S88 Improvement in the Common Bedstead . 
j Reference to the Engraving. Plate 9. 
Fig. 1. A bedstead in perspective, exhibiting the gene- 
ral connection of the parts by hinges and bolts. 
a a a a, the bolts beneath the rails, shooting into the 
posts. 
Fig. 2. The hinge separate from the bedstead, a, the 
part which is firmly screwed into the rail, b, the dot- 
ted line, shows the relative situation of the joining of 
the post and rail, which is not immediately beneath 
the joint of the hinge, cc, the two oblong holes of 
the hinge, through which the catches pass, that retain 
the key, or wedge, in its place, d , the edge of 
the hinge, on a level with the* elevation of the key, 
and which, by its angular form, increases its wedge- 
like action. 
Fig. 3. The plate which is permanently let in and 
screwed to the post beneath the hinge, e, e, the pro- 
jecting catches of the plate, which pass through the 
oblong openings of the hinge cc, fig. 2, and behind 
which catches, the key falls down anterior to the 
hinge. 
Fig. 4. The wedgelike key that falls behind the catches. 
This may be attached by a small chain to the post. 
Fig. 5. The hinge, when keyed. 
Fig. 6. A small piece of brass, with a notch, screwed 
into the post ; into which notch, a catch on the head- 
’ board, similar to one of those above mentioned, e ? fig. 
3, falls, and thus attaches it firmly : Four of these are 
necessary ; or four small bolts, fixed in the headboard, 
may be employed in their place, to shoot into the 
posts. 
N. B. The plates may be screwed to the bedstead 
by screws of a proper size, and having their heads made 
blue by the action of heat. This gives an additional or- 
