CONNECTOR FOR ELONGATE SUPPORT MEMBER

Abstract

A connector is provided for connecting an elongate support member to a mount. The connector includes a collet assembly including a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein. The collet includes a tapered outer profile. The collet assembly includes a collet sleeve extending around the collet. The collet sleeve is configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward. The collet sleeve includes a mounting provision configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

Description

BACKGROUND

Main chords and other elongate support members of structures are often connected to the mount of another structure (e.g., a mast, a pole, a column member, a chord, a cross-member, a base, a foundation, etc.) using a gusseted mounting plate that is welded to the terminal end of the support member. However, as the support members are typically fabricated from heat treated aluminum alloys, the material strength must be de-rated due to the deleterious effects of welding on the support member in the heated affected zone (HAZ), which results in the use of larger support members to compensate for the weakening of the alloy in the HAZ.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, a connector is provided for connecting an elongate support member to a mount. The connector includes a collet assembly including a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein. The collet includes a tapered outer profile. The collet assembly includes a collet sleeve extending around the collet. The collet sleeve is configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward. The collet sleeve includes a mounting provision configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

In one aspect, a connector is provided for connecting an elongate support member to a mount. The connector includes a collet assembly including a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein. The collet includes a tapered outer profile. The collet assembly includes a collet sleeve extending around the collet. The collet sleeve is configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward. The collet sleeve includes a mounting provision configured to be joined to the mount. The collet sleeve includes first and second collet sleeve plates joined together.

In one aspect, a method for connecting an elongate support member to a mount includes installing a collet assembly including a collet and a collet sleeve to the elongate support member such that the elongate support member is received into an opening of the collet and such that the collet sleeve extends around a tapered outer profile of the collet; and releasably joining a mounting provision of the collet sleeve to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in the light of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an implementation.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 according to an implementation.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an implementation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a signal cantilever according to an implementation.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the signal cantilever shown in FIG. 4 according to an implementation.

FIG. 6 is another exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3 according to an implementation.

FIG. 7 is another exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 according to an implementation.

FIG. 8 is another exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3, 6, and 7 according to an implementation.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view illustrating the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-8 connecting a main chord of a cantilever arm to a column member of a cantilever mast according to an implementation.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the connection shown in FIG. 9 according to an implementation.

FIGS. 11-14 are perspective views illustrating another application of the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-8 according to an implementation.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views illustrating another application of the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-8 according to an implementation.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a method for connecting an elongate support member to a mount according to an implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain implementations provide a connector for connecting an elongate support member to a mount. The connector includes a collet assembly including a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein. The collet includes a tapered outer profile. The collet assembly includes a collet sleeve extending around the collet. The collet sleeve is configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward. The collet sleeve includes a mounting provision configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

Certain implementations provide connectors that operate in an unconventional manner to connect elongate support members (e.g., chords, masts, poles, cross members, column members, etc.) to mounts (e.g., a mount of a mast, a pole, a column member, a chord, a cross-member, a base, a foundation, etc.). For example, certain implementations provide a collet assembly having a mounting provision the enables the elongate support member to be releasably joined to the mount without welding a mounting provision to the elongate support member. Certain implementations thereby enable elongate support members to be reduced in size, for example as compared to at least some known elongate support members.

Moreover, and for example, certain implementations join collet sleeve plates of a collet sleeve together to enable the connector to increase the gripping force between the collet assembly and the elongate support member in response to forces exerted on the cantilever structure in a variety of different (e.g., opposite, etc.) directions.

Further, and for example, certain implementations enable a user to adjust a distance between collet sleeve plates of a collet sleeve and thereby enable the user to select the amount of the radially inward compressive force exerted on the elongate support member by the collet assembly.

With references now to the figures, perspective views of a connector 100 according to an implementation are provided in FIGS. 1-3. The connector 100 includes a collet assembly 102 that includes a collet 104 and a collet sleeve 106 that extends around the collet 104. In one exemplary application of the connector 100, the connector 100 is applicable for connecting a cantilever arm to a cantilever mast. For example, the connector 100 may be used to connect a main chord of a cantilever arm (sometimes referred to as a “cantilever arm truss assembly”) to a mount of a column member (sometimes referred to as a “main chord”) of a cantilever mast (sometimes referred to as a “mast truss assembly”).

