FR2867827A1 - Pipe units connection locking device, has half-clamps including attachment unit to attach one half-clamp on other half-clamp behind support by displacing former clamp from upstream towards downstream - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has two half-clamps (5, 6) cooperating with each other to form a clamp around a junction between two pipe units (2, 3). The clamps include an attachment unit (10) to attach the clamp (6) on the clamp (5) at the back of a support by displacing the clamp (6) from upstream towards downstream. The attachment unit forms an articulation with respect to a main axis perpendicular to a longitudinal direction between the half-clamps. An independent claim is also included for a process for installing a locking device for the connection of pipe units.

Description

IMPROVED LOCKING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING

  OF PIPE ELEMENTS AND METHOD FOR SETTING

CORRESPONDING

  The present invention relates to the general technical field of locking devices for locking the connection of pipe elements, in particular so-called interlocking pipe elements.

  The present invention relates to a locking device for connecting pipe elements, intended to be mounted at the junction between an upstream pipe element, said upstream element, and a downstream pipe element, said downstream element, the upstream element. being provided with a relief intended to form a stop against the locking device, said device comprising: a first half-collar, a second half-collar which, in the closed position of the device, is positioned opposite the first half-collar so as to be associated with the latter to form a collar around said junction, at least a portion of said collar thus formed bearing against the relief, said device comprising locking means of the collar.

  The invention also relates to a method of setting up a locking device for the connection of pipe elements in which a first half-collar is positioned and placed at the junction between an upstream pipe element, provided with a relief intended to form a stop against the device, and a downstream pipe element, so that at least a portion of said first half-collar bears against the relief.

  To connect two ends of pipes, there are generally several means among which are distinguished anchor collars. These collars are particularly used to join two pipe elements, for example a so-called upstream pipe or pipe, that is to say located upstream of the junction in consideration of a given direction, and a downstream pipe, that is to say located downstream of the junction between the two pipe elements.

  Of course, the upstream and downstream qualifiers are given for illustrative purposes only and for purely descriptive purposes, the fluid being able to flow in both directions at the junction. The so-called upstream pipe may alternatively be a so-called downstream or upstream pipe within the meaning of the invention.

  The downstream pipe is generally in the form of a substantially smooth tube.

  The upstream pipe generally comprises an annular boss, covering a housing for receiving a seal. The downstream pipe comes to fit into the upstream pipe which then forms a sleeve, and the seal is made using the aforesaid seal, which crashes between the outer wall of the downstream pipe and the inner wall of the pipe. upstream pipe. For this reason, these pipes are generally said to be interlocking.

  With this type of connection, the said upstream and downstream pipe elements, when coupled, are not locked between them, however, so that under the effect of the hydraulic pressure exerted, the pipe says downstream can disassemble. The seal is then broken at the junction, which can lead to significant leakage of fluid.

  Branching collars thus make it possible to overcome this disadvantage and are generally in the form of two half-collars intended to be assembled at the junction to form a single locking collar.

  A portion of the collar thus formed abuts against the annular boss of the said upstream pipe, thus retaining the hydraulic thrust, and another portion of the collar is generally anchored in the downstream pipe to retain it.

  Such collars are widely known and, although they provide interesting results in locking, they nevertheless suffer from significant disadvantages.

  In particular, the setting up of such collars is generally long and difficult.

  Thus, the assembly of the collars is generally carried out as follows.

  A first half-collar is mounted at the junction between the two pipe elements to be connected and, while maintaining this half-collar in position, it comes to put next to this first half-collar the second half-collar for the purpose of to assemble.

  However, the assembly is often carried out using screws and bolts that are introduced into openings provided for this purpose on each of the two half-collars.

  Therefore, to install the screws, it is necessary to perfectly position the two half-collars vis-à-vis one of the other, which is already a first source of difficulty especially since the portions of pipe where such collars must be put in place are often difficult to access.

  The operator responsible for mounting these collars on the pipe is often forced to perform many manipulations and implement a complex gesture to set them up.

  Thus, before their final assembly with screws, the two half-collars must be kept facing each other, such a maintenance generally requiring the use of both hands of the operator, each hand ensuring the maintenance half a necklace.

  While maintaining the two half-collars vis-à-vis, the operator must simultaneously introduce the fixing screws in the openings provided for this purpose so as to lock the device. However, the rigidity, the lack of play and flexibility of such collars often contribute to complicate the task of the operator and to lengthen the time of implementation.

