CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Application Date Filed Title

No.

Current Herewith NICKEL BISCUITJOINER APPARATUS application AND METHOD

Is a PC'! ^' filing of, and claims priority to:

16/101,523 Aug 13, 2018 NICKEL BISCUIT JOINER APPARATUS

AND METHOD

the entire specification of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Art

[001] The disclosure relates to the fields of carpentry methods and more particularly to the field of, woodworking, plate-biscuit joinery, furniture fasteners and methods and tooling thereof.

Discussion of the State of the Art

[002] This invention is a method for machining, configuring and using woodworking tools to produce wood furniture capable of being joined with nickels (U.S. 5c coin) as fasteners (as plates, or plate biscuits). The herein-disclosed method lies within the umbrella of plate joinery', as do the joints and furniture manufactured via the herein-disclosed method.

[003] The market for the instant method (and for furniture so assembled) is universal; manufacturers save money' on assembly kits comprising plates, and customers may assemble & disassemble furniture without keeping track of biscuits. The enclosed method allows for furniture assembly _' without cam fasteners, bolts or screws.

[004] Historically, joining wood parts/panels is often accomplished via cam bolts and pins. "Mortise and tenon" joints are also used, as are glue (via clamping) or standard biscuit-joiner methods. "Edge to face" jointing, aka shell/housing jointing, is often accomplished via biscuit joinery _' , but biscuit joinery usually requires screw _' s in conjunction with biscuits (internal plates inserted into slots) for stronger fastening. Often the plates/biscuits are dipped in glue before being inserted, or their moisture is predetermined to cause internal expansion (customarily enlarge upon pre-wetting).

(00,5] Customarily, a "biscuit joiner" [dedicated woodworking tool] is used to mill the slots for such plates, and said power tool is often fitted with a fence-atachment to keep the tool flush as it cuts. This tool is limiting, however, as the biscuits will usually be accessible only from the edge as "wedge-in" pieces, and the jointer only allows certain specified size/'shape biscuits. In addition, unlike the present invention, biscuit slots milled by a biscuit joiner are usually wholly-concealed once assembled (once the biscuits are inserted into their slot mouth and the wood panels are then pressed together).

[006] Traditionally, to mill slots for biscuits, a 2mm (e.g.) biscuit joint slot cutter is used (customarily with a ¼" to 2" shank/shafpheck). A router bit is used in such circumstances, chucked and positioned so it moves through a groove in the wood to mill an internal slot. Radial guide bearings allow _' precise depth stop.

[007] Even when such a router is used with this pre-fabricated bit, the resulting assembly methods leave the biscuit hidden (Gammed-in, once-assembled), requiring the furniture owner to permanently "pull apart" the wood pieces/panels in order to disassemble the furniture. Such disassembly is particularly difficult, as the biscuits are usually comprised of wood, and so expand to become inaccessible, or the biscuits pulverize upon removal.

[008] Furniture owners therefore need a beter method, on in which they can easily' access the biscuits to pull them out to disassemble the w _' ood furniture. Furthermore, both furniture sellers and consumers would prefer to use a "makeshift biscuit," a common item they _' already possess (something they _' need not keep track of).

[009] Nickels (the common U.S. coin) make ideal makeshift biscuits, as coins are uncommonly' durable, waterproof, non-expanding, iron-conductive, and guaranteed to remain the mere price of a nickel.

[010] Therefore, what is needed is a system (a specially tailored slot cutter used in a special way) that allows common nickels to function as fasteners to assemble wood furniture. SUMMARY

[Oil] Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice, systems and methods for machining, configuring and using woodworking tools to produce wood furniture capable of being joined with nickels (U.S, coin) as fasteners (as plates, or plate biscuits).

[012] According to one aspect, a modification of biscuit joiner, is disclosed. Specifically, the instant invention creates two-way slots, allowing a shelf joint to be fastened with a common nickel (or similar coin or disc). Rather than using a limited biscuit cutter/biscuit joiner, the instant method discloses use of a router with a specialized router bit (aka slot cutter bit); the slot cutter on the router allows a common U.S. 5<t piece to become the spline/plate/biscuit joining the two wood pieces/panels, thereby allowing rapid assembly & disassembly of wood furniture.

BRIEF DESCRimON OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[013] The accompanying drawings illustrate several aspects and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention according to the aspects. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular arrangements illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary, and are not to be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claims herein in any way.

[014] Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevational view depicting the invention at one stage of assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[015] Fig. IB is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevational view depicting the invention at one stage of assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[016] Fig. 1C is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevational view depicting the invention at one stage of assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[017] Fig. ID is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevational view depicting the invention at one stage of assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[018] Fig. IE is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevational view depicting the invention at one stage of assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention. [019] Fig. IF is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevationa! view depicting the invention at one stage of assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[020] Fig. 2A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevational view of the invention; herein a tool pushing a coin from the coin well into the male part's slot to act as a fastener and complete the joint, according to one embodiment of the invention

[021] Fig. 2B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of an elevational view of the invention in its disassembled state, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[022] Fig. 3A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing the invention in its "before" state, according to one embodiment of the invention. (Note the coin wells in these Figures have an added "notch" for easier tool-entry.)

[023] Fig. 3B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing the invention in its "after" state, according to one embodiment of the invention. (Note the coin wells in these Figures have an added "notch" for easier tool-entry.)

[024] Fig. 4A is a diagram illustrating an exemplar ' of a perspective view showing the method of assembly, from disassembled to assembled, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[025] Fig. 4B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing the method of assembly, from disassembled to assembled, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[026] Fig. 4C is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing the method of assembly, from disassembled to assembled, according to one embodiment of the invention,

[027] Fig 4D is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective vie showing the method of assembly, from disassembled to assembled, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[028] Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary' of a perspective view showing the method of disassembly, featuring use of tire push-tool to move the nickel, according to one embodiment of the invention. [029] Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing the method of disassembly, featuring use of the push- tool to move the nickel, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[030] Fig. 5C is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing the method of disassembly, featuring use of the push-tool to move the nickel, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[031] Fig. 5D is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view _' showing the method of disassembly, featuring use of the push-tool to move the nickel, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[032] Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating an exemplar _' of a perspective view showing milling tool (and bit thereof) at work, milling the tool raceway and the coin-well, according to one embodiment of tire invention.

[033] Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing milling tool (and bit thereof) at work, milling the tool raceway and the coin-well, according to one embodiment of die invention.

[034] Fig. 6C is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view' showing milling tool (and bit thereof) at work, milling the tool raceway and the coin-well, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[035] Fig. 6D is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view showing milling tool (and bit thereof) at work, milling the tool raceway and the coin-well, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[036] Fig. 7 A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary _' of a perspective vie of an apparatus device, to wit, a table comprising said joint(s) fastened via the instant herein-disclosed method, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[037] Fig. B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view of an apparatus device, to wit, a table comprising said joint(s) fastened via the instant herein-disclosed method, according to one embodiment of the invention. [038] Fig. 7C is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view of an apparatus device, to wit, a table comprising said joint(s) fastened via the instant herein- disclosed method, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[039] Fig. 7D is a diagram illustrating an exemplary of a perspective view of an apparatus device, to wit, a table comprising said joint(s) fastened via the instant herein-disclosed method, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[040] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary view of elevational view of the female part, delineating the parameters, ratios and measurements (here the dimensions of various slots in the "male part/panel"), according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[041] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary view' of elevational view of the nude part, delineating the parameters, ratios and measurements, (here the dimensions of various slots in the "female part/panel") according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[042] Fig. 10A show's another example embodiment of a block that is machined with dovetail style edges inserted into a fiber board furniture piece,

[043] Fig. 10B shows the other example embodiment of the block joined using a token having different shapes.

[044] Fig. 10C shows the other example embodiment illustrating how die token or biscuit is pushed in or pulled out using a tool.

[045] Fig. 10D shows the odier example embodiment in which the joint is disassembled.

[046] Fig. 11A-B show two perspectives of yet another embodiment providing a joint using a twO-nickel or two-token assembly.

[047] Fig.12 shows an example embodiment for bookshelf made from fiberboard or hollow' fiberboard 1200.

[048] Fig. 13 show _' s an embodiment of a joint of two boards using an alternate shape for a token.

[049] Fig. 14A-E show various perspectives of another insert embodiment. [050] Fig. 15A-B shows two different perspective views of an alternate embodiment that requires use of an insert instead of cutting the channel under the other groove.

[051] Fig. 16A-C shows three different perspectives of yet another embodiment using a curved insert.

[052] Fig. 17 shows a flowchart of a method of creating a furniture joint according to an example embodiment.

