Bed bolts

Generally, bolts used with nuts to join the side rails or posts of a bed frame to the headboard and footboard. In modern usage, the term commonly refers specifically to a particular kind of bolt and nut configuration: Very long bolts are seated in a counter-bored hole in the bed posts, penetrating into the side rails. A special nut is located in a recess, usually in a round mortise, within the side rail. A special wrench is used to tighten the bolt, which draws the components together securely. This type of bolt used with special nuts is referred to as a "bed bolt," even when used to join parts of other furniture, such as tables, chairs, or other items.