Band-Cutter and Feeder (open access)

Band-Cutter and Feeder

Patent for a band cutter and feeder which cuts the bands that tie bundles of grain and feeds the grain into a threshing machine. Illustrations included.
Date: September 15, 1908
Creator: Richmond, George E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Alarm Device. (open access)

Alarm Device.

Patent for an alarm device "to be used in connection with a boiler and operatively connected with the steam whistle, whereby when the water falls below a certain level in the boiler the mechanism will automatically operate to blow the whistle" (lines 11-16). Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: September 15, 1914
Creator: Priester, Joel E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Ratchet-Wrench. (open access)

Ratchet-Wrench.

Patent for a wrench that uses friction-rollers to clamp the thing that is being turned. A rotary ring-shaped cam is what actually turns the wrench's object, and there are teeth that surround the outside of the cam. A pawl, when turning the handle, turns the teeth. This is what makes the cam rotate.
Date: September 15, 1896
Creator: Fisk, Marston
System: The Portal to Texas History
Safety Device for Locomotives. (open access)

Safety Device for Locomotives.

Patent for a safety device for a locomotive that can be automatically tripped to shut off the steam from the locomotive engine and apply air to the brake mechanism. Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: September 15, 1914
Creator: Conover, James W.
System: The Portal to Texas History