Improvements in Means for Coupling Rails and Posts or the like, Specially, though not Exclusively, applicable to Metal Bedsteads and Fences.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 22nd Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan.,
1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Coupling Rails and Posts or the like,
Specially, though not Exclusively, applicable to Metal Bedsteads
and Fences.
I, WILLIAM LOUIS DISMUKES, of Nashville, Davidson County, Tennesse,
United States of America, Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to means for connecting metal rails and posts, such for
example as those of bedsteads or portable fences and has for its object to provide
a simple and improved coupling adapted to detachably connect the rails to the
posts, so as to facilitate their setting up and taking apart, and at the same time
to connect the parts firmly together, whereby the movement and loosening thereof
is effectually prevented.
To these ends the present invention consists in the combination and arrange-
ment of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accom-
panying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In the drawing:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the invention applied to connect a side
and an end rail to the corner post of a bedstead.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken in the plane of the
side rail of the bedstead.
Figure 3 is a horizontal transverse sectional view.
Figures 4 and 5 are detail perspective views of the two members of the coupling
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of coupling.
Figures 7 and 8 are detail perspective views of the members thereof.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that the coupling
comprises a semi-tubular member 1, and a tubular cap member 2, adapted to
embrace the member 1 and connect the two members together.
By particular reference to Figure 4, it will be seen that the semi-tubular
member is provided with a pair of internally threaded sockets 3, projecting
transversely outward from the convex side of the member and intermediate of
the ends thereof. These sockets preferably extended at right angles to each
It will
other, and are braced by means of a web 4 extending between the same.
be understood that these parts are to be formed integral, so as to provide a strong

page_text: and durable coupling head. The side and end rails 5 and 6, respectively, are
adapted to have their ends externally screw-threaded and removably fitted into
the respective sockets 3, thereby connecting the rails together at the corners of
the bedstead. The member is also provided with a pin or lug 7, extending
laterally from the concave side, intermediate of the ends thereof, and extending
in the plane of one of the sockets.
As shown in Figure 5, the cap member of the coupling comprises a complete
sleeve or tube having one side thereof open or cut away longitudinally for a
suitable distance, and adapted to be slipped upon the semi-tubular member, so
that the opposite longitudinal sides of the opening in the cap member will
embrace the opposite longitudinal sides of the semi-tubular member. By
reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that the upper end of the cap member
embraces the upper end of the semi-tubular member, and the transverse shoulder 8,
formed by the opening in the cap member, rests upon the upper sides of the
sockets 5 and 6, whereby the cap member is prevented from slipping downward
out of engagement with the semi-tubular member. It will be understood that
the cap member is necessarily of larger diameter than the other member which
it embraces, and therefore the cap member is provided with a filling, or the wall
of the member opposite the cut away portion thereof is thickened, as at 9, for
the entire length and half of the circumferential width thereof. This thickened
portion or filling of the arm member ends abruptly in diametrically opposite
shoulders 10, extending the entire longitudinal length of the member and adapted
to fit flush against the opposite longitudinal edges of the semi-tubular member,
as clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing.
In applying the coupling member to an end post of a bedstead, the semi-
tubular member is first fitted thereto, the pin or shoulder 7 being received in a
suitable opening 11 formed transversely in the hollow or tubular post 12, as
clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. Then the cap member is
slipped upon the semi-tubular member from above and embraces the same, as
herein before described. It will now be understood that the purpose of the
filling 9, or thickening of the wall of the cap member, is to complete the tube
or sleeve of which the semi-tubular member forms a part, and thereby firmly
clamp the post between the latter and the filling 9, whereby movement of the
parts upon the post is effectually prevented. By reason of the pin fitting in the
hole provided in the post, the semi-tubular member carrying the sockets is sup-
ported upon the end post and the cap member embracing the post and the semi-
tubular member, the latter is held against the post, and the pin or shoulder is
prevented from becoming disengaged from the opening in the post. Thus it will
be seen that the side and end rails of the bedstead may be conveniently con-
nected to the end posts and effectually held thereto, and yet permit of the ready
removal of the parts when so desired.
In the modified form of the invention, the solid end post is provided with an
annular enlargement or shoulder 13, and the semi-tubular member is provided
with a transverse shoulder 14 upon the concave side thereof which is adapted to
rest upon the upper side of the annular shoulder 13 provided upon the post.
Also the cap member is provided with an inner annular shoulder 15, located
opposite the cut away portion thereof and adapted to rest upon the upper side of
the shoulder of the post, whereby the two members are connected to the post. In
each of the members of this latter form of the invention, the complimentary
grooves 16 and 17, located above the shoulders 14 and 15, are reduced in size to
closely fit the post, so that the lower portions of the grooves may fit the enlarge-
ment or shoulder 13, and thereby prevent movement of the members upon the
post. This modified form of coupling is intended to provide a connection between
the same and a solid post in which it would not be convenient to use the pin
connection, as herein before described, for a tubular post.
The present invention provides an exceedingly simple and practical means for
connecting the side and end rails to the end posts of a bedstead, being adapted

