Whiffletree (open access)

Whiffletree

Patent for a whiffletree, a type of doubletree, which is part of a horse's harness.
Date: November 4, 1902
Creator: Stansell, William H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Whiffletree. (open access)

Whiffletree.

Patent for an all-metal one-piece whiffletree of "strength, economy, durability, and lightness" (lines 21-22) with solid metal ends that interlock with trace-hooks and prevent "the trace-coupling from becoming accidentally disconnected" (lines 26-27), including illustrations.
Date: November 29, 1892
Creator: Flatau, Louis S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Tightener. (open access)

Wire-Tightener.

Patent for "an improved wire-tightener especially designed for use in the tightening of wires in the construction of fences and in taking up slack after such fences have been constructed, but which instrument is also capable of use in tying packages with wire, binding planks to posts, and in other instances where it is desirable to tighten wire and secure it when so tightened." (Lines 7-15) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: September 7, 1891
Creator: Flatau, Louis S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Seed Planter. (open access)

Seed Planter.

Patent for a new and improved planter. This design "is an improvement in the class of walking planters. It is particularly adapted for sowing cotton-seed, but will also plant corn and distribute fertilizing material. The principle feature of the invention is the construction of the seed-discharging device arranged and rotating in the bottom of the seed-hopper. The construction of the latter and the frame of the machine likewise embody novel and important features" (lines 7-16).
Date: November 16, 1886
Creator: Flatau, Louis S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Combined Seed-Planter, Fertilizer-Distributer, and Cultivator. (open access)

Improvement in Combined Seed-Planter, Fertilizer-Distributer, and Cultivator.

Patent for improvement in a combined seed-planter, fertilizer-distributer, and cultivator by attaching some prongs to a dropping-wheel for the purpose of taking hold of the cotton-seed and draw it out of the hopper. This dropping-wheel can be covered with a case when planning seeds and, removed if fertilizer is to be distributed with small seeds. Illustration is included.
Date: November 21, 1876
Creator: Flatau, Louis
System: The Portal to Texas History