Abstract:
A locking member for a gate apparatus comprises a body mountable to a gripping array of a support, said body having a mating form mutually engageable with the gripping array, whereby axial motion of said body relative to said gripping array is inhibited. A member extends away from said body, said member defining a cross-tie mount for receiving a mating end of a cross-tie. The cross-tie mount has a cross-tie end retainer which is movable between a first position securing said cross-tie in said cross-tie mount, and a second position permitting release of said cross-tie from said cross-tie mount, whereby the cross-tie may be moved to function as a gate.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/067,779, filed on Oct. 30, 2013, now allowed, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This application relates to connector apparatus for arrays of supports. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Handrails and support posts of a not necessarily permanent nature may sometimes be used in living facilities of persons whose mobility is impaired or restricted for one reason or another. Those handrails and supports may have hand grips such as may be useful to aid such persons in moving from place to place with the handrails and supports as a guide. Another type of post-and-bar arrangement may be used in the context of exercise, physical therapy, or rehabilitation. An example of such a system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,753 of Lunau. In such a support structure it may be desirable or convenient to be able temporarily to move or remove a handrail to provide access to an adjacent space from time to time. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following summary may introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended to, and does not, limit or define the claims. 
         [0005]    In an aspect of the invention there is a connector apparatus for mating to a pole having a grip surface, that grip surface having axially spaced index elements. The connector apparatus has a body seatable about the pole. The body has an index member for mating engagement with at least one of the index elements of the pole. When so engaged, the body is axially retained along the pole and is circumferentially adjustable about the pole. The body has a cross-tie mount. The cross-tie mount has a rotational degree of freedom about an axis cross-wise to the axial direction of the pole and a securement member, or securement fitting, by which to secure a cross-tie to the cross-tie mount. 
         [0006]    In a feature of that aspect of the invention the grip surface has outwardly extending protrusions, and the index member is a radially inwardly protruding member. In another feature, the connector body has abutment elements co-operable with mating features of the index elements of the pole to obstruct motion both upward and downward. In still another feature, the body has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being separable to permit installation on the pole, and securable together on installation. In yet another feature, the cross-tie mount includes one of: (a) a clevis for mating engagement with a tongue of a cross-tie; and (b) a tongue for mating engagement with a clevis of a cross-tie. 
         [0007]    In another feature the cross-tie mount includes a clevis and a connector pin co-operable therewith. The connector pin is movable between a release position and a secure position. The cross-tie mount includes a pin retainer operable to prevent escape of the pin. In a further feature, the connector includes a partial turn securement operable to prevent disengagement of the pin when the pin is in the secure position. In still another feature the body of the connector has at least a first end face extending cross-wise to the pole, and the cross-tie mount has an axis of the rotational degree of freedom thereof offset toward the first end face. In another further feature, there is a first connector and a second connector. The second connector is placed in inverted orientation relative to the first connector, and placed adjacent thereto. When so placed, the axes of rotational degrees of freedom of the respective cross-tie mounts of the first and second connectors are offset toward each other at corresponding heights relative to the pole. In a still further feature, the cross-tie mount axes lie in the same plane. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the invention, there is a combination of an upright having a gripping array and a cross-tie member connector. The gripping array has members thereof defining a plurality of indexing members spaced axially therealong. The connector has a body selectively seatable about the upright. The body has an indexing member co-operably engageable with at least one of the plurality of indexing members of the gripping array of the upright. When so co-operably engaged, the connector has one of (a) a first degree of freedom of angular displacement in a circumferential direction about the upright, while being inhibited from displacement in a second degree of freedom in a along the upright in an axial direction; and (b) a first degree of freedom of motion along the upright in an axial direction, while being inhibited from angular displacement in a second degree of freedom of motion in a circumferential direction about the upright. The connector body also has a cross-tie mount. The cross-tie mount has a rotational degree of freedom about an axis cross-wise to the axial direction of the pole. 
