Patent Publication Number: US-2020284041-A1

Title: Frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELAYED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to and claims convention priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/816,020 filed Mar. 8, 2019, for FRUSTRUMED BALUSTER CONNECTOR FOR RAIL BANISTER, by Roger Legault. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates to baluster connectors in general, and to a frustrumed baluster connector for rail banisters, in particular. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frustrumed baluster connector for rail banisters. 
     One general aspect includes a frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister, including: means for adapting the connector to a rail; means for frictionally fitting a baluster, rigidly supported to said means for adapting the connector to a rail; means for releasably engaging the baluster to the rail, progressively conformed to said means for frictionally fitting the baluster; and means for receiving a screw, centrally set to said means for releasably engaging the baluster to a rail, centrally set to said means for frictionally fitting the baluster, and centrally counterbored to said means for adapting the connector to the rail. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance where said means for adapting the connector to a rail includes a base. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance where said means for frictionally fitting a baluster includes a body. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance where said means for releasably engaging the baluster to a rail includes a frustrum. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance where said means for receiving a screw includes a hole. 
     One general aspect includes a frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister, including: a base, for adapting the connector to a rail; a body, for frictionally fitting a baluster, rigidly supported to said base; a frustrum, for releasably engaging the baluster to the rail, progressively conformed to said body; and a hole, for receiving a screw, centrally set to said frustrum, centrally set to said body, and centrally counterbored to said base. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance further including: an angle piece, for further adapting the base to an angle of the rail, centrally set to said hole, and rigidly connected to said base. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance further including a flange, for further frictional engagement with a baluster, perimetrically connected to said body. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance further including. The frustrumed baluster connector may also include a square profiled portion, for conforming to the profile of the baluster. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance further including. The frustrumed baluster connector may also include a circular profiled portion, for conforming to the profile of the baluster. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance where the frustrum has a conical shape. The frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance where the frustrum has a pyramidal shape. The method of frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in accordance further including the step of frustrumly engaging the connector to a corresponding baluster in a frustrumly engaged position before pressure is applied to put the baluster into a final assembly position. 
     One general aspect includes a method of frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister, the method including the steps of: providing a base, for adapting the connector to a rail; providing a body, for frictionally fitting a baluster, rigidly supported to said base; providing a frustrum, for releasably engaging the baluster to the rail, progressively conformed to said body; and providing a hole, for receiving a screw, centrally set to said frustrum, centrally set to said body, and centrally counterbored to said base. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of a frustrumed baluster connector for rail banister in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of two plumb posts a given distance apart for an in-line rail; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a top and bottom rail marked a given distance apart on centre starting from the centre; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the top and bottom rail with a straight connector screwed onto each mark; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a rail support that can be attached to the end of the top and bottom rails; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an ideal assembly of an in-line rail banister combining the top rail, bottom rail, connectors, and balusters; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of two plumb posts a given distance apart for a stair rail; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a top and bottom rail marked a given distance apart on centre starting from the centre; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a top or bottom rail with an angled connector screwed onto each mark; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a rail support that can be attached to the end of the top and bottom rails; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the rail support that can be attached to the plumb posts; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an ideal assembly of a stair rail banister combining the top rail, bottom rail, connectors, and balusters; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of a typical disconnected final assembly position of an in-line rail banister using traditional in-line connectors; 
         FIG. 13  is a detailed view of a first traditional in-line connector disconnected from its baluster; 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of a typical final assembly failure of the in-line rail banister; 
         FIG. 15  is a detailed view of the traditional in-line connector connected to its baluster; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of a typical disconnected final assembly position of a stair rail banister; 
         FIG. 17  is a detailed view of a traditional angled connector disconnected from its baluster; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a typical final assembly failure of the stair rail banister; 
         FIG. 19  is a detailed view of the traditional angled connector connected to its baluster; 
         FIG. 20  is a front perspective view of an in-line conical frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of the in-line conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of the in-line conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of the in-line conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 24  is a sectional view of the in-line conical frustrum connector along section  24  of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a front perspective view of a disconnected final assembly position of an in-line rail banister using in-line conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 26  is a detailed view of a first in-line conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 27  is a front perspective view of a correctable frustrum final assembly position of the in-line rail banister using in-line conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 28  is a detailed view of the first in-line conical frustrum connector frustrumly engaged with its baluster; 