  It is also known to use other fasteners, such as wedges intended to be fitted longitudinally on the half-collars to assemble them. However, the use of these corners often suffers from the fact that their assembly requires hitting them to press them while the two half-collars are still relatively free on the pipes. The operator must then firmly hold the two half-collars facing each other while striking the fasteners.

  The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to remedy the various disadvantages listed above and to propose a new locking device for the connection of pipe elements whose handling is particularly simplified and fast.

  Another object of the invention is to propose a new locking device that can be used in places of difficult access.

  Another object of the invention is to propose a new locking device requiring only a small number of parts for its implementation.

  Another object of the invention is to provide a new locking device having good mechanical strength and whose manufacture is simple and has a limited cost.

  The objects assigned to the invention are also intended to propose a new method of setting up a locking device which is particularly simple and quick to implement, while allowing to obtain an effective locking of the connection between two elements of pipe.

  The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a locking device for the connection of pipe elements, intended to be mounted at the junction between an upstream pipe element, said upstream element, and a pipe element. downstream pipe, said downstream element, the upstream element being provided with a relief intended to form a stop against the locking device, said device comprising: a first half-collar, - a second half-collar which, in closing position of the device, is positioned facing the first half-collar so as to be associated with the latter to form a collar around said junction, at least a portion of said collar thus formed bearing against the relief, said device comprising locking means of the collar, characterized in that said locking means comprise: - at least one guide member, mounted permanently on the second half-collar, at at least one receiving element disposed on the first half-collar and in which said guiding member engages in the closed position of the device, said guiding member having a substantially elongate shape for firstly forming a reference means facilitating the relative positioning of the two half-collars for their assembly, when facing the guide member and the receiving element, and secondly, in cooperation with the receiving element; guiding the second half-collar towards its closed position relative to the first half-collar.

  The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a method of setting up a locking device for connecting pipe elements in which a first half-collar is positioned and rested. the junction between an upstream pipe element, provided with a relief intended to form a stop against the device, and a downstream pipe element, such that at least a portion of said first half-collar comes to bear against the relief, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - pre-positioning a second half-collar at the junction and substantially opposite the first half-collar identifying with the aid of a guide member, permanently mounted on the second half-collar, - engaging said guide member in a corresponding receiving element, arranged on the first half-collar, - bringing the second half-collar to its position of closing relative to the first half-collar by sliding said guide member within said receiving member.

  Other advantages and objects of the invention will be explained in more detail on reading the description which follows and with the aid of the accompanying drawings provided for purely explanatory and non-limiting purposes, in which: FIG. a perspective view, the prepositioning of the two half-collars for the closure of the locking device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 2 illustrates, in a perspective view, the prepositioning of the two half-collars with a view to closing the locking device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention.

  - Figure 3 illustrates, in a perspective view, an embodiment of the first half-collar according to the invention.

  FIG. 4 illustrates, in a perspective view, a second demicollier intended to be assembled with the first half-collar shown in FIG. 3.

  - Figure 5 illustrates, in a perspective view, a preferred embodiment of the locking device according to the invention, during locking.

  The locking device for the connection of pipe elements according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

  The locking device 1 according to the invention, an alternative embodiment of which is illustrated in FIG. 1, is intended to be mounted at the junction 20 between an upstream pipe element, said upstream element 2 and a downstream pipe element. said downstream element 3.

  The terms upstream and downstream do not refer to the direction of flow in the junction 20 between the two channel elements 2, 3. Thus, for the purposes of the description, we will consider, in a purely arbitrary manner, that the upstream and downstream are defined with respect to the arrow F, whose direction is independent of the direction of flow in the pipe elements.

  The upstream elements 2 and downstream 3 are advantageously in the form of pipes, fittings or more generally any interlocking part preferably cylindrical, capable of being fitted one into the other. For this reason, such pipe elements are generally called interlocking, terminology well known to those skilled in the art.

  The upstream and downstream elements 2 may for example be used to connect a pump outlet to an existing pipe, or simply to connect two pipe portions, which are preferably shaped so that they can be nested one into the other. 'other.

  In particular, the downstream element 3 must be able to be introduced, with a small clearance, inside the upstream element 2, so that the respectively external internal diameters of the upstream 2 and downstream elements 3 are preferably adjusted.

  According to the invention, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upstream element 2 is provided with a relief 4 for forming a stop against the locking device 1.

  The relief 4 is preferably formed by an annular boss arranged to receive a seal (not shown in the figures) for sealing the connection between the two pipe elements 2, 3.

  Obviously, the relief 4 may also be formed by a hollow or an annular depression (not shown in the figures) within which the locking device 1 would come to bear to ensure the locking of the connection.

