Patent ID: 8186283
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: A47B,F16B

Abstract:
1. A cradle joint for customizing furniture, the cradle joint comprising: a horizontal support bracket having a top bar, a bottom bar spaced below and in parallel alignment with said top bar, and at least two support ribs extending between said top and bottom bars, said top bar having a cradle opening bounded by opposing jaws, a recess in communication with said cradle opening, said recess defined by said jaws, said support ribs and said bottom bar, said recess having two lower corner regions and two rod cam clearance pockets, said lower corner regions adjacent said bottom bar, and said rod cam clearance pockets adjacent said jaws, said bottom bar having at least two spaced apart apertures, at least one of said apertures inclined at an acute angle relative to vertical, a threaded fastener freely received in each of said apertures, two rod cams each having at least one threaded hole, each rod cam disposed in said recess, said fastener threadedly received in said hole, rotation of said fasteners moving said rod cams between said lower corner regions and said rod cam clearance pockets along paths parallel with said apertures, a cross beam having a generally I-shaped profile and two lower beam flanges, said lower beam flanges having lateral edges having oblique upper portions, said lower beam flanges defining a lower cross beam width narrower than said cradle opening, when disposed in said rod cam clearance pockets said rod cams spaced apart a distance at least as great as said cradle opening such that said cross beam is freely insertable through said opening into said recess, said cross beam movable downwardly in said recess to a seated position in which said lower beam flanges are resting on said bottom bar, and when said cross beam is in said seated position tightening of said fasteners bringing said rod cams down into engagement with said oblique upper portions of said lateral edges of said lower beam flanges such that said cross beam is firmly secured in said recess.