         FIG. 29  is a front perspective view of a correct frustrum final assembly position of the in-line rail banister using in-line conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 30  is a front perspective view of a final assembly success of the in-line rail banister using in-line conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 31  is a front perspective view of an angular conical frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 32  is a front view of the angular conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 33  is a side view of the angular conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 34  is a top view of the angular conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 35  is a sectional view of the angular conical frustrum connector along section  35  of  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a front perspective view of a disconnected final assembly position of an stair rail banister using angular conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 37  is a detailed view of a first angular conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 38  is a front perspective view of a correctable frustrum final assembly position of the stair rail banister using angular conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 39  is a detailed view of the first angular conical frustrum connector frustrumly engaged with its baluster; 
         FIG. 40  is a front perspective view of a correct frustrum final assembly position of the stair rail banister using angular conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 41  is a detailed view of the first angular conical frustrum connector frustrumly engaged with its baluster; 
         FIG. 42  is a front perspective view of a correct frustrum final assembly success of the stair rail banister using angular conical frustrum connectors; 
         FIG. 43  is a perspective view of an in-line conical frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 44  is a front view of the in-line conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 45  is a view of the in-line conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 46  is a top view of the in-line conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 47  is a sectional view of the in-line conical frustrum connector along section  47  of  FIG. 46 ; 
         FIG. 48  is a perspective view of an angular conical frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 49  is a front view of the angular conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 50  is a view of the angular conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 51  is a top view of the angular conical frustrum connector; 
         FIG. 52  is a sectional view of the angular conical frustrum connector along section  52  of  FIG. 51 ; 
         FIG. 53  is a top view of a walled in-line pyramidal frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 54  is a sectional view of the walled in-line pyramidal frustrum connector along section  54  of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 55  is a sectional view of the walled in-lined pyramidal frustrum connector along section  55  of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 56  is a sectional view of the walled pyramidal frustrum connector along section  56  of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 57  is a top view of a walled angular pyramidal frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 58  is a sectional view of the walled angular pyramidal frustrum connector along section  58  of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 59  is a sectional view of the walled angular pyramidal frustrum connector along section  58  of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 60  is a top view of a walled in-line conical frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 61  is a sectional view of the walled in-line conical frustrum connector along section  61  of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 62  is a sectional view of the walled in-line conical frustrum connector along section  62  of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 63  is a sectional view of the walled in-line conical frustrum connector along section  63  of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 64  is a top view of a walled angular pyramidal frustrum connector provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 65  is a sectional view of the walled angular conical frustrum connector along section  65  of  FIG. 64 ; 
         FIG. 66  is a sectional view of the walled angular conical frustrum connector along section  66  of  FIG. 64 ; 
         FIG. 67  is a sectional view of the walled angular conical frustrum connector along section  67  of  FIG. 64 ; 
         FIG. 68  is a front perspective view of a self correcting frustrum final assembly position of the in-line rail banister using conical frustrum connectors; and 
         FIG. 69  is a detailed view of the first conical frustrum connector frustrumly engaged with its baluster. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals are used in different figures to denote similar elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a front view of two plumb  20  posts a given distance apart for an in-line rail  10 .  FIG. 6  is a front view of two plumb  20  posts a given distance apart for a stair rail  10 . The posts are typycally 4 in×4 in (4×4). Before measuring the given distance between the posts, each post  12  needs to be plumb  20 . This distance is used to cut the top and bottom rails. Take into account any additional hardware used. For example, a ½ in should be subtracted from the given distance if optional railing supports of ¼″ are used. If used, attach the rail support  14  to each rail  10  using, for example, screws. The top and bottom rail  10  are typically 2 in×2 in (2×2.) In the case of the stair rail  10 , measure the angle  22  of the stairs  18  using the top and bottom rail  10  and cut the ends of the top and bottom rails at the measured angle  22  of the stairs  18 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a top and bottom rail  10  marked a given distance apart on centre starting from the centre.  FIG. 7  is a top view of a top and bottom rail  10  marked a given distance apart on centre starting from the centre. The specific given distance between the marks is typically specified in building codes. Consult the proper authority for your jurisdiction, such as for example, the National Building Code of Canada 2018 section 9, subsection 9.8 and other code requirements in your area. For example, the banister  24  of railings between 4×4 s should not exceed 6 in. according to some codes. In the example, the marks are 4½ in on centre starting from the centre of the rail  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the top and bottom rail  10  with a straight connector  5  screwed onto each mark.