  The locking device 1 is advantageously used to prevent disengagement of the downstream element 3 under the action of hydraulic pressure.

  Thus, the upstream element 2 and the associated relief 4 are advantageously arranged to cooperate with the locking device 1 so as to retain the hydraulic thrust. In particular, the upstream element 2, via the relief 4, exerts a counter-force on the device 1, opposed to the hydraulic thrust, thus retaining the device 1 and the downstream element 3.

  According to the invention, the device 1 comprises a first half-collar 5 and a second half-collar 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first demicollier 5 may for example be mounted first at the junction 20 between the two pipe elements 2, 3. Of course, it is also possible to start by mounting the second half-collar 6 on the function 20, and without departing from the scope of the invention.

  According to the invention, and as shown in FIG. 5, the second half-collar 6 is intended to be associated with the first half-collar 5 so as to form a collar 5, 6 around the junction 20, at least one part of the collar 5, 6 thus formed bearing against the relief 4.

  In the closed position of the device 1 illustrated in FIG. 5, the second half-collar 6 is thus positioned opposite the first half-collar 5.

  Advantageously, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first half-collar 5 and the second half-collar 6 are each formed by an armature 7 which preferably conforms to the shape of the junction 20 between the two halves. collars 5, 6.

  In a particularly advantageous manner, each of the two reinforcements 7 is preferably delimited laterally by two substantially opposite lateral edges 8A, 8B. Each armature 7 also advantageously comprises an upstream half-flange 9A and a downstream half-flange 9B.

  As is well known to those skilled in the art, the reinforcements 7 are preferably made from a rigid metal material, such as cast iron, so as to offer sufficient resistance to hydraulic thrust.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each of the two half-collars 5, 6 is preferably mounted on the junction 20 in such a way that each upstream half-flange 9A bears against the relief 4, advantageously against the upstream wall 4A (FIG. 2) of the latter. The locking device 1 then abuts against the relief 4 through each upstream half-flange 9A, thus retaining the hydraulic thrust.

  According to the invention, the locking device 1 comprises locking means 10 of the collar 5, 6 at the junction 20, adapted to ensure the locking position of said collar 5, 6 on the upstream elements 2 and downstream 3.

  The locking means 10 thus comprise, according to the invention, at least one guide member 11 permanently mounted on the second half-collar 6 and at least one receiving member 12 disposed on the first half-collar 5 and in which the member guide 11 engages in the closed position of the device 1.

  According to the invention, the guiding member 11 has a substantially elongate shape, of the finger or other kind, allowing it on the one hand to form a marker means facilitating the relative positioning of the two half-collars 5, 6 for their assembly when facing the guide member 11 and the receiving element 12, and on the other hand, in cooperation with the receiving element 12, guiding the second half-collar 6 towards its closed position relative to the first half-collar 5. The locking device 1 thus formed can therefore be easily set up by the user with a minimum number of manipulations and the optimal relative positioning of the two half-collars 5, 6 can be easily identified through the particular shape of the guide member 11. The mounting of the device 1 according to the invention is further intuitive and logical, allowing its manipulation by a non-expert operator.

  Advantageously, the guide means 11 is formed by a screw 13, that is to say a threaded rod (Figure 4).

  According to a first variant of the invention, the screw 13 can be fixedly mounted on the second half-collar 6, and for example welded, glued or integral with the second half-collar 6.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the screw 13 is advantageously movably mounted on the second half-collar 6 by means of holding means 14 formed by: - on the one hand an external thread 15 formed on at least a part of the length of the screw 13, and secondly a threaded hole 16 formed in the second half-collar 6 and arranged substantially opposite the receiving element 12 when the two half-collars 5, 6 are in the closed position, said threaded hole 16 ensuring, by cooperation with the external thread 15 of the screw 13, maintaining the latter in position on the second half-string 6 (Figure 4).

  Advantageously, and as shown in FIG. 3, the receiving member 12 is preferably formed by an opening 17 formed in the first half-collar 5 and adapted to receive the guide member 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening 17 and the guide member 11 are preferably arranged on lugs 18 integral with the frames 7 and preferably located along the edges 8A, 8B of the half-collars 5 , 6. The ears 18 are preferentially material with the frames 7.

  Advantageously, the locking device 1 comprises anchoring means 30, arranged to allow anchoring of the collar 5, 6 on the downstream element 3 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

  The anchoring means 30 are preferably formed by rings or cleats cut from the mass of metallic, thermoplastic or abrasive materials to form grooves capable of superficially penetrating the material forming the downstream element 3.