         [0009]    In a feature of that aspect of the invention, the gripping array includes a plurality of sets of rings of outwardly extending protrusions, and the connector body defines a seat for engagement with at least a first of the sets. In another feature, the seat has abutment members that interact with the first of the sets. In still another feature, the connector has at least a first end face, and the cross-tie mount is offset to align with the first end face. In a further feature, the connector is a first connector, and the combination includes a second connector having the same features as the first connector, the second connector being inverted and mounted back-to-back with the first connector whereby the cross-tie mount of the first connector and the cross-tie mount of the second connector align. 
         [0010]    In another feature, the combination includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a first degree of freedom of angular displacement in a circumferential direction about the upright, while being inhibited from displacement in a second degree of freedom along the upright in an axial direction. The second connector has a first degree of freedom of motion along the upright in an axial direction, while being inhibited from angular displacement in a second degree of freedom of motion in a circumferential direction about the upright. In a further feature, the second connector is located above the first connector. 
         [0011]    In another feature, the first connector has at least a first end face, and the cross-tie mount of the first connector is offset to align with the first end face of the first connector. The second connector has at least a first end face, and the cross-tie mount of the second connector is offset to align with the first end face of the second connector. The second connector is located on the upright above the first connector. In a further feature the second connector is inverted and the first end face of the second connector and the first end face of the first connector face toward each other. When seated in abutment the cross-tie mount of the second connector aligns with the cross-tie mount of the first connector. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, there is a connector apparatus for mating to a substantially cylindrical elongate member, the elongate member having a grip surface or feature, that grip surface having a plurality of axially spaced index elements. The connector apparatus has a body seatable about the elongate cylindrical member, and has an index member for mating engagement with at least one of the index elements of the substantially cylindrical elongate element from amongst a plurality of positioning alternatives relative to the substantially cylindrical elongate member. When so engaged, the connector body is restrained in respect of a first degree of freedom relative to the elongate member, and is permitted a range of motion in respect of a second degree of freedom, the second degree of freedom being independent of, and generally perpendicular to, the first degree of freedom. The connector body has an arm or lug, or auxiliary mounting, however it may be termed, that may protrude away from the body. The auxiliary mounting has a degree of freedom that permits motion predominantly cross-wise to the permitted range of motion of the second degree of freedom of the body. The lug on the side of the connector body defines a securement fitting at which to connect other objects, be they elongate members, or exercise or other apparatus. 
         [0013]    In a feature of that aspect, the connector apparatus may have the first degree of freedom of the connector body as axial displacement relative to said substantially cylindrical elongate member, and the second degree of freedom as circumferential motion about the substantially cylindrical elongate member. In a further feature, the auxiliary mounting may includes an axis of pivotal motion on a circumferential tangent relative to said substantially cylindrical elongate member. 
         [0014]    In an alternate feature, the first degree of freedom of the connector body may be circumferential motion about the substantially cylindrical elongate member, and the second degree of freedom may be axial displacement relative to the substantially cylindrical elongate member. In a further feature, the auxiliary mounting fitting may have an axis of pivotal motion on a circumferential tangent relative to said substantially cylindrical elongate member. In another feature, the auxiliary mounting may have an axis of pivotal motion substantially parallel to said substantially cylindrical elongate member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and other features and aspects of the invention may be explained and understood with the aid of the accompanying illustrations, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1 a    is a perspective general arrangement view of a support apparatus such as may incorporate one or more aspects or features of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1 b    is a perspective general arrangement view of a support apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 1  arranged in a parallel-bars configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a portion of a support apparatus such as that of  FIG. 1  with a gate in an at least partially raised open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the support apparatus of  FIG. 2  with the gate in a fully raised open position or condition; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in a sideways swung-open position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5 a    is an enlarged detail of a single connector of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  mounted on a support standard; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5 b    shows a cross-sectional view through the connector and support standard of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0023]      FIG. 6 a    shows an enlarged front view of a detail of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in a closed position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6 b    is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 a    in section; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7 a    shows a disconnected detail of the apparatus of  FIG. 6   a;    
           [0026]      FIG. 7 b    shows a partially sectioned, further enlarged, and rotated view of the detail of  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0027]      FIG. 8 a    is perspective view of an alternate or additional embodiment of elements of a support apparatus such as that of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8 b    is an enlarged detail of the apparatus of  FIG. 8 a   ; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate configuration of connector to that of  FIG. 8 a    with a lug having an axis of rotation oriented cross-wise thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments incorporating one or more of the principles, aspects and features of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles, aspects and features of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings may be taken as being to scale, or generally proportionate, unless indicated otherwise. 
