Interlocking pivot device for adjustable ballusters

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
An interlocking pivot device for pivotally connecting the end of a balluster to a hand or foot rail of a staircase assembly, comprising: a female element mounted in said balluster end and having a slotted opening; a male member, said slotted opening of said female element receiving and mating with said male member, said male member pivotally rotating within said female element; first means for connecting one of said male member and said female element to said balluster; second means for connecting the other of male member and said female element to said hand or foot rail; wherein said female element and mated male member are received in a slot formed in said balluster end.
2.
The pivot device of claim 1, wherein said first connector means connects said male member to said balluster, said second connector means connects said female element to said rail.
3.
The pivot device of claim 1, wherein said first and second connector means comprise first and second threaded means.
4.
The pivot device of claim 1, wherein the arc of the pivotable movement of said male element within said female element is defined by pin means journaled through said elements.
5.
The pivot device of claim 1, wherein said male element includes a first disk member and wherein said female element includes second and third disk members, said slotted opening being defined between said second and third disk members for receiving said first disk member, said first disk member being slidably pivotable with respect to said second and third disk members.
6.
The device of claim 5, wherein said first disk member is slidably pivotable with respect to said second and third disk members by a pin means journaled through said disk members.
7.
The device of claim 6, wherein said pin means has a first end and a second end, said first and second ends extending beyond said disk members, whereby said pin means is positioned through the entire width of said balluster.
8.
An interlocking pivot device for pivotally connecting the end of a balluster to a hand or foot rail of a staircase assembly, comprising: a female element rotatably mounted over said balluster end and having a slotted opening; coupling means connected to and freely pivotable with respect to said female element; first means for connecting one of said female element and said coupling means to said balluster; and second means for connecting the other of said female element and said coupling means to said hand or foot rail