(19)

(11)

EP 1 290 368 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/11 (21) Application number: 00973566.3 (22) Date of filing: 13.10.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16L 11/11 (86) International application number: PCT/US0028/576 (87) International publication number: WO 0203/3303 (25.04.2002 Gazette 2002/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (71) Applicant: OEM/Miller; Division of Holm Industries Aurora, OH 44202 (US)	(72) Inventors: CHENOWETH, Kenneth, R. Ravenna, OH 44266 (US) HEVERLY, Wayne, T. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221-3521 (US) MURRAY, Russell, A. Waukee, IA 50263 (US) (74) Representative: Stilkenböhmer, Uwe Michael, Dr.  Eisenführ, Speiser & PartnerMartinistrasse 24 28195 Bremen 28195 Bremen (DE)