A bracket assembly comprises a bracket and a stringer of a conveyor belt assembly. The bracket comprises a center mating surface and at least two outer mating surfaces. The center mating surface lies between the outer mating surfaces and is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to each of the outer mating surfaces. The stringer comprises a center mating surface and at least two outer mating surfaces. The outer mating surfaces of the bracket are clamped against the outer mating surfaces of the stringer in manner creating a load path for carrying vertical loads through contact forces.