Pipe connectors with a receptacle of different depths

Abstract

A pipe connector (10) for interconnecting at least two pipe elements, the pipe connector (10) comprising: a first and a second housing part (12, 14) which are attached to one another and define at least a first and a second receptacle (16, 18), the at least a first and a second receptacle (16, 18) defining a first and a second opening (20, 22, 164, 166) for receiving the pipe elements, the at least a first and a second receptacle (16, 18) surrounding a first and a second axis (36, 38, 178, 180), the first axis (36, 178) being aligned coaxially with the first opening (20, 164), the second axis (38, 180) being aligned coaxially with the second opening (22, 166), the first axis (36, 178) being at an angle to the second axis (38, 180), wherein the housing parts (12, 14) define a fluid path (28, 170) extending between the first and second receptacles (16, 18), wherein each of the housing parts (12,14) comprises: a first curved surface (44) extending circumferentially around the first opening (20, 164), at least a portion of the first curved surface (44) being engageable with one of the tubular members, the first curved surface (44) extending about the first axis (36, 178); and a first rear wall (46) disposed adjacent to the first curved surface (44), wherein the first rear wall (46) has a curved surface (48) extending about the first axis (36, 178), wherein a distance (80) between the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) and the first curved surface (44), measured along a radially projecting line (70, 86) extending from the first axis (36, 178), has a first value at a first point (88) midway circumferentially between the ends (74, 76) of the housing parts (12, 14) and a second value at a second point (90) adjacent to one of the ends (74, 76) of the housing parts (12,14) has a second value, wherein the first value is less than the second value; andat least one adjustable securing element (34, 176) for securing the first and second housing parts (12, 14) to one another, the housing parts (12, 14) being held in a spaced-apart relationship sufficient to allow the tubular elements to be inserted into the at least one first and one second receptacle (16, 18) while the housing parts (12, 14) are attached to one another, each securing element (34, 176) being adjustably tightenable to draw the housing parts (12, 14) toward one another and to engage the first curved surfaces (44) of the housing parts (12, 14) with the tubular elements to secure the tubular elements to the housing parts (12, 14), for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the distance (80) at the first point (88) midway circumferentially between the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) is kept to a minimum.,

Claims

[1] Pipe connector (10) for mutually connecting at least two pipe elements, the pipe connector (10) comprising: a first and a second housing part (12, 14) which are attached to one another and define at least a first and a second receptacle (16, 18), wherein the at least one first and one second receptacle (16, 18) have a first and define a second opening (20, 22, 164, 166) for receiving the tubular elements, wherein the at least one first and one second receptacle (16, 18) surround a first and a second axis (36, 38, 178, 180), wherein the first axis (36, 178) is aligned coaxially with the first opening (20, 164), wherein the second axis (38, 180) is aligned coaxially with the second opening (22, 166), wherein the first axis (36, 178) is aligned at an angle to the second axis (38, 180), wherein the housing parts (12, 14) define a fluid path (28, 170) extending between the first and second receptacles (16, 18), each of the housing parts (12, 14) comprising: a first curved surface (44) extending circumferentially around the first opening (20, 164), wherein at least a portion of the first curved surface (44) is engageable with one of the tubular elements, wherein the first curved surface (44) extends about the first axis (36, 178); and a first rear wall (46) disposed adjacent to the first curved surface (44), wherein the first rear wall (46) has a curved surface (48) extending about the first axis (36, 178), wherein a distance (80) between the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) and the first curved surface (44), measured along a radially projecting line (70, 86) extending from the first axis (36, 178), has a first value at a first point (88) halfway circumferentially between the ends (74, 76) of the housing parts (12, 14) and a second value at a second point (90) adjacent to one of the ends (74, 76) of the housing parts (12, 14), wherein the first value is smaller than the second value; and at least one adjustable securing element (34, 176) for securing the first and second housing parts (12, 14) to one another, the housing parts (12, 14) being held in a spaced relationship to one another sufficient for the tubular elements to be insertable into the at least one first and one second receptacle (16, 18) while the housing parts (12, 14) are attached to one another, each fixing element (34, 176) is adjustably tightenable to draw the housing parts (12, 14) towards each other and to bring the first curved surfaces (44) of the housing parts (12, 14) into engagement with the tubular elements to fix the tubular elements to the housing parts (12, 14), wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the distance (80) at the first point (88) halfway in the circumferential direction between the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) is a minimum. [2] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a first projection extending around the first opening (20, 164), wherein the first curved surface (44) comes to rest on the first projection. [3] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein for each housing part (12, 14) the distance (80) at the second point (90) takes a maximum, whereby the second point (90) lies at one end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14). [4] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein for each housing part (12, 14) the distance (80) between the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) and the first curved surface (44) at a third point located at another end (74, 76) of the housing parts (12, 14) assumes a third value approximately equal to the second value. [5] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) comprises a first portion having a curved surface, and a second portion disposed adjacent to the at least one end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), wherein