Pole connector assembly and method for racks and shelving
First Claim
1. A pole connector assembly for connecting first and second pole sections, the pole connector assembly comprising:
- an insert dimensioned to be received within an end of the first pole section, the insert having a one-piece unitary body, an aperture defined in the one-piece unitary body, and a deflectable portion of the one-piece unitary body; and
a deformable fastener having a first end insertable into the aperture, the fastener having at least one surface positioned to contact and limit deflection of the at least one deflectable portion to less than that needed to permit removal of the insert from the first pole section, the fastener also having a second end insertable to the second pole section.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pole connector assembly for connecting adjacent pole sections in order to construct a pole. In some embodiments, these pole connector assemblies have two inserts connected together by a fastener. Each of the two inserts can be received within an open end of a respective pole section. The fastener can be received within an aperture in each of the inserts in order to connect the pole sections together. In some embodiments, each insert can have at least one projection that extends into the pole section within which the insert is received. The fastener can limit the at least one projection from being inwardly deflected in order to secure the insert within the corresponding pole section. In other embodiments, the fastener can have at least one deformable portion to allow the fastener to secure the insert within the corresponding pole section.
123 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A pole connector assembly for connecting first and second pole sections, the pole connector assembly comprising:
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an insert dimensioned to be received within an end of the first pole section, the insert having a one-piece unitary body, an aperture defined in the one-piece unitary body, and a deflectable portion of the one-piece unitary body; and a deformable fastener having a first end insertable into the aperture, the fastener having at least one surface positioned to contact and limit deflection of the at least one deflectable portion to less than that needed to permit removal of the insert from the first pole section, the fastener also having a second end insertable to the second pole section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A pole connector assembly for connecting first and second pole sections, the pole connector assembly comprising:
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an insert dimensioned to be received within an end of the first pole section, the insert having; an insert body having at least one portion being deflectable with respect to a remainder of the insert body; and an aperture defined in the insert body; and a fastener having a first end insertable into the aperture and movable to a position with respect to the at least one portion of the insert body in which a surface of the fastener contacts and substantially limits deflection of the at least one portion of the insert body to less than that needed to permit removal of the insert from the first pole section, a second end insertable to the second pole section, and a fastener body having at least one inwardly-deflectable portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A pole connector assembly for connection of two sections of a pole, the pole connector assembly comprising:
- an insert having a deflectable portion, the insert being dimensioned to be received within an end of a first pole section, the insert having a body portion and an aperture defined in the body portion; and
a deformable fastener engagable within the aperture in the body portion of the insert and connectable to a second pole section, the deformable fastener having a position within the insert in which a deformable portion of the deformable fastener located within the first pole section prevents removal of the insert from the first pole section. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- an insert having a deflectable portion, the insert being dimensioned to be received within an end of a first pole section, the insert having a body portion and an aperture defined in the body portion; and
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28. A pole assembly, comprising:
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a first pole section; a second pole section; a first insert received within the first pole section; a second insert received within the second pole section; each of the first and second inserts having; a base; at least one deflectable projection extending from the base; and an aperture defined in the base; and a fastener having opposite ends received within the apertures of the first and second inserts, the fastener having a base and at least one deflectable projection extending from the base, the at least one deflectable projection of the fastener inter-engageable with the insert to limit inward deflection of the at least one deflectable projection of the insert. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of assembling a pole, comprising:
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inserting a first insert into an end of a first pole section, the first insert having at least one inwardly-deflectable projection; inserting a fastener comprising at least one projection into an aperture in the first insert, wherein the at least one projection of the fastener is deflectable with respect to a remainder of the fastener; contacting a portion of the fastener with the at least one inwardly-deflectable projection of the insert; limiting inward deflection of the at least one inwardly-deflectable projection of the insert with the portion of the fastener; and coupling the fastener to a second pole section, wherein inserting the fastener includes deflecting the at least one projection of the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification