cupandpin

Cupandpin is a term that appears in historical craft literature to describe a fastening or alignment method in which a cup-shaped recess or socket receives a pin to secure two components. The arrangement is noted in various contexts, particularly in traditional joinery and small mechanical devices, and is generally characterized by the combination of a recess that guides or locates a pin and a corresponding pin that locks or positions parts.

In woodworking and furniture making, cupandpin joints are described as simple, removable connections used in some antique pieces. The exact geometry varies by region and maker, but the common idea is that a small pin is pressed or driven into a cup-shaped recess to hold two pieces together while allowing disassembly for repair or reconfiguration.

In horology and light machinery, the term appears in older catalogs to denote a minimal securing mechanism where a pin engages a cup-shaped guide, providing a stable yet removable link that resists lateral movement.

The term is largely historical and not part of standard modern engineering vocabulary. When encountered today, cupandpin is typically discussed in the context of antique tools, vernacular cabinetmaking, or niche mechanical puzzles. The name is descriptive rather than proprietary, reflecting the cup-and-pin geometry rather than a single standardized specification.

See also: joinery, pin-and-cup, dowel, mortise and tenon.