecting piece directed in the opening direction, wherein at least one fastening element provided for axial fastening of the bush to the main body is configured as a locking element with a spring web connected to the bush and extending axially opposite to the opening direction of the receiving space, and a locking lug projecting radially inwards from the free end of the spring web, which locking lug engages in a locking recess formed in the main body. ### Claim 33 (depends on 16) The joint unit according to claim 16, wherein at least one fastening element provided for axial fastening of the bush to the main body is configured as a locking element with a spring web connected to the bush and extending axially opposite to the opening direction of the receiving space, and a locking lug projecting radially inwards from the free end of the spring web, which locking lug engages in a locking recess formed in the main body. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The joint unit according to claim 32, wherein the locking element is provided adjacent the end of the bush remote from the opening of the receiving space. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The joint unit according to claim 32, wherein a radially inwardly projecting annular rib of the bush, from which the spring web of the locking element extends, is an insertion limiting stop for the connecting piece. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The joint unit according to claim 32, wherein the bush comprises a plurality of fastening elements. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The joint unit according to claim 36, wherein the plurality of fastening elements are locking elements. ### Claim 38 (depends on 16) The joint unit according to claim 16, wherein the main body comprises at least one circumferential groove for receiving a sealing element radially opposite the circumferential groove of the bush when main body and bush are in the assembled state. ### Claim 39 (depends on 16) The joint unit according to claim 16, wherein the main body comprises a radially outwardly projecting annular rib at its outer circumferential surface, the rib is a stop for the retaining unit, limiting slip-on thereof onto the main body. ### Claim 40 (depends on 16) The joint unit according to claim 16, wherein the bush has an outer circumferential surface closed over its entire circumference. ### Claim 41 A joint assembly, comprising: a connecting piece; and a joint unit, the joint unit comprising: a main body, connected with the connecting piece; a bush, which, when the joint unit is assembled, is fastened to the main body in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the joint unit and forms with the main body a receiving space open towards the free end thereof, which space receives the connecting piece; and a retaining unit formed separately from the bush, which is arranged in a circumferential groove in the bush and which is open radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis, the retaining unit comprising a first bearing surface directed in the opening direction of the receiving space, for interacting with a first mating bearing surface of the bush directed opposite to the opening direction, and the retaining unit further comprising a second bearing surface directed opposite to the opening direction, which is intended to interact with a second mating bearing surface of the connecting piece directed in the opening direction, wherein the radially inwardly open circumferential groove in the bush is open in at least two circumferential portions towards an axial end face of the bush, and wherein the connecting piece comprises an annular flange, which may be brought into retaining engagement with the retaining unit.