Abstract: The invention provides a dowel connector which comprises a tubular body of resilient material having a longitudinal slot in the wall of the body, the slot extending the entire length of the body, and the opposed faces of the slot being spaced apart. When the dowel is compressed to bring the opposed faces of the slot together, for example by urging the dowel into a bore of smaller diameter, the dowel is placed in tension tending to separate the opposed faces. The invention also envisages the provision of a rod member which is receivable in the bore of the body in its unstressed state. In one arrangement the rod member may be integral with the tubular body.

Abstract: This invention has for its purpose the provision of a plastic dowel fastener designed to give superior attachment of furniture parts in relation to the commonly used wooden dowel. The gripping action of the plastic dowel of the invention is obtained by the provision of a construction of socket gripping fins and stabilizing formations on the elongated dowel body. The fins act to lock the dowel within a socket in a furniture part and the stabilizing formations act to prevent relative movement of the furniture parts which are joined by the plastic dowel.