[053] Fig. 18 shows a flowchart of another method of creating a furniture joint according to an example embodiment.

[054] Fig. 19 shows a flowchart of yet another method of creating a furniture joint according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[055] The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, a unique modification of biscuit joinery.

[056] One or more different aspects may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the aspects described herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the aspects contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements may be widely applicable to numerous aspects, as may be readily' apparent from the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the aspects, and it should be appreciated that other arrangements may _' be utilized and that structural, logical, and other changes may _' be made without departing from the scope of the particular aspects. Particular features of one or more of the aspects described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular aspects or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way _' of illustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular aspects or figures with reference to which they' are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all arrangements of one or more of the aspects nor a listing of features of one or more of the aspects that must be present in all arrangements. [057] Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent: application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[058] Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more communication means or intermediaries, logical or physical.

[059] A description of an aspect with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety of possible aspects and in order to more fully illustrate one or more aspects. Similarly, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may generally be configured to work in alternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in this patent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of described processes may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one or more of the aspects, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once per aspect, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they may only occur once each time a process, method, or algorithm is carried out or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some aspects or some occurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a given aspect or occurrence.

[060] When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article. [061] The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other aspects need not include the device itself.

[062] Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular aspects may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Process descriptions or blocks in figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of various aspects in which, for example, functions ma ' be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. [063] The term“push tool raceway” as used herein means a thin slot along-&-through which the tool travels while pushing the nickel along the coin slot. The push tool may be any thin hard poker device such as a fork tine, tweezers, handle, hairpin, chopstick, straightened paper clip, needle, screwdriver, awl, or similar "tool," or even a fingernail.

[064] The term“coin well raceway” as used herein means the milled plane along which the coin (or biscuit) will move during assembly and disassembly, said raceway (space) being on the same plane as the push-tool raceway (and, in some parts, push-tool raceway and coin-well raceway are used interchangeably, as the push-tool and the coin often move together along the same plane during assembly and disassembly). The raceway is interchangeable with coin- well distance 816 and lies on the same plane.

[065] The term“female part thickness” as used herein means the thickness of material female part/wood piece/panel is constructed from.

[066] The term“male part thickness” as used herein means the thickness of material male part/wood piece/panel is constructed from. This dimension 906 must be longer than the nickel's diameter. [067] The term“tool raceway width” as used herein means the width of push tool raceway (must be at least the diameter of the modified Woodruff keyseat cutter's neck, and should be no bigger (or marginally/nominally larger width)). Raceway width 818 is the distance between the two cantilever overhang 814 ends.

[068] The term“offset” as used herein means the additional parameter size/allowance to let the moving parts of the assembly pass by each other. This measurement is +0.0075" and is a preferred embodiment.

[069] The term“no-break distance” as used herein is also called the raceway overhang distance and means the minimum thickness of material required so as not to break (so the furniture assembled will not break) under normal use & ordinary stress. Specifically, the thickness of the wood just above the nickel (tire fastener) will allow ^r the joint (and tire furniture held together by said joint) to tolerate the str ess of its own weight and manipulation (when lifted)). This measurement will be particularly valuable when discussing tire "overhang thickness" 812.

[070] The term“minimum overhang” 814 as used herein means the length of the shortest part of the coin raceway overhang, at the edges of the push tool raceway, measured from the beginning of the central female part groove to the beginning of the coin-well. Must be at least the "no-break-distance" and should be about 30% of tire coin's diameter.

[071] The term“coin well depth” as used herein means how deep the bottom of the coin well (and raceways) are cut into the female part 808.

[072] The term“coin well (full) distance” as used herein means distance from the edge of the male part groove to the center of the coin-well 816.

[073] The term“push tool entry notch” as used herein (and as featured in Figs. 3A and 3B) means the optional 'extra hole/depression' [in preferred embodiment per Fig.3] on the distal end of each coin well, wherein the user places her push-tool to access [push] the nickel. This is the [additional] point where the user can dig his/her tool into the wood to "get to" the nickel (in addition to the usual offset). The notch isn't absolutely necessary, as a thin push-tool can be manipulated within the coin-well to access a coin (given the offsets). *Note: offset in preferred embodiment is +0.0075" [074] The term“push tool notch length” as used herein is notch with a diameter of said notch 820 being entirely discretionary; in manufacture, one uses the same bit as used for the push fool raceway to mill this notch.

[07,5] The term“male part groove depth” 804 as used herein means how deep the bottom of the groove for the male part should be cut. Must be smaller than female part thickness - no-break-distance, which puts a lower limit on female part thickness.

[076] The term“raceway overhang” 814 as used herein means a minimum length for the part of the assembly next to the push tool raceway that hangs over the coin raceway and holds the coin in place when the joint is fully assembled. This "overhang" should be strong enough to hold the entire furniture underneath (and/or around) the joint, as must be the overhang thickness 812.

[077] The term“male part slot distance” 904 as used herein means tire distance from the edge of the male part to the closest edge of the coin acceptance slot (aka slot in male part).

[078] The term“male part slot length” 908 as used herein means the minimum length of the coin acceptance slot in the male part. This length can be somewhat larger without causing tire assembly to fail.

[079] The term“male part thickness” 906 as used herein means the depth of the male part of the joint; the wood panel which fits into the female piece's central groove.

[080] The term“Woodruff Keyseat Cutter” as used herein means a brand of tooling, to wit, a specialized router bit, aka a slot cutter bit, herein machined to the specifications enumerated supra and infra to an unusual size and shape, to mill the grooves and slots to create tire enclosed invention.

[081] The present invention discloses a unique modification of biscuit joinery. The instant invention creates two-way slots, allowing a shelf joint to be fastened with a common nickel (or similar coin or disc). Rather than using a limited biscuit cutterbiscuit joiner, the instant method discloses use of a router with a specialized router bit (aka slot cutter bit); the slot cutter on the router [when the bit is machined in the following way disclosed in the present invention, and then configured and used in the following way disclosed in tire present invention] allows a common U.S, 5<f piece to become the spline/plate/biscuit joining the two wood pieces/panels, thereby allowing rapid assembly & disassembly of wood furniture,

[082] In some embodiments, the method of manufacture features an angled blade which is spring-loaded into a standard saw-blade, which jets out and cuts a slot into a wood panel/piece, so a biscuit will fit into one or both sides (depending on what's being joined). The biscuit may be optionally further glued.

[083] The angle of the cut is paramount: Usually the angle is 90°, but one may cut miters together. The depth of the cut must be precise for the instant "nickel biscuit" method to work, since the nickel biscuit will not expand like wood, and it will not "fix itself via adjustment as with wedge-shaped wood biscuit.

[084] In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the milling tool (producing the tool that mills the fastening slots) is disclosed. It should be noted that the present disclosure assumes the disc used is a common U.S. nickel, diameter of about 0.832" and thickness of about 0.074". Same relative proportions may be used, however, so any appropriate disc may be used.

[085] According to one aspect of tire embodiment, an existing Woodruff Key se t Cutter 602, or similar cutting tool that is slightly larger (about 0.013" larger) than the diameter and thickness of a nickel, is used in the present disclosure. The Woodruff Keyseat Cutter 602 is used by cutting tire disc 604 down to just slightly larger than a nickel. Specifically, to a diameter of 0.845" and to a thickness of 0.078". The diameter of the cutter will therefore be 0.013" larger than a nickel and the thickness of tire cutter will be ,004" thicker than a nickel. Other acceptable coins or disks require similar offsets. Ideally, the tool diameter should be about 1,56% larger than the coin, and the tool thickness should be about 5.40% thicker than the coin. These proportions should make the enclosed fastening method work for any customary furniture joint size,

[086] According to another aspect of the embodiment, the neck/shaft 606 of the Woodruff Keyseat Cutter 602 must also be machined down. For the nickel-sized slot cutter, the original shaft is 0.5" in diameter. Machine the neck of this shaft 606 to a diameter of 0.25" (roughly a third (30.01%) of the diameter of a nickel). This resulting 0.25" diameter neck 606 will then clear the push tool raceway 116 (said raceway 116 is milled with a standard 0.25" diameter end tool). It should be noted that raceway 116 and coin well raceway 816 and female coin slot are often used interchangeably, as the slot is naturally the end-resting position and a natural exit-position for the coin along its 'raceway' 116.

[087] In another embodiment, the method of milling the wood panels is disclosed. It should be noted that the present disclosure assumes the disc used is a common U.S. nickel, diameter of about 0.832" and thickness of about 0.074".