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a top or bottom rail  10  with an angled connector  5  screwed onto each mark. Screw an appropriate connector  5  on each mark of each of the bottom and top rail  10 . For an in-line rail  10  use in-line connectors. For a stair rail  10  use an angular connector  5 . Although not expressly shown in the drawings, it is known to provide an angular connector  5  by using an in-line connector  5  with an angle piece  38 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a rail support  14  that can be attached to the end of the top and bottom rails.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a rail support  14  that can be attached to the end of the top and bottom rails.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the rail support  14  that can be attached to the plumb  20  posts. The bottom rail  10  can be set at the desired height. For example, for easier installation, a piece of 2×4 can be placed under the bottom rail  10  at each end, then the bottom rail  10  can be fastened to the posts with screws, e.g. through pre-drilled holes in the supports. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of an ideal assembly of an in-line rail  10  banister  24  combining the top rail  10 , bottom rail  10 , connectors, and balusters.  FIG. 11  is a front view of an ideal assembly of a stair rail  10  banister  24  combining the top rail  10 , bottom rail  10 , connectors, and balusters. Insert a baluster  16  on each connector  5  of the bottom rail  10 . A rubber mallet can be used to ensure each baluster  16  is firmly connected to the bottom connector  5  on the bottom rail  10 , resulting in an array of standing balusters, Invert the top rail  10  and position on top of the standing balusters. Ideally, one aligns each baluster  16  beginning at one end and keeps going until they are all inserted. When all balusters are successfully connected to the top connectors of the top rail  10 , fasten the top rail  10  to the posts, e.g. using screws through pre-drilled holes in the support. Once fixed, remove the 2×4 pieces supporting the bottom rail  10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of a typical disconnected final assembly position of an in-line rail  10  banister  24  using traditional in-line connectors.  FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of a typical disconnected final assembly position of a stair rail  10  banister  24 . In practice, the typical disconnected final assembly position is not ideal. In practice, the balusters are not easily aligned to stand plumb  20 , nor do they tend to stay that way given that the top of each baluster  16  can be moved somewhat away from plumb  20  in forward, backward, left and right direction. Once a baluster  16  is connected, aligning the next baluster  16  can be difficult since the top railing is now constrained at a fixed distance from the bottom rail  10  corresponding to the length of a baluster  16 . As balusters get connected, the number of constraints increases, thereby increasing the likelihood that already connected balusters detach, either from the connectors at the top rail  10 , or the bottom rail  10 . 
       FIG. 13  is a detailed view of a first traditional in-line connector  26  disconnected from its baluster  16 .  FIG. 17  is a detailed view of a traditional angled connector  28  disconnected from its baluster  16 . As shown in the detail, the traditional connectors at the top rail  10  start in a disconnected state from its corresponding baluster  16 . 
       FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of a typical final assembly failure of the in-line rail  10  banister  24 .  FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a typical final assembly failure of the stair rail  10  banister  24 . As shown in the examples, although several balusters are correctly connected to their corresponding connector  5  as illustrated with a check mark, in the case of those baluster  16  indicated with an x mark, it may be difficult to align the other balusters easily with their corresponding top rail  10  connectors.  FIG. 15  is a detailed view of the traditional in-line connector  26  connected to its baluster  16 . 
       FIG. 19  is a detailed view of the traditional angled connector  28  connected to its baluster  16 . As shown, when connected, it may be difficult to move the top rail  10  to allow other balusters to be aligned with their corresponding connectors. 
       FIG. 20  is a front perspective view of an in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 21  is a front view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 22  is a side view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 23  is a top view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 24  is a sectional view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  24  of  FIG. 23 .  FIG. 31  is a front perspective view of an angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 32  is a front view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 33  is a side view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 34  is a top view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 35  is a sectional view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  35  of  FIG. 34 . As shown in the drawing, the connectors of  FIGS. 20-24  and  FIGS. 31-35  include a base  30  for adapting the connector  5  to a rail  10 , a body  36  rigidly supported by the base  30  for frictionally fitting a baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a final assembly position, and a frustrum  34  having a conical shape  46  progressively conforming to the body  36  having a circular profile  44 , the frustrum  34  for releasably engaging the baluster  16  when the baluster  16   16  is in a frustrumly engaged position, and a hole  32  set centrally through the frustrum  34  and the body  36 , the hole  32  further counterbored centrally in the base  30  to receive a screw to secure the connector  5  to a rail  10 . As shown in the drawing, a plurality of flange  40  permetrically connected to the body  36  are dimensioned for frictional fitment to the baluster  16 . The connector  5  of  FIGS. 31-35  further include an angle piece  38  integral to the base  30  to further adapt the connector  5  to an anfled rail  10 , such as used in stairs  18 . In alternative embodiments the angle piece  38  is seperate and not integral. In contrast with a traditional connectors, advantageously the frustrum  34  provided on the tip of the connectors facilitates alignment during the final assembly phase. Further advantageously, each frustrum  34  not only facilitates alignment with its corresponding baluster  16 , but also between other connectors and their corresponding balusters as well, as will be shown next. 
