Patent ID: 7763047

Claim:
A connector for securing together two rods, comprising: (a) a body including: a first substantially truncated conical surface having a slit comprising an open arc in the first substantially truncated conical surface, the slit passing through said first substantially truncated conical surface, and opposing joining sections adjacent said slit; a first receptacle comprising a rod band for receiving a first of said two rods, the first rod band comprising a first rod band fitting; a second receptacle for receiving a second of said two rods; a second substantially truncated conical surface in at least partial contact with said first substantially truncated conical surface; and (b) a means for urging said opposing joining sections toward each other; wherein a diameter of said first substantially truncated conical surface decreases upon operating the means for urging said opposing joining sections toward each other causing said first substantially truncated conical surface to act against said second substantially truncated conical surface to tighten the first and second receptacles, and wherein said two rods are interlocked by said connector upon urging said opposing joining sections toward each other.