page_text: for use in connection with tubular or solid posts, and in either case fitting snugly
the post so as to prevent the movement and loosening of any of the parts of the
device. Furthermore, it will be understood that the coupling may be of angular
form instead of rounded, as shown, so as to adapt the device to the different shapes
of rails and end posts.
Although I have shown and described the coupling as used to connect with
the rails of a bedstead to the end posts thereof, it will be understood that the
coupling may be employed to connect the runner rails to the posts of an iron
fence, in a convenient and effective manner, without changing or altering the
device in any particular.
It is not necessary that the semi-tubular member be always provided with
sockets, as the rails 5 and 6 may be permanently attached thereto, and further-
more the sockets may extend in opposite directions from opposite sides of the
semi-tubular member so as to accomodate the device for use in connection with
an iron fence. Also the semi-tubular member may be carried at one end of a
fence rail for connection with an end post.
Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction,
within the scope of the appended claims, may be resorted to without departing
from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A device of the class described, comprising a semi-tubular member having
means adapted to engage a post, whereby the member may be connected thereto
and provided with sockets, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both
the post and the semi tubular member, whereby the latter is prevented from
becoming disengaged from the post, substantially as shown and described.
2. A device of the class described, comprising a semi-tubular member having
means adapted to engage a post, whereby the member may be connected thereto,
and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post and the semi-tubular
member, whereby the latter is prevented from becoming disengaged from the
post, substantially as shown and described.
8. A device of the class described, comprising a semi-tubular member adapted
to have an engagement with a post and provided with divergent sockets having
a brace web therebetween, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both
the post and the semi-tubular member, whereby the latter is prevented from
becoming disengaged from the post, substantially as shown and described.
4. A device of the class described, comprising a semi-tubular member having
means adapted to connect the same to a post and provided with sockets, and a
tubular cap member having a portion of one side thereof cut away or open
longitudinally and adapted to embrace the post and the upper portion of the
semi-tubular member, the transverse shoulder of the cap member formed by the
cut away portion thereof being adapted to rest upon the sockets of the semi-
tubular member, whereby the cap member is held upon the semi-tubular member,
substantially as shown and described.
5. A device of the class described, comprising a semi-tubular member having
means adapted to engage a post and provided with sockets, and a tubular cap
member adapted to embrace both the post and the semi-tubular member and
provided with a longitudinal enlargement or filling adapted to contract the in-
terior of the cap and co-operate with the semi-tubular member to fit snugly the
post and thereby prevent movement of the device upon the post, substantially
as shown and described.
6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a post having a
lateral opening formed therein, of a semi-tubular member having a pin or lug
adapted to fit within the opening in the post and provided with sockets, and a

page_text: tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post and the semi tubular
member, substantially as shown and described.
7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a post having a
lateral opening formed therein, of a semi-tubular member having divergent
sockets projecting laterally from the convex face of the member, and a pin or
lug projecting laterally from the concave face of the mamber in the plane of
the sockets, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post and
the semi-tubular member, whereby the pin or lug of the latter may be held
within the opening formed with the post substantially as shown and described.
Pattu THIS
བv་ས ་་་
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.