Abstract: A connector for use in assembling railings. The connector includes a cylindrical shank for slip fit receipt inside a hollow section of a railing component. The shank has at least one groove having an abutment portion, a seating area, and a tapered portion. An O-ring with an outside diameter larger than the shank and larger than the inside diameter of the railing is set into the seating area of each tapered groove. Proximal movement of the railing component onto the shank of the connector during initial mounting presses the O-rings against the abutment portions and compresses them into the grooves. Subsequent distal movement of the railing component causes the O-rings to ride up the tapered portions of the grooves due to the friction with the inner surface of the railing component being mounted on the shank. The O-rings subsequently wedge between the outside surface of the shank and the inside surface of the railing component locking together the railing component and the connector.

Abstract: A tubular pipe rail jointing system consisting of posts and rails makes use of fittings on the posts providing sleeves into which ends of the tubular pipe rails are telescopingly received. For effective fabrication and erection it is preferable to cut the tubular pipe rails to proper length on the site. To assure a rugged installation, a dimple is pressed into the sleeve with a pressure punch of special construction. A cradle forming part of the tool fits around half the circumference of the sleeve while the punch under high pounds per square inch pressure is pressed progressively into the sleeve, at a point diametrically opposite the cradle, until material of the sleeve, deformed by the punch, is forced into a depression formed simultaneously in the end of the tubular pipe rail. The assembly described becomes interlocked by what has been termed a swedge lock.

Abstract: A single piece coupling for shafts comprises opposite half sections each with an arcuate recess for engaging one side of two axially aligned shafts. There are also spaces forming a keyway for reception of a conventional key with which the shafts are provided. The half sections are initially formed in a spread apart condition with captive edges secured to each other by a section of the coupling metal forming thereby a hinge. After adjacent ends of the shafts are slid into the coupling to abutting positions free edges of the half sections are bolted together drawing the half sections simultaneously into engagement with the shafts and the key.