A NEW AND IMPROVED JOINT FOR UNITING OR FIXING POSTS AND RAILS OF BEDSTEADS, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE, POSTS AND RAILS IN FENCING, IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF FRAMEWORK FOR CONSERVATORIES, EMIGRANTS' AND OTHER PORTABLE' HOUSES
Year: 1862

page_text: PROVISIONAL. SPECIFICATION left by. Felton Charles Kirkman and
Richard Swift at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their'
Petition, on the 19th May 1862.
We, FELTON CHARLES KIRKMAN, of Crouch End, Hornsey, in the County".
of Middlesex, and RICHARD SWIFT, of Hounslow, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A
NEW AND IMPROVED JOINT FOR UNITING OR FIXING POSTS AND RAILS OF BEDSTEADS,
AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE, POSTS AND RAILS IN FENCING, IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF FRAMEWORK FOR CONSERVATORIES, EMIGRANTS' AND OTHER PORTABLE'
HOUSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a joint for or mode or method of uniting the posts
and rails, whether for bedsteads or other articles of furniture, posts and rails of
fencing, also applicable in the construction of framing for conservatories,
emigrants' and other portable houses, to be used instead of the ordinary corner
block, dovetail, or other joint now commonly in use.
i
We hereby describe our Invention as applicable to posts & rails of a
metallic or wood bedstead, and other articles of furniture or framework with
posts and rails. We firmly attach to the corner pillar or post where the sides
or end rails are fixed a wrought or cast hollow metal block, in which are
formed mortices or sockets proceeding from the sides of the block at right'
angles one with the other, as the case may be, and downward from the top,-of-
a precisely similar form to that of the tenon to be inserted. The side and
end rails at their extremities are set or formed in such a manner that they will
lap one over the other, and are also provided with a hole punched or drilled

page_text: in the top portion of the rail to pass over a T-shaped bolt or pin, which is
securely fixed in the hollow metal block by the T or head, the bolt end standing
upward for the purpose of receiving the side and end bars or rails, which are
dropped vertically over the bolt and into the mortice or notches in their
position, as described. The upper portion of the post or cap is provided with
a screwed nut firmly fixed in its base, which upon the sides and end rails
being placed in their respective positions, is immediately screwed on to the
bolt or pin, and tightly in contact with the side & end-rails-and-hollow metal
block, forming a complete union of the various parts. The hollow metal block
may be either cast, welded, soldered, pinned, or wedged to the lower portion
of the pillar or post, as the case may be. The operation of securing the side or
end rails may be effected by means of a bayonet groove or grooves in the top
cap or upper part of post, to pass over studs provided on the bolt or pin.
In some instances the top cap or upper part of post may be secured to the
T-headed bolt or pin, fixed in hollow metal block by means of a split or other
cotter or wedge passed through holes made in upper post or cap and pin,
thereby making a firm combination of the various parts.
Another method which we claim of securing the sides or end rails is, by
splitting the angle or T-iron and turning up the top member, and shaping the
same to the form of the pillar or post. The tenon ends are passed horizontally
into the mortice holes, and the turned up ends brought in contact. with the
pillar, and a loose moulded ring of wrought iron or other metal which is slid
down the pillar or post and over the turned up ends, and either screwed
or wedged in its position. Sometimes the cap or ring may be formed and
secured in place by means of an ornamental knob or nut screwed to the
top of the bolt or pin, and thereby pressing tightly on the various parts,
preventing the possibility of rising from their positions.
By either of these new plans we obtain a much more regular strain at the
joints, and a much more simple and inexpensive joint than those heretofore
used for similar objects, with this additional advantage, that when the frame-
work requires taking to pieces it is only necessary to remove the top cap or
portion of the post, and the rails can be readily removed from their various
positions.
We will with our Final Specification give a more complete and general
description of our Invention, accompanyed. by Drawings.