         [0031]    The scope of the invention herein is defined by the claims. Though the claims are supported by the description, they are not limited to any particular example or embodiment, and any claim may encompass processes or apparatuses other than the specific examples described below. Other than as indicated in the claims themselves, the claims are not limited to apparatus or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below, or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatus described below. It is possible that an apparatus, feature, or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. 
         [0032]    The terminology used in this specification is thought to be consistent with the customary and ordinary meanings of those terms as they would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in North America. The Applicants expressly exclude all interpretations that are inconsistent with this specification, and, in particular, expressly exclude any interpretation of the claims or the language used in this specification such as may be made in the USPTO, or in any other Patent Office, other than those interpretations for which express support can be demonstrated in this specification or in objective evidence of record, demonstrating how the terms are used and understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, or by way of expert evidence of a person or persons of experience in the art. 
         [0033]    A frame of reference may be helpful in understanding the description. In the case of a wall structure, or space-wise extending support structure, such as may be described herein, a Cartesian co-ordinate system may be applied on the assumption that rooms of buildings and dwelling have height and width and length. Not all walls are planar—walls can be curved or arched—and support structure may be used along outdoor pathways, which may be neither straight nor level. In the embodiments described, the z-axis or z-direction may be taken as being the height or heighth-wise direction of the eventual assembly as assembled and installed in a building, taking the floor or ground as a datum. In such installation the z-direction would most normally be a vertical axis. The y-direction may be taken as the horizontal direction running along the wall width-wise. The x-direction may be taken as the direction along the support structure, as being the predominant direction of travel. This co-ordinate system assumes that the support structure, or components thereof, is or are, viewed as finally installed. The terminology is nonetheless somewhat arbitrary. 
         [0034]    In respect of the individual members of the support structure, the predominant members of the structure may be posts or ties. In either case the dominant dimension of the member is its length, and a local, cylindrical polar co-ordinate system may be used in which the x-direction (if predominantly lateral) or the z-direction (if predominantly vertical) defines the axial direction of the member, with the member having a corresponding radial direction, r, and a circumferential direction, usually indicated as theta. 
         [0035]    The commonly used engineering terms “proud”, “flush” and “shy” may be used herein to denote items that, respectively, protrude beyond an adjacent element, are level with an adjacent element, or do not extend as far as an adjacent element, the terms corresponding conceptually to the conditions of “greater than”, “equal to” and “less than”. 
         [0036]    Referring to the general arrangement of  FIG. 1 a   , there a structural assembly indicated generally as  20 . Assembly  20  may include an array of structural members including an array of vertical, or predominantly vertical members, such as may be termed uprights,  22 , and an array of lateral or predominantly laterally extending members  24  such as may extend between the vertical array members  22 . 
         [0037]    Assembly  20  may be thought of as a set of elements defining a safety railing, or support railing, such as may be installed in a building or dwelling by which a person of inhibited mobility or vision may aid himself or herself to traverse the room or space, to stand up from or sit down in a chair, or bed; or to get to or from a washroom, for example. Alternatively, an apparatus, such as assembly  20  or similar, may be used as an exercise, physiotherapy, or rehabilitation apparatus. An alternate version of assembly  20 , using common annotation numbers, is shown in  FIG. 1 b   , in which there are left and right hand arrays, indicated generally as  16  and  18 , that are mounted in a parallel arrangement. While handrails and banisters are known in dwellings and other buildings, the rigging of parallel support arrays tends to be problematic in many locations. That apparatus of items  16  and  18  may be installed on a temporary or semi-permanent basis with a spacing suitable for a person to grasp with either hand while walking. 