  The pipe elements 2, 3 can thus be made from PVC or metal and the nature of the material component of the anchoring means 30 must be adapted to the material constituting the downstream element 3.

  Likewise, the nature of the armatures 7 forming the half-collars 5, 6 will preferably be metal, so as to withstand the mechanical stresses exerted at the junction 20 between the two pipe elements 2, 3.

  The anchoring means 30 are preferably positioned on each downstream demibride 9B, precisely in the internal part of each of the downstream demibrides 9B, so as to penetrate the outer wall of the downstream element 3.

  Such anchoring means 30 are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be the subject of a more detailed description.

  Advantageously, and as shown in FIG. 5, the locking means 10 are thus intended to ensure the clamping of the anchoring means 30 on the downstream element 3, thereby generating the locking of the connection between the two pipe elements. 2, 3.

  For this purpose, the locking means 10 comprise actuating means 19 able to control the locking of the device 1 (FIG. 5). The actuating means 19 are thus designed so as to be manipulated by the user so as to ensure the clamping of the two half-collars 5, 6 against each other and thus the locking of the device.

  In order to ensure effective clamping of the anchoring means 30 on the downstream element 3, the locking means 10 preferably comprise at least one pair of downstream openings 17B, formed on either side of the first half-collar. 5 and a pair of downstream guide members 11B disposed on either side of the second half-collar 6 (FIGS. 1 and 2), such that when positioning the two half-collars 5, 6 facing each other, one of the other for closing, the pair of downstream openings 17B is substantially opposite the pair of downstream guide members 11B.

  Preferably, the pair of downstream openings 17B and the pair of downstream guide members 11B are preferably arranged towards the two ends 9B1, 9B2 of each downstream half-flange 9B so as to ensure the most efficient clamping of the means anchor 30 on the downstream element 3.

  Of course, it is also possible to provide only one downstream guide member 11B, permanently mounted on the second half-collar 6. In this variant (not shown in the figures), the locking means may advantageously comprise of firstly said downstream guide member intended to cooperate with a corresponding receiving element formed on the first half-collar, and secondly two openings, respectively formed on the first and second half-collars facing one of the other and associated for example with a bolt intended to be introduced into said openings to cooperate with the latter to ensure, in association with the downstream guide member and the receiving member, the clamping of the anchoring means .

  Several embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the locking means 10 advantageously comprise a pair of downstream openings 17B formed on either side of the first half-collar 5 at the ends 9B1, 9B2 of the downstream half-flange 9B, and a pair of downstream guide members 11B disposed on either side of the second half-collar 6, at the ends 9B1, 9B2 of the downstream demibride 9B.

  Each downstream guide member 11B is preferably formed by a downstream screw 13B, permanently mounted within a downstream threaded hole 16B. Thus, when positioning the two half-collars 5, 6 facing each other for closure, the pair of downstream openings 17B is advantageously substantially vis-à-vis the pair of holes downstream threads 16B.

  Advantageously, and as shown in FIG. 1, the locking means 10 may also comprise a pair of upstream openings 17A formed on either side of the first half-link 5 towards the ends 9A1, 9A2 of the half-flange. upstream 9A, and a pair of upstream guide members 11A disposed on either side of the second half-collar 6, at the ends 9A1, 9A2 of the upstream demibride 9A.

  Each upstream guide member 11A is preferably formed by an upstream screw 13A, mounted permanently within an upstream threaded hole 16A, and intended to cooperate with the corresponding upstream opening 17A so as to lock the device 1 on the upstream element 2.

  According to this embodiment, the upstream and downstream openings 17A, 17B may advantageously be circular, in which case the actuating means 19 are preferably formed by at least one nut 21 intended to be attached to at least one of the ends 22A, 22B of each upstream screw 13A or downstream 13B to bring, by screwing, the two half-collars 5, 6 to their locking position. Of course, the actuating means 19 may also be formed by two nuts 21 adapted to be screwed to each of the ends 22A, 22B of each upstream screw 13A or downstream 13B to ensure clamping.

  According to a preferred variant shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the openings 17, specifically the upstream 17A and downstream 17B openings are preferably formed by notches 23. According to this variant, the actuating means 19 may advantageously be formed by a head of screw 24 (Figure 1) disposed at one end of the screw 13, in particular each upstream screw 13A and / or downstream 13B so as to ensure clamping. In this case, it is no longer necessary to use the nut 21 to lock and all of the locking means 10 can be held permanently on the half-collars 5, 6 during assembly or when dismounting, these two last operations can be performed without the need to use additional locking parts.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the notches 23 open preferentially towards the same direction, for example upstream, so as to allow the simultaneous introduction of the upstream screws 13A and downstream screws 13B within said notches 23, and this by performing, for example, a simple movement of the second half-collar 6 from upstream to downstream along the arrow F, the first half-collar 5 advantageously remaining in position on the junction 20.

