Fastener for constructing posts for furniture

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a fastening device with a stem which is engaged on a first end by a cross-dowel with a transverse threaded aperture and on a second end by a cylinder with a set-screw. The second end of the stem includes an aperture surrounded by an oval-shaped longitudinally elongated countersunk region. This aperture can capture the set-screw within a small range of longitudinal positions, thereby allowing for fine adjustments to be made to align the sidewalls of adjacent post segments joined by the fastening device.

1 . A fastener, including:
 a stem with a first end and a second end;   a first device for rotationally engaging said first end; and   a second device for engaging said second end along a range of positions.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein said first end includes an externally threaded portion and wherein said first device includes an internally threaded passageway for rotationally engaging said externally threaded portion. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2  wherein said first device is cylindrically shaped and wherein said internally threaded passageway is transversely oriented within said first device. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 3  wherein said second end includes an aperture and wherein said second device includes a securing element for insertion into said aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 4  wherein said second device is cylindrically shaped with an unthreaded passageway which is transversely oriented within said second device. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 5  wherein said second device includes a longitudinally oriented internally threaded passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 6  wherein said second device further includes a set-screw with external threads, threaded into said longitudinally oriented internally threaded passageway, and wherein said securing element comprises an end of said set-screw. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein said end of said set-screw terminates in a pointed tip, wherein said pointed tip can engage said aperture of said second end along a range of longitudinal positions of said stem, said range being at least equal to a pitch distance of said externally threaded portion of said first end of said stem. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 8  wherein said aperture in said second end of said stem is surrounded by a first counter-sunk region. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 9  wherein said first counter-sunk region is oval-shaped, longitudinally elongated along said stem. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 10  wherein said first device includes a first tool-engaging slot for rotating said first device. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein said second device includes a second tool-engaging slot for rotating said second device. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 12  wherein said first tool-engaging slot indicates a rotational position of said internally threaded passageway. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 13  wherein said second tool-engaging slot indicates a rotational position of said unthreaded passageway. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 14  wherein said set-screw includes a tool-receiving aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein an opening of said internally threaded passageway is surrounded by a second counter-sunk region. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener of  claim 16  wherein an opening of said unthreaded passageway is surrounded by a third counter-sunk region. 
     
     
         18 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein said stem, said first device and said second device are made from stainless steel. 
     
     
         19 . A fastener for assembly of furniture posts, comprising:
 a stem having a first end and a second end, said first end being threaded, and said second end defining a hole therethrough, said second end further defining a counter-sunk region adjacent to an entry of said hole;   a first cylinder for insertion into a first post, said first cylinder having a threaded hole therethrough; said threaded hole for receiving said threaded first end of said stem; said first cylinder further having a slot for alignment of said cylinder to said first end;   a set screw having external threads and a pointed end, said set screw further having a second end having a tightening aperture;   a second cylinder for insertion into a second post, said second cylinder having an unthreaded hole therethrough and a threaded hole on a top portion of said second cylinder; said top portion having a slot for alignment of said second cylinder to said second end; said unthreaded hole for engaging said second end of said stem; said threaded hole on said top portion for receiving said set screw that locks said second cylinder when said set screw is rotated by said tightening aperture.   
     
     
         20 . A method of fastening furniture posts, comprising:
 inserting a first cylinder into a first post; said first post having a first aperture;   inserting a stem into said first aperture; said stem having an indicator mark to confirm said mark is flush with an end of said first post;   inserting a set-screw into said first cylinder;   inserting a second cylinder into a second post; said second post having a second aperture;   inserting an end of said stem that is protruding from said first post into said second cylinder that is within said second post;   rotating at least one of said posts to thread said stem into said second cylinder; and   tightening said set-screw at said first cylinder to an extent sufficient to prevent free rotation of said stem.