..BECHDE..ESFRGB..ITLI..NLSE......................R0293101EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATIONA319891213EP88304090.919880506enenen871065019870506GB19891213198950198811301988484 4B 21D 31/02 A 4B 21D 39/04 B 4F 16B 7/18 BdeVerfahren zur Herstellung einer WinkelverbindungenA method of making an angled jointfrProcédé de réalisation d'un joint angulaireFLOWDRILLING LIMITED00971450NTM/JSSThe HollygateChestergate Stockport SK3 ORDGBWalker, Robert19 Thorn GroveCheadle Hulme, CheshireGBOvery, Keith Harry5 Tyburn LanePullax-Hill BedfordshireGBFogg, Paul19 Newlyn AvenueCongleton, CheshireGBBarker, Rosemary Anne (GB)et al0005318043 Aldwyn Crescent Hazel GroveGB-Stockport SK7 5HUGBBECHDEESFRGBITLINLSE19891213198950

A method of making a rigid angled joint between a first length (12) of metal tubing and a second length (18) comprises the steps of first applying a rotating piercing tool (not shown) under pressure, to the first tube's wall. The tool thus forms a hole (14) surrounded by an integral bush (16) which is formed from the displaced tube wall material, is at an angle to the axis of the tube (12) and has a diameter to closely fit the external diameter of the second tube (18). The second tube (18) is inserted through the bush (16) into the interior of the first tube (12) and is secured therein by, preferably a bolt or screw (not shown) extending through a second smaller concentric hole (26) and locating in threaded extension (22) of the second tube (18).