         [0038]    Uprights  22  may be called posts, or poles, or stanchions, or standards, as may be appropriate for predominantly vertically extending members, and may tend generally to be oriented up-and-down vertically, or substantially vertically. Uprights  22  may have a single moment-connected base such as may tend to resist deflection of the upper portion thereof at an upper free end. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , uprights  22  may have the form of struts or posts mounted between connections at floor and ceiling. Those connections may be moment connections, but may also be, or may approximate, pin-joint or ball joint connections. I.e., it may not necessarily be that those joints may transmit a bending moment. The vertical posts, or uprights,  22 , may have the form of extensible posts, whether with spring-loaded extensions or threaded screw-jacks at either top or bottom, or both, with a pad or footing at either end for engaging a ceiling or a floor, and, when so engaged may put the strut in longitudinal compression between floor and ceiling, thereby establishing a friction connection between the foot or head of the pole. Alternatively the post may be screwed into the wall or floor, as may be. Whether by this means or another, the array of uprights may be established. 
         [0039]    Each of uprights  22  may have an internal post  26  ( FIG. 5 b   ) such as may be round and cylindrical, an external grip feature, or assembly, or pattern, or tread, such as may be indicated as  30 . The grip feature, however it may be called, may be wrapped, or formed, or molded, or otherwise mounted about internal post  26 . In one embodiment the grip feature may be formed in a plastic sleeve that slips onto a metal post  26  and that is held in place with adhesive or epoxy. Alternatively, the grip feature could also be machined into the surface, whether plastic or metal. In each instance the grip feature is such as to present a non-smooth, bumpy or knobby surface  32 , not unlike the tread of a tire, such as may be relatively easily grasped by the hand. The grip feature may be made of a metal, or of plastic or firm rubber or a rubber-like material, such as might be expected of a hand grip, and may have a non-slip texture or finish, as may be. The tread pattern may be such as to have protrusions, knobs or bumps or splines or lugs, however they may be called,  38 , arranged in a succession of circumferentially extending groups  34 , those groups being axially spaced from each other by some distance. While the spacing distance may not necessarily be constant, and may vary, in some embodiments it may be convenient for the spacing to be on a constant pitch, indicated as z 34 . Knobs, lugs, or bumps  38  are shown in a simplified form in  FIGS. 1-4, and 8   a ; and in a more detailed form in  FIGS. 5 a -7 b , 8 b   , and  9 . 
         [0040]    In one embodiment each such group  34  may have a generally annular form standing generally radially outwardly of internal post  26 . That generally annular form may be circumferentially relived or crenelated as at  36 , i.e., so that there are gaps in the ring leaving a set of knobs or bumps  38 , as noted above. 
         [0041]    Intermediate adjacent groups  34  there may be an annular relief  40  in the form of a circumferentially extending trough or passage, or channel  42  running on a circumferential-direction arc. In the embodiment shown, channel  42  is unobstructed over the full circle of the circumferential arc. In some embodiments rather than having a radially inwardly formed passageway or channel, there may be a radially outwardly formed ring. Annular relief  40  in one context, or the alternating sets  34  of knobs or bumps, may be, or may perform the function of, an indexing fitting or indexing feature, or indexing member such as may present an at least partially, if not predominantly, radially extending flank, or shoulder, or abutment, or stop, however it may be called. It may also be termed a seat or accommodation. In the embodiment shown, the flank may be a series or set of surfaces defining the sides  44  of the knobs or bumps  38 . That is to say, relief  40  may define a fitting that is at least one-way obstructive to motion in a first degree of freedom, in this instance the degree of freedom being axial motion along post  26 ; and at least one-way tolerant of motion in a second degree of freedom, in this instance the degree of freedom being rotational motion in the circumferential direction. 