each point on the second portion is farther from the first axis (36, 178) in the circumferential direction of the housing parts (12, 14) than each point on the first portion. [6] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) further comprises a third portion having a curved surface, wherein the third section is arranged adjacent to another of the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), wherein each point on the third section is further away from the first axis (36, 178) than each point on the first section. [7] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 80°. [8] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [9] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 6, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 80°. [10] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 6, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [11] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) comprises a first portion having a first radius of curvature, and a second section having an infinite radius of curvature, wherein the second portion is arranged adjacent to the at least one end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), wherein every point on the second segment is further away from the first axis than every point on the first segment. [12] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 11, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) further comprises a third portion having an infinite radius of curvature, wherein the third portion is disposed adjacent to another of the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14). [13] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 11, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [14] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 11, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 30°. [15] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 12, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [16] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 12, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 30°. [17] The pipe connector (10) of claim 11, wherein each housing member (12, 14) further comprises a plurality of said second portions of said curved surface (48) of said back wall (46), each of said second portions having an infinite radius of curvature. [18] The pipe connector (10) of claim 17, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the back wall (46) further comprises a plurality of third portions, each of which has an infinite radius of curvature, the third portions of the curved surface (48) being disposed adjacent to another one of the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14). [19] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 17, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of second portions of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) span or cover an angle of 5° to 80°. [20] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 17, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of second portions of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) span an angle of 5° to 45°. [21] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 18, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of third sections of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) span an angle of 5° to 80°. [22] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 18, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of third sections of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) span an angle of 5° to 45°. [23] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the first curved surface (44) has a first radius of curvature measured from a first center of curvature; and wherein the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) has a second radius of curvature, measured from a second center of curvature, wherein the second center of curvature does not coincide with the first center of curvature, measured in a plane perpendicular to the first axis (36, 178). [24] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 23, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the first center of curvature is closer to the curved surface (48) of the back wall (46) than the second center of curvature, measured from a point on the curved surface (48) of the back wall (46) that is collinear with the first and second centers of curvature. [25] The pipe connector (10) of claim 24, wherein for each of the housing portions (12, 14), the first and second centers of curvature and the point on the back wall (46) are collinear along a first line oriented perpendicular to a second line extending between a first end (74) of the housing portion (12) and a second end (76) of the housing portion (14). [26] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 25, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second center of curvature is offset from the first center of curvature by a distance of 0.03 cm to 0.25 cm. [27] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 25, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second center of curvature is offset from the first center of curvature by a distance of 0.05 cm to 0.1 cm. [28] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 25, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second center of curvature is offset from the first center of curvature by a distance of 0.08 cm. [29] The pipe connector (10) of claim 2, wherein each of the housing parts (12, 14) further comprises: a second projection circumferentially surrounding the second opening (22, 166), at least a portion of the second projection being engageable with one of the pipe members, wherein the second projection has a curved surface extending about the second axis (38, 180); and a second rear wall disposed adjacent to the second projection, wherein the second rear wall has a curved surface extending around the second axis (38, 180), wherein a distance between the curved surface of the second rear wall and the curved surface of the second projection, measured along a radially projecting line extending from the second axis (38, 180), has a first value at a first point (88) midway circumferentially between ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) and a second value at a second point (90) adjacent to one of the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), the first value being less than the second value. [30] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second housing parts (12, 14) further define a third receptacle, wherein the third receptacle defines a third opening for receiving one of the tubular elements, wherein