  According to a particularly interesting aspect of the invention, each guide member 11 provided with its actuating means 19, in particular each screw 13 provided with a screw head 24 or a nut 21, can also constitute a means of hooking allowing the user to hang the second half-collar 6 on the first half-collar 5 in a simple and intuitive way, simply by resting the screw head 24 (or the nut 21) on the periphery of the notch 23 once the screw 13 inserted into said notch 23.

  The user can then proceed to the locking operation of the two half-collars 5, 6, by actuating the screw head 24 or the nut 21 so as to screw the associated screw 13 within the threaded hole 16 to complete tightening of the two half-collars 5, 6 against each other.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the first and second half-collars 5, 6 comprise improved automatic mutual coupling means, shaped to co-operate together so as to allow the relative hooking of the two half-collars 5, 6. According to this embodiment, the locking means 10 are advantageously formed by two downstream guide members 11 B adapted to cooperate with two corresponding receiving means 12, in particular two downstream openings 17B.

  In a particularly advantageous manner, the hooking means 25 are shaped and arranged so as to allow the relative hooking of the two half-collars 5, 6, so that the first half-collar 5 supports the second half-collar 6. In addition, the attachment means 25 and the locking means 10 are preferably shaped so that during the relative engagement of the two half-collars 5, 6 with the aid of the attachment means 25, the guide members downstream 11B permanently mounted on the second half-collar 6 come naturally and directly fit within the corresponding receiving elements 12. For this purpose, the downstream openings 17B are preferably formed by notches 23 adapted to receive the downstream guide members 11B during the mutual engagement of the half-collars 5, 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment means 25 are advantageously formed by a male means, preferably a lug 26, disposed on the first half-collar 5, and by a corresponding female means, preferably a hook 27, disposed on the second half-collar 6, so that during the hooking, the hook 27 comes to bear on the lug 26.

  Moreover, in order to ensure a good mechanical balance of the stresses exerted on the locking device 1, the attachment means 25 and / or the locking means 10 are preferably arranged diametrically opposite on the junction 20. the so-called locked position of the device 1, the borders 8A, 8B of the first half-cutter 5 are preferably in abutment against the corresponding edges 8A, 8B of the second half-collar 6.

  According to a particularly interesting aspect of the invention, and independently of the embodiments described above, each opening 17 may advantageously be in the form of a substantially oblong guiding light (FIG. 3) forming a slideway within which the guide member 11 is able to move in a direction XX 'substantially perpendicular to the axis ZZ' of drilling of said opening 17.

  This feature is particularly advantageous in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 where the locking device 1 comprises the hooking means 25. Thus, during the movement of the second half-collar 6 relative to the first half-collar 5 of upstream to downstream along the arrow F for attachment, the two downstream guide members 11B are directly housed inside the corresponding downstream openings 17B and move within them in the direction of the arrow F until the closing position of the collar 5, 6 is reached.

  As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upstream pipe element 2 and the downstream pipe element 3 extend near the junction 20, in a longitudinal direction YY '.

  In the two embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, for which the receiving means 12 are not formed by circular openings but by notches 23, there is a possibility of relative movement in the longitudinal direction YY 'even that the collar 5, 6 is locked. Thus, the clamping performed using the locking means 10 may be insufficient to prevent the progressive disengagement of the two half-collars 5, 6 relative to each other.

  Indeed, in the two variants described above, there is no means for directly locking the relative movement of the two half-collars 5, 6 in the longitudinal direction Y-Y '. The immobilization of the two half-collars 5, 6 relative to each other is thus only ensured by means of the tightening of the actuating means 19, in particular of the nut 21 or of the screw head 24, against the around the corresponding openings 17.

  However, with such a system, there is a risk of progressive loosening of the locking means 10, and sliding of a half-collar relative to the other, in particular due to possible sudden variations in the pressure prevailing in the elements. 2, 3. Although the friction of the actuating means 19 around the periphery of the openings 17 tends to limit this phenomenon, any relative movement between the half-collars 5, 6 should be more effectively prevented in order to reduce the risk of fluid leakage at the junction 20.

  For this purpose, the locking device 1 preferably comprises means for relative immobilization of the two half-collars 5, 6 in the longitudinal direction Y-Y '.