       FIG. 25  is a front perspective view of a disconnected final assembly position of an in-line rail  10  banister  24  using in-line conical frustrum  34  connectors.  FIG. 26  is a detailed view of a first in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 27  is a front perspective view of a correctable frustrum  34  final assembly position of the in-line rail  10  banister  24  using in-line conical frustrum  34  connectors.  FIG. 28  is a detailed view of the first in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  frustrumly engaged with its baluster  16 .  FIG. 29  is a front perspective view of a correct frustrum  34  final assembly position of the in-line rail  10  banister  24  using in-line conical frustrum  34  connectors.  FIG. 36  is a front perspective view of a disconnected final assembly position of an stair rail  10  banister  24  using angular conical frustrum  34  connectors.  FIG. 37  is a detailed view of a first angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 38  is a front perspective view of a correctable frustrum  34  final assembly position of the stair rail  10  banister  24  using angular conical frustrum  34  connectors.  FIG. 39  is a detailed view of the first angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  frustrumly engaged with its baluster  16 .  FIG. 40  is a front perspective view of a correct frustrum  34  final assembly position of the stair rail  10  banister  24  using angular conical frustrum  34  connectors.  FIG. 41  is a detailed view of the first angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  frustrumly engaged with its baluster  16 .  FIG. 42  is a front perspective view of a correct frustrum  34  final assembly success of the stair rail  10  banister  24  using angular conical frustrum  34  connectors. As shown, the provided frustrums allow the top rail  10  to be releasably engaged with the balusters such that from a disconnected final assembly position it is possible to attain a correctable frustrum  34  final position whereat only some of the balusters need to align with their respective connectors. Advantageously, the frustrums of each connector  5  that is correctly aligned provide head room for the balusters of correctable balusters to be aligned with their corresponding connector  5  and attain a correct position before any force need be applied to the top rail  10  to fully assemble the successful final assembly. 
     Although in the examples illustrated so far a tubular baluster  16  with circular profile  44  was used, it is envisaged that the frustrum  34  aspect of the present application can be adapted to any shape of baluster  16 , including for example a rectangular baluster  16  with square profile  42 . Furthermore, the addition of other features such as walls, and frictional engagements are also envisaged. Some examples of these alternative embodiments are further illustrated and described, below. 
       FIG. 43  is a perspective view of an in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 44  is a front view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 45  is a view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5 . 
       FIG. 46  is a top view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 47  is a sectional view of the in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  47  of  FIG. 46 . As shown in the drawing, the connector  5  of  FIGS. 43-47  include a base  30  having a rectangular profile for adapting the connector  5  to a rail  10 , a body  36  having a rectangular profile rigidly supported by the base  30  for frictionally fitting a baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a final assembly position, and a frustrum  34  having a conical shape  46  progressively conforming to the body  36 , the frustrum  34  for releasably engaging the baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a frustrumly engaged position, and a hole  32  set centrally through the frustrum  34  and the body  36 , the hole  32  further counterbored centrally in the base  30  to receive a screw to secure the connector  5  to a rail  10 . As shown in the drawing, a plurality of flange  40  permetrically connected to the body  36  are dimensioned for frictional fitment to the baluster  16 . The connector  5  of  FIGS. 48-52  further include an angle piece  38  integral to the base  30  to further adapt the connector  5  to an anfled rail  10 , such as used in stairs  18 . 
       FIG. 48  is a perspective view of an angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 49  is a front view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 50  is a view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 51  is a top view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5 .  FIG. 52  is a sectional view of the angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  52  of  FIG. 51 . 
