Patent ID: 7494297

Claim:
A fastening element for a joint forming device, comprising: an elongate dowel having a head at a first end and a flared portion at a second end; a sleeve for the dowel including a first expandable end having a first diameter and a second end having a second diameter, wherein the first and second diameters are substantially equal; wherein the dowel is located within the sleeve such that the head is located adjacent to the second end of the sleeve and is engagable with a tightening element and the dowel flared end cooperates with the expandable end to cause radial expansion of the diameter of the expandable end section upon relative axial movement between the sleeve and the dowel; wherein the diameter of the expandable end section of the sleeve prior to radial expansion is insertable perpendicularly to the diameter of the expandable end section and axially into a mounting hole in a first panel and the head of the dowel is insertable axially into a mounting hole in a second panel to enable engagement with said tightening element; and wherein the sleeve comprises a tapered portion extending from the second end and tapering to a point adjacent the expandable end to allow the fastening element to tilt within the mounting hole to increase positioning tolerances during insertion of the expandable end of the sleeve into the mounting hole in the first panel when the mounting holes are out of axial alignment.