  In the variant embodiment in which the locking device 1 is provided with hooking means 25, in particular hook 27 and lug 26, the immobilizing means may be formed by a curved extension 28 of hook 27 intended to cooperate with each other. with the lug 26 to prevent relative movement of the two half-collars 5, 6 in the longitudinal direction YY '(Figure 2).

  According to a preferred variant shown in Figure 2, the relative immobilization means are formed by a locking member 31 disposed on the guide member 11, preferably at one end of the latter, and by a bore 29 arranged around the periphery of the opening 17, said bore being adapted to receive and cooperate with the locking member 31 during locking, in order to prevent the relative displacement of the two half-collars 5, 6 in the longitudinal direction Y-Y .

  For example, the locking member 31 may be directly formed by the actuating means 19, including the nut 21 or the screw head 24, the bore 29 then being adapted to receive and immobilize these in the locking position.

  Preferably, the locking member 31 will be formed by a washer 31A disposed under the actuating means 19, in particular under the screw head 24 (FIG. 2) or under the nut 21 (FIG. 1), said washer 31A. being adapted to be housed within the bore 29 during tightening substantially conforming to the shape of said bore 29.

  The invention also relates to a method of setting up a locking device for connecting pipe elements 2, 3.

  According to the invention, the method comprises a step in which a first half-collar 5 is positioned and rested at the junction 20 between an upstream pipe element 2, provided with a relief 4 intended to form a stop at the against the device 1, and a downstream pipe element 3, so that at least a portion of said first collar 5 bears against the relief 4. Thus, the first half-shell 5 can bear against the relief 4 by the intermediate of the upstream half-flange 9A, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

  The first half-collar 5 can thus remain in equilibrium on the junction 20, especially when the pipe is horizontal. On the other hand, when the pipe is vertical or inclined, and when the upstream element 2 is situated below the downstream element 3, the operator preferably maintains the first half-collar 5 in position on the junction 20 during all the steps preceding the locking of the device 1 so as to avoid the fall of the first half-collar 5 which, in the case of an inclined pipe, is not supported by the pipe and / or the relief 4.

  According to the invention, the method comprises a pre-positioning step, in which a second half-collar 6 is positioned at the junction 20 substantially opposite the first half-collar 5, identifying itself with the aid of FIG. a guide member 11, substantially elongated, permanently mounted on the second half-collar 5. Thanks to the guide member 11, the user can thus easily and intuitively locate the optimal relative positioning of the two half-collars 5, 6 in relation to each other in order to assemble them.

  In the embodiments where the device 1 comprises hooking means 25, formed by a hook 27 intended to cooperate with a corresponding lug 26, the relative pre-positioning of the two half-collars 5, 6 can be carried out simply by hooking. the second half-collar 6 on the first half-collar 5 by means of the attachment means 25.

  Similarly, when the locking means 10 comprise a screw 13 at the end of which is mounted a blocking element, for example a screw head 24 or a nut 21, the user can use this blocking element to ensure the hooking the second half-collar 6 on the first half-collar 5, by introducing the guide member 11 inside the corresponding receiving element 12 and by resting the locking means, for example the screw head 24 on the periphery of the receiving element 12.

  Whatever the embodiment of the locking device 1, the method comprises a step in which the guide member 11 is engaged in the corresponding receiving element 12 disposed on the first half-shell 5.

  In the case where the locking device 1 is provided with independent attachment means 25, arranged upstream of the half-collars 5, 6, the engagement of the guide member 11 within the receiving element 12 is done automatically, when the hook 27 is made to cooperate with the lug 26.

  According to the invention, the method then comprises a step in which the second half-collar 6 is brought towards its closed position relative to the first half-collar 5 by sliding the guide member 11 within the reception 12.

  In the variants where the receiving member 12 is formed by a circular opening (not shown), the sliding of the guide member 11 is made in a direction substantially parallel to the drilling axis ZZ 'of the opening . On the other hand, when the receiving member 12, in particular the opening 17 is formed by a notch 23, and the guide member 11 is formed by a screw 13 provided with a screw head 24, the sliding of the Guiding member 11 is made in a direction XX 'substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction YY' of extension of the upstream and downstream pipe elements 2, 3.

  In the latter case, the pre-positioning step described above advantageously comprises the following successive sub-steps: presenting the upstream end, precisely the upstream half-flange 9A of the second half-string 6 substantially upstream of the relief 4 (FIG. 2), - move the second half-collar 6 from upstream to downstream, according to the arrow F, so as to allow the introduction of the guide member 11 within the notch 23, which advantageously forms a guiding light substantially oblong.