         [0042]    Predominantly laterally extending members  24  include cross-members, or struts, or rails or railings, or stringers, or laterally extending support members, or cross-ties, such as may be identified as items  46 ,  48 , and  50 . They may be all of the same length, or may be of differing lengths. It is not necessary that they be horizontal, or that they extend perpendicularly to the axis (or axes) of an adjacent post (or posts). As shown in  FIG. 1 , they may extend along a rising or falling pathway or staircase as a handrail. As is the nature of struts, each has a first end and a second end. Members such as items  46 ,  48 ,  50  may be mounted at their ends to adjacent uprights  22  at interface members  52 ,  54 , such as may be termed connectors,  56 . The structure of cross-ties  46 ,  48 ,  50  may be substantially similar. In keeping with the general purpose of being hand rails or supports for a person, they may include the same, or substantially similar, hand grip features as the vertical members, namely uprights  22 , although this may not necessarily be so. 
         [0043]    Whether considering handrails such as may be defined by members  46 ,  48 , or  50 ; or uprights or posts defined by members  58  or  60 , uprights  22  and predominantly laterally extending members  24  may generically be considered to be substantially cylindrical elongate members. Although the bumpy grip surface of knobs or bumps  38  is not cylindrical at the local level or scale of the bumps, (purposely not, given the gripping function), the section is repeating, such that all of the bumps fall within a cylindrical envelope along the length of the member. Overall, the members are predominantly cylindrical and the relationship of connectors  56  to members  22  and  24  is one of co-axial cylindrical mating that presumes a plurality of alternative positioning selections, whether axially or circumferentially, on the cylinder as explained in the context of the embodiments shown and described herein. 
         [0044]    It may be desirable to open a passageway, notionally identified as ‘A’ between two adjacent uprights, such as items  58 ,  60  which bracket cross-tie  50  (expressed alternately, cross-tie  50  is intermediate, extends laterally between, uprights  58 ,  60 ). To that end, a user or attendant, or care-giver, may wish to displace cross-tie  50  from the initially transverse blocking, and connected-at-both-ends, condition shown in  FIG. 1 a   , and also shown in assembly  18  in  FIG. 1 b    to the one-side-released, partially swung upward condition of assembly  16  in  FIG. 1 b    or apparatus  20  of  FIG. 2  or to the fully upwardly pivoted condition of  FIG. 3 , or, alternately, to the side-ways swung door or gate position of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0045]    End fittings  62 ,  64  of cross tie  50  (and of such of cross-ties  46 ,  48  as may be) matingly engage with associated respective mating fittings  66  of connectors  56 , the interface connection between the engaging member  62 ,  64  and  66  permitting a degree of freedom of rotational pivoting motion of cross-tie  50  with respect to upright  60 ; and the interface of connector  56  permitting a second degree of freedom, in this instance rotational freedom in the circumferential direction about the long axis of upright  58  or  60 . 
         [0046]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , connector  56  has a body having first and second portions or halves,  70 ,  72 . Halves  70 ,  72  need not be symmetrical, or mirror images of each other. However, they may be mirror images, whether predominantly or identically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. To the extent that halves  70 ,  72  are opposite hand, a description of one may be taken as a description of the other, with due allowance for their handedness. 
         [0047]    Each of halves  70 ,  72  has a first portion  74 ,  76 , and a second portion  78 ,  80 , respectively. First portion  74  defines a first portion of a surround, and second portion  76  defines a second, mating portion of a surround, the two normally being mated together to form a collar, and secured as by mounting hardware  82 , which may be threaded fasteners in the nature of nuts and bolts, and such as may be adjustable with sockets or Allen keys or other suitable tools as may be. The surround formed thereby has, captured within it, upright  58  (or  60 , as may be). Each of halves  70 ,  72  has a relief, or interface portion or half, or accommodation  84  formed therein for mating engagement with upright  58 ,  60 . When halves  70 ,  72  are mated together, the interface portions  84  combine to form, or define, a full connector-to-post interface member, which may be termed a seat or collar  86  that extends about upright  58 ,  60  and prevents the escape thereof. 
         [0048]    Taking halves  70 ,  72  as being mated together, the combined effect is to define a bore or passageway  90  therethrough admitting upright  58 ,  60 . The wall  92  of passageway  90  so formed has a first, or upper, portion  94 ; a second, or lower, portion  96 ; and an intermediate or middle portion  98 . In the embodiment shown, upper and lower portions  94 ,  96  have respective internal circumferentially extending annuli or channels  100  that are smooth-walled and that have sufficient clearance to permit a first degree of freedom, namely that of angular displacement in the circumferential direction, relative to bumps  38 . 
