Connector fitting for railing components

Abstract

A fitting for assembling a hollow railing to a generally cylindrical support structure includes a first end and a second end. The first end has a generally circular face forming a concavity that conforms to the curvature of the generally cylindrical support structure. The second end forms a socket adapted to receive an end of the railing to connect the railing with the support structure.

1 . A fitting for connecting a railing to a generally cylindrical support element, said fitting comprising a one-piece cylindrical body having a saddle end and a socket end, said saddle end having a generally circular face forming a concavity that conforms to the curvature of the cylindrical support element, and said socket end forming a hollow section surrounded by an inner wall, said one-piece body further comprising a stud member projecting out of the hollow section in the socket end to form a circumferential socket between said stud and the inner wall of the hollow section, said socket being adapted to receive an end of the railing over the stud to assemble the railing to the support element.  
   
   
       2 . The fitting of  claim 1  comprising an anchoring element and an elongated bore that extends along the longitudinal axis of the fitting, said anchoring element extending through said elongated bore.  
   
   
       3 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the one-piece cylindrical body comprises a fastener and a port extending through the one-piece body generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the fitting, said fastener extending through said port and into said socket.  
   
   
       4 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the saddle end comprises a chamfered edge adjacent to said generally circular face, said chamfered edge configured to mate flush with an adjacent fitting on the support element.  
   
   
       5 . The fitting of  claim 1  comprising a pair of flanges extending on opposite sides of the concavity.  
   
   
       6 . The fitting of  claim 5 , wherein the flanges are tapered inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the fitting.  
   
   
       7 . A fitting for assembling a hollow railing to a generally cylindrical support structure, said fitting comprising a first end and a second end, said first end having a generally circular face forming a concavity that conforms to the curvature of the generally cylindrical support structure for mounting the fitting flush against said support structure, said second end forming a socket adapted to receive an end of the railing to connect the railing with the support structure.  
   
   
       8 . The fitting of  claim 7  comprising an anchoring element and an elongated bore that extends along the longitudinal axis of the fitting, said anchoring element extending through said elongated bore.  
   
   
       9 . The fitting of  claim 7  comprising a cylindrical stud member projecting out of said second end, said stud member configured for insertion into the interior of said hollow railing to connect the railing to the fitting.  
   
   
       10 . The fitting of  claim 7  wherein the fitting consists of a one-piece body.  
   
   
       11 . The fitting of  claim 7  wherein the fitting is formed of polyvinylchloride or polyethylene.  
   
   
       12 . The fitting of  claim 7  comprising a first component and a second component connected with said first component by a pivot joint, said generally circular face extending from the first component and said socket extending within the second component, said first component being configured for attachment to the cylindrical support element, and said second component being configured for attachment to said railing to join said railing to said support structure, said pivot joint being adjustable to change the orientation of the railing relative to the support structure.  
   
   
       13 . A railing system comprising a generally cylindrical fitting having a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a generally circular face forming a cylindrical concavity, and said second end forming a cylindrical socket, said cylindrical concavity having a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fitting, and said socket having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fitting.  
   
   
       14 . The railing system of  claim 13  comprising a cylindrical support structure having a rounded convex curvature partially extending within the concavity of the fitting in a flush engagement.  
   
   
       15 . The railing system of  claim 14  wherein the cylindrical support structure comprises a cylindrical column or a cylindrical post.  
   
   
       16 . The railing system of  claim 13  comprising a hollow railing member having an open end, said socket telescopically receiving the open end of said railing member.  
   
   
       17 . The railing system of  claim 16  wherein the end of said railing is secured in said socket without fasteners or adhesives.  
   
   
       18 . The railing system of  claim 16  comprising a generally cylindrical stud member projecting from the interior of the socket, said stud member extending within the open end of the railing.