This joint was inspired by the realization that joinery used in frame and panel doors always results in a visual discontinuation of the vertical component, whereas the horizontal component usually carries through to an adjacent component.
Using mortise and tenon, bridle, or cope and stick joinery resulted in one member (usually the stile – the vertical member) cutting off the rail – the horizontal member.
Mitre joints didn’t harshly interrupt the visual flow, but made the eye turn the corner and follow the door frame.
I wondered if it was possible to make a joint so that both components visually continued through the joint. I started sketching.
This was the first joint that I made, based on that idea. I called it a crossing joint.
There was a lot of glue surface, but much of it was long grain to end grain which does not have as much strength when glued together as do two long grain surfaces.
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 
Chris,
Interesting concept. How about extending the outermost “finger” on the rail so it extends to the end, perhaps terminating in a miniature mitre with the stile’s “finger”. That would preserve the rail’s integral look through the joint.
Jim Barry
[Image added by Chris Wong Sept 2, 2014, 12:11pm]
Hi Jim,
Can you make a sketch of your idea? You can e-mail it to me and I’ll post it here.
Chris
Chris,
Here’s a cut at it. The number of fingers is optional. Might be a challenge to cut this by hand;-)
Jim
Hi Jim,
I don’t see an image. If it’s uploaded somewhere, you can embed it using angled brackets (above the “,” and “.” on the keyboard) around img src=”URL”
Chris
I’ve got it shared on Google Drive but don’t know how to get a good URL for pasting.
Jim,
If you e-mail me the image or allow me access to the image on Google Drive, I can post it here.
Chris
Here is Jim’s sketch:
no sketch Chris
Morgan,
I believe that the images should be showing now. I added your image to your comment below.
Chris
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the sketch. I don’t think that your joint would be too difficult to cut by hand. As with a standard mitre, I feel my eye follow the stile down to the corner, then move horizontally along the stile.
Chris
Chris, I think the top piece of the style should have a finger at the top and the bottom. I will email the sketch.
Sketch added by Chris Wong Sept 2, 2014 2:05pm
Chris, your precision always amazes me…show us more as the design develops please.
Steve
that looks great
Alternate designs sketches remind me of the “Mad Magazine” pouyit!
I think all designs accomplish what you intended to do.