£86 Improvement in the Common Bedstead , 
found in the bedstead. The rails come flush against the 
posts, and the tenon and mortice are supplied by a small 
bolt beneath the rail, which shoots into the post about 
half an inch. The smoothness of the surfaces is a pow- 
erful obstacle to a secure lodgment of the bed bug or its 
eggs, and this part may be even still further secured, if 
necessary, by a coat of paint. The bolt is sunk into the 
wood to its level, and a brass cap may be sunk into the 
post for the bolt to shoot in, with even more accuracy 
than into the wood. 
To the outside of the rail, (which is usually about four 
inches wide,) where it meets the post, is firmly screwed 
a brass hinge three inches in breadth, and sunk into the 
wood to its level, leaving half an inch of the rail visible 
above and below. The joint of this hinge, not being ex- 
actly central, falls within the edge of the rail, whilst the 
other portion crosses its junction with the post, into which 
it is accurately sunk likewise to its level. This move- 
able part of the hinge has two oblong openings or eyes, 
near its extremity, to receive two corresponding catches 
from a plate beneath ; and behind these catches a wedge- 
like key falls down, and firmly fastens the post and rail. 
The edge of the hinge on this side is raised nearly to a 
level with the projecting catches, in form of a wedge or 
inclined plane, interiorly, the broadest part below, so as 
to prevent the key from slipping out sideways; and 
serving to increase the power of the key, since they re- 
semble two wedges acting against each other. 
The plate, to which these catches are attached, is 
sunk into the post below the lower level of the hinge, 
and is there firmly screwed on a level with the wood be- 
neath. The whole of this plate, with the catches, will 
probably be better constructed of steel than of brass, 
since an equal strength will thereby be obtained, with a 
far inferior thickness. 