[088] According to one aspect of the embodiment, a female receiving wood piece is disclosed. Specifically, the female component's central groove 804 is cut to a depth approximately half the thickness of the material (herein plywood in preferred embodiment). The width of the groove 806 should match the thickness of the male part 906 in addition to a small offset (+0.0075" in preferred embodiment). At the joint point, the "tool raceway" 816 is cut across (perpendicular) to the central groove 806, from the groove 806 to the end of the coin-well 810. The raceway 816 total distance is typically the coin diameter plus an additional 1/3 the coin-disc-fastener diameter (in a preferred embodiment of the invention, this measurement is about 1.109"). The raceway depth is cut at a depth (from the surface) about 1/2 the depth of the male part groove (at the approximate midpoint into the wood). In die usual case, the groove will be perpendicular to the male part groove, but it could be angled and still function.

[089] Another aspect of the embodiment is a when two symmetrical mirror image coin wells 108 is cut to the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075"), at the same depth as the tool raceway 116. The wells 108 are circular and positioned approximately 0.138" from the central groove (approximately 1/6 the coin's diameter away from the male central groove in the case of a nickel). The fastener slot (raceway) 116 is then cut using the following method: the fastener slot is cut using the special router bit described earlier in the specification; the bit is plunge into one of the coin wells; the bit is moved toward the other coin well along the tool raceway; and the bit is raised when it comes to the second coin well. This movement cuts a strip out of the middle of the female part, crossing the male part groove, such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out [090] Another aspect of the embodiment discloses milling the center joint (the male wood piece). Practically, on the male wood piece, the fastener receiver slot 902-908 is cut the length of the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+-0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075"). The fastener receiver slot 902-908 is placed near the wood piece's edge (the piece to be joined), at a distance from the proximal edge corresponding to the depth of the top of the fastener slot 116, in the female part. The center of the slot should match up with the center of the female part's fool raceway 116 (groove for coin-pushing tool).

[091] The shape of the wood pieces to be joined is illustrated in the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1A through 2B which features a basic half-lap joint. Cross lap joints are also available for middle pieces, wherein both pieces of wood continue beyond the joint, as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. In addition, any appropriate joint that utilizes the herein-disclosed nickel-biscuit method may be used (e.g. bevel cut scarf joints, miter-cut scarf joints, tabled lap joints, finger and tab joints, shelf-housing joints, etc.). The nickel biscuit method, and resulting apparatus furniture joint, works for all these joint varieties.

[092] According tire present disclosure, measurements of a preferred embodiment of a 1 " thick plywood joint (wherein both wood pieces are 1" thick plywood), are as follow: diameter of coin preferred measurement is .834"; thickness of coin preferred measurement is .074"; width of push tool raceway must be at least the diameter of the modified Woodruff Keyseat cutter's neck/shaft, and should be approximately .255"; the allowance to let moving parts of the assembly pass/slide by each oilier (aka 'the offset') preferred measurement is .0075"; thickness of material required so as not to break under normal stress (aka the“no-break distance”) preferred measurement is 0.2"; the length of the shortest part of raceway (the overhang) preferred measurement should be between 1/3 and 1/4 of the coin's diameter, or .25" (which equal total distance of overhang from central groove to coin-well); the depth of coinwell (and raceway) preferred plane is at (belo surface); no-break distance plus coin thickness plus offset; the diameter of coin well is the coin diameter plus offset; the distance from edge of male part groove to center of coin-well preferred embodiment is the coin diameter divided by 2 plus the overhang; the length from edge of coin well to end of notch should be the raceway width divided by 2; the height of slot preferred embodiment should be the coinwell depth plus the no-break distance; the central groove in male wood part preferred embodiment is the male part thickness plus offset; the raceway overhang thickness is preferred as no-break distance; the preferred distance from edge of male part to closest edge of coin acceptance slot is no-break distance; the preferred width of coin acceptance slot [in male wood piece] is the coin-thickness plus the offset: the min length of the coin acceptance slot: in male part is the coin-diameter plus offset (this part may be a bit: bigger without furniture fastening failure).

[093] In another embodiment, a method of furniture assembly is disclosed. Specifically, if only one nickel/coin/disc 102 is fastened, the user positions the male piece 104 into the central groove 112 of the female piece 110, then drops the coin 102 into either of the two coin wells 108, then uses her tool 214 to push the nickel 102 along the raceway 116 into the male central slot 106. The nickel 102 should not be pushed fully into die slot 106 (namely, some of the coin should still remain under the female piece's 110 raceway overhang 218). If the coin mistakenly goes completely inside the male part's slot 106 and only one coin is used, the fastener will no longer be able to join the male 104 and female 110 parts, as the coin 102 would then be wholly concealed in the male slot 106. Two nickels/discs would solve the above problem, and the two-coin fastening method works with the herein-disclosed invention.

[094] In another aspect of the embodiment, a method of furniture disassembly is disclosed. Specifically, if only one nickel/coin/disc 102 is fastened, the user pushes the nickel 102 along the raceway 116 until it is fully inside the male wood piece 104 (inside the slot 106 ), then lifts the male piece 104 away from the female piece 110, and then shakes or otherwise drops the nickel 102 out of the male piece 104.

[095] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a single-coin embodiment is disclosed. Specifically, if only one nickel/coin/disc is to be used as a fastener (Figs. 1A - 2B), there are three significant differences in manufacture, component design, method and assembly, while discussed in the specification, may be emphasized as follows: for the size/location of the male member slot 110, it is half the size of the male member 104, and cut a distance from the edge of the wood equal to the width of the slot; the male member 104- gets a dado on the side opposite to its coin slot, to fit into the thinner slot in tire female member 110 and produce a corner joint without overhang; manufacture-method (slot- cutting) is tailored to the 'single coin' fastening apparatus & method, in that the modified- cutter is inserted into the singular coin slot 108 and moved through the raceway towards the male member groove, far enough that at least half the cutter’s diameter extends into the male member groove, cutting the coin slot and creating the overhang. Next, the cutter it is moved back along the same path to the position of the singular coin well, from whence it is raised back upwards.

[096] An alternative embodiment of the present invention discloses a table wherein at least one table leg is fastened to the bottom side of the table-top via one or more coin-shaped plate biscuits. Wherein at least one coin well and at least one slot are milled into the bottom side of the tabletop, such that a coin may be placed in the coin well, then slid along an adjacent coin-raceway into a coin-sized slot in tire table leg, such that tire coin straddles the leg and the table by being simultaneously positioned in both the leg slot and the raceway. Wherein said raceway has a sufficient overhang of at least ten per cent of the tabletop's thickness, such that the coin holds tire table together even if said table is lifted by its top.

[097] Fig. 10A shows another example embodiment of a block that is machined with dovetail style edges inserted into a fiber board furniture piece. Fig. 10A shows a block 1001 that is machined or molded with dovetail edges in this example that can be inserted into a fiberboard furniture piece later. The edges of the block could be alternatively made square, rectangular, half round, three-quarters round, or another shape, depending on what makes it most efficient in a particular application (not shown here). The block could comprise of plywood, solid wood, a plastic piece or a composite fiber material as an insert that is added into some kind of fiber material, or hollow fiberboard that will be shown in an assembly later in Fig 12. The coating could be of full thickness or partial thickness and could, for example, be melamine-plated or coated board or printed paper with melamine coated board that looks like fake wood. This block insert would be ideal because it goes under the plating or coating so it would be completely invisible to the eye but it would provide additional strength to hold the biscuit (or token or nickel) when the pieces are joined during assembly. Fig, 1GB shows the other example embodiment 1020 of the block 1021 joined using a token having different shapes.

[098] Fig. 10C show _' s tire other example embodiment illustrating how the token or biscuit is pushed in or pulled out using a tool. Tool 1031 is used to engage with holes lG34a-b in biscuit 1032 while the biscuit is within opening 1032, The biscuit 1032 is slid into a slot (not shown) in 1033. Fig. 10D shows the oilier example embodiment in which the joint is disassembled. 1043. Fig. 10D also shows the slot 1042 in piece 1041 where the biscuit (or token or nickel) slides into slot 1042 and holds two pieces together. Fig. 10D shows the joint disassembled where the tongue 1041 comes out of the groove.

[099] Fig. 11A-B show _' two perspectives of yet another embodiment providing a joint using a two-nickel or two-token assembly. Fig. 11A show's an overview 1100 of the two-biscuit (or token or nickel) assembly. This assembly has two openings for dropping in biscuits (or tokens or nickels) to join in a single slot. The insert 1101 has a slot 1111 to receive the nickel. Fig. 1 IB shows one nickel being pushed in from one side using the push tool 1113 and a second nickel in slot 1112 (The second nickel is currently not shown).

