Universal pipe connectors and sealing element therefor

A universal pipe connector for forming an angularly flexible connection with at least one pipe end, the universal pipe connector comprising:

• a connector body having an opening for receiving the pipe end,
• a clamping ring extending around, and in mechanical engagement with, said opening;
• and
• a sealing element deployed around and in contact with an inner surface of said clamping ring said inner surface having at least partially curved cross-section, said sealing element having an annular sealing surface coaxial with the pipe for sealing around an outer coaxial surface of the pipe end, wherein said sealing element is formed with a primary inner surface and at least one substantially cylindrical coaxial layer, said layer being connected to said primary inner surface by a readily severable connection wherein said sealing element comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical coaxial layers having complementary interlocking features configured to oppose relative movement of said layers in at least one axial direction and wherein said sealing, element is adapted to swivel within said inner surface to accommodate variations in pipe alignment, wherein the inner girth of said connector body gradually increases away from the opening and wherein said opening is adapted to receive said clamping ring extending around said opening,
• wherein said clamping ring comprises a tightening mechanism for tightening said clamping ring between a first maximum diameter and a second minimum diameter,
• wherein said first and second diameters differ by at least a length d and wherein said cylindrical coaxial layer is of thickness ½ d such that, by selectively removing said layer and tightening said tightening mechanism, the pipe connector forms a sealing connection with pipes having diameters varying over a continuous range of at least 2d,
• wherein said clamping ring is formed as a split ring with outward-turned bolt flanges of substantially arcuate form, said tightening mechanism including a bolt connected between said bolt flanges.