Cotton-Chopper. (open access)

Cotton-Chopper.

Patent for a cotton chopper that is "cheap, durable, have as few parts as practicable, and be easily assembled" (lines 13-15). The device uses hoe-carrying shafts and a main-drive shaft, and the hoes elevate and depress to chop the cotton.
Date: May 4, 1897
Creator: Moore, John Neally
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car-Coupling. (open access)

Car-Coupling.

Patent for "automatic pin-and-link car-couplings in which a sliding spring-actuated block is employed for supporting the coupling-pin in an elevated position preparatory to coupling." (Lines 8-12) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 25, 1897
Creator: Lee, Charles
System: The Portal to Texas History
Combination-Tool. (open access)

Combination-Tool.

Patent for a combination tool "specifically adapted for use as a pan or plate lifter or a stove-lid lifter and which may also be used for holding dishes while being washed" (lines 4-7), including illustrations.
Date: May 18, 1897
Creator: Swenson, Charles E. & Swenson, Olive C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Churn. (open access)

Churn.

Patent for an automatic churn, which churns up and down and rotationally. To operate, turn a crank and a gear inside the churn moves the blades.
Date: May 4, 1897
Creator: Rogers, James P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Coat-Adjuster. (open access)

Coat-Adjuster.

Patent for a machine that holds a coat for a person and puts it on that person, thus avoiding the need to personally put on a coat. Pivoted arms hold on to the coat and clamps are connected to the arms which hold on to the coat.
Date: May 11, 1897
Creator: Spoon, William L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Canopy for Vehicles, &c. (open access)

Canopy for Vehicles, &c.

Patent to "improve the construction of canopies and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient one adapted to be readily mounted on all kinds of vehicles, plows, machines, &c., where shade or protection from weather is desirable" (lines 11-15) with instructions and illustration.
Date: December 10, 1896
Creator: Buchanan, Hugh A. & Tisdal, Jefferson M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Bottle. (open access)

Bottle.

Patent for a bottle that has a mechanism near its opening, and when the cork is pulled out, it becomes impossible to refill the bottle and use it again. The point of this bottle is so that after it has been sealed, it cannot be opened and emptied without apparent evidence that it has been opened.
Date: May 4, 1897
Creator: Phillips, George C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Bicycle Attachment. (open access)

Bicycle Attachment.

Patent for "a new and improved bicycle attachment arranged to serve as a foot-rest for the feet of the rider while coasting and adapted to be lowered to support the bicycle in a vertical position when not in use and to securely lock the wheel and support together to prevent the machine from being stolen" (lines 7-14), including illustrations.
Date: May 11, 1897
Creator: Zintgraff, August
System: The Portal to Texas History