         [0049]    Middle portion  98  has a land or inwardly radially protruding portion  102 . As installed, protruding portion  102  seats within the accommodation defined by channel  42 . Protruding portion  102  has a radius of curvature that is smaller than the radially outermost extremity of bumps  38 , and extends over a sufficient arc to span suchever of gaps or crenelations  36  as may be, such that portion  102  cannot pass the flank or side  44  of knobs  38  in the axial direction. As such, the side face, or radially inwardly extending face, whether perpendicular to the axis or sloped, or radiused, defines a stop or abutment, or engagement member, or indexing member or fitting or feature that interacts with the mating feature of grip feature  30  such as to inhibit motion in one degree of freedom, namely translation of connector  56  along the z-axis of upright  58  (or  60 ), while that same interaction interface permits at least a measure of motion in the degree of freedom of motion of connector  56 , and therefore of cross-tie  50 , in the circumferential direction relative to strut  58  (or  60 ). 
         [0050]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , the upper and lower regions or portions also have respective upper and lower end extremities  106 ,  108  adjacent upper and lower end faces  110 ,  112 . In that embodiment upper and lower extremities  106 ,  108  also form toes on a smaller radius than the adjacent bumps  38 . thus forming additional inhibitors or indexing members operable to limit axial motion of connector  56  and thereby to retain connector  56  at a selected height (i.e., axial position along) upright  58  or  60 . Connector  56  may have both an intermediate indexing member, or end face indexing members, or both, as illustrated. The presence of an abutment, or motion blocking, relationship in the +z direction and the −z direction may be achieved either way, and is also achieved by having an outwardly protruding set of bumps  38  bracketed by upper and lower annular toes, as much as by having an inwardly protruding ring or shoulder, such as portion  102  that seats between, and is axially bracketed by, two adjacent sets of bumps  38 . As such, connector  56  is provided with a large number of possible alternate height settings or alternate positions while using the extant grip features of uprights  58 ,  60 , retaining that generality of flexibility without requiring additional fittings. 
         [0051]    Second portion  78 ,  80  may include or define the cross-tie attachment interface or connection. In the example illustrated, each half may have a laterally protruding lug  120 ,  122 , such that when halves  70 ,  72  are mated lugs  120 ,  122  combine to form first and second legs of a yoke or clevis  124 . To the extent that the end fittings of the cross tie define a lug or hard-eye, insertion of a pin such as pin connector  126  through clevis  124  and the end fitting creates a double shear connection between the parts. 
         [0052]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , the lug, or clevis, is not symmetrical about the horizontal central plane of first portion  70 ,  72 , but rather is offset, having a curved or dog-legged form. In the embodiment shown, the centerline of the bore or eye  128  of clevis  124 , and thus also the centerline of pin connector  126 , is set to lie in the same, or substantially the same, horizontal plane as lower end face  112 . The effect of this offset is seen in  FIG. 6 a   , in which a first connector  56  (identified as  130 ) is mounted back-to-back with a second connector  56  (identified as  132 ) that has been inverted such that their respective connector pins  126  lie in the same plane, and the respective cross-ties  48 ,  50  are carried at the same height. 
         [0053]    Each of lugs  120 ,  122  may have a cross-bore  134  that intersects the respective eye  128 . Cross-bore  134  may intersect the bore or eye  128  on a diametral plane. A roll pin, or cotter pin, or dog  136  may be inserted in near-side cross-bore  134  with its inward end standing radially inwardly proud of the wall of eye  128 . 
