Bridle-Bit. (open access)

Bridle-Bit.

Patent for new and improved bridle-bits, including illustrations.
Date: September 25, 1900
Creator: Lee, Joseph Loverel
System: The Portal to Texas History
Bedstead. (open access)

Bedstead.

Patent for a new and improved bedstead. This design "consists in the provision of adjustable hangers for mattress-supports" (lines 12-13). To this end, it consists, "with the side and end rails having vertical mortises or grooves, the cap-plates covering the upper ends of the grooves or mortises and having threaded apertures, and a mattress-support, of the hangers respectively comprising the vertical shank or body seated in the grooves or mortises of the rails, and the horizontal branch extending inwardly from said shank or body and having a slot to seat the side and end bars" (lines 83-93).
Date: September 20, 1892
Creator: Currey, George Henry
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car-Coupling. (open access)

Car-Coupling.

Patent for a car-coupling that has a "simple construction which can be operated without going between the cars both in coupling and in uncoupling, and also to provide for adjusting the height of the coupler or draw head so that cars of different heights can be readily coupled" (lines 17-22).
Date: September 18, 1894
Creator: Duggan, Nicholas S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Artificial Leg. (open access)

Artificial Leg.

Patent for a new and improved artificial leg. This design "consists in certain improvements in the construction and arrangement of parts in artificial legs, so as to make them more durable, easier of repair, and more comfortable to the wearer" (lines 11-15).
Date: September 19, 1882
Creator: Wolf, Peter M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Window Fastener (open access)

Window Fastener

Patent for a "combined automatic window fastener and lock by means of which a sliding window-sash may be securely held and fastened at any desired point of elevation and locked against movement in either direction."
Date: September 2, 1902
Creator: Parks, Leonard D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Pulverizing Subsoil-Plows. (open access)

Improvement in Pulverizing Subsoil-Plows.

Patent for an improvement in subsoil plows to pulverize soils, including illustrations.
Date: September 22, 1874
Creator: Mangham, Josiah T.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Well Cover. (open access)

Well Cover.

Patent for a new and improved well cover. This design "is to provide a new and improved cover for wells, cisterns, &c., which cover is so constructed and arranged that it can be moved back by stepping on a step in front of it, and is automatically closed when the pressure is removed" (lines 8-13).
Date: September 8, 1885
Creator: Bullock, Henry P. & Cook, Henry B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Surgical Instrument. (open access)

Surgical Instrument.

Patent for improvements to a device to perform an operation known as a perrineorhaphia, including an illustration of the device. This device stabilizes the edges of a wound on the perineum so the surgeon can place sutures and close the wound.
Date: September 16, 1902
Creator: Simpson, Richard H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Horse Detacher. (open access)

Horse Detacher.

Patent for a new and improved horse-detacher. This design "is to make a compound single-tree which, with certain attachments, will hold the traces securely or allow them to be drawn off the hooks if the horse should run; also, to hold up the shafts while the horse is passing therefrom" (lines 15-20). To this end, it consists in "[t]he combination, with the spring-held vibratory draft-rod having the loop, of the strap and the shaft, the latter carrying the oppositely-placed stirrup-arm and treadle-arm" (lines 74-78).
Date: September 16, 1890
Creator: Chamlee, Jeff D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Harness Attachment. (open access)

Harness Attachment.

Patent for a new and improved harness attachment. This design "compris[es] the pad having apertured ends, the buckle-frame, the loop therefrom having a beveled end provided with a lug or projection, the securing-plate having apertured ends, and the trace or tug" (lines 70-75).
Date: September 13, 1887
Creator: Du Bose, Wade Hampton
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car Coupling. (open access)

Car Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved car-coupling. This design represents "improvements in coupling railroad-cars where any of the ordinary drawheads requiring the use of the link and pin are used; and the object of [the] improvement is to make a complete, simple, and durable car-coupler. . . . by means of a strong adjustable drop ring or link and catch-pin" (lines 13-20).
Date: September 11, 1883
Creator: Garrett, Jackson B.
System: The Portal to Texas History