[100] Fig.12 shows an example embodiment for bookshelf made from fiberboard or hollow fiberboard 1200. Fig, 12 shows a bookshelf made from fiberboard or hollow fiberboard 1200. Hollow fiberboard may have fiberboard on the outside and a melamine, lacquer , or Styrofoam or other suitable and cost-effective filling and coating to fill it out. The hollow fiberboard can have blocks 1203a..n and 1202a.,n (only 1202 a, b shown here), inserted into the side of the bookshelf 1201. The hollow fiberboard 1201 also has groove 1202b, shelf board 1210 (which is also shown the same way with inserts 1213a..n in this case there are two inserts), ridge 1211 that matches up into groove 1202a. The nickels in this exemplary system can be pushed up on the holes to lock the board in, thus providing stability' to the shelf.

[101] Other furniture, bookshelves, etc. can be made in a similar way. These inserts can be made from hardwood, high-density resin-pressed fiber that provides strength, plywood, plastic, or other stronger materials that are suitable. The inserts are then integrated into the fiberboard (or similar) that forms the rest of the furniture. This exemplary' method of furniture production creates often lightweight furniture that saves on materials.

[102] Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of a joint of two boards using an alternate shape for a token. Fig. 13 shows an overview 1300 of a joint of two boards: 1301 and 1302, Said joint has an opening 1303 for a square or rectangular biscuit (or token or nickel). Token 1305 shows such a biscuit (or token or nickel). The token has two holes in this example 1306a and 1306b. This allows the biscuit (or token or nickel) to be pulled out. The holes 1306a and 1306b are not perfect rectangles and instead have slightly rounded comers, so as to be easily routed out without requiring additional treatment or processing. The biscuit (or token or nickel) 1305 would reflect the shape of the hole 1304. This way it would be easily injection molded into a plastic lock that could be inserted into a piece of furniture that is made from fiberboard or similar materials.

[103] Fig. 14A-F show various perspectives of another insert embodiment. Fig. 14A show's another insert in overview 1400. Insert 1403 has modified dovetail edges in order to better grab the surrounding material. Typically, this insert could be comprised of a fiberboard injected material or machined solid w'ood or ply w'ood, maybe hollow, details are not shown here. In the bottom section 1402, the top section could be manufactured as a light weight hollow board (or full fiber board) without having all these details (could be a butt edge or a half edge) . [104] Fig. 14B shows an arrangement 1419 in which there is an insert that spans both sides of the double-coin join, that has a groove going through the middle, and one in which there are two separate inserts, one insert on each half. In this instance, the inserts don’t go through the full depth of the material in the bottom part 1402 as is shown in 1412. The insert 1413 only goes through a partial depth of 1412. The groove of 1416 goes to the opening that receives 1411. Also shown is channel 1416 where the biscuit (or token or nickel) slides into 1411, the opening 1414 that receives the biscuit (or token or nickel), and the channel in piece 1415 where said biscuit (or token or nickel) slides in. Fig. 14C shows a similar arrangement 1430 as above, but the two halves are two separate pieces 1432a and 1432b that don’t go under the top piece 1431 that is inserted. [105] Fig. 14D shows another arrangement 1440 where 1441 is one piece going across the slot In contrast, Fig. 14E shows a similar arrangement 1450 having the same top view' as Fig. 14D showing the insert having two separate pieces 1451a and 1451b.

[106] Fig. 15A-B shows two different perspective views of an alternate embodiment that requires use of an insert instead of cutting the channel under the other groove. Fig. 15A shows a different approach that requires using an insert instead of trying to cut the channel under the other groove. In overview 1500, there is a butt-joint piece 1501 inserted into piece 1502. The token opening 1503 is shown for a round token in this example, but could be used for any shape token. There is an opening cut out that is filled with a cover plate 1504; this cover plate could be screwed or glued in at production time or inserted while making piece 1502 from fibrous material. Fig. 15B illustrates an arrangement 1510 shows a cross section of the joint showing two pieces. Two biscuits (or tokens or nickels, used interchangeably throughout) can be used to hold the insert 1516 in place in the bottom piece 1517.

[107] Fig. 16A-C show's three different perspectives of yet another embodiment using a curved insert. Fig. 16A show's yet another approach which has a curved channel going through both the bottom plate 1602 and the joint plate 1601. Instead of a token this exemplary system would use a curved metal strip 1604. The channel would have three sections 1603a..c: two of these sections are located in the bottom piece 1602 and one is located in the insert piece 1601. This approach requires a 5-axis CNC router to cut. Fig. 16B show's this exemplary arrangement 1620 from a more isometric point of view. In this arrangement, piece 1621 is inserted into base piece 1622 where a curved insert 1624 is utilized, and where the insert includes a hole 1623a to assist in its insertion. Fig. 16C illustrates an example metal strip 1610 would have two extraction holes 1611a and 1611b. Those holes 1611a and 1611b can be used for a tool to grab the strip and pull it out of the groove.

[108] In one possible embodiment, a system of assembling a furniture joint with nickels (or biscuits or tokens) is needed. Said furniture assembly' system comprises of a first piece of wood material that has a groove running across a length of the wood material’s face (said groove manufactured to a depth of about half the first wood material’s thickness), and at least one coin well positioned on a second axis on the wood piece' s face (said second axis being perpendicular to said groove). In this system said coin well is connected by a tool-raceway. Said tool-raceway runs along the second axis

(perpendicular to said groove) and said coin wells are positioned about half as deep in the first wood piece as is the central groove. The coin wells are accessible from the central groove via a racew'ay' slot; the slot is substantially' covered by a raceway' overhang. This system further comprises a second wood piece whose edge thickness is nominally smaller than the width of the first wood piece' s central groove in such a way that the second wood piece's entire edge fits into the groove. The second wood piece has a central coin slot positioned at a height and position such that, when said second wood piece is nestled into the central groove of said first wood piece, said central coin slot lies on the same plane-height as the plane-height of said first wood piece's racewa and at the same central position as said raceway slot A coin may be placed into either of the coin wells and then subsequently'· pushed along the raceway' to the point where the wood pieces meet in manner that causes the coin to straddle the iwo wood pieces and rest partially under the raceway overhang, thus holding the wood pieces together. Said coin thereby functions as a plate biscuit joiner.

[109] In another example embodiment, the coin can be any' disc with sufficient strength and texture to fit in a coin well, slide along the raceway and the slot, and hold said w _' ood pieces together per said method. In die example embodiment, the coin or disc has at least one hole, allowing said coin to be pulled out with ease using a tool that can enter a hole. In some cases, the thickness of the raceway overhang is between about 15% and about 30% of the first wood piece’s thickness. In some cases, the thickness of the raceway overhang is about 20% of the first wood piece ¹ s thickness.

[110] In an alternate embodiment, the depth of the tool raceway' equals the overhang’s thickness plus the coin’s thickness plus an“offset” of between 0.5 % and 1.3 % of the first wood piece’s thickness. The second wood piece’s coin slot is positioned at the same height as the raceway’s depth. In the alternate embodiment, the depth of the fool racew _' ay equals the overhang’s thickness plus the coin’s thickness plus an“offset” of around 0.75 % of the first wood piece’s thickness. The second wood piece’s coin slot is positioned at the same height as the raceway'’ s depth.

[111] In yet another example embodiment, said slot and said groove are larger than the pieces that fit inside them by an "offset” amount. The thickness of said overhang is the “no-break-distance.” Both wood pieces are comprised of one-inch plywood that has one- inch edges, and the coin has a diameter of about 0.834” and a thickness of about 0.074.” The first wood piece’s central groove is about 1.0075" wide (thereby being nominally' wider than the male wood piece’s edge), and the diameter of each coin well is about 0 8415.” The tool raceway and the coin wells rest at a depth of 0.274,” the width of said raceway is about 0.255,” the offset is about 0.0075," and the“no-break-distance” is about 0.2" in height (wood thickness). The length of the overhang is about 0.25.” The depth of said coin well and said raceway is equal to the no-break-distance plus the coin-thickness plus the offset. The diameter of the coin wells equal the coin diameter plus the offset.