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example of a cantilever structure 200 with which the connector 100 may be used. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cantilever structure 200 is a signal cantilever that includes a cantilever mast 202 and a cantilever arm 204 that extends from the cantilever mast 202. The cantilever mast 202 includes column members 206 and the cantilever arm 204 includes main chords 208. Each column member 206 is connected to a corresponding main chord 208 at a joint 210 (sometimes referred to as an “assembly interface”). As will be described in more detail below, the connector 100 provides a mechanical connection between a column member 206 and the corresponding main chord 208 at the joint 210 therebetween.

Although the cantilever mast 202 is shown as including four column members 206 and the cantilever arm 204 is shown as including four main chords 208, the cantilever mast 202 may include any other number of column members 206 and the cantilever arm 204 may include any other number of main chords 208. Moreover, the main chords 208 are not limited to the cylindrical (i.e., circular cross-sectional) shape shown herein. Rather, in other implementations the connector 100 is configured (e.g., adapted, designed, etc.) to connect an elongate support member that additionally or alternatively includes one or more other shapes (e.g., triangular cross-sectional shapes, rectangular cross-sectional shapes, square cross-sectional shapes, octagonal cross-sectional shapes, oval cross-sectional shapes, etc.) to a mount.

The connector 100 is not limited to use with signal cantilevers. In other words, the connector 100 is not limited to providing a mechanical connection between the column members 206 and the main chords 208 of the cantilever structure 200 shown in FIGS. 3-5. Rather, the connector 100 may be used to provide a mechanical connection between any other type of elongate support member (e.g., chords, masts, poles, cross members, column members, etc.) and the mount of any other type of structure (e.g., the mount of a mast, a pole, a column member, a chord, a cross-member, a base, a foundation, etc.). For example, one exemplary application of the connector 100 includes providing a mechanical connection between an elongate support member that is a pole (e.g. a telephone pole, a light pole, a chord of a mast structure, etc.) and the mount of a base and/or foundation, for example as is shown with the connectors 300, the elongate support member 308, and the bases 306 shown in FIGS. 11-14. Another exemplary application of the connector 100 includes providing a mechanical connection between an elongate support member and the mount of a mast, for example the mount 438 of the mast 406 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Examples of other types of cantilever structures with which the connector 100 may be used include, but are not limited to, signal bridges, crossing cantilevers, crossing bridges, mast ladder platforms (e.g., structures having a platform that extends from a mast to, for example, provide access to signals for wayside signaling applications; etc.), and/or the like.

As described above, and referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-8, the collet assembly 102 of the connector 100 includes the collet 104 and the collet sleeve 106. The collet 104 extends a length along a central longitudinal axis 108 from an end portion 110 (e.g., an eminent end portion, a proximal end portion, etc.) to an opposite end portion 112 (i.e., a terminal end portion, a distal end portion, etc.). The collet 104 includes an opening 114 that is configured to receive the main chord 208 (not shown in FIG. 8) therein. The opening 114 is defined by a radially (relative to the central longitudinal axis 108) inner surface 116 of the collet 104. In the exemplary implementation shown herein, the opening 114 extends through the entire length of the collet 104. In other implementations, the opening 114 may extend through only a portion of the length of the collet 104 (e.g., through the end portion 110 but not through the end portion 112, vice versa, etc.). The exemplary implementation of the opening 114 has a cylindrical (i.e., circular cross-sectional) shape such that the opening 114 is configured to receive a cylindrical main chord (i.e., a main chord having a circular cross-sectional shape; e.g., the main chord 208 shown herein, etc.). But, the opening 114 may be configured with any other shape (e.g., a triangular cross-sectional shape, a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, an octagonal cross-sectional shape, oval cross-sectional shapes, etc.) that enables the collet 104 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., enables the opening 114 to receive a main chord and/or other elongate support member of any shape, whether the main chord and/or other elongate support member has the same shape, a complementary shape, and/or the like relative to the opening 114; etc.).

Optionally, the opening 114 of the collet 104 includes a grip 118 (e.g., see FIGS. 3 and 7) that is configured to improve grip on the main chord 208 of the cantilever arm 204. For example, the grip 118 is configured to increase the friction and/or stiction between the inner surface 116 of the collet 104 and an outer surface 212 of the main chord 208. In the exemplary implementation, the grip 118 includes a surface discontinuity 118a on the inner surface 116 of the collet 104. For example, the surface discontinuity 118a shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 includes a series of grooves. However, the pattern and structure of the surface discontinuity 118a shown herein (e.g., the grooves, etc.) is meant as only one example of a pattern and structure that may be used to provide the grip 118. In addition or alternatively to the pattern of the surface discontinuity 118a shown herein, the surface discontinuity 118a may include any other pattern. Moreover, the grip 118 may include any other structure in addition or alternative to the grooves and/or other features of the illustrated surface discontinuity 118a that enables the grip 118 to function as described and/or illustrated herein, such as, but not limited to, a knurled texture, another type of texture on the inner surface 116, pointed protrusions that penetrate the outer surface 212 of the main chord 208, and/or the like.

