Structural connector approximating a cone of elliptical cross-section

An improved adjustable keystone structural connector useful for automated building construction to interconnect at least a first and a second member which comprises:

• a cone-shaped male part with an approximately elliptical cross section attached to said first member and having:
• (a) a vertical back face having a top and a bottom,
• (b) a front face having a top and a bottom tapered so that its width is greatest at said top and least at said bottom and inclined inwardly from said top toward said vertical back face,
• (c) a pair of side faces each having a rear, a front, a top, and a bottom and inclined outwardly and upwardly, said side faces joined at said respective rear to PG,38 said vertical back face and at said respective front to said front face,
• (d) a top face, having a rear, a pair of sides, a front, and a pair of fillets forming said approximately elliptical cross section to decrease stress concentrations and ease manufacture and erection, wherein said top face is connected at said rear to said top of said vertical back face, on said sides to said tops of said side faces, and on said front to said top of said front face, and
• (e) a bottom face, having a rear, a pair of sides, a front, and a pair of fillets forming said approximately elliptical cross section to decrease stress concentrations and ease manufacture and erection, wherein said bottom face connected at said rear to said bottom of said vertical back face, on said sides to said bottoms of said side faces, and on said front to said bottom of said front face;
• and
• a female part having:
• (a) a back surface attached to said second member, and
• (b) a vertical front surface, said back surface and said front surface confining therebetween an approximately elliptical cone-shaped cavity including:
• (i) a tilted back surface adapted to engage said front face of said male part upon receipt of said male part within said cavity of said female part, and
• (ii) a pair of side surfaces each having rear side edges and inclined outwardly and upwardly, said side surfaces joined on said respective rear side edges to said tilted back surface, each of said side surfaces adapted to engage said respective side face of said male part upon receipt of said male part within said cavity of said female part;
• said female part adapted to receive said male part within said cavity wherein upon receipt of said male part within said female part said back surface of said female cavity engages said front face of said male part and said pair of side surfaces of said female cavity engage said pair of side faces of said male part to carry vertical shear loads without additional load-carrying elements, said vertical front surface of said female part spaced away from said first member when said male and female parts are engaged to facilitate adjustment, whereby upon receipt of said male part within said cavity of said female part said first and said second members are interconnected.