[112] In other example embodiments, a method for milling slots in wood so a U.S. nickel 5<t piece functions as a biscuit joiner is needed. Said nickel has a diameter of about 0.832" and a thickness of about 0.074." Said method comprises of the following non-sequentia! steps; machine a woodruff keyset cutter tool's disc to a diameter of about 0.845" and a thickness of about 0.078"; machine said cutter's shank to a diameter of about 0.25"; ensure the diameter of said cutter is therefore 0.013" larger than a nickel and that the thickness of said cutter is .004" thicker than a nickel; provide a "male" wood piece-member and "female" wood piece-member to be joined as a joint; across said female member's face (at a depth of about 7/16") mill a groove of width approximately 0.0075" greater than (lie thickness of the edge of said male member; using an end mill router bit with a flat bottom, plunge-cut two substantially identical coin wells at depth of about 0.195." (Said coin wells will each have a proximal end facing the central groove and a distal end facing the wood's outer edge.) To continue the non-sequential steps: optionally cut entry-notches into the distal end of each coin well; at a substantia!ly-central fastening point along said central groove, cut a tool raceway perpendicular to said groove, the length of said raceway being about 1/3 the total diameter of a nickel; plunge the bit into one of the coin wells; move the bit toward the other coin well along the tool raceway, raising the bit when it comes to the second coin well (said movement cutting out a strip from the middle of the Female Part, crossing the Male Part Groove, such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out); on the Male Member (the center piece joint), cut the "fastener receiver slot" to a length same as the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075"); the "fastener receiver slot" is placed near the wood piece's edge (the piece to be joined), a distance in from the proximal edge corresponding to the depth of the top of the fastener slot in the Female Part; the center of said receiver slot therefore matches up with the center of the Female Part's tool raceway (groove for coin-pushing tool) .

[113] In other example embodiments, a furniture joint comprises at least a first and a second piece of wood and both wood pieces have at least one edge. A groove for said second wood piece is milled into said first wood piece such that one edge of the second wood piece is wholly fit into the groove; and wherein disc- style plate biscuits are positioned into disc-slots in both the first and second wood pieces. Said disc-slots lie on the same plane as one another. In some cases, said disc-slots are each covered by an overhang whose thickness is at least 10% of the first wood piece's; in some cases, said disc-slots are each covered by an overhang whose thickness is between about 15% to 25% of tire thickness of the first wood piece.

[114] In additional example embodiments, a furniture joint comprises at least a first and a second piece of wood and both wood pieces have at least one edge. A substantially central groove is milled into said first wood piece such that one whole edge of the second wood piece is fit into the groove. A disc-shaped plate biscuit is partially positioned into a slot milled into the first wood piece. The slot is substantially covered by an overhang whose thickness is between about 15% to about 25% of file thickness of said first wood piece. The disc-shaped plate biscuit is simultaneously partially positioned into a slot milled into said second wood piece. The slot rests at same height as the first wood piece' s slot, so that the plate biscuit straddles both wood pieces, allowing the overhang to hold the first wood piece fixed to the second wood piece using the disc as a joiner.

[115] In more example embodiments, the depth of the tool raceway equals the overhang's thickness plus the coin's thickness plus an "offset" of about 0.75% of the first wood piece’s thickness. The second wood piece’s coin slot is positioned at the same height as is the raceway's depth.

[116] In even more example embodiments, the slot and the groove are larger than the pieces that fit inside them by an "offset" amount. The thickness of the overhang is the "no-break-distance" and both wood pieces are one-inch plywood having about one-inch edges. The coin has a diameter of about 0.834" and a thickness of about 0.074.” The first wood piece’s central groove is about 1 0075" wide, thereby being nominally wider than the male wood piece' s edge. The diameter of each coin well is about 0.8415." The tool raceway and the coin wells rest at a depth of 0.274." The width of said raceway is about 0.255." The offset is about 0.0075." The "no-break-distance” is about 0.2” in height (i.e. 0.2" of wood-thickness). The length of the overhang is about 0 25." The depth of said coin well and said raceway' is equal to the no-break-distance plus the coin-thickness phis the offset. The diameter of the coin wells equal the coin diameter plus the offset.

[117] In other alternate embodiments, a method of assembling a furniture joint comprises of the following: a first piece of wood comprising a central groove running across a fsrst axis along the length of the wood piece ¹ s face, the groove milled to a depth of about half the first wood piece' s thickness; a coin well positioned on a second axis on the wood piece' s face (the second axis being perpendicular to the groove, said coin well connected to the groove by a tool- raceway, and the tool-raceway likewise running along said second axis); said coin well positioned about half as deep in the first wood piece as is its central groove; said coin well accessible from the central groove via a substantially central raceway slot (said slot substantially covered by a raceway overhang). Said method further comprises a second wood piece whose edge thickness is nominally smaller than the width of the first wood piece’s central groove. The second wood piece's entire edge fits into said groove. The second wood piece further comprises a central coin slot positioned at a height and central position such that, when said second wood piece is nestled into the central groove of said first wood piece, said central coin slot lies on the same plane-height as the height of said first wood piece's raceway and at the same central position as said raceway slot. A coin may be placed into the coin well and then subsequently pushed along said raceway to the point where the wood pieces meet, said coin thereby' straddling the two wood pieces and resting partially under said raceway overhang. At this point the coin holds the wood pieces together; thus functioning as a plate biscuit joiner.

[118] In yet example embodiment, the coin may be any disc with sufficient strength and texture to fit in the coin well raceway and slot, and to hold said wood pieces together per said method. In some cases, the overhang's thickness is betwnen about 15% and about 30% of the first wood piece’s thickness. In the example embodiments, the raceway overhang's thickness is about 20% of the first wood piece’s thickness. In the example embodiments, the depth of the tool raceway equals the coins thickness plus an “offset” of between about 0.5% and 1.3% of the first wood material’s thickness. The second wood material’s coin slot is positioned at the same height as the race way‘s depth.

[119] In additional example embodiments, the coin well is substantially rectangular with round corners, and the coin is a substantially' rectangular plate with one or more holes.

In some cases, the racetrack is substantially spherically curved, a curved metal strip is inserted in lieu of a coin, and simple openings replace the coin wells. In the example embodiments, the racetrack and coin well assembly is manufactured as a separate piece from the furniture, and integrated into (lie furniture as part of the manufacturing process.

[120] In other example embodiments, a method for milling slots in wood so a U.S. nickel 5Y piece functions as a biscuit joiner is needed. Said nickel has a diameter of about 0.832" and a thickness of about 0.074." Said method comprises of the following non-sequential steps: machine a woodruff keyset cutter tool's disc to a diameter of about 0.845" and a thickness of about 0.078"; machine said cutter's shank to a diameter of about 0.25"; ensure the diameter of said cutter is therefore 0.013" larger than a nickel and that the thickness of said cutter is .004" thicker than a nickel; provide a "male" wood piece- member and "female" wood piece-member to be joined as a joint; across said female member's face (at a depth of about 7/16") mill a groove of width approximately 0.0075" greater than the thickness of the edge of said male member; using an end mill router bit with a flat bottom, plunge-cut two substantially identical coin wells at depth of about 0.195." (Said coin wells will each have a proximal end facing the central groove and a distal end facing the wood's outer edge.) To continue the non-sequential steps; optionally cut entry-notches into the distal end of each coin well; at a substantialiy-central fastening point along said central groove, cut a tool raceway perpendicular to said groove, the length of said raceway being about 1/8 the total diameter of a nickel; plunge the bit into one of the coin wells; move the bit toward the other coin well along the tool raceway, raising the bit when it comes to the second coin well (said movement cutting out a strip from the middle of the Female Part, crossing the Male Part Groove, such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out); on the Male Member (the center piece joint), cut the "fastener receiver slot" to a length same as the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075"); the "fastener receiver slot" is placed near the wood piece's edge (the piece to be joined), a distance in from the proximal edge corresponding to the depth of the top of the fastener slot in the Female Part; the center of said receiver slot therefore matches up with the center of the Female Part's fool raceway (groove for coin-pushing tool) .

[121] In other example embodiments, a table wherein at least one table leg is fastened to the bottom side of the table-top via one or more coin-shaped plate biscuits has at least one coin well and at least one slot milled into tire bottom side of the tabletop. A coin may be placed in the coin well, then slid along an adjacent coin-raceway into a coin-sized slot in the table leg, such that the coin straddles the leg and the table by being simultaneously positioned in both the leg slot and the raceway. Said raceway has a sufficient overhang of at least 10% of the tabletop's thickness such that the coin holds the table together even if said table is lifted by its top.

[122] The following is therefore the preferred method for manufacture of tooling and for milling of required slots so as to ultimately use nickels as biscuit fasteners; Method of Manufacturing · the Milling; Tool

[123] The following specifications assume the disc used is a common U.S, Nickel, diameter of about 0.832" and thickness of about 0.074". Same relative proportions may be used, however, so any appropriate disc may be used.

[124] 1. Take an existing "Woodruff Keyseat Cutter 602" or similar cutting tool, that is slightly larger [about 0.013" larger] than the diameter and thickness of a nickel, as described infra;

[125] 2. Machine said "Woodruff Keyseat Cutter" by cutting the disc 604 down to just slightly larger than a nickel as follows; [126] 2a. Machine the Woodruff Key seat cutter disc 604 to a diameter of 0.845" and to a thickness of 0.078". The diameter of the cutter will therefore be 0.013" larger than a nickel and the thickness of the cutter will be .004" thicker than a nickel.