The collet 104 is configured to compress (e.g., collapse, shrink, etc.) radially inward relative to the central longitudinal axis 108. In the exemplary implementation shown herein, the collet 104 includes slots 120 that enable the collet 104 to compress radially inward. The collet 104 may include any number of the slots 120, each of which may have any size, that are arranged in any pattern that enable the collet 104 to compress radially inward relative to the central longitudinal axis 108. In addition or alternatively to the slots 120, other implementations of the collet 104 include one or more other structures (e.g., notches, grooves, holes, springs, etc.) that enable the collet 104 to compress radially inward relative to the central longitudinal axis 108.

As seen at least in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the collet 104 includes a tapered outer profile 122. Specifically, the outer profile 122 is defined by a radially (relative to the central longitudinal axis 108) outer surface 124 of the collet 104. As shown herein, the outer surface 124 of the collet 104 is tapered along the central longitudinal axis 108 to provide the tapered outer profile 122. In the exemplary implementation, the outer profile 122 of the collet 104 includes two tapered segments 122a and 122b that intersect at an intersection 126. Specifically, in the exemplary implementation of the tapered outer profile 122, the tapered segments 122a and 122b are frustums that intersect at an approximate midpoint of the length of the collet 104. In other words, the exemplary implementation of the tapered outer profile 122 includes two frustums 122a and 122b that intersect at an approximate midpoint of the length of the collet 104.

Each exemplary tapered segment 122a and 122b includes extends along the central longitudinal axis 108 from the intersection 126 to the respective end portion 110 and 112. In other implementations, the tapered segment 122a and/or the tapered segment 122b does not extend to the respective end portion 110 and/or 112 (e.g., extends along only a portion of the length between the intersection 126 and the respective end portion 110 and/or 112, etc.). Moreover, in some implementations, the tapered segments 122a and 122b do not intersect (e.g., the length of the outer profile 122 of the collet 104 includes a non-tapered segment that extends between the tapered segments 122a and 122b, etc.). Although shown has having approximately the same length along the central longitudinal axis 108 such that the tapered segments 122a and 122b intersect at an approximate midpoint of the length of the collet 104 (i.e., the intersection 126 is located at the approximate midpoint of the length of the collet 104), the tapered segments 122a and 122b may have different lengths in other implementations. Each of the frustums 122a and 122b may be referred to herein as a “first” and/or a “second” frustum.

Although two are shown, the tapered outer profile 122 of the collet 104 may include any number of tapered segments (e.g., only one tapered segment, etc.). Each tapered segment 122a and 122b may have any value(s) of slope of the taper, which may be selected to provide a predetermined amount of compressive force. In the exemplary implementation, the tapered segments 122a and 122b are frustoconical such that the tapered outer profile 122 of the collet 104 includes a frustoconical shape. But, in other implementations the tapered segment 122a and/or the tapered segment 122b has another tapered shape (e.g., a frustopyramidal shape having any number of sides, another frustum shape, another sloped shape, etc.).

As described above, and referring again to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-8, the collet assembly 102 of the connector 100 includes the collet sleeve 106. In the exemplary implementation, the collet sleeve 106 includes at least one collet sleeve plate 128. For example, the exemplary implementation of the collet sleeve 106 includes two collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b. However, the collet sleeve 106 may include any number of the collet sleeve plates 128 (e.g., only one collet sleeve plate, etc.). Moreover, the collet sleeve 106 is not limited to one or more collet sleeve plates 128. Rather, in addition or alternatively to the collet sleeve plate(s) 128, the collet sleeve 106 may include one or more blocks, cylinders, and/or other structures that enable the collet sleeve to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., enable the collet sleeve 106 to compress the collet 104 radially inward, etc.). Although the outer periphery of each of the collet sleeve plates 128 is shown as having a square shape, each collet sleeve plate 128 may additionally or alternatively include any other shape that enables the collet sleeve plate 128 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., enables the collet sleeve plate 128 to compress the collet 104 radially inward, etc.), such as, but not limited to, a two or more sided shape, another rectangular shape, a circular shape, a triangular shape, an octagonal shape, an oval shape, and/or the like. Each of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b may be referred to herein as a “first” and/or a “second” collet sleeve plate.

