Fastening device for furniture construction and method of manufacture

A fastening assembly for securing first and second panel components in side-by-side abutting relationship, each of said panel components including opposite side surfaces and edge surfaces therebetween, said fastening assembly comprising means for joining said panel components one to the other wherein an elongated open channel extending from one of said edge surfaces and into the face of one of said side surfaces is formed in said first panel component, an elongated fastening element adapted for insertion into said channel is disposed within a bore in one of said surfaces of said second panel component, the channel being closed by an insert, said insert being adapted to be inserted into said open channel from said one of said edge surfaces of said first panel component, said elongated fastening element being covered by said insert when said panels are brought into side-by-side abutting element and said open channel having a base portion which is of greater width than the opening formed in the face of said side surface of said first panel component.