[127] Note: other acceptable coins or disks require similar offsets. Ideally, the tool diameter should be about 1.56% larger than the coin, and the tool thickness should be about 5.4-0% thicker than the coin. These proportions should make the enclosed fastening method work for any customary furniture joint size.

[128] 3. The neck/shaft 606 of the Woodruff Keyseat cutter must also be machined down. For the "nickel-sized" slot cutter, the original shaft is 0.5” diameter. Machine the neck of this shaft 606 to a diameter of0.25" (roughly a third (30.01%) of the diameter of a nickel).

[129] This resulting 0.25" diameter neck 606 will then clear the "push tool raceway" 116 (said raceway 116 is milled with a standard 0.25" diameter end tool). (*"Raceway" 116 and Coin Well Raceway 816 and "Female [coin] Slot" are often used interchangeably, as the slot is naturally the end-resting position and a natural exit-position for the coin along its 'raceway' 116).

Method of Milling the Wood Panels

[130] The following specifications assume the disc used is a common nickel, diameter of about 0.832" and thickness of about 0.074".

A The Female ' Receiving ^J! Wood Piece:

[131] 1. Cut the "female" component's central groove 804 to a depth approximately half the thickness of the material (herein plywood in preferred embodiment). The width of the groove 806 should, of course, match the thickness of the male part 906, plus a small offset (+0,0075" in preferred embodiment),

[132] 2. At the joint point, cut the "tool raceway" 816 across (perpendicular) to the central groove 806, from the groove 806 to the end of the coin-well 810. The raceway 816 total distance is typically the coin diameter+ an additional 1/3 the coin-disc-fastener diameter (so in the preferred embodiment this measurement is about 1.109"). The racewa depth shall be cut at a depth (from the surface) about 1/2 the depth of the male part groove (at the approximate midpoint into the wood). In the usual ease, the groove will be perpendicular to the male part groove, but it could be angled and still function.

[133] 3. Cut two symmetrical mirror image "coin wells" 108 to the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075"), at the same depth as the tool raceway 116. The wells 108 are circular, and positioned approximately 0.138" from the central groove

(^approximately 1/6 the coin's diameter away from the male central groove in the case of a Nickel). Then cut the fastener slot (raceway 116) using the following method:

[134] 4. Cut the "fastener slot" using the special router bit described supra

[135] 5. Plunge the bit into one of the coin wells; [136] 6. Move the bit toward the other coin well along the tool raceway, and raise the bit when it conies to the second coin well. (This movement cuts a strip out of the middle of the Female Part, crossing the Male Part Groove, such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out).

B. Milling: the Center Joint (The Male Wood Piece)

[137] 1. On this piece, cut the "fastener receiver slot 902-908", the length of the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+ -0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075").

[138] 2. The fastener receiver slot 902-908 is placed near the wood piece's edge (tire piece to be joined), a distance in from the proximal edge corresponding to the depth of tire top of the fastener slot 116 in the Female Part. The center of the slot should therefore match up with the center of the Female Part's tool raceway 116 (groove for coin-pushing tool).

[139] 3. As to the shape of the wood pieces to be joined, the preferred

embodiment (shown in Figs. 1A through 2B) features a basic half-lap joint. Cross lap joints are also available for middle pieces, wberein both pieces of wood continue beyond the joint, as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. In addition, an appropriate joint that utilizes the herein-disclosed nickel-biscuit method may be used (e.g. bevel cut scarf joints, miter-cut scarf joints, tabled lap joints, finger and tab joints, shelf-housing joints, etc.). The nickel biscuit method (and resulting apparatus furniture joint) works for all these joint varieties. Preferred Embodiment Measurements

[140] In a 1" thick plywood joint (wherein both wood pieces are 1” thick plywood), the following parameters are preferred:

[141] Diameter of coin: .834"

[142] Thickness of coin; .074"

[143] Width of push tool raceway (must be at least the diameter of the modified Woodruff Keyseat cutter's neck/shaft, and it should be approximately .255"

[144] Allowance to let moving parts of the assembly pass/slide by each other: (aka 'the offset') is .0075"

[145] Thickness of material required so as not to break under normal stress: 0.2"

[146] Length of the shortest part of raceway (the overhang): should be between 1/3 and¼ of the coin's diameter, or .25" (= total distance of overhang from central groove to coin- well).

[147] Depth of coin-well (and raceway): this plane is at (below surface):

NobreakDistance + coin thickness+offset.

[148] Diameter of coin well: coin diameter+ offset.

[149] Distance from edge of male part groove to center of coin-well: coin diameter/2 +overhanv,

[150] Length from edge of coin well to end of notch: this is not important, but for ease should be raceway width/2 .

[151] Height of slot: coinwell depfh+ nobreak-distance.

[152] Central groove in male wood part male part thickness+offset.

[153] Raceway overhang thickness: no break distance.

[154] Distance from edge of male part to closest edge of coin acceptance slot no break distance.

[155] Width of coin acceptance slot [in male wood piece]: coin-thickness + offset [156] Min length of the coin acceptance slot in male part; coin-diameter+ offset (this part may be a bit bigger without furniture fastening failure) .

Method of Furniture Assembly

[157] if only one nickel/coin/disc 102 is fastened, the user positions the male piece 104 into the central groove 112 of the female piece 110, then drops the coin 102 into either of the two coin wells 108, then uses her tool 214 to push the nickel 102 along the raceway 116 into the male central slot 106. The nickel 102 should not be pushed fully into the slot 106 (namely, some of the coin should still remain under the female piece's 110 raceway overhang 218). If the coin mistakenly goes completely inside the male part's slot 106 and only one coin is used, the fastener will no longer be able to join the male 104 and female 110 parts, as the coin 102 would then be wholly concealed in the male slot 106). Two nickels/discs would solve the above problem, and the two-coin fastening method works with the herein-disclosed invention.

Method of Furniture Disassembly

[158] If only one nickel/coin/disc 102 is fastened, the user pushes the nickel 102 along the raceway 116 until it is fully inside the male wood piece 104 (inside the slot 106), then lifts the male piece I 04 away from the female piece 110, and then "shakes" or otherwise drops the nickel 102 out of the male piece 104.

The "Single-Corn” Embodiment

[159] If only one nickel/coin/disc is to be used as a fastener (Figs IA - 2B), there are three significant differences in manufacture, component design, method and assembly, while discussed infra and supra, may be emphasized as follows:

[160] for the size/location of the male member slot 110, it is half the size of the male member 104, and cut a distance from the edge of the wood equal to the width of the slot [161] the male member 104 gets a dado on the side opposite to its coin slot, to fit into the thinner slot in the female member 110 and produce a corner joint without overhang:

[162] manufacture-method (slot-cutting) is tailored to the 'single coin' fastening apparatus and method, in that the modified-cutter is inserted into the singular coin slot 108 and moved through the raceway towards the male member groove, far enough that at least half the cutter's diameter extends into the male member groove, cutting the coin slot and creating the overhang. Next, the cutter it is moved back along the same path to the position of the singular coin well, from whence it is raised back upwards.

Alternative Embodiments

[163] Fig- 17 shows a flowchart of a method of creating a furniture joint according to an example embodiment, method for milling slots in wood so a U.S. nickel 5<t piece functions as a biscuit joiner, said nickel having a diameter of about 0.832" and a thickness of about 0.074, the method begins with machining a woodruff keyseat cutter tool's disc to a diameter of about 0.845" and a thickness of about 0.078" in step 1701. Step 1702 machines said cutter's shank to a diameter of about 0.25"; the diameter of said cutter is therefore 0.013" larger than a nickel and that the thickness of said cutter is .004" thicker than a nickel. In step 1703, a male wood piece-member and a female wood piece-member are provided to be joined as a joint; across said female member's face, at a depth of about 7/16", mill a groove of width approximately 0.0075" greater than the thickness of the edge of said male member.

[164] Using an end mill router bit with a flat bottom, step 1704 plunge -cuts two substantially identical coin wells at depth of about 0.195", said coin wells each having a proximal end facing the central groove and a distal end facing the wood's outer edge, and then optionally cutting entry-notches into the distal end of each coin well in step 1705. Step 1706 cuts a tool raceway perpendicular to said groove at a substantially- central fastening point along said central groove, cutting. The length of said raceway is about 1/3 the total diameter of a nickel.

[165] The bit id plunged into one of the coin wells and move the bit tow¾rd the other coin well along the tool raceway in step 1707. Step 1708 then raises the bit when it comes to the second coin well, in which said movement cuts out a strip from the middle of the female part that crosses the male part groove, such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out); on the male member (the center piece joint).

