Street Car. (open access)

Street Car.

Patent for a new and improved street-car. This design "is to improve that kind of street or horse car the body of which is constructed to be reversed in its position upon the truck of the car; and the invention consists in the construction of the car-body, the truck upon which the body rests, the reversing devices comprising the holding and the releasing parts, and the combination of the brake devices with a reversible car-body" (lines 9-17).
Date: February 17, 1885
Creator: Cutter, Martin A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Street-Car. (open access)

Street-Car.

Patent for improving the construction of street cars which turn upon the truck. Accompanied by illustrations.
Date: December 29, 1885
Creator: Cutter, Martin A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Swing. (open access)

Swing.

Patent for a new and improved swing. This design consists in "[t]he combination of a suitable support, a single hanger having its width increased at that point where the friction-roller of the operating-lever bears against it, with the operating-lever provided with a friction-roller to bear against the front edge of the hanger, a second roller, over which the cord passes, a friction-roller attached to the hanger, and an operating cord" (lines 18-26).
Date: June 16, 1885
Creator: Elliott, William W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Beer Cooler. (open access)

Beer Cooler.

Patent for a new and improved beer cooler. This design consists "in a beer-cooler, the combination of the cup-shaped rubber cap having the opening with the faucet, said cap being adapted to form an air-tight joint between the faucet and the beer-cooler" (lines 89-93).
Date: October 13, 1885
Creator: Follett, Charles Jonathan
System: The Portal to Texas History
Coin Sorter. (open access)

Coin Sorter.

Patent for a new and improved coin sorter. This design "consists of a cabinet or coin-receptacle divided horizontally by a vertical series of drawers, each of which, except the lower one, is formed with a bottom that is provided with closely-set rows of circular openings that communicate with the drawers beneath, the openings in the bottom of each drawer being smaller than those in the bottom of the next drawer above, whereby the larger coins are retained in the upper drawer or drawers, while the smaller coins will pass successively through the several drawers to the bottom" (lines 15-27).
Date: September 22, 1885
Creator: Harcourt, Guy M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car Coupling. (open access)

Car Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design "relates to car-couplings, and it has for its object to provide a device of this character which shall be automatic in its action, simple in its construction, positive and effective in operation, and one that will be strong and durable. A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting the link in a horizontal position, so that it will engage the draw-head of the adjacent car. The invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts" (lines 10-21).
Date: June 16, 1885
Creator: Hogan, John James & Miller, Rudolph Albert
System: The Portal to Texas History
Regenerator for Compound Engines. (open access)

Regenerator for Compound Engines.

Patent for a new and improved regenerator for compound engines. This design "consist[s] of a casing surrounding a steam-cylinder and connected with the uptake-flue, dampers being provided for closing the uptake and the entrance therefrom to the said casing, whereby the products of combustion may be either directed through the uptake or through the casing around said cylinder" (lines 46-53).
Date: January 13, 1885
Creator: Hulme, Thomas
System: The Portal to Texas History
Necktie Fastening. (open access)

Necktie Fastening.

Patent for a new and improved tie pin. This design "is to provide a simple and reliable device for fastening neck-ties or cravats, in place of the elastic loop and other means usually employed. To that end, by perforating the collar-button and providing the cravat-shield with a spring-loop, [the design] obtain[s] combined collar-button and cravat-fastener" (lines 7-14).
Date: August 4, 1885
Creator: Hutches, Benjamin F., Jr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Odometer. (open access)

Odometer.

Patent for "new and Improved Odometer, of which is a full, clear, and exact description."(lines 4-6) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: June 30, 1885
Creator: Hutches, Benjamin F., Jr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Apparatus for Producing Ammoniacal Gas. (open access)

Apparatus for Producing Ammoniacal Gas.

Patent for a new and improved refrigerator and ice machine. This design "consists in an improved construction, whereby the gas is relieved of its moisture before entering the condenser, a better apparatus is obtained, and repairs are facilitated and cheapened" (lines 12-16).
Date: July 21, 1885
Creator: Lee, Charles B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Reversible Harness Hame. (open access)

Reversible Harness Hame.

Patent for a new and improved hame. This design consists "of wood, properly curved to conform to the configuration of a horse-collar, and having their front and rear sides shaped alike, so that they may be applied interchangeably to the right or left sides to the collar. To accomplish such result [the design] provide[s] each hame with a swiveling trace attachment" (lines 7-14).
Date: September 29, 1885
Creator: Lewis, Lewis
System: The Portal to Texas History
Rope Clamp. (open access)

Rope Clamp.

Patent for a new and improved rope clamp. This design "is intended to be used in place of selvagee-straps in any and all places where such straps can be used, and also for use on purchases in setting up rigging in place of cats'-paws; also in joining two ends of a rope together in place of splicing, or in any situation where it is desired to clamp or hold ropes" (lines 7-14).
Date: June 9, 1885
Creator: Magee, Samuel H.
System: The Portal to Texas History