Taper Attachment Question

[BlastedBilly]

I have a taper attachment on my Turnmaster lathe but I'm missing the part that clamps to the bed. I plan to fabricate one but have a couple of questions for the experts.
Does the pull-bar between the attachment and clamp need to be parallel with the bed?
If so, why is it hinged?
Here's a pic:

Thanks!

 

[Terrywerm]

The bar should be as close to parallel to the bed as possible, but it does not need to be perfect, as you have already figured out due to the hinge in the bar. The taper guide bar, when set to 0*, is the only part that needs to be perfectly parallel to the bed.