the housing parts (12, 14) further define a fluid path (28, 170) extending between the first and second receptacles (16, 18) and the third receptacle. [31] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 30, wherein the third receptacle surrounds a third axis which is coaxial with the third opening, wherein the first and second axes (36, 38, 178, 180) are collinear with each other, wherein the third axis is at an angle to the first and second axes (36, 38, 178, 180). [32] The pipe connector (10) of claim 1, further comprising at least one lug extending from each of the housing portions (12, 14), the at least one lug defining a hole for receiving the at least one securing member (34, 176). [33] The pipe connector (10) of claim 1, further comprising a first seal (55, 188) disposed in the first receptacle (16) and surrounding the first opening (20, 164); a second seal (58, 142) disposed in the second receptacle (18) and surrounding the second opening (22, 166); and a tube extending in the housing parts (12, 14) between the first and second seals (55, 188, 58, 142). [34] The pipe connector (10) of claim 30, further comprising a first seal (55, 188) disposed in the first receptacle and surrounding the first opening (20, 164); a second seal (58, 142) disposed in the second receptacle and surrounding the second opening (22, 166); a third seal (192) disposed in the third receptacle and surrounding the third opening: and a tube extending between the first, second and third seals (55, 58, 142, 188, 192). [35] The pipe connector (10) of claim 33, wherein the first and second housing members (12, 14) are held in the spaced-apart relationship by contact with the first and second seals (55, 188, 58, 142). [36] The pipe connector (10) of claim 34, wherein the first and second housing members (12, 14) are held in the spaced-apart relationship by contact with the first, second and third seals (55, 58, 142, 188, 192). [37] Pipe connector (10) for mutually connecting at least two pipe elements, wherein the pipe connector (10) comprises: a first and a second housing part (12, 14) which are attached to one another and define at least a first and a second receptacle (16, 18), wherein the first and second receptacles (16, 18) have a first and a second opening (20, 22, 164, 166) for receiving the tubular elements, wherein the first and second receptacles (16, 18) surround a first and a second axis (36, 178, 38, 180), wherein the first axis (36, 178) is aligned coaxially with the first opening (20, 164), wherein the second axis (38) is designed coaxially to the second opening (22, 166), wherein the first axis (36, 178) is aligned at an angle to the second axis (38, 180), wherein the housing parts (12, 14) further define a fluid path (28, 170) extending between the first and second receptacles (16, 18), wherein each of the housing parts (12, 14) has: a first curved surface (44) extending circumferentially around the first opening (20, 164); wherein at least a portion of the first curved surface (44) is engageable with one of the tubular elements, wherein the first curved surface (44) extends about the first axis (36, 178), the first curved surface (44) having a first radius of curvature measured from a first center of curvature; and a first rear wall (46) having a curved surface (48) extending about the first axis (36, 178), wherein the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) has a second radius of curvature measured from a second center of curvature, wherein the second center of curvature does not coincide with the first center of curvature, measured in a plane perpendicular to the first axis (36, 178); and at least one adjustable fixing element (34, 176) securing the first and second housing parts (12, 14) to one another, the housing parts (12, 14) being held in a spaced relationship sufficient to allow the tubular elements to be inserted into the receptacles (16, 18) while the housing parts (12, 14) are secured to one another, where each fixing element (34, 176) is adjustably tightenable such that the two housing parts (12, 14) are pulled towards each other and the first curved surfaces of the housing parts (12, 14) are brought into engagement with the tubular elements in order to fix the tubular elements to the housing parts, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the first center of curvature is closer to the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) than the second center of curvature, measured from a point on the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) that is collinear with the first and second centers of curvature. [38] The pipe connector (10) of claim 37, further comprising a first projection extending circumferentially around the first opening (20, 164), the first curved surface (44) being disposed on the first projection. [39] The pipe connector (10) of claim 37, wherein for each of the housing portions (12, 14), the first and second centers of curvature and the point on the curved surface (48) of the back wall (46) are collinear along a first line oriented perpendicular to a second line extending between a first end (74) of the housing portion (14) and a second end (76) of the housing portion (14). [40] The pipe connector (10) of claim 39, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the second center of curvature is offset from the first center of curvature by a distance of 0.025 cm to 0.25 cm. [41] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 39, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second center of curvature is offset from the first center of curvature by a distance of 0.05 cm to 0.1 cm. [42] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 37, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second center of curvature is offset from the first center of curvature by a distance of 0.08 cm. [43] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 37, wherein each of the housing parts (12, 14) further comprises: a second projection circumferentially surrounding the second opening (22, 166), at least a portion of the second projection being engageable with one of the tubular elements, wherein the second projection has a curved surface extending about the second axis (38, 180), wherein the curved surface has a first radius of curvature measured from a first center of curvature; and a second rear wall disposed adjacent to the second projection, wherein the second rear wall has a curved surface extending around the second axis (38, 180), wherein the curved surface of the second rear wall has a second radius of curvature measured from a second center of curvature, wherein the second