         [0054]    Pin connector  126  may be part of an assembly that include the pin itself, indicated as  140 , a head  142 , and a tether, or tie, or grip or handle  144 . Pin  140  may be cylindrical in section, and may have an axially extending relief, or groove, flute or slot  146 . The distal end of slot  146  near the tip of pin  140  may be blind, i.e., not open, such as to form an entrapment or stop. Near the juncture of pin  140  with head  142 , the axial run  148  of slot  146  may terminate at a corner, and slot  146  may continue on a circumferential path or arc portion  150  that extends partially around the outside of pin  140 , be it a quarter-turn or a half-turn. On installation, the tip of pin  140  is inserted into the near lug of clevis  124 , axial run  148  of slot  146  aligned with bore  134 . Dog  136  is then inserted into bore  134 , engaging slot  146 . Since both ends of slot  146  are closed, pin connector  126  can slide axially in and out to permit connection or disconnection of the end fitting of cross-tie  50 , but cannot escape. When pin  140  is pushed all the way in, and given a quarter turn, it is locked axially, such as may prevent accidental release of cross-tie  50 . Other alternative embodiments of retention features, and of slot  146  may be employed. For example, in one alternate example slot  146  may have the form of an helical thread or worm. 
         [0055]    Handle  144  may have the form of a relatively large ring or loop to facilitate grasping with a hand. Handle  144  may also be pivotally mounted such as to permit handle  144  to be pulled in tension in alignment with the direction of pin  140  when it is desired to release cross-tie  50 , and foldable to lie generally flat, or parallel to cross-tie  50  when not in use. As may be understood, the apparatus so described defines a releasable connection interface that, when connected, constrains motion of the cross-tie to angular motion about the axis of pin  140 , permitting cross-tie  50  to swing up and down, like a counter or a crossing barrier. The rotational degree of freedom of connector  56  about the axis of upright  58  (or  60 ) permits cross-tie  50  to be oriented on installation, and also permits cross-tie  50  to swing laterally, in the manner of a gate or door as in  FIG. 4 . As may be understood, connector  56  does not transmit a bending moment, or a torque, such as might tend to twist upright  58  or  60 . Where two such connectors  56  are released, one at either end of cross-tie  50 , the cross-tie may be installed or removed. 
         [0056]    In the alternate embodiment of  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   , there is a connector  160  which differs from connector  56  be having a bore profile that permits motion in a first degree of freedom, namely axial motion along upright  58  or  60 , but inhibits motion in another degree of freedom, namely circumferential rotation or pivoting about upright  58  or  60 , as may be. 
         [0057]    To that end, connector  160  may have first and second portions  162 ,  164 , respectively, where second portion  164  may be substantially the same as second potions  78 ,  80  as previously described. First portion is substantially the same as first portions  74 ,  76 , but rather than having a circumferentially oriented indexing member, first portion  162  has a axially oriented grooves or splines  168  that define an axially oriented indexing member, or members, that pass through the spaces or crenelations between knobs  38 , and which are greater in length axially than the vertical pitch spacing of successive sets of knobs, thereby permitting motion in the degree of freedom of axial translation, but inhibiting motion in the circumferential degree of freedom of rotational motion. To the extent that connector  160  can be repositioned axially along a post or pole, such as upright  58  or  60 , it may be considered to be an axially displaceable shuttle. 
         [0058]    It may be, as suggested by  FIG. 8 a   , that connectors  160  may be attached at opposite ends of cross-tie  170 , thus permitting cross-tie  170  to move up and down on uprights  172  at both ends thereof (second end not shown) as a sill. Uprights  172  may be the same as uprights  58 ,  60 . It may further be that the adjacent connectors  56 , linking to cross-ties  46 ,  48 , are also mounted to uprights  172 ,  174 , and define stops, or abutments, or seats upon which connectors  160  of cross-tie  170  are supported in the at-rest, undisplaced condition. Of course, either end of cross-tie  170  may still be released by moving pin  140  to the release position, allowing either vertically pivoting motion of cross-tie  170 , or, if both are released, removal or installation. 
         [0059]    There may be other stops that do not necessarily need to be connectors  56  which may limit the axial range of travel of connector  160 . For example, a connector that has no freedom of motion in any degree of freedom, such as a clamp, or such as connection  100  shown in  FIG. 4  of U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,753, could be used as a fixed member defining a limit on axial range of motion of connector  160 . 
