A method of mechanically joining wood panels side edge to side edge by providing a panel with a groove between a top and bottom surfaces of the panel having two holding ramps with an angle of between 25 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the groove insertion axis which is parallel to the top surface; providing a connector adapted to mate with the groove of the panel having two right-side sub-tongues extending from right side and two left-side sub-tongues extending from the left side of a rectangular base support, and outward extending distal catches on the sub-tongues in a direction substantially normal to the groove insertion axis; and inserting the sub-tongues with distal catches into the groove along the groove insertion axis allowing the distal catches on the two right-side or two left-side sub-tongues to touch the two holding ramps causing the sub-tongues to flex.