center of curvature does not coincide with the first center of curvature, measured in a plane perpendicular to the second axis (38, 180). [44] The pipe connector (10) of claim 37, wherein the first and second housing members (12, 14) further define a third receptacle, the third receptacle defining a third opening for receiving one of the pipe members, the housing members (12, 14) further defining a fluid path (28, 170) extending between the first, second and third receptacles. [45] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 44, wherein the third receptacle surrounds a third axis which is coaxial with the third opening, wherein the first and second axes (36, 38, 178, 180) are collinear with each other, wherein the third axis is at an angle to the first and second axes (36, 38, 178, 180). [46] The pipe connector (10) of claim 37, further comprising at least one lug extending from each of the housing portions (12, 14), the lug defining a hole for receiving the at least one securing member (34, 176). [47] The pipe connector (10) of claim 37, further comprising a first seal (55, 188) disposed in the first receptacle and surrounding the first opening (20, 164); a second seal (58, 142) disposed in the second receptacle and surrounding the second opening (22, 166); a third seal (192) disposed in the third receptacle and surrounding the third opening: and a tube extending between the first, second and third seals (55, 58, 142, 188, 192). [48] The pipe connector (10) of claim 44, further comprising a first seal (55, 188) disposed in the first receptacle and surrounding the first opening (20, 164); a second seal (58, 142) disposed in the second receptacle and surrounding the second opening (22, 166); a third seal (192) disposed in the third receptacle and surrounding the third opening: and a tube extending between the first, second and third seals (55, 58, 142, 188, 192). [49] A pipe connector (10) according to claim 47, wherein the first and second housing parts (12, 14) are held in spaced relationship by contact with the first and second seals (55, 188, 58, 142). [50] A pipe connector (10) according to claim 48, wherein the first and second housing parts (12, 14) are held in spaced relationship by contact with the first, second and third seals (58, 188, 192). [51] Pipe connector (10) for mutually connecting at least two pipe elements, wherein the pipe connector (10) comprises: a first and a second housing part (12, 14) which are attached to one another and define at least a first and a second receptacle (16, 18), wherein the first and second receptacle (16, 18) define a first and a second opening (20, 22, 164, 166) for receiving the pipe elements, wherein the first and second receptacles (16, 18) surround a first and a second axis (36, 178, 38, 180), wherein the first axis (36, 178) is aligned coaxially with the first opening (20, 164), wherein the second axis (38, 180) is aligned coaxially with the second opening (22, 164), wherein the first axis (36, 178) is aligned at an angle to the second axis (38, 180), wherein the housing parts (12, 14) also define a fluid path (28, 170) extending between the first and second receptacles (16, 18), wherein each of the housing parts (12, 14) has: a first curved surface (44) extending circumferentially around the first opening (20, 164), wherein at least a portion of the first curved surface (44) is engageable with one of the tubular elements, wherein the first curved surface (44) extends about the first axis (36, 178); and a first rear wall (46) disposed adjacent to the first curved surface (44), wherein the first rear wall (46) has a curved surface (48) extending about the first axis (36, 178), wherein a distance to the first curved surface (44), measured along a projecting line extending radially from the first axis (36, 178), at a first point (88) midway circumferentially between both ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) has a first value and a second value at a second point (90) adjacent to a first end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) and a third value at a third point adjacent to an opposite end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), where the first value is less than the second value and the third value; and at least one adjustable fixing element (34, 176) securing the first and second housing parts (12, 14) to one another, the housing parts (12, 14) being held in a spaced relationship sufficient to allow the tubular elements to be inserted into the receptacles (16, 18) while the housing parts (12, 14) are secured to one another, where each securing member (34, 176) is adjustably tightenable to draw the housing members (12, 14) toward one another to engage the first curved surfaces (44) of the housing members (12, 14) with the tubular members to secure the tubular members to the housing members (12, 14). [52] The pipe connector (10) of claim 51, further comprising a first projection extending circumferentially around the first opening (20, 164), the first curved surface (44) being disposed on the first projection. [53] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 51, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the distance at the first point halfway between the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) is minimal. [54] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 53, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the distance is maximum at the second point, the second point being located at a first end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14). [55] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 54, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the distance between the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) and the first curved surface (44) at the third point at a second end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) takes a third value which is approximately equal to the second value. [56] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 51, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) has a first section with a curved surface (44), wherein the second portion is arranged adjacent to a first end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), wherein every point on the second section is further away from the first axis (36, 178) than every point on the first section. [57] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 56, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) further comprises a third section with a curved surface, wherein the third section is arranged adjacent to a second end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), wherein