Catch. (open access)

Catch.

Patent for an improved catch (latch) to hold open gates that will "prevent a rebound of the gate" (lines 20) and is "simpler, less expensive, and otherwise more convenient" (lines 29-30) to manufacture and use.
Date: March 5, 1918
Creator: Borah, Dee.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Apparatus for Boring Artesian Wells. (open access)

Apparatus for Boring Artesian Wells.

Patent for a new and improved artesian-well borer. This design "has for its object to furnish a combination tool which will wear or cut the harder grades or rock frequently met with in boring wells of this class, and also to furnish a tool which will be harder than the common steel too or auger, thereby dispensing with the necessity of taking out and sharpening" (lines 13-20). It consists in "[a] fluted hemispherical mass of corundum for boring Artesian wells, said mass being provided with cutting-edges which extend from the apex to the base, [and] a metallic core embedded within the mass" (lines 16-20).
Date: April 5, 1892
Creator: Brown, Frank O.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Means For Protecting Vaults. (open access)

Means For Protecting Vaults.

Patent for protecting bank vaults by using metal shells (that are adapted to receive frangible gas containers containing asphyxiating or other disabling gas) as inner linings inside and next to the brick wall of the vault. The metal shells containing the gas containers will break upon contact when a person or persons are trying to breach the outer (brick wall) to gain access to the bank vault.
Date: April 5, 1921
Creator: Bumpass, Leonard E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Process of Removing Surface Finish (open access)

Process of Removing Surface Finish

Patent for the process of removing paint, enamel, varnish, and lacquer from the surfaces of coated materials.
Date: October 5, 1920
Creator: Cleveland, David P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Dental Handpiece (open access)

Dental Handpiece

Patent for a dental handpiece. Illustrations included.
Date: April 5, 1904
Creator: Crawford, Lyter H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Draft Attachment for Carriages and Wagons. (open access)

Draft Attachment for Carriages and Wagons.

Patent for a device that can be secured to a swingle-tree or vehicle axle to allow shafts to be secured or instantly released.
Date: December 5, 1911
Creator: Darden, George A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Rail-Brace (open access)

Rail-Brace

Patent for new and useful improvements in rail braces. Provides the inexpensive manufacture of more durable rail braces and also improves bracing to hold the track in line the full length of the rail.
Date: August 5, 1913
Creator: Davis, Charles Wesley
System: The Portal to Texas History
Electrical Attachment for Movable Object (open access)

Electrical Attachment for Movable Object

Patent for "a means to prevent the retarding of a movable element, such as shovel or disk plows, road rollers and rotatable and reciprocatory devices, when the said element is traveling through or upon an adhering earthy electrical conducting substance" (lines 7-12).
Date: November 5, 1907
Creator: Dawkins, John R.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Transmission Gear Shifting Device. (open access)

Transmission Gear Shifting Device.

Patent for a new transmission gear shifting device will "provide means for shifting the transmission parts of an automobile or other motor driven vehicle, without employing the usual hand levers and appliances, and to do so by means of electrically controlled operating mechanisms in combination with certain component parts." (Lines 12-18) including illustrations.
Date: January 5, 1915
Creator: De Witt, G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hame And Trace Connector. (open access)

Hame And Trace Connector.

Patent for certain new and useful improvements in Hames, including instructions and illustrations.
Date: September 5, 1899
Creator: Dodson, Roy
System: The Portal to Texas History
Double-Stream Draft-Arm. (open access)

Double-Stream Draft-Arm.

Patent for a double stream draft arm for soda fountains, which reduces wear and allows easier cleaning.
Date: July 5, 1910
Creator: Dosterschill, Bernard K.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Plumb Rule And Level (open access)

Plumb Rule And Level

Patent for a plumb rule and level. Illustration included.
Date: February 5, 1907
Creator: Downs, Wayne
System: The Portal to Texas History
Cotton Conveying and Cleaning Apparatus. (open access)

Cotton Conveying and Cleaning Apparatus.

Patent for improvements in cotton conveying and cleaning apparatus by using the combination of “a rearwardly-open feeder and a conveyer in position to receive cotton discharge at the rear of the feeder” (lines 103-105), as a result when a conveyer bring “cotton to the feeder, it would provide a branch in position to take up the cotton delivered by the conveyer” (lines 106-108) thus preventing undue accumulation of excess cotton and continuous movement of the cotton in all the parts. Illustration is included.
Date: May 5, 1891
Creator: Elam, William E.; Thomas, Robert S. & Hardwick, Saunie W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Gas-Meter-Valve Protector (open access)

Gas-Meter-Valve Protector

Patent for an attachment for gas or fluid meters that uses the sliding valve principle. Improvments upon valve covers so that they are more firmly attached.
Date: June 5, 1917
Creator: Emerson, Bennett
System: The Portal to Texas History
Check-Book (open access)

Check-Book

Patent for a foldable check book. Illustration is included.
Date: October 5, 1920
Creator: Exline, Marcus P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hinge Seat Cutter (open access)

Hinge Seat Cutter

Patent for as hinge seat cutter. This device is designed to cut apertures so that mounted windows and door will be flush. Illustration included.
Date: November 5, 1912
Creator: Franklin, William E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cultivators. (open access)

Improvement in Cultivators.

Patent for a new and useful improvement in cultivators.
Date: February 5, 1878
Creator: Graves, Jefferson M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Nose-Bag for Feeding Horses and Other Animals. (open access)

Nose-Bag for Feeding Horses and Other Animals.

Patent for a nose-bag for horse feed that allows the feed to stay near the horses mouth despite changes in the weight of the feed. It also allows for easier filling of the bag.
Date: February 5, 1907
Creator: Hodge, Alfred Lucas
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lattice. (open access)

Lattice.

Patent for a simple, strong, and economic lattice that is meant for use in jail cells. It allows air and light into the cell, and they are formed with "alternately opposite depressions and elevations for the reception of the bars running at right angles thereto" (lines 12-24). It should have alternating bars of steel and iron.
Date: February 5, 1895
Creator: Hull, William S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lathe-Chuck (open access)

Lathe-Chuck

Patent for a lathe chuck to be used with cotton gins. Illustrations included.
Date: May 5, 1908
Creator: Jipperson, John Marsen
System: The Portal to Texas History
Vapor-Burner (open access)

Vapor-Burner

Patent for a vapor burner and generator. Illustrations included.
Date: January 5, 1909
Creator: Jordan, James T.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Grave-Marker. (open access)

Grave-Marker.

Patent for a new and useful Grave-Marker. The body of the improved grave marker or cradle is elongated or somewhat elliptical in contour, and its central portion is open, in order that the grave marker or cradle may surround a grave.
Date: May 5, 1914
Creator: Kimball, Herbert E
System: The Portal to Texas History
Garden-Hose Holder (open access)

Garden-Hose Holder

Patent for a garden hose holder that "will support the nozzle or discharge end of a garden hose" at adjustable heights and directions. The patent allows for the "stream of water [to be] directed from the hose in any desired direction and at any angle relative to the ground."
Date: January 5, 1915
Creator: Leslie, Lee B. & Feuerbacher, Max E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Marking-Tally. (open access)

Marking-Tally.

Patent for a marking or tallying device which is activated by putting pressure on one end. It is designed for marking lumber.
Date: August 5, 1913
Creator: Lillard, William W.
System: The Portal to Texas History