Stanchion connector assembly

Claim 1

A connector assembly for effecting a butt joint connection between a tubular fixed stanchion member and a rail member comprising, in combination, a fixed connector component including an arcuate inner face adapted to mate with the outer surface of said stanchion, a parti-spherical outer face and a bore extending through from said inner to said outer face, said bore being disposed in a substantially radial direction with respect to the curves of said inner and outer faces, a movable connector component adapted to be clampingly engaged against said outer face of said fixed component, said movable component including an inwardly directed cylindrical collar having an end portion, the inner surface of said end portion of said collar having an outwardly directed annular bevel, the radius of curvature of said collar being less than the radius of curvature of said outer face of said fixed component, a concave clamp plate spaced outwardly of said cylindrical collar and fixedly connected thereto, said clamp plate including an arcuate surface having substantially the same radius of curvature as said outer surface of said fixed component, an arcuate slot formed in said clamp plate, a rail receiver shank fixed to said collar and extending in a direction opposite the direction of concavity of said clamp plate, said shank being adapted to receive and rigidly support said rail member thereon, and a bolt member extending through said slot of said clamp plate and said aperture of said fixed component and threadedly engaging a portion of said stanchion, thereby clampingly to engage said inner face of said fixed member against said stanchion and said end portion of said collar against said outer surface of said fixed member, the angular orientation of said fixed and movable members being variable within the limits provided by said arcuate slot.