Connector assembly and method for connecting misaligned elongated members and a connection formed by the connector assembly

An end-to-end connection between elongated members, which were misaligned prior to being connected and each of which has an end and a longitudinal axis, said connection comprising:

• A) a pivotable connection between a first elongated member and a connector;
• and
• B) a tolerant connection between the connector and a second elongated member;
• wherein said tolerant connection comprises one or more attachment features affixed to the connector and one or more complementary attachment features affixed to the second elongated member, said attachment features and said complimentary attachment features cooperating together to accommodate and connect misaligned elongated members.

A method for connecting misaligned elongated members, in the absence of repositioning the elongated members into functional alignment, said method comprising:

• A) connecting a first elongated member, having a trailing end and a longitudinal axis, to a first structure, wherein the first elongated member extends longitudinally from the first structure and the trailing end is remote from the first structure;
• B) connecting a second elongated member, having a leading end and a longitudinal axis, to a second structure, wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second elongated members extend toward one another but are not parallel, the leading end of the second elongated member is remote from the second structure and proximate the trailing end of the first elongated member;
• C) pivotably connecting either the trailing end of the first elongated member, or the leading end of the second elongated member, to a connector;
• D) connecting the other of either the trailing end trailing end of the first elongated member, or the leading end of the second elongated member, to the connector, with a tolerant connection capable of accommodating the misaligned first and second elongated members without repositioning them into functional alignment, said tolerant connection comprising a tolerance of between about 0.125 inch and about 0.25 inch for allowing movement of at least one of the first and second elongated members relative to the another, in a direction which is transverse, axial, or both.