every point on the third section is further away from the first axis (36, 178) than every point on the first section. [58] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 56, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 80°. [59] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 56, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [60] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 57, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 80°. [61] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 57, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [62] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 51, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) has a first portion with a first radius of curvature and a second portion with infinite curvature, the second portion being arranged adjacent to a first end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), wherein every point on the second section is further away from the first axis (36, 178) than every point on the first section. [63] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 62, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) further comprises a third section with an infinite radius of curvature, wherein the third portion is disposed adjacent to a second end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14). [64] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 62, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [65] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 62, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the second portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 30°. [66] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 63, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 45°. [67] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 63, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14) the third portion of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) spans an angle of 5° to 30°. [68] The pipe connector (10) of claim 62, wherein each of the housing parts (12, 14) further comprises a plurality of second portions of the curved surface (48) of the back wall (46), each of the second portions having an infinite radius of curvature. [69] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 68, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) comprises a plurality of third sections, each having an infinite radius of curvature, wherein the third portions of the curved surfaces (48) of the rear wall (46) are arranged adjacent to a second end (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14). [70] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 68, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of second portions of the curved surface (48) of the rear wall (46) span an angle of 5° to 80°. [71] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 68, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of second portions of the curved (48) surface of the rear wall (46) span an angle of 5° to 30°. [72] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 69, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of third sections of the curved (48) surface of the rear wall (46) span an angle of 5° to 80°. [73] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 69, wherein for each of the housing parts (12, 14), the plurality of third sections of the curved (48) surface of the rear wall (46) span an angle of 5° to 30°. [74] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 52, wherein each of the housing parts (12, 14) further comprises: a second portion extending circumferentially around the second opening (22, 166), wherein at least a portion of a second projection is engageable with one of the tubular elements, wherein the second projection has a curved surface extending around the second axis (38, 180); and a second rear wall disposed adjacent to the second projection, the second rear wall having a curved surface extending about the second axis (38, 180), a distance between the curved surface of the second rear wall and the curved surface of the second projection, measured along a radially projecting line extending radially from the second axis (38, 180), having a first value halfway circumferentially between the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14) and a second value adjacent to at least one of the ends (74, 76) of the housing part (12, 14), the first value is smaller than the second value. [75] The pipe connector (10) of claim 51, wherein the first and second housing members (12, 14) further define a third receptacle, the third receptacle defining a third opening for receiving one of the pipe members, the housing members (12, 14) further defining the fluid path (28, 170) as extending between the first, second and third receptacles. [76] Pipe connector (10) according to claim 75, wherein the third receptacle surrounds a third axis which is aligned coaxially with the third opening, wherein the first and second axes (36, 38, 178, 180) are collinear with each other, wherein the third axis is at an angle to the first and second axes (36, 38, 178, 180). [77] The pipe connector (10) of claim 51, further comprising at least one first lug extending from the first and second housing portions (12, 14), the at least one lug defining a hole for receiving the at least one securing member (34, 176). [78] The pipe connector (10) of claim 51, further comprising a first seal (55, 188) disposed in the first receptacle (16) and surrounding the first opening (20, 164); a second seal (58, 142) disposed in the second receptacle (18) and surrounding the second opening (22, 166); and a tube extending in the housing parts (12, 14) between the first and second seals (55, 188, 58, 142). [79] The pipe connector (10) of claim 75, further comprising a first seal (55, 188) disposed in the first receptacle and surrounding the first opening (20, 164); a second seal (58, 142) disposed in the second receptacle and surrounding the second opening (22, 166); a third seal (192) disposed in the third receptacle and surrounding the third opening; and a tube extending between the first, second and third seals (55, 58, 142, 188, 192). [80] A pipe connector (10) according to claim 78, wherein the first and second housing parts (12, 14) are held in spaced relationship by contact with the first and second seals (55, 188, 58, 142). [81] A pipe connector (10) according to claim 79, wherein the first and second housing parts (12, 14) are held in spaced relationship by contact with the first, second and third seals (55, 58, 142, 188, 192).

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