Variable rail receiving unit

A rail receiving unit for a handrail assembly, the unit comprising:

• an annular outer housing, the outer housing comprising:
• a substantially circular aperture extending therethrough, the aperture defining a first axis through a center thereof;
• a radially recessed groove extending at least partially around a periphery of an inner circumferential surface of the aperture, the groove including a pair of diametrically opposed notches extending axially outward from the groove;
• and
• one or more attachment sections each projecting from a respective upper or lower portions of the outer housing, the one or more attachment sections each secured to a portion of a respective tubular baluster;
• and
• a spherical inner housing disposed within the aperture of the outer housing, the inner housing comprising:
• a sleeve channel extending through a center of the inner housing, the channel receiving a rail;
• and
• a pair of diametrically opposed projections extending from an outer surface of the inner housing, the projections defining a second axis extending through both projections, wherein the projections are configured to be inserted through the notches and into the groove of the outer housing;
• wherein inner housing is rotatable about the first axis by sliding the projections within the groove, and the inner housing is pivotable about the second axis, such that an angular position of the rail relative to the receiving unit is variable.