         [0060]    Alternatively, connector  160  may be applied to a lateral stay, such as  46 ,  48  or  50  extending between uprights such as  58  and  60 , the term lateral not necessarily meaning horizontal, but rather as may correspond generally to the pathway to which apparatus  20  is adjacent. In such employment connector  160  may again be considered to be a shuttle, such as may, in one embodiment, conveniently be held in the hand of a person being guided along the path, or such as may be useful for holding while moving in a reciprocating manner during an exercise or other activity. In such reciprocating activity it may be desired to have a cross-member running laterally, as for example between structures  16  and  18  noted above. Alternatively a handle or ring or other exercise apparatus could be mounted to the shuttle, as at lug  162 , for that motion in translation or reciprocation. 
         [0061]    In an alternate embodiment, the axis of pivotal motion of lug  120  need not necessarily be oriented in the circumferential direction. For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , a connector  180 , which may in other respects be taken as being similar to connector  160 , may have a lug  182  having an axis of pivotal rotation parallel to the axis of the longitudinal support structure member to permit angular motion in a degree of freedom that is turned a quarter turn from that of connector  160  (and  56 ) such as to permit a member such as item  50  to sweep out a circumferential sector or arc. This orientation may be convenient for use with an axially movable shuttle whether on a predominantly upright pole or on a predominantly lateral handrail, such that the motion of the shuttle provided one degree of freedom of motion (i.e., axial translation) while being restrained in respect of rotation, while the lug provides a second degree of freedom of motion, such as swinging motion, in a different direction, in this case swinging motion cross-wise to the long axis of the support. This may be convenient, for example, where connector  180  is a predominantly horizontally translating or reciprocating shuttle, and it is desired to fasten an exercise or physiotherapy or rehabilitation apparatus to lug  182 . 
         [0062]    At a level of greater generality, in each of the embodiments there is a connector apparatus (be it  20 ,  160 ,  180 ) for mating to a substantially cylindrical elongate member (be it  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  58 ,  60 ), the elongate member having a grip surface or feature (such as  30 ), that grip surface having a plurality of axially spaced index elements (e.g., groups or sets  34  of bumps  38 ). The connector apparatus has a body seatable about the elongate cylindrical member, and has an index member ( 86 , or such parts thereof as may be) for mating engagement with at least one of the index elements of the substantially cylindrical elongate element from amongst a plurality of positioning alternatives relative to the substantially cylindrical elongate member. When so engaged, the connector body is restrained in respect of a first degree of freedom relative to the elongate member, and is permitted a range of motion in respect of a second degree of freedom, the second degree of freedom being independent of, and generally perpendicular to, the first degree of freedom. The connector body has an arm or lug, or auxiliary mounting that protrudes away from the body. The auxiliary mounting has a degree of freedom that permits motion predominantly cross-wise to the permitted range of motion of the second degree of freedom of the body. The lug on the side of the connector body defines a securement fitting at which to connect other objects, be they elongate members such as member  50 , or exercise or other apparatus. 
         [0063]    In the embodiment, the connector apparatus may have either (a) the first degree of freedom of the connector body as axial displacement relative to said substantially cylindrical elongate member, and the second degree of freedom as circumferential motion about the substantially cylindrical elongate member, as in connector  56 . In that embodiment the auxiliary mounting may includes an axis of pivotal motion on a circumferential tangent relative to said substantially cylindrical elongate member. 
         [0064]    Alternatively, the first degree of freedom of the connector body may be circumferential motion about the substantially cylindrical elongate member, and the second degree of freedom may be axial displacement relative to the substantially cylindrical elongate member as in connector  160  (or  180 ). In that embodiment the auxiliary mounting fitting may have an axis of pivotal motion on a circumferential tangent relative to said substantially cylindrical elongate member. In that embodiment, the auxiliary mounting may have an axis of pivotal motion substantially parallel to said substantially cylindrical elongate member. 
         [0065]    What has been described above has been intended illustrative and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variances and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims appended hereto. Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those details but only by the appended claims.