Car Coupling. (open access)

Car Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design "consists in a lever pivoted in the front of the top of the draw-head and provided at its outer end with an aperture, through which the coupling-pin is passed into the aperture in the draw-head, below which lever another lever is pivoted, hanging vertically across the front-opening of the draw-head, and provided at the upper part of its inner edge with a projection, so that when the coupling-link pushes the lower lever inward the upper lever and the pin are raised, and drop as soon as the link has passed into the draw-head" (lines 10-21).
Date: January 31, 1882
Creator: Griffin, James Lee
System: The Portal to Texas History
Automatic Damper (open access)

Automatic Damper

Patent for "an attachment for stove-dampers whereby said dampers will be automatically moved, in order that the fire may be maintained at a predetermined heat" (lines 9-13).
Date: January 31, 1888
Creator: Beauchamp, William A. J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Insect-Destroyer. (open access)

Insect-Destroyer.

Patent for "improvement in machines for destroying bugs and worms that infest cotton and other plants" (lines 8-10), including instructions and illustrations.
Date: January 31, 1888
Creator: Webb, Thomas H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oil Can. (open access)

Oil Can.

Patent for a new and improved oil can. This design utilizes a handle with a hollow tube leading into the oil chamber, so when the removable cap is unscrewed from the handle, air flows into the chamber, which allows the oil to flow. This eliminates the need for a spring-bottom as with other oil cans, for the flow of oil can be stopped by sealing the tube.
Date: January 31, 1882
Creator: Wilson, Charles Bennett
System: The Portal to Texas History
Nut Lock. (open access)

Nut Lock.

Patent for a new and improved nut lock. This design has, "[i]n combination with a bolt having a cylindrical stem and a head beveled on its inner face, a nut tapped to receive the threaded end of the bolt and prevented from turning" (lines 73-77).
Date: January 31, 1888
Creator: Anderson, Lee
System: The Portal to Texas History