Pole connector assembly and method for racks and shelving

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:
• 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.

A pole assembly, comprising:

• 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.

A method of assembling a pole, comprising:

• 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.