Each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b includes an opening 130 that is configured to receive a respective one of the tapered segments 122a and 122b of the collet 104 therein such that the collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b extends around the respective tapered segment 122a and 122b. The opening 130 of each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b is defined by a radially (relative to the central longitudinal axis 108) inner surface 132 of the collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b. The inner surface 132 of each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b is configured to engage the respective tapered segment 122a and 122b of the collet 104 to thereby compress the collet 104 radially inward as the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b move along the length of the collet 104.

The exemplary implementation of the opening 130 of each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b has a cylindrical (i.e., circular cross-sectional) shape such that the opening 130 has a complementary shape relative to the conical shape of the respective tapered segment 122a and 122b of the collet 104. But, each opening 130 may additionally or alternatively include any other shape (e.g., a two or more sided cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, an octagonal cross-sectional shape, an oval cross-sectional shape, etc.) that enables the corresponding collet sleeve plate 128a or 128b to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., to engage the corresponding tapered segment 122a or 122b and thereby compress the collet 104 radially inward, etc.), whether the opening 130 has the same shape, a complementary shape, and/or the like relative to the corresponding tapered segment 122a or 122b. For example, in implementations wherein the corresponding tapered segment 122a or 122b has a frustopyramidal shape, the opening 130 may have a complementary shape having the same or a different number of sides as the frustopyramid of the corresponding tapered segment 122a or 122b.

Optionally, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are joined (e.g., mechanically connected, etc.) together. As will be described below, joining the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b together enables the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b to move together along the length of the collet 104 during operation of the connector 100.

In some implementations, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are releasably joined together using one or more mechanical fasteners, for example the releasable connection shown in the exemplary implementation (described below). As used herein, the phrase “releasably joined together” is intended to mean that the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b can be selectively joined to and disjoined (e.g., mechanically disconnected, etc.) from each other. As used herein, the phrase “releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener” is intended to mean that the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b can be selectively joined to and disjoined from each other by respectively operatively connecting one or more mechanical fasteners to and operatively disconnecting the mechanical fastener(s) from the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b.

In some implementations, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are non-releasably (e.g., permanently, etc.) joined together. As used herein, the phrase “non-releasably joined together” is intended to mean that the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b, once joined together, cannot be disjoined from each other without cutting or otherwise damaging the collet sleeve plate 128a and/or 128b. The collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b may be non-releasably joined together using any type of non-releasable method, means, material, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, welding, brazing, bonding, adhesive, and/or the like.

In an exemplary implementation, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are releasably joined together using one or more mechanical fasteners. For example, in the implementation shown herein, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are releasably joined together using threaded fasteners 134. Moreover, an exemplary implementation of the collet sleeve plates 128 includes openings 150 that receive the threaded fasteners 134 therein to releasably join the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b together. The exemplary threaded fasteners 134 shown herein include bolts 134a and nuts 134b that threadedly interlock with each other to capture the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b therebetween. In addition or alternatively, one or more of the openings 150 is threaded such that the opening 150 is configured to threadedly interlock with a complementarily threaded bolt 134a.

Although four are shown herein, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b may be releasably joined together using any other number of the threaded fasteners 134. Moreover, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are not limited to being releasably joined together using threaded fasteners 134. Rather, in addition or alternatively to the threaded fasteners 134, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b may be releasably joined together using any other type of mechanical fastener, such as, but not limited to, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, a strap, a bayonet-type connection, and/or the like.

Although each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b is shown as including four openings 150 for four threaded fasteners 134, each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b may include any number of openings 150 for releasably joining the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b together using any number of mechanical fasteners. Moreover, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are not limited to including the openings 150 to be releasably joined together. Rather, (regardless of which type(s) of mechanical fasteners are used) any other arrangement, structure, geometry, configuration, and/or the like may be used in addition or alternative to the openings 150 to releasably join the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b together, for example flanges, collars, necks, hooks, ledges, etc.

