Device for pressing two flanges of a pipe connection against one another

In a device for pressing two flanges of a pipe connection against one another, including a tension chain with link plates and thrust pieces which are joined to one another to swivel via joints with parallel axes, each thrust piece having two flanks for resting against the flanges, and at least one tensioning device for drawing two adjacent joints against one another, the improvement wherein:

• the first of the flanks of each thrust piece is tilted at a first angle to a first plane perpendicular to the axes of the joints;
• the second of the flanks of each thrust piece forms a second angle which is smaller than the first angle with a second plane perpendicular to the axes of the joints;
• the tensioning device is arranged such that tensile forces exerted by the tensioning device on two adjacent joints run on the side of the first plane facing away from the second flanks;
• and
• the first plane passes through an edge of the first flank of each thrust piece which edge is nearer the second flank than substantially any other portion of said first flank.