A universal cradle apparatus having a pair of substantially rigid jaw
structures each configured with a flange structure having a substantially
planar mounting surface adapted for being secured to respective
cooperating male and female portions of a spring-return clamping
mechanism formed of telescoping male linear drive shaft and mating female
linear drive channel. The two jaw structures are each configured with a
shallow cup-shaped clamping surface that is projected above the
respective flange structure. The jaw structures are mounted on the
respective drive shaft and drive channel each having its respective
cup-shaped interior clamping surface facing toward the clamping surface
of the other jaw. A spring is coupled for biasing the male drive shaft
into the mating female drive channel of the clamping mechanism, thereby
driving the two jaw structures together along a linear drive axis of the
clamping mechanism.