The mechanical fastener(s) used to releasably join the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b together may enable the distance between the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b to be adjusted. In other words, in some implementations the distance between the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b is adjustable using the mechanical fastener(s). For example, in the exemplary implementation, the threaded fasteners 134 can be threaded in to move the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b closer together and thereby decrease the distance therebetween the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b; and the threaded fasteners 134 can be threaded out to move the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b away from each other and thereby increase the distance between the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b. The adjustability of the distance between the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b enables a user to select the amount of the radially inward compressive force exerted on the main chord 208 by the collet assembly 102.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the collet sleeve 106 is configured to be releasably joined (e.g., releasably mechanically connected, etc.) to the column member 206 of the cantilever mast 202. For example, the collet sleeve 106 includes one or more mounting provisions 136 configured to be releasably joined to a mount 138 of the column member 206 using one or more mechanical fasteners. As used herein, the phrase “releasably joined” is intended to mean that the collet sleeve 106 (e.g., the mounting provision 136 thereof, etc.) can be selectively joined to and disjoined (e.g., mechanically disconnected, etc.) from the mount 138 of the column member 206. As used herein, the phrase “releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener” is intended to mean that the collet sleeve 106 (e.g., the mounting provision 136 thereof, etc.) can be selectively joined to and disjoined from the mount 138 by respectively operatively connecting one or more mechanical fasteners to and operatively disconnecting the mechanical fastener(s) from the collet sleeve 106 and/or the mount 138.

In the exemplary implementation shown herein, the mounting provisions 136 of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are releasably joined to the mount 138 of the column member 206 using one or more mechanical fasteners. For example, in the implementation shown herein, the mounting provisions 136 of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are releasably joined to the mount 138 using threaded fasteners 144. Moreover, the exemplary implementation of each mounting provision 136 includes one or more flanges 140 that are configured to be releasably joined to the mount 138 of the column member 206. For example, the exemplary implementation of each mounting provision 136 includes one or more openings 142 that receive the threaded fasteners 144 that releasably join the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b, and thus the collet sleeve 106, to the mount 138 of the column member 206. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the flanges 140 engage the threaded fasteners 144 to releasably join the mounting provisions 136 to the mount 138. While the exemplary threaded fasteners 144 shown herein include bolts 144a and nuts 144b, in addition or alternatively, one or more of the openings 142 is threaded such that the opening 142 is configured to threadedly interlock with a complementarily threaded bolt 144a.

Although four are shown herein, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b may be releasably joined to the mount 138 of the column member 206 using any other number of the threaded fasteners 144. Moreover, the collet sleeve 106 is not limited to being releasably joined to the mount 138 using threaded fasteners 144. Rather, in addition or alternatively to the threaded fasteners 144, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b may be releasably joined to the mount 138 of the column member 206 using any other type of mechanical fastener, such as, but not limited to, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, a strap, a bayonet-type connection, and/or the like.

Although each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b is shown as including four flanges 140, each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b may include any other number of flanges 140. Although shown as being defined by the corners of the exemplary rectangular shape of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b, the flanges 140 may be defined by any other structure of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b (e.g., the flanges 140 may be defined by a segment of an outer profile of a collet sleeve plate 128 wherein the outer profile has a circular shape, etc.). Although each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b is shown as including four openings 142 for four threaded fasteners 144, each collet sleeve plate 128a and 128b may include any number of openings 142 for releasably joining the collet sleeve plate 128 to the mount 138 of the column member 206 using any number of mechanical fasteners. Moreover, the mounting provisions 136 of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are not limited to including the flanges 140 and/or the openings 142 to be releasably joined to the mount 138. Rather, (regardless of which type(s) of mechanical fasteners are used) each mounting provision 136 may include any other arrangement, structure, geometry, configuration, and/or the like in addition or alternative to the flanges 140 and/or the openings 142 to releasably join the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b to the mount 138 of the column member 206, such as, but not limited to, collars, necks, hooks, ledges, and/or the like.

In operation, the main chord 208 of the cantilever arm 204 is received into the collet 104 of the collet assembly 102 such that the collet 104 extends around the main chord 208. The collet 104 is received in the openings 130 of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b of the collet sleeve 106 such that the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b extend around the collet 104. The inner surfaces 132 of the openings 130 of the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b are engaged with the respective tapered segments 122a and 122b of the collet 104 such that the collet assembly 102 exerts a radially inward compressive force that grips the main chord 208. The collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b of the collet sleeve 106 are releasably joined together using the threaded fasteners 134. Optionally, the distance between the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b is adjusted (e.g., selected) using the threaded fasteners 134 to select the amount of the radially inward compressive force exerted on the main chord 208 by the collet assembly 102. The collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b of the collet sleeve 106 are releasably joined to the mount 138 of the column member 206 of the cantilever mast 202 using the threaded fasteners 144. Accordingly, the connector 100 mechanically connects the main chord 208 to the column member 206.

