Abstract: A fastening device is provided for forming a joint between two edge to edge panels arranged to either side of a central panel. The fastening device is of the kind including an elongate dowel and a sleeve, with the dowel having a head at one end, an expander at the other end and a shank extending between the two. The expander co-operates with an expandable region of the sleeve to cause the expandable region to expand radially outwardly upon relative axial movement between the dowel and sleeve. The expandable region of the sleeve is arranged to expand in a non-uniform manner, with a greater degree of expansion being caused at a free end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A device is provided for forming a joint between two panels. The device comprises a fastening element in the form of an elongate dowel (14) within a sleeve (15), and a tightening element in the form of a rotatable cam (10). The dowel (14) has a head (16) at one end for engagement by the cam (10). At its other end, the dowel (14) engages with an expandable section (19) of the sleeve (15) for anchoring the fastening element in a hole in one of the panels. The sleeve (15) is provided with a reduced diameter end section (22), which is arranged to engage in a rebate (27) on the cam (10), with the arrangement thus serving to block lateral movement of the fastening element in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A fastener for a hollow core panel is provided, where the panel is of the kind including two spaced apart skins. The fastener has an elongate element that is insertable into the panel via a first one of its skins. The fastener includes a screw-threaded formation to enable attachment of its elongate element to the first skin. This secures the fastener to the panel. The elongate element is arranged to have sufficient length to extend far enough into the panel to engage with its second skin.

Abstract: A fastening element (20) is provided for use with a tightening element (14) in a device for forming a joint between two panels (18,22). The fastening element is elongate and has a head (13) at one end for engaging the tightening element, an expander (15) at the other end and a shank (11) extending there between. The fastening element further comprises a sleeve (10) having an expandable section (16) at one end extending over the expander, with the expander operatively engaging the sleeve to cause outward movement of its expandable section upon axial displacement of the fastening element relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is provided with at least one outwardly facing cutting edge (19) on its expandable section. The cutting edge has sufficient strength to cut into the panel material in use of the device, when the expandable section is inserted into a face hole in a first one of the panels.

Abstract: A fastening element (20) is provided for use with a tightening element (14) in a device for forming a joint between two panels (18,22). The fastening element is elongate and has a head (13) at one end for engaging the tightening element, an expander (15) at the other end and a shank (11) extending there between. The fastening element further comprises a sleeve (10) having an expandable section (16) at one end extending over the expander, with the expander operatively engaging the sleeve to cause outward movement of its expandable section upon axial displacement of the fastening element relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is provided with at least one outwardly facing cutting edge (19) on its expandable section. The cutting edge has sufficient strength to cut into the panel material in use of the device, when the expandable section is inserted into a face hole in a first one of the panels.