A fastener receiver slot is cut to a length same as the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") in step 1709. Ending the method, step 1710 places the fastener receiver slot near the wood piece's edge (the piece to be joined) at a distance in from the proximal edge corresponding to the depth of the top of the fastener slot in the female part. The center of said receiver slot therefore matches up with the center of the female part's tool raceway (groove for coin-pushing tool) . [166] Fig- 18 shows a flowchart of another method of creating a furniture joint according to an example embodiment. A method of combining a first piece of wood and a second piece of wood begins in step 1801 by milling a central groove into a first piece of wood, the grove running across a first axis along the length of the wood-piece' s face to a depth of about half the first wood-piece' s thickness. Next, a coin well is milled at a position on a second axis on the wood-piece' s face in step 1802. The second axis being perpendicular to the central groove, wherein tire coin well is connected to the central groove by a tool-raceway. The tool-raceway likewise running along the second axis; wherein the coin well and the tool-raceway are positioned half as deep in the first wood-piece as is its central groove. [167] The coin well is accessible from the central groove via a substantially central raceway slot, where said slot is substantially covered by a raceway overhang and a second wood-piece has an edge thickness nominally smaller than the width of the first wood-piece' s central groove, such that the second wood piece's entire edge fits into the central groove. The second wood-piece further comprises a central coin slot positioned at a height and central position such that, when said second wood-piece is nestled into the central groove of said first wood piece, said central coin slot lies on the same plane- height as the height of said first wood piece's raceway and at the same central position as said raceway slot, such that a coin may be placed into the coin well and then

subsequently pushed along said raceway to the point where the wood pieces meet, said coin thereby straddling the two wood-pieces and resting partially under said raceway- overhang, so that said coin then holds the wood-pieces together, said coin thereby functioning as a plate biscuit joiner.

[168] Fig. 19 shows a flow-chart of yet another method of creating a furniture joint according to an example embodiment. The method begins with step 1901 machining a woodruff keyseat cutter tool's disc to a diameter of about 0.845" and a thickness of about 0.078" and machining said cutter's shank to a diameter of about 0.25". Next step 1902 ensuring the diameter of said cutter is therefore 0.013" larger than a nickel and that the thickness of said cutter is .004 " thicker than a nickel. A male wood piece-member and female wood piece-member to be joined as a joint are provided in step 1903. A groove of width approximately 0.0075" greater than the thickness of the edge of said male member is milled in step 1904 across said female member's face, at a depth of about 7/16",

[169] Step 1905 uses an end mill router bit with a flat bottom to plunge-cut a coin well at depth of about 0.195", the coin well having a proximal end facing the central groove and a distal end facing the wood's outer edge, before cutting an entry-notch into the distal end of the coin well in step 1906. At a substantially- central fastening point along said central groove, step 1907 cuts a tool raceway perpendicular to said groove. The length of said raceway being about 1/3 the total diameter of a nickel. Step 1908 plunges the bit into one of the coin wells while moving the bit toward the other coin well along the tool raceway. This movement cutting out a strip from the middle of the female part, crossing the male part groove, and raising the bit when it comes to the second coin well such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out by step 1909. Step 1910 cuts into the male wood piece-member a fastener receiver slot to a length same as the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") before placing the fastener receiver slot near the male wood piece-member’s edge at a distance in from the proximal edge corresponding to tire depth of the top of the fastener slot in the female part. The center of said receiver slot therefore matches up with the center of the female part's tool raceway (groove for coin-pushing tool). [170] A table wherein at least one table leg is fastened to the bottom side of the table- top via one or more coin-shaped plate biscuits, wherein at least one coin well and at least one slot are milled into the bottom side of the tabletop such that a coin may be placed in the coin well, then slid along an adjacent coin-raceway into a coin-sized slot in the table leg, such that the coin straddles the leg and the table by being simultaneously positioned in both the leg slot and the raceway, wherein said raceway has a sufficient overhang of at least ten per cent of the tabletop's thickness, such that the coin holds the table together even if said table is lifted by its top.

[171] Throughout the above description, a U.S. nickel, having diameter of 21,25 mm and thickness of 1.85 mm, is utilized as a coin piece useful as a joint biscuit. Coins of other currencies, such as a Scent Euro, having a diameter of 21.25 and a thickness of 1.67 mm, a lOcent Euro, having a diameter of 19.75 and a thickness of 1.93 mm, and a 2 Kronor, having a diameter of 22.5 and a thickness of 1.79 mm, may be used in its place in a sililar manner as the U.S. nickel is utilized herein.

[172] In the summary" above/below and in the detailed description above/below, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings and appendices, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. The disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention.

[173] Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, words such as "upward," "downward," "left," and "right" would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as "inward" and "outward" would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

[174] The term "comprises”, and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, among others, are optionally present.

For example, an article "comprising" (or "which comprises") components A, B and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components. [175] Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility),

[176] The term "at least" followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, "at least 1" means 1 or more than 1.

[177] The term "at most" followed by a number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no low¾r limit, depending upon the variable being defined) . For example, "at most 4" means 4 or less than 4, and "at most 4Q%" means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as "(a first number) to (a second number)" or "(a first number) - (a second number)," this means a range whose limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose low¾r limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm,

[178] Aspects of the disclosed invention may be embodied as a system, method or process, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosed invention mav take the form of an entirely different field and still hold for the herein- disclosed invention (i.e. a system for woodcutting may be applied in the field of toys, boats, or even laser-cutting of plastics or metals).

[179] Any ^r element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a specific function is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35. U.S.C. § 112, 316. Specifically'·, the use of "step of in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of U.S.C. § 112, ^l H6.

[180] Therefore, the method infra is also a method of assembling a furniture joint, comprising a first piece of wood comprising a central groove running across a first axis along the length of the wood piece’s face, said groove milled to a depth of about half the first wood piece’s thickness; and two coin wells positioned on a second axis on the wood piece' s face, said second axis being perpendicular to said groove; wherein said coin wells are connected by a tool-raceway, said raceway likewise running along the second axis (perpendicular to said groove); wherein said coin wells are substantially mirror images of each other; and wherein said coin wells and said raceway are positioned about half as deep in the first wood piece as is its central groove; and wherein the coin wells are accessible from the central groove via a raceway slot, said slot being substantially covered by a raceway overhang; said method further comprising a second wood piece whose edge thickness is nominally smaller than the width of the first wood piece' s central groove, such that said the second wood piece' sentire edge fits into said groove; and said second wood piece further comprising a central coin slot positioned at a height and position such that, when said second wood piece is nestled into the central groove of said fsrst wood piece, said central coin slot lies on the same plane-height as the plane- height of said first wood piece's raceway and at tire same central position as said raceway slot, such that a coin may be placed into either of the coin wells and then subsequently pushed along said raceway to the point where the wood pieces meet, said coin thereby straddling the two wood pieces and resting partially under said raceway overhang, so that said coin then holds the wood pieces together, said coin thereby functioning as a plate biscuit joiner.

[181] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein the coin is any disc with sufficient strength and texture to fit in the coin wells and to slide along the raceway and the slot, and to hold said wood pieces together per said method.

[182] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein overhang' s thickness is between about 15% and about 30% of the first wood piece’s thickness.

[183] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein the raceway overhang' s thickness is about 20% of the first wood piece' s thickness.

[184] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein depth of the tool raceway equals: the overhang' s thickness, plus the coin's thickness, plus an "offset" of between about 0.5 % and 1.3 % of the first wood piece’s thickness; and wherein the second wood piece’s coin slot is positioned at the same height as tire raceway's depth. [185] Also disclosed is she instant method wherein depth of the raceway equals: the overhang* s thickness, plus the coin's thickness, plus an "offset" of about 0.75% of the first wood piece* s thickness; and wherein the second wood piece’s coin slot is positioned at the same height as is the raceway's depth [186] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein said slot and said groove are larger than the pieces that fit inside them by an "offset" amount, and wherein the thickness of said overhang is the "nobreak distance," and wherein both wood pieces are 1" plywood having about 1" edges; and wherein the coin has a diameter of about 0.834" and a thickness of about 0.074"; and wherein the first wood piece’s central groove is about 1.0075" wide, thereby being nominally wider than the male wood piece* s edge; and wherein the diameter of each coin well is about 0.8415"; and wherein tire tool raceway and the coin wells rest at a depth of 0.274" ; and wherein the width of said raceway is about 0.255" ; and wherein the offset is about 0.0075"; and wherein the 'nobreak-distance' is about 0.2" in height (wood thickness); and wherein the length of the overhang is about 0.25"; and wherein the depth of said coin well and said raceway is equal to the no-break- distance+ the coin-thickness+ tire offset; and where the diameter of the coin wells equal the coin diameter ^† the offset.