By providing the collet assembly 102 with a mounting provision 136 that enables the main chord 208 of the cantilever arm 204 to be releasably joined to the mount 138 of the column member 206 using one or more mechanical fasteners, the connector 100 securely connects the main chord 208 to the cantilever arm 204 without subjecting the main chord 208 or the mount 138 to a welding or other relatively high-temperature bonding operation. The connector 100 thereby enables the main chord 208 to be reduced in size, for example as compared to at least some known elongate support members.

As briefly described above, joining the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b together enables the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b to move together along the length of the collet 104 during operation of the connector 100. For example, the collet sleeve 106 of the collet assembly 102 is configured to move along the length of the collet 104 when various forces are exerted on the cantilever structure 200, for example forces exerted on the cantilever structure 200 resulting from wind, loads carried by the cantilever structure 200, etc.

For example, when a force is exerted on the main chord 208 in the direction of the arrow 146, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b will move together relative to, and along the length of, the collet 104 in the direction 146. As the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b move relative to the collet 104 in the direction 146, engagement between the inner surface 132 of the collet sleeve plate 128b and the tapered segment 122b of the collet 104 compresses the collet 104 radially inward, which causes the collet 104 to exert a radially inward compressive force on the main chord 208 that increases the gripping force between the collet assembly 102 and the main chord 208.

Similarly, and for example, when a force is exerted on the mount 138 of the column member 206 in the direction of the arrow 148, the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b will move together relative to, and along the length of, the collet 104 in the direction 148. As the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b move relative to the collet 104 in the direction 148, engagement between the inner surface 132 of the collet sleeve plate 128a and the tapered segment 122a of the collet 104 compresses the collet 104 radially inward, which causes the collet 104 to exert a radially inward compressive force on the main chord 208 that increases the gripping force between the collet assembly 102 and the main chord 208. Each of the directions 146 and 148 may be referred to herein as a “first” and/or a “second” direction.

Accordingly, joining the collet sleeve plates 128a and 128b together enables the connector 100 to increase the gripping force between the collet assembly 102 and the main chord 208 in response to forces exerted on the cantilever structure 200 in a variety of different (e.g., opposite, etc.) directions.

FIG. 17 illustrates a method 500 for connecting an elongate support member (e.g., the main chord 208 shown in FIGS. 1-7, 9, and 10, the elongate support member 308 shown in FIGS. 11-14, etc.) to a mount (e.g., the mount 138 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the mount 438 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, etc.) according to an implementation. The method 500 includes installing, at 502, a collet assembly including a collet and a collet sleeve to the elongate support member such that the elongate support member is received into an opening of the collet and such that the collet sleeve extends around a tapered outer profile of the collet. At 504, the method 500 includes releasably joining a mounting provision of the collet sleeve to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

In some implementations, installing at 502 the collet assembly to the elongate support member further includes joining together, at 502a, first and second collet sleeve plates of the collet sleeve. Optionally, installing at 502 the collet assembly to the elongate support member further includes releasably joining together, at 502b, first and second collet sleeve plates of the collet sleeve using a mechanical fastener. In some implementations, installing at 502 the collet assembly to the elongate support member further includes: releasably joining together, at 502c, first and second collet sleeve plates of the collet sleeve using a mechanical fastener; and adjusting, at 502d, the distance between the first and second collet sleeve plates using the mechanical fastener.

Optionally, releasably joining at 504 the mounting provision to the mount includes inserting, at 504a, the mechanical fastener through an opening of the mounting provision. In some implementations, releasably joining at 504 the mounting provision to the mount includes engaging, at 504b, the mechanical fastener with a flange of the mounting provision. In some implementations, releasably joining at 504 the mounting provision to the mount using a mechanical fastener includes releasably joining, at 504c, the mounting provision to the mount using a threaded fastener. In some implementations, releasably joining at 504 the mounting provision to the mount using a mechanical fastener includes releasably joining, at 504d, the mounting provision to the mount using at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

The following clauses describe further aspects:

Clause Set A:

A1. A connector for connecting an elongate support member to a mount, the connector comprising:

a collet comprising a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein, the collet comprising a tapered outer profile, the collet comprising a collet sleeve extending around the collet, the collet sleeve being configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward, the collet sleeve comprising a mounting provision configured to be joined to the mount.

A2. The connector of clause A1, wherein the opening of the collet is cylindrical such that the opening is configured to receive a cylindrical elongate support member.