  Of course, the mounting of the first and second half-collars 5, 6 could be reversed, so that the second half-collar 6 could be mounted first at the junction 20 and without departing from the scope of the invention. The choice of the assembly order of the first and second half-collars 5, 6 at the junction 20 is thus given for illustrative purposes only and for purely descriptive purposes.

  Advantageously, the method also comprises a locking step, in which the second half-collar 6 is locked with the first half-collar 5 by means of actuating means 19 so as to form a collar 5, 6 of locking. Thus, when the first and second half-collars 5, 6 are in the closed position, the user can actuate the actuating means 19, in particular the screw head 24 so as to allow the screw 13 to be screwed on. interior of the corresponding threaded hole 16, until the lugs 18 facing each other, arranged respectively on the first and second half-collars 5, 6, abut one against the other.

  Of course, when the actuating means 19 are formed by one or more nuts 21 disposed at the ends 22A, 22B of the screw 13, the user proceeds to screw the nuts 21 along the screw 13 so as to bring the ears together. 18 facing one another, the locking being effective when said lugs 18 abut against each other and when the edges 8A, 8B of the second half-collar 6 bear against the edges 8A, Corresponding 8B of the first half-collar 5.

  In a particularly advantageous manner, the method also comprises a step of relative immobilization of the two half-collars 5, 6 in the longitudinal direction YY 'of extension of the upstream and downstream pipe elements 2, 3, in which an organ is housed therein. blocking element 31, arranged on the guide member 11, and for example formed by the actuating means 19 or by a washer 31A, within a bore 29 formed around the perimeter of the notch 23.

  The locking device 1 according to the invention is thus arranged in such a way that its manipulation by the operator is facilitated. It can also be set up in a simple, fast and intuitive way, even in places with difficult access.

  Another advantage of the device 1 according to the invention is that it requires only a limited number of parts ensuring clamping and locking, which reduces its overall manufacturing cost.

Claims (21)

