Joining device

Claim 1

A joining device for joining at right angles two furniture parts, said joining device comprising: a plastic cylindrical dowel casing adapted to be inserted into a bore in one furniture part; said dowel casing having an open first end to be directed into the bore and a second end closed by an integral transverse portion; an aperture extending eccentrically through said transverse portion for receipt therethrough of a head of a connecting pin to be fastened to the other furniture part; a holding member rotatably mounted in said transverse portion of said dowel casing, said holding member including a base accessible from said second end of said dowel casing and engageable by a tool for rotation of said holding member about said base; said holding member having a cam surface portion facing said open first end and adapted to press on the head of the connecting pin upon rotation of said holding member; said holding member having an annular rim extending outwardly beyond said cam surface portion and abutting on said transverse portion of said dowel casing; said dowel casing comprising an integral one-piece member of rigid construction throughout; said dowel casing including at least one integral projection fitting over said annular rim of said holding member; and a portion of the plastic material of said transverse portion being deformed over said annular rim, thereby retaining said holding member in said dowel casing to prevent relative axial movement therebetween.

Claim 3

A method for forming a joining device for joining at right angles two furniture parts, said method comprising: injection molding from a plastic material a cylindrical dowel casing in the form of an integral one-piece member of rigid construction throughout, such that said dowel casing has an open first end, a second end closed by a transverse portion having extending therethrough an eccentrically positioned aperture and an inclined orifice, and at least one projection; providing a holding member having a base including means to be engaged by a tool, a cam surface portion, and an annular rim between said base and said cam surface portion and extending outwardly beyond said cam surface portion; inserting said holding member into said dowel casing from said first open end thereof and extending said base through said inclined orifice, such that said annular rim is engaged by said projection, and such that said tool engaging means is accessible from said second end of said dowel casing; and deforming a portion of the plastic material of said transverse portion over said annular rim by applying pressure to said plastic material portion thereby retaining said holding member in said dowel casing and preventing relative axial movement therebetween.

Claim 4

A method for forming a joining device for joining at right angles two furniture parts, said method comprising: injection molding from a plastic material a cylindrical dowel casing in the form of an integral one-piece member of rigid construction throughout, such that said dowel casing has an open first end, a second end closed by a transverse portion having extending therethrough an eccentrically positioned aperture and an inclined orifice, and at least one projection; providing a holding member having a base including means to be engaged by a tool, a cam surface portion, and an annular rim between said base and said cam surface portion and extending outwardly beyond said cam surface portion; inserting said holding member into said dowel casing from said first open end thereof and extending said base through said inclined orifice, such that said annular rim is engaged by said projection, and such that said tool engaging means is accessible from said second end of said dowel casing; and deforming a portion of the plastic material of said transverse portion over said annular rim by applying pressure to said plastic material portion thereby retaining said holding member in said dowel casing and preventing relative axial movement therebetween.