A3. The connector clause A1, wherein the opening of the collet comprises a grip configured to grip the elongate support member.

A4. The connector of clause A1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustum.

A5. The connector of clause A1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustoconical shape.

A6. The connector of clause A1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprise first and second frustums that intersect at an approximate midpoint of the length of the collet.

A7. The connector of clause A1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates joined together.

A8. The connector of clause A1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates joined together, the first collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a first direction, the second collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

A9. The connector of clause A1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve comprises at least one flange.

A10. The connector of clause A1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve is configured to be joined to the mount using at least one threaded fastener.

Clause set B:

B1. A connector for connecting an elongate support member to a mount, the connector comprising:

a collet assembly comprising a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein, the collet comprising a tapered outer profile, the collet assembly comprising a collet sleeve extending around the collet, the collet sleeve being configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward, the collet sleeve comprising a mounting provision configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

B2. The connector of clause B1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve comprises an opening configured to receive the mechanical fastener therein to releasably join the mounting provision to the mount.

B3. The connector of clause B1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve comprises a flange configured to engage the mechanical fastener to releasably join the mounting provision to the mount.

B4. The connector of clause B1, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

B5. The connector of clause B1, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

B6. The connector of clause B1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates joined together.

B7. The connector of clause B1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener.

B8. The connector of clause B1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates comprise openings configured to receive the mechanical fastener therein to releasably join the first and second collet sleeve plates together.

B9. The connector of clause B1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener, wherein a distance between the first and second collet sleeve plates is adjustable using the mechanical fastener.

B10. The connector of clause B1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates releasably joined together using a threaded fastener.

B11. The connector of clause B1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates releasably joined together using at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

B12. The connector of clause B1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates joined together, the first collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a first direction, the second collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

B13. The connector of clause B1, wherein the opening of the collet is cylindrical such that the opening is configured to receive a cylindrical elongate support member.

B14. The connector clause B1, wherein the opening of the collet comprises a grip configured to grip the elongate support member.

B15. The connector of clause B1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustum.

B16. The connector of clause B1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustoconical shape.

B17. The connector of clause B1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprise first and second frustums that intersect at an approximate midpoint of the length of the collet.

Clause set C:

C1. A connector for connecting an elongate support member to a mount, the connector comprising:

a collet assembly comprising a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein, the collet comprising a tapered outer profile, the collet assembly comprising a collet sleeve extending around the collet, the collet sleeve being configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward, the collet sleeve comprising a mounting provision configured to be joined to the mount, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates joined together.

C2. The connector of clause C1, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener.

C3. The connector of clause C1, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener, the first and second collet sleeve plates comprising openings configured to receive the mechanical fastener therein to releasably join the first and second collet sleeve plates together.

C4. The connector of clause C1, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener, a distance between the first and second collet sleeve plates being adjustable using the mechanical fastener.

C5. The connector of clause C1, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using a threaded fastener.

C6. The connector of clause C1, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

C7. The connector of clause C1, wherein the first collet sleeve plate is configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a first direction, the second collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

C8. The connector of clause C1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve is configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

C9. The connector of clause C1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve is configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener, the mounting provision comprising an opening configured to receive the mechanical fastener therein to releasably join the mounting provision to the mount.

C10. The connector of clause C1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve is configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener, the mounting provision comprising a flange configured to engage the mechanical fastener to releasably join the mounting provision to the mount.

C11. The connector of clause C1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve is configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a threaded fastener.

C12. The connector of clause C1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve is configured to be releasably joined to the mount using at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

C13. The connector of clause C1, wherein the opening of the collet is cylindrical such that the opening is configured to receive a cylindrical elongate support member.

C14. The connector clause C1, wherein the opening of the collet comprises a grip configured to grip the elongate support member.

C15. The connector of clause C1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustum.

C16. The connector of clause C1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustoconical shape.

C17. The connector of clause C1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises first and second frustums that intersect at an approximate midpoint of the length of the collet.

Clause set D:

D1. A method for connecting an elongate support member to a mount, the method comprising:

installing a collet assembly including a collet and a collet sleeve to the elongate support member such that the elongate support member is received into an opening of the collet and such that the collet sleeve extends around a tapered outer profile of the collet; and releasably joining a mounting provision of the collet sleeve to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

D2. The method of clause D1, wherein releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount comprises inserting the mechanical fastener through an opening of the mounting provision.

