Trap. (open access)

Trap.

Patent for "a trap of the character mentioned simple and efficient means for closing the entrance thereof, whereby an animal or fowl passing therethrough shall be prevented returning, and thus be held in the trap, and, further, to so construct such means as to permit the door of the trap remaining in an open position except when the animal or fowl attempts to pass out through the same, thereby affording a free passage to the interior of the trap and presenting and inducement for other animals or fowls to enter." (Lines 13-24) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: January 19, 1897
Creator: Williams, Lloyd Franklin
System: The Portal to Texas History
Steam-Engine. (open access)

Steam-Engine.

Patent for "a high-speed rotary engine wherein the steam-impelled wheel shall revolve in a horizontal plane within an upright open cylinder." (Lines 10-13) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: January 19, 1897
Creator: Slaughter, Joel C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Refrigerating Apparatus. (open access)

Refrigerating Apparatus.

Patent for a refrigerator that cools things "with the minimum expense for refrigerants; also, for affording ready access to the refrigerated substances" (lines 19-21). The cabinet has an outer layer, an inner layer, and a cooling layer. Ice is used to achieve lower temperatures.
Date: January 19, 1897
Creator: Cooley, Joseph H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Cultivator-Plow. (open access)

Cultivator-Plow.

Patent for a sectional moldboard plow that is "capable of being easily taken apart and put together when it is desired to replace the points or shares" (lines 18-20). It also has "a socket which is removably held to the bar of the cultivator and which is provided to hold the removable boards" (lines 22-25). The bar can fit double-cut or sweep plows.
Date: January 19, 1897
Creator: Hayslip, De Witt Clinton
System: The Portal to Texas History
Churn. (open access)

Churn.

Patent for a churn with an improved dasher-operating mechanism. It simply and effectively combines a "rotary and reciprocatory movement to a churn-dasher to hasten the separation of the butter" (lines 11-13). The dasher is attached to a frame, and is operated through a crank. The churn rests on a platform also attached to the frame.
Date: January 19, 1897
Creator: Wright, William L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Book-Support. (open access)

Book-Support.

Patent for a book-support made to hold large, heavy books used in commercial and government offices. The platforms can be moved up and down by a crank on the side of the support.
Date: January 19, 1897
Creator: Barnes, William A.
System: The Portal to Texas History