ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 19 -- United States Patent no. 12,331,859, issued on June 17, was assigned to AZ Vermogensverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG (Weilrod, Germany).

"Connection devices for connecting a pipe having an outer peripheral projection, uses and installation method" was invented by Dirk Zimmermann (Olbernhau, Germany).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A connection device for a pipe with an outer peripheral projection comprises a connection part with a receptacle for inserting a longitudinal portion of the pipe. The portion comprises the projection, therein. A central axis extends in an insertion direction. A peripheral wall extends around the central axis. A base surface is arranged transversely...