Boot Scraper. (open access)

Boot Scraper.

Patent for a new and improved boot scraper. This design "consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the inclined bow-shaped upper plate, having a transverse bar connecting the branches of the plate, the inner edges of which are inclined outward and upward from the upper edge of the transverse bar, and in providing, in connection with the bow-shaped plate, an under or subsidiary plate of forked form, having a rounded recess between the forks adapted to conform to the shape of the heel" (lines 18-30).
Date: October 23, 1883
Creator: Collins, Morris A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lock (open access)

Lock

Patent for "an improved lock for sliding doors. It is furthermore designed to provide an improved seal-lock especially arranged for car-doors and constructed to be automatically locked by the closing of the door and to give the latter an initial start or opening when the lock is being released, so as to facilitate the opening of the door and prevent sticking thereof" (lines 9-17).
Date: July 23, 1901
Creator: Ozment, David Brewer
System: The Portal to Texas History
Vehicle Hub (open access)

Vehicle Hub

Patent for lightweight and sturdy metal wheel hub for wooden spokes, including illustration.
Date: July 23, 1901
Creator: Holland, William J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Spigot (open access)

Spigot

Patent for a spigot that attaches to barrels and vats filled with liquids such as alcohol or acid that indicates the amount left in the barrel and can be locked closed.
Date: July 23, 1912
Creator: Herblin, William Leonard
System: The Portal to Texas History
Show-Case. (open access)

Show-Case.

Patent for "a case for displaying vegetables, fruits, nuts and other commodities, and which shall be sanitary and ventilated" (lines 12-14), including instructions and illustrations.
Date: March 23, 1915
Creator: Huston, William E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Gas-Engine (open access)

Gas-Engine

Patent for a gas engine designed with "both reciprocating and rotary motor elements" (line 10) and to minimize back pressure. Illustrations included.
Date: February 23, 1909
Creator: Patterson, John E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Provision Safe. (open access)

Provision Safe.

Patent for a new and improved safe. This design "provide[s] a household safe that will prevent rats and mice from gaining access thereto, and at the same time allow a ready handling of the articles contained in it; and the novelty consists in the construction of the same," utilizing jointed covers, spring-locks, metallic bottoms, caster-rollers, and a clasp (lines 11-15).
Date: May 23, 1882
Creator: Sykes, Robert R.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Device for Teaching Penmanship. (open access)

Device for Teaching Penmanship.

Patent for a device for teaching penmanship, which holds the hand in the correct writing position.
Date: November 23, 1909
Creator: Smith, Sidney R.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Baling Box. (open access)

Baling Box.

Patent for a new and improved baling box. This design consists "[i]n a baling-box, the bottom board having cleats and end board and fixed standards that reach above the end board in combination with the hinged side boards and end board hinged to [another] board, [those] boards being provided with cleats that reach beyond the edges of the boards to receive the loops" (lines 87-94).
Date: September 23, 1884
Creator: Bulkeley, Oliver
System: The Portal to Texas History