Compressed-Air and Steam Apparatus for Sinking Wells (open access)

Compressed-Air and Steam Apparatus for Sinking Wells

Patent for "a simple and inexpensive apparatus for drilling the rock and earth until sufficient loose material has accumulated in the shaft, and then remove such material by the pressure of an aeriform fluid - such as steam or compressed air" (lines 23-29).
Date: July 16, 1889
Creator: Goodrich, Hervey K.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Pocket. (open access)

Pocket.

Patent for a new and improved pouch. This design "is to provide for the use of ladies and others a sheet-metal pocket lined with soft material and provided with a pin by means of which it may be secured to the garments" (lines 7-11).
Date: June 16, 1885
Creator: Roberts, Lilly Forentha
System: The Portal to Texas History
Grave Guard. (open access)

Grave Guard.

Patent for a new and improved grave guard. This design allows for a grave guard that receives fence posts, headstones, and water for neighboring plants, which compiles these effects from various other devices.
Date: May 16, 1882
Creator: Gent, Alfred
System: The Portal to Texas History
Fire Tongs. (open access)

Fire Tongs.

Patent for a new and improved pair of fire tongs. This design consists of "[a] guide device for preventing the legs of fire-tongs from crossing, consisting of a wing-plate having at one end an open eye to fit about one leg of the tongs, and attached thereto . . . and a slot-piece having open eyes to fit about the other leg, and a straight part attached to the said eyes and forming the slot through which the wing may move freely" (lines 91-99).
Date: August 16, 1881
Creator: Mangum, Wiley P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Foot for Sand Levers. (open access)

Foot for Sand Levers.

Patent for a new and improved foot for sand levers. This design consists in "the combination of the semi-cylindrical bearing having an aperture formed in its center, a cylindrical body working in the said bearing and having a square intermediate portion adapted to fit in the same aperture, upward-extending wings made integral with the body and forming a socket, and a lever fitting in the said socket" (lines 29-37).
Date: April 16, 1889
Creator: Vezie, Charles
System: The Portal to Texas History