Importance

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Abstract

A system for joining staircase rails and similar articles together in an end-to-end relationship in which one of the rails is formed with a first generally cylindrical bore near one end of the rail to extend from the bottom of the rail upwardly toward the top thereof, and with a second bore extending along the axis of the rail from the first bore to an out the end of the rail. The system includes an elongate bolt, one end of which is affixable in the end of the other rail so that the other end of the bolt projects therefrom through the second bore into the first bore when the rails are placed end-to-end. The other end of the bolt includes a transversely extending hole for receiving a pin. The fastening system also includes an arcuate wedge element having a back section and two arcuate, generally parallel fingers extending from the back section and tapering from thicker ends at the back section to narrower free ends. The wedge element is dimensioned for insertion into the first bore when the pin is inserted into the hole of the bolt and positioned with its longitudinal axis generally parallel with the cylindrical axis of the first bore. Rotation of the wedge element about the axis of the first bore causes the two fingers to move, narrower ends first, between the pin and the sidewall of the first bore to force the pin away from the side wall and thereby urge the two rails into a tightened, secure, joined position.

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First Claim