Car Axle and Wheel (open access)

Car Axle and Wheel

Patent for a new and improved wheel and axle for cars. This design calls for "providing each of the axle with a fixed ratchet-wheel and providing the car-wheels with spring-pawls adapted to engage with the ratchets" (lines 21-24). This overcomes the strain that the wheels place on the axles when making turns, which reduces the chance of the car leaving its tracks.
Date: May 16, 1882
Creator: Pendleton, William S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Brick-Truck (open access)

Brick-Truck

Patent for improvements in trucks for carrying bricks.
Date: April 16, 1889
Creator: Weekes, John William
System: The Portal to Texas History
Stirrup. (open access)

Stirrup.

Patent for a new and improved stirrup. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the upper tubular cross-tie, of the stirrup in open-communication through the sides of the latter and serving for attachment of the stirrup strap, of the fender and the cord, arranged to unite the upper portion of the fender to the stirrup" (lines 76-81).
Date: June 16, 1885
Creator: Turner, Ephraim M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Whip. (open access)

Whip.

Patent for a new and improved whip. This design "consists in a combination, with a metallic or other rigid handle, of a whip body or core composed of cotton or other vegetable fibrous material, in one or more strands, having wire wrapped about or incorporated with them, and in the combination therewith of a vulcanized rubber covering, the fibrous material giving the necessary flexibility to the body or core of the whip and the wire applied thereto, said material protecting the latter from injury during the process of covering or vulcanizing the rubber covering" (lines 16-28).
Date: June 16, 1885
Creator: Turner, Ephraim M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Fence. (open access)

Fence.

Patent for improvement to the cost and strength of fences.
Date: February 16, 1886
Creator: Tillman, William A.
System: The Portal to Texas History