  1 - Locking device for the connection of pipe elements (2, 3), intended to be mounted at the junction between an upstream pipe element, said upstream element (2), and a downstream pipe element, said downstream element (3), the upstream element (2) being provided with a relief (4) intended to form a stop against the locking device, said device (1) comprising: a first half-collar (5) - a second half-collar (6) which, in the closed position of the device (1), is positioned facing the first half-collar (5) so as to be associated with the latter to form a collar (5, 6 ) around said junction (20), at least a portion of said collar (5, 6) thus formed bearing against the relief (4), said device (1) comprising locking means (10) of the collar (5, 6), characterized in that said locking means (10) comprise: - at least one guide member (11) permanently mounted on the e second half-collar (6), - at least one receiving element (12) disposed on the first half-collar (5) and wherein said guide member (11) engages in the closed position of the device (1). ), said guide member (11) having a substantially elongated shape to firstly form a marking means facilitating the relative positioning of the two half-collars (5, 6) for their assembly, when facing of the guide member (11) and the receiving member (12), and secondly, by cooperation with the receiving member (12), guiding the second half-collar (6) towards its closed position relative to the first half-collar (5).   2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the guide means (11) is formed by a screw (13).   3 - Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the screw (13) is fixedly mounted on the second half-collar (6).   4 - Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the screw (13) is movably mounted on the second half-collar (6).   - Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the screw (13) is movably mounted by means of holding means (14) formed by: - on the one hand an external thread (15) formed on at least a part the length of the screw (13), - secondly a threaded hole (16) formed in the second half-collar (6) and disposed substantially opposite the receiving element (12) when the two half -colliers (5, 6) are in the closed position, said tapped hole (16) ensuring, by cooperation with the external thread (15) of the screw (13), maintaining in position of the latter.   6 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the receiving element (12) is formed by an opening (17) formed in the first half-collar (5) and adapted to receive the organ guide (11).   7 - Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the opening (17) is substantially circular.   8 - Device according to claim 6 or 7 characterized in that the opening (17) is formed by a notch (23).   9 - Device according to claim 6 or 8 characterized in that the opening (17) is in the form of a substantially oblong guide slot, forming a slide in which the guide member (11) is fit to move in a direction (X-X ') substantially perpendicular to the central axis (Z-Z') of drilling said opening (17).   - Device according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the locking means (10) comprise actuating means (19) adapted to control the locking of the device (1).   11 - Device according to one of claims 2 to 5 and claim 10 characterized in that the actuating means (19) are formed by at least one nut (21), adapted to be screwed to one end ( 22) of the screw (13) so as to bring the two half-collars (5, 6) towards their locking position.   12 - Device according to claims 5 and 10 characterized in that the actuating means (19) are formed by a screw head (24) disposed at one end of the screw (13).   13 -Dispositif according to claim 5 and one of claims 6 to 9 characterized in that the collar (5, 6) comprising anchoring means (30) on the downstream element (3), the locking means ( 10) comprise a pair of downstream apertures (17B), formed on either side of the first half-collar (5), and a pair of downstream threaded holes (16B) formed on either side of the second half -collier (6), so that when positioning the two half-collars (5, 6) facing each other for closure, the pair of downstream openings (17B) is substantially opposite the pair of downstream threaded holes (16B), said locking means (10) also having a pair of downstream screws (13B) permanently mounted within the pair of downstream threaded holes (16B) , so as to ensure the tightening of the anchoring means (30) on the downstream element (3), thus locking the connection.   14 - Device according to claim 13 characterized in that the locking means (10) comprise a pair of upstream openings (17A), formed on either side of the first half-collar (5), and a pair of holes upstream threads (16A), formed on both sides of the second half-wrench (6), arranged so as to ensure, by means of a pair of upstream screws (13A) mounted permanently in said upstream threaded holes (16A ), locking the device (1) on the upstream element (2).   - Device according to one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that the first and the second half-collars (5, 6) comprise means of attachment (25) mutual automatic shaped to cooperate together, so as to allow the relative hooking of the two half-collars (5, 6).   16 - Device according to claim 15 characterized in that the attachment means (25) are shaped and arranged to allow the relative attachment of the two half-collars (5, 6), so that the first half collar (5) supports the second half-collar (6).   17 - Device according to claim 15 or 16 characterized in that the attachment means (25) and the locking means (10) are shaped so that during the relative engagement of the two half-collars (5, 6) to by means of the hooking means (25), said at least one guide member (11) permanently mounted on the second half-collar (6) comes naturally to fit within said at least one receiving element (12) .   18 -Dispositif according to one of claims 15 to 17 characterized in that the attachment means (25) are formed by a male means, preferably a lug (26) disposed on the first half-collar (5) and by corresponding female means, preferably a hook (27), disposed on the second half-collar (6).   19 -Dispositif according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the upstream pipe element (2) and the downstream pipe element (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (Y-Y '), the device ( 1) comprises means for relative immobilization of the two half-collars (5, 6) in said longitudinal direction.   - Device according to claims 6 and 19 characterized in that the relative immobilization means are formed by a locking member (31) disposed on the guide member (11) and a bore (29) formed on the periphery of the opening (17) and adapted to receive and cooperate with the locking member (31) during locking, to prevent the relative displacement of the two half-collars (5, 6) in the longitudinal direction (Y-Y) ').   21 -Dispositif according to claim 18 and claim 19 characterized in that the immobilizing means are formed by a curved extension (28) of the hook (27), intended to cooperate with the lug (26) to prevent relative movement of the two half-collars (5, 6) in the longitudinal direction (Y-Y ').   22 -A method of setting up a locking device (1) for connecting pipe elements (2, 3) in which a first half-collar (5) is positioned and rested at the junction between a upstream pipe element (2), provided with a relief (4) intended to form a stop against the device (1), and a downstream pipe element (3), so that at least a part said first half-collar (5) bears against the relief (4), said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - pre-positioning a second half-collar (6) at the junction ( 20) and substantially facing the first half-collar (5) by identifying with a guide member (11), permanently mounted on the second half-collar (6), - engage said guide member (11) in a corresponding receiving element (12), arranged on the first half-collar (5), - bringing the second half-collar (6) to its position closing ion relative to the first half-collar (5) by sliding said guide member (11) within said receiving member (12).   23 - Process according to claim 22 characterized in that the receiving element (12) being formed by a notch (23), the prepositioning step comprises the following successive sub-steps: - present the upstream end of the second half -collier (6) substantially upstream of the relief (4), move the second half-collar (6) from upstream to downstream, so as to allow the introduction of the guide member (11) within of said notch (23).   24 - Method according to claim 23 characterized in that it comprises a locking step, during which is locked, with the aid of actuating means (19), the second half-collar (6) with the first half-collar (5) so as to form a locking collar.   25 - Process according to claim 24 characterized in that the upstream pipe element (2) and the downstream pipe element (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (Y-Y '), the method comprises a step d relative immobilization of the two half-collars (5, 6) in the longitudinal direction (Y-Y '), during which stage a locking member (31) is arranged on the guide member (11) at in a bore (29) formed on the periphery of the notch (23).