Channel lock fasteners and fastening system

Abstract

A friction fit fastening system, that creates a firm and invisible connection between panels or substrates without the use of tools or glue, comprising a fastener and mating rout. The fastener has a ramp element that allows it to slide and connect to a mating rout. Different routs are used for different embodiments of the fasteners. The rout is formed directly in the panel face or edge or formed on a substrate by a router bit that has three cutting edges. The connections made by the friction fit fastening system are invisible. The fasteners can be installed at the manufacturing site so the user simply slides or inserts the fasteners into the appropriate slot or hole when assembling. The friction fit fastening system is easily removable from the panels making assembling and disassembling quick and easy because the fastener is made of one piece.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastener comprising:
 a body having a first surface opposing a parallel second surface, a first face opposing a parallel second face, the first and second faces perpendicular to the first and second surfaces, each of the first and second surfaces terminating at a first end and an opposing second end;
 a channel formed longitudinally into each of the first and second surfaces, continuously spanning between the first and second ends, 
 each channel recessed at a depth into a center of the body to form at least one step near the first face and/or the second face, and extending lengthwise between the first and second ends, 
 each channel having a first edge parallel to the first face and bounding the channel near the first face, and a second edge bounding the channel near the second face, wherein a maximum depth of the first edge is equal to a maximum depth of the second edge, such that the first edge and second edge terminate at an equal distance out from the center. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface and the second surface are symmetrical. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first face is symmetrical to the second face. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the opposing second end of the fastener are each rounded. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one step terminates with a tapered end at the first end and opposing second end of the fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one step terminates with a ramped end at the first end and opposing second end of the fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein for each channel, the at least one step comprises a first step extending longitudinally near the first face and an opposite second step extending longitudinally near the second face. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the first step and second step each terminates with a ramped end at the opposing first end and second end of the fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the first face and opposing second face are each configured to removably attach to a corresponding slot formed into a substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first face comprises a chamfered edge where the first face transitions to the first surface and another chamfered edge where the first face transitions to the second surface. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the second face comprises chamfered edges where the second face transitions to the first surface and where the second face transitions to the second surface. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the at least first surface with first step is configured to removably engage a corresponding slot formed into a first element and the second face configured to attach to a parallel surface of a second element. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of the first surface is substantially identical to the channel of the second surface. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the second face extends out with at least two spaced apart posts. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 14 , wherein each of the at least two spaced apart posts comprise a plurality of barbs surrounding an outer surface of each post. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 15 , wherein the two spaced apart posts are configured to press into a first substrate such that the first face with the at least one step is exposed for engaging with a corresponding slot formed into a second substrate. 
     
     
         17 . A fastening slot routed directly into a surface of a substrate and configured to receive a mating fastener body comprising a first face parallel to a second face, and at least one channel formed longitudinally into each of the first and second surfaces, each channel having at least a first edge bounding the channel near the first face, the fastening slot comprising:
 a first longitudinal groove and a second longitudinal groove, each continuously meeting at a conjunction point near a center of the slot, the first longitudinal groove having a width larger than a width of the second longitudinal groove, the widths tapering at the conjunction point;   a depth of the second longitudinal groove having a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion being closer to the surface of the substrate, and the width of the depth differing between the bottom portion and the top portion;   the slot configured to initially receive a face of the fastener body at the first longitudinal groove, the second longitudinal groove configured to slidingly receive the fastener body from the first longitudinal groove, the second longitudinal groove having an undercut parallel to and adjacent the first edge of the fastener body when received for creating a friction fit connection.   
     
     
         18 . The fastening slot of  claim 17 , wherein a width at the bottom portion is wider than a width at the top portion. 
     
     
         19 . The fastening slot of  claim 17 , wherein the second longitudinal groove is t-slotted. 
     
     
         20 . The fastening slot of  claim 17 , wherein at the surface of the substrate, the first longitudinal groove of the slot is wider along a length of the first longitudinal groove than along a length of the second longitudinal groove of the slot, and the first longitudinal groove having a length at least as long as a length of the fastener body.