D3. The method of clause D1, wherein releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount comprises engaging the mechanical fastener with a flange of the mounting provision.

D4. The method of clause D1, wherein releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount using a mechanical fastener comprises releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount using a threaded fastener.

D5. The method of clause D1, wherein releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount using a mechanical fastener comprises releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount using at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

D6. The method of clause D1, wherein installing the collet assembly to the elongate support member further comprises joining together first and second collet sleeve plates of the collet sleeve.

D7. The method of clause D1, wherein installing the collet assembly to the elongate support member further comprises releasably joining together first and second collet sleeve plates of the collet sleeve using a mechanical fastener.

D8. The method of clause D1, wherein installing the collet assembly to the elongate support member further comprises:

releasably joining together first and second collet sleeve plates of the collet sleeve using a mechanical fastener; and

adjusting a distance between the first and second collet sleeve plates using the mechanical fastener.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.

Any range or value given herein can be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one implementation or can relate to several implementations. The implementations are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the application illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the application can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.) is within the scope of aspects and implementations of the application.

The term “comprising” is used in this specification to mean including the feature(s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there can be additional elements other than the listed elements. In other words, the use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. Further, references to “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of”.

When introducing elements of aspects of the application or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.” The phrase “and/or”, as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one implementation, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of” “only one of” or “exactly one of” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.

Having described aspects of the application in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the application as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the application, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described implementations (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various implementations of the application without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various implementations of the application, the implementations are by no means limiting and are example implementations. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various implementations of the application should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” and the like are used to describe implementations of the present application, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that a top side becomes a bottom side if the structure is flipped 180 degrees, becomes a left side or a right side if the structure is pivoted 90°, and the like.

This written description uses examples to disclose the various implementations of the application, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various implementations of the application, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various implementations of the application is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting an elongate support member to a mount, the connector comprising: a collet assembly comprising a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein, the collet comprising a tapered outer profile, the collet assembly comprising a collet sleeve extending around the collet, the collet sleeve being configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward, the collet sleeve comprising a mounting provision configured to be releasably joined to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve comprises an opening configured to receive the mechanical fastener therein to releasably join the mounting provision to the mount.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the mounting provision of the collet sleeve comprises a flange configured to engage the mechanical fastener to releasably join the mounting provision to the mount.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates joined together, the first collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a first direction, the second collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the opening of the collet is cylindrical such that the opening is configured to receive a cylindrical elongate support member.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the opening of the collet comprises a grip configured to grip the elongate support member.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustum.

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprises a frustoconical shape.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the tapered outer profile of the collet comprise first and second frustums that intersect at an approximate midpoint of the length of the collet.

12. A connector for connecting an elongate support member to a mount, the connector comprising: a collet assembly comprising a collet having an opening configured to receive the elongate support member therein, the collet comprising a tapered outer profile, the collet assembly comprising a collet sleeve extending around the collet, the collet sleeve being configured to move along a length of the collet such that engagement between the collet sleeve and the tapered outer profile of the collet compresses the collet radially inward, the collet sleeve comprising a mounting provision configured to be joined to the mount, wherein the collet sleeve comprises first and second collet sleeve plates joined together.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener.

14. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener, the first and second collet sleeve plates comprising openings configured to receive the mechanical fastener therein to releasably join the first and second collet sleeve plates together.

15. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using a mechanical fastener, a distance between the first and second collet sleeve plates being adjustable using the mechanical fastener.

16. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first and second collet sleeve plates are releasably joined together using at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

17. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first collet sleeve plate is configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a first direction, the second collet sleeve plate being configured to compress the collet radially inward when the collet sleeve moves along the length of the collet in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

18. A method for connecting an elongate support member to a mount, the method comprising: installing a collet assembly including a collet and a collet sleeve to the elongate support member such that the elongate support member is received into an opening of the collet and such that the collet sleeve extends around a tapered outer profile of the collet; andreleasably joining a mounting provision of the collet sleeve to the mount using a mechanical fastener.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount using a mechanical fastener comprises releasably joining the mounting provision to the mount using at least one of a threaded fastener, a clamp, a clip, a rivet, a latch, a clevis, a pin, a cable, or a strap.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein installing the collet assembly to the elongate support member further comprises: releasably joining together first and second collet sleeve plates of the collet sleeve using a mechanical fastener; andadjusting a distance between the first and second collet sleeve plates using the mechanical fastener.