Combined Mosquito Bar Frame and Canopy. (open access)

Combined Mosquito Bar Frame and Canopy.

Patent for a new and improved mosquito netting. This design "provide[s] a simple and substantial construction of frame for supporting the mosquito-bar that will admit of ready application to and removal from the bedstead, and also to provide a simple and effective arrangement of cords to the mosquito-bar, whereby it may be easily extended over the bed or folded out of the way by the occupant of the bed" (lines 12-20).
Date: January 24, 1882
Creator: Howe, Charles P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Compound for the manufacture of artificial stone. (open access)

Compound for the manufacture of artificial stone.

Patent for "Compounds for the Manufacture of Artificial Stone...and it consists in composition formed by mixing certain materials in solution and treating them in further solutions" (lines 5-15).
Date: January 2, 1883
Creator: Greer, Joseph A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Frame House. (open access)

Frame House.

Patent for a new and improved frame house. This design consists of "[t]he combination, in a roof, of T-shaped caps or battens having in their depending tongues the transverse dovetail grooves, the roof-boards arranged above the grooves and below the horizontal and lateral arms of the said battens, and the purlins adapted to enter the grooves and grooved longitudinally to engage the said tongues" (lines 23-31).
Date: January 17, 1882
Creator: Boyd, John
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hydraulic Excavating Machine. (open access)

Hydraulic Excavating Machine.

Patent for a new and improved hydraulic excavator. This design "consists in combining a submerged propeller-wheel with a water-jet tube having a flexible connection with the supply-pipe, so as to permit the water-jet tube to rise and fall . . . and also move laterally, whereby the tube will, when it meets an obstruction, yield sufficiently to prevent breaking, jarring, or injuring any of the parts, the water-jet tube and propeller bearing such relative positions to each other that the . . . obstructions disengaged by the jet will be held in suspension . . . and carried off by the natural current" (lines 14-27).
Date: January 15, 1884
Creator: Mansfield, Samuel M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Railroad Switch. (open access)

Railroad Switch.

Patent for a new and improved railroad switch. This design "consists in securing the short switch-rail to a long guard-rail, instead of pivoting it to the end of the sliding-rail or supporting-plate, the said guard-rail having the end remote from the short switch-rail spiked securely to the track, and the end carrying the switch-rail provided with lever or other moving devices whereby the switch-rails are thrown" (lines 21-29).
Date: January 15, 1884
Creator: Crowley, John H.
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
Sash Holder. (open access)

Sash Holder.

Patent for a new and improved sash holder. This design "consists in supplying the sash with two spring-actuated cams—one upon each side—which cams in their normal condition press against the frame and hold the sash, but are simultaneously withdrawn and held out of contact with the frame by the partial rotation of a cylindrical operating-handle, with which the cams are connected by suitable rods, said handle also furnishing the means by which the sash is raised and lowered" (lines 41-50).
Date: January 19, 1886
Creator: Cutter, Martin A.
System: The Portal to Texas History