Coupling element for an article of furniture

A coupling element comprising:

• a pair of opposing dowel pins each having a distal end and a proximal end;
• a male connector comprising an elongate base member to which said dowel pins are coupled at their respective proximal ends on a side thereof, and a coupling portion extending from said elongate base member on an opposing side thereof opposite the dowel pins;
• wherein each of said dowel pins comprises:
• a flat face on a longitudinally-extending side thereof and a curved face on an opposing longitudinally-extending side thereof;
• a first set of barbs spaced along said flat face and extending therefrom in a cantilever manner from said distal end toward said proximal end, and a second set of barbs spaced along said curved face and extending therefrom in a cantilever manner from said distal end toward said proximal end, said first set of barbs flexibly forming live hinges, and depending away from said distal end so as to hinder or prevent removal of said dowel pin from a bore in a surface of a first article into which said distal end of said dowel pin has been inserted;
• and
• wherein said flat faces of said dowel pins are directed inwardly toward one another and said curved faces of said dowel pins are directed outwardly away from one another;
• and
• wherein said coupling portion of said male connector is configured to be received within a slot in a second article or within a female connector mounted therein.