Panel fastening device

Claim 1

The combination comprising: a first table panel, a second table panel intended to be placed in abutting relationship with said first table panel, a first base member secured to the underside and adjacent an edge of said first table panel, said first base member having an inside surface which defines a first latch-receiving slot with and between the underside of said first table panel, an elongated latch pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said first base member in said first latch-receiving slot and having a catch means formed along one lateral edge thereof adjacent a second end thereof, a second base member secured to the underside and adjacent an edge of said second table panel, said second base member having an inside surface which defines a second latch-receiving slot with and between the underside of said second table panel for receiving said second end of said latch, said first and second base members being positioned at respective locations adjacent the edges of said table panels such that when said edges are in intimate surface-to-surface engagement with each other said base members are in spacedapart relationship to each other, cam means rotatably mounted within said second latch-receiving slot and engageable with said catch means, a pin extending through an aperture in said second base member having a first end which is eccentrically fixed to said cam means, a lever arm having one end fixed to said pin and pivotally movable about the axis thereof for selectively laterally displacing said cam means to urge the edges of the table top panels in intimate surface-to-surface engagement with each other when said cam means is received in said catch means, and each of said base members including a bore, each of said bores having a planar attachment surface for face-to-face contact with, and attachment to, the underside of the respective table panel to which it is attached, and having an offset portion which is offset from said planar surface and away from the underside of the respective table panel to form between said offset portion and the underside of the respective table panel, a latchreceiving slot having a depth substantially equal to the thickness of said latch whereby, when said catch means at said second end of said latch is received in said second slot and is then drawn into said second slot by said cam means, the table panels are aligned and leveled by reason of the close fit of said latch member in said slot.