     As shown in the drawing, the connector  5  of  FIGS. 48-52  include a base  30  having a rectangular profile for adapting the connector  5  to a rail  10 , a body  36  having a rectangular profile rigidly supported by the base  30  for frictionally fitting a baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a final assembly position, and a frustrum  34  having a conical shape  46  progressively conforming to the body  36 , the frustrum  34  for releasably engaging the baluster  16  when the baluster  16   16  is in a frustrumly engaged position, and a hole  32  set centrally through the frustrum  34  and the body  36 , the hole  32  further counterbored centrally in the base  30  to receive a screw to secure the connector  5  to a rail  10 . As shown in the drawing, a plurality of flange  40  permetrically connected to the body  36  are dimensioned for frictional fitment to the baluster  16 . The connector  5  of  FIGS. 48-52  further include an angle piece  38  integral to the base  30  to further adapt the connector  5  to an anfled rail  10 , such as used in stairs  18 . In an alternative embodiment, the angle piece  38  is seperate and can be combined with the connector  5  of  FIGS. 43-47  to provide the connector  5  of  FIGS. 48-52 . 
       FIG. 53  is a top view of a walled in-line pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 54  is a sectional view of the walled in-line pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  54  of  FIG. 53 .  FIG. 55  is a sectional view of the walled in-lined pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  55  of  FIG. 53 .  FIG. 56  is a sectional view of the walled pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  56  of  FIG. 53 .  FIG. 57  is a top view of a walled angular pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 58  is a sectional view of the walled angular pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  58  of  FIG. 53 .  FIG. 59  is a sectional view of the walled angular pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  58  of  FIG. 53 . As shown in the drawing, the connectors of  FIGS. 53-56  and  FIGS. 57-59  include a base  30  having a rectangular profile for adapting the connector  5  to a rail  10 , a body  36  having a rectangular profile rigidly supported by the base  30  for frictionally fitting a baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a final assembly position, and a frustrum  34  having a pyramidal shape  48  progressively conforming to the body  36 , the frustrum  34  for releasably engaging the baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a frustrumly engaged position, and a hole  32  set centrally through the frustrum  34  and the body  36 , the hole  32  further counterbored centrally in the base  30  to receive a screw to secure the connector  5  to a rail  10 . As shown in the drawing, a wall  50  permetrically connected to the body  36  are dimensioned for frictional fitment to the baluster  16  which is sandwhiched between the body  36  and the wall  50 . The connector  5  of  FIGS. 57-59  further includes an angle piece  38  integral to the base  30  to further adapt the connector  5  to an angled rail  10 , such as used in stairs  18 . 
       FIG. 60  is a top view of a walled in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 61  is a sectional view of the walled in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  61  of  FIG. 60 .  FIG. 62  is a sectional view of the walled in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  62  of  FIG. 60 .  FIG. 63  is a sectional view of the walled in-line conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  63  of  FIG. 60 ; 
       FIG. 64  is a top view of a walled angular pyramidal frustrum  34  connector  5  provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 65  is a sectional view of the walled angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  65  of  FIG. 64 .  FIG. 66  is a sectional view of the walled angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  66  of  FIG. 64 .  FIG. 67  is a sectional view of the walled angular conical frustrum  34  connector  5  along section  67  of  FIG. 64 . As shown in the drawing, the connectors of  FIGS. 60-63  and FIGS.  64 - 67  include a base  30  having a circular profile  44  for adapting the connector  5  to a rail  10 , a body  36  having a circular profile  44  rigidly supported by the base  30  for frictionally fitting a baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a final assembly position, and a frustrum  34  having a concial shape progressively conforming to the body  36 , the frustrum  34  for releasably engaging the baluster  16  when the baluster  16  is in a frustrumly engaged position, and a hole  32  set centrally through the frustrum  34  and the body  36 , the hole  32  further counterbored centrally in the base  30  to receive a screw to secure the connector  5  to a rail  10 . As shown in the drawing, a wall  50  permetrically connected to the body  36  is dimensioned for frictional fitment to the baluster  16  which is sandwhiched between the body  36  and the wall  50 . The connector  5  of  FIGS. 53-67  further includes an angle piece  38  integral to the base  30  to further adapt the connector  5  to an angled rail  10 , such as used in stairs  18 . In an alternative embodiment, the angle piece  38  is seperate and not integral to the base  30 . 
       FIG. 68  is a front perspective view of a self correcting frustrum  34  final assembly position of the in-line rail  10  banister  24  using conical frustrum  34  connectors.  FIG. 69  is a detailed view of the first conical frustrum  34  connector  5  frustrumly engaged with its baluster  16 . The technique illustrated for assembly involves frustrumly engaging each connector  5  to its corresponding baluster  16  as the rail  10  is positionned between the plumb  20  post  12  such that there are no incorrect balusters and all balusters are in a frustrumly engaged position before pressure is applied to the rail  10  to put all of the balusters into a final assembly position. 
     The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application.