Gate valve for blocking a pipe

A gate valve for blocking a pipe, the pipe having a central longitudinal axis, the gate valve comprising:

• a valve body having a wedge receptacle defined therein;
• a wedge selectively insertable into the wedge receptacle in the wedge body to an end position, the wedge plate having at least one side;
• a wedge plate disposed on the at least one side of the wedge, the wedge plate being disposed on the wedge with a clearance defined therebetween, the clearance being generally in the direction of the axis of the pipe;
• at least one elastic element disposed in the clearance between the wedge plate and the wedge, the at least one elastic element being a generally circular-shaped circumferential bellows having a central opening.