[187] Therefore, the method infra is also a method for milling slots in wood so a U.S. nickel 5Y piece functions as a biscuit joiner, said nickel having a diameter of about 0.832" and a thickness of about 0,074", said method comprising the following non-sequential steps: machine a woodruff keyseat cutter tool's disc to a diameter of about 0.845" and a thickness of about 0.078"; machine said cutter's shank to a diameter of about 0.25";

ensure the diameter of said cutter is therefore 0.013" larger than a nickel and that the thickness of said cutter is .004" thicker than a nickel; provide a "male" wood piece- member and "female" wood piece-member to be joined as a joint; across said female member's face, at a depth of about 7/16" , mill a groove of width approximately 0.0075" greater than the thickness of the edge of said male member; using an end mill router bit with a flat bottom, plunge-cut two substantially identical coin wells at depth of about 0.195" ; said coin wells each having a proximal end facing the central groove and a distal end facing the wood's outer edge; and then optionally cut entry-notches into the distal end of each coin well; and at a substantially-ceniral fastening point along said central groove, cut a tool raceway perpendicular to said groove, the length of said raceway being about 1/3 the total diameter of a nickel; and plunge the bit into one of the coin wells; move the bit toward the other coin well along the tool raceway, raising the bit when it comes to the second coin well (said movement cutting out a strip from the middle of the Female Part, crossing the Male Part Groove, such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out); on the Male Member (the center piece joint), cut the "fastener receiver slot" to a length same as the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075"); the "fastener receiver slot" is placed near the wood piece's edge (the piece to be joined), a distance in from the proximal edge corresponding to the depth of the top of the fastener slot in the Female Part; the center of said receiver slot therefore matches up with the center of the Female Part's tool raceway (groove for coin-pushing tool).

[188] Therefore, the method infra is also a furniture joint comprising at least a first and a second piece of wood, both wood pieces having at least one edge, wherein a groove for said second wood piece is milled into said first wood piece such that one edge of the second wood piece is wholly fit into said groove; and wherein disc-style plate biscuits are positioned into disc-slots in both the first and second wood pieces, said disc-slots lie on the same plane as one another, and wherein said disc-slots are each covered by an overhang whose thickness is at least 10% of the first wood piece' s thickness.

[189] Therefore, the method infra is also a furniture joint comprising at least a first and a second piece of wood, both wood pieces having at least one edge, wherein a groove for said second wood piece is milled into said first wood piece such that one edge of the second wood piece is wholly fit into said groove; and wherein disc-style plate biscuits are positioned into disc-slots in both the first and second wood pieces, said disc-slots lie on the same plane as one another, and wherein said disc-slots are each covered by an overhang whose thickness is between about 15% to about 25% of the thickness of the first wood piece.

[190] Therefore, the method infra is also a furniture joint comprising at least a first and a second piece of wood, said wood pieces each having at least one edge, wherein a substantially central groove is milled into said first wood piece such that one whole edge of the second wood piece is fit into said groove; and wherein a disc-shaped plate biscuit is partially positioned info a slot milled into said first wood piece, said slot being substantially covered by an overhang whose thickness is between about 15% to about 25% of the thickness of said first wood piece, and wherein said disc-shaped plate biscuit is simultaneously partially positioned into a slot milled into said second wood piece, said slot resting at same height as the first wood piece' s slot, so that the plate biscuit straddles both wood pieces, allowing said overhang to hold said first wood piece fixed to said second wood piece using the disc as a joiner. [191] Therefore, the method infra is also a method of assembling a furniture joint, comprising; a first piece of wood comprising a central groove running across a first axis along the length of the wood piece' s face, said groove milled to a depth of about half the first wood piece' s thickness; and a coin well positioned on a second axis on the wood piece' s face, said second axis being perpendicular to said groove, wherein said coin well is connected to said groove by a tool- raceway, said tool-raceway likewise running along said second axis; and wherein the coin well and the tool raceway are positioned about half as deep in the first wood piece as is its central groove; and wherein the coin well is accessible from the central groove via a substantially central raceway slot, said slot being substantially covered by a raceway overhang; and said method further comprising a second wood piece whose edge thickness is nominally smaller than the width of the first wood piece' s central groove, such that said the second wood piece's entire edge fits into said groove; and wherein said second wood piece further comprises a central coin slot positioned at a height and central position such that, when said second wood piece is nestled into the central groove of said first wood piece, said central coin slot lies on the same plane-height as the height of said first wood piece's raceway and at the same central position as said raceway slot, such that a coin may be placed into the coin well and then subsequently pushed along said raceway to the point where the wood pieces meet, said coin thereby straddling the two wood pieces and resting partially under said raceway overhang, so that said coin then holds the wood pieces together, said coin thereby functioning as a plate biscuit joiner. [192] Also disclosed is she instant method wherein the coin is any disc with sufficient strength and texture to fit in the coin well raceway and slot, and to hold said wood pieces together per said method.

[193] Also disclosed is the instant method of wherein overhang's thickness is between about 15% and about 30% of the first wood piece’s thickness.

[194] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein the raceway overhang' s thickness is about 20% of the first wood piece' s thickness.

[195] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein depth of the tool raceway equals: the overhang' s thickness, plus the coin's thickness, plus an "offset" of between about 0,5 % and 1.3 % of the first wood piece’s thickness; and wherein the second wood piece' s coin slot is positioned at the same height as the raceway's depth.

[196] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein depth of the tool raceway equals: the overhang' s thickness, plus the coin's thickness, plus an "offset" of about 0.75% of the first wood piece' s thickness; and wherein the second wood piece' s coin slot is positioned at the same height as is the raceway's depth.

[197] Also disclosed is the instant method wherein said slot and said groove are larger than the pieces that fit inside them by an "offset" amount, and wherein the thickness of said overhang is the "nobreak distance," and wherein both wood pieces are 1” plywood having about 1” edges; and wherein the coin has a diameter of about 0.834" and a thickness of about 0.074"; and wherein the first wood piece’s central groove is about 1.0075" wide, thereby being nominally wider than the male wood piece' s edge; and wherein the diameter of each coin well is about 0.8415"; and wherein the tool raceway and the coin wells rest at a depth of 0.274" ; and wherein the width of said raceway is about 0.255" ; and wherein the offset is about 0.0075"; and wherein the 'nobreak- distance' is about 0.2" in height (i.e. 0.2" of wood-thickness); and wherein the length of the overhang is about 0.25"; wherein the depth of said coin well and said raceway is equal to the no-break-distance plus the coin-thickness plus the offset; and where the diameter of the coin wells equal the coin diameter plus the offset. [198] Therefore, the method infra is also a method for milling slots in wood so a U.S. nickel (5F piece) functions as a biscuit joiner, said nickel having a diameter of about 0.832" and a thickness of about 0.074", said method comprising the following non sequential steps: machine a woodruff keyseat cutter tool's disc to a diameter of about 0.845" and a thickness of about 0.078" machine said cutter's shank to a diameter of about 0.25"; ensure the diameter of said cutter is therefore 0.013" larger than a nickel and that the thickness of said cutter is .004" thicker than a nickel; provide a "male" wood piece- member and "female" wood piece-member to be joined as a joint; across said female member's face, at a depth of about 7/16" , mill a groove of width approximately 0.0075" greater than the thickness of the edge of said male member; using an end mill router bit with a flat bottom, plunge-cut a coin well at depth of about 0.195"; said coin well having a proximal end facing the central groove and a distal end facing the wood's outer edge; and then cut an entry-notch into the distal end of the coin well; and at a substantially- central fastening point along said central groove, cut a tool raceway perpendicular to said groove, the length of said raceway being about 1/3 the total diameter of a nickel; and plunge the bit into one of the coin wells; move the bit toward the other coin well along the tool raceway, raising the bit when it co es to the second coin w ^r eil (said movement cutting out a strip from the middle of the Female Part, crossing the Male Part Groove, such that a coin of the appropriate size can slide along it without falling out); on the Male Member (the center piece joint), cut the "fastener receiver slot" to a length same as the diameter of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075") and the width of the thickness of the coin plus a small offset (+0.0075"); the "fastener receiver slot" is placed near the wood piece's edge (the piece to be joined), a distance in from the proximal edge corresponding to the depth of the top of the fastener slot in the Female Part; the center of said receiver slot therefore matches up with the center of the Female Part's tool raceway (groove for coin-pushing tool).

[199] The skilled person will be aware of a range of possible modifications of the various aspects described above. Accordingly, the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.