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(11) | EP 1 997 972 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | An improved mechanism for the connection of a pipe to a node of a three-dimensional structure |
| (57) An improved mechanism (12) for the connection of a pipe (9) to a node connector (1)
of a three-dimensional structure includes: a bolt (8) with a pin (4); a sleeve (3)
with a radial threaded hole (20) and two longitudinal grooves (14); a socket set screw
(2) screwed through the radial threaded hole (20); a conical end (7) fixed to the
pipe (9). The bolt (8) has a radial groove (18) between the pin (4) and the bolt head
(19). The radial groove (18) and the radial threaded hole (20) have the same circumferential
position; and the same longitudinal position exactly when the sleeve (3) and the bolt
head (19) are in contact with the corresponding bearing surfaces (28,29) of the conical
end (7). The problem of the confirmation, that the bolt (8) is completely screwed
into the node connector (1), is solved; and the probability of encountering environmentally
induced cracking in the bolt (8) is eliminated.
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