Blacking Brush. (open access)

Blacking Brush.

Patent for a new and improved blacking brush. This design "relates to an improvement in boot-blacking brushes so disposed that fluid blacking may be used; and to this end [the design] provide[s] a reservoir at one end with a forwardly-projecting tube or nozzle therefrom, the said reservoir having a disk at one side, so that when pressed the liquid will be forced through the nozzle upon the boot" (lines 13-20).
Date: August 2, 1887
Creator: England, William
System: The Portal to Texas History
Composition To Be Used As A Non-Conductor Of Heat And For Other Purposes. (open access)

Composition To Be Used As A Non-Conductor Of Heat And For Other Purposes.

Patent for a non-conducting material designed to prevent heat loss from radiation, prevent damage from frost, for fire-proofing, and for "the deafening of floors and partitions" (lines 21-22). Ingredients and proportions are listed.
Date: August 30, 1887
Creator: Clayton, Nicholas Joseph.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Bale Tie. (open access)

Bale Tie.

Patent for a new and improved tie for bales. This design calls for one long, flat piece of scrap metal to be folded over on itself twice so that there are four layers of metal as well as a loop (or "rib") on either end. Then, a hole should be cut through all four layers with a tapered opening through the edge; this design is cheaper and more durable than previous bale ties.
Date: August 24, 1880
Creator: Riesel, Henry
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lock. (open access)

Lock.

Patent for a new and improved lock that which "provide a lock for doors, safes, drawers, and the like, the bolt of which is adapted to be unlocked from he outsides by means of a combination, and while being release will instantly ring the door-bell by means of connecting wires, and which, when operated from the inside, can be opened without giving the signal on the bell, and in either operation the parts of the lock will automatically return to their position and lock the bot in the striker-plate unless otherwise adjusted" (lines 14-25)
Date: August 30, 1887
Creator: Rau, Louis Carl
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wood Working Machine. (open access)

Wood Working Machine.

Patent for a new and improved wood-working machine. This design "relates to improvements in wood-working machines, and is designed to produce a machine for automatically tapering material in either straight or curved lines. The improvement consists, essentially, in the employment of movable cutters approached or receded by means of a cam or cams, and is adaptable in forming staves and other portions of barrels or other articles in which the parts require a taper in straight or curved lines" (lines 8-17).
Date: August 10, 1886
Creator: Hourigan, John
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lamp Attachment. (open access)

Lamp Attachment.

Patent for a new and improved lamp attachment. This design "is to provide sewing-machine tables with lamp attachments applied in such manner as that the lamp will cast its light upon the presser-foot and needle from the back and will not obstruct the table or interfere with the work, and when not in use may be swung underneath the table out of the way" (lines 7-14).
Date: August 27, 1889
Creator: Walker, Catharine S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Telephone. (open access)

Telephone.

Patent for a new and improved telephone. This design "consists, first, in a set of U-shaped elastic magnets adapted to be supported by the head of the person sending and receiving messages, the end of said magnet or magnets connecting the receivers . . . second, in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the transmitter attached after the manner of a swinging bail to the receivers . . . third, providing supports for the telephone when not in use" (lines 32-43).
Date: August 24, 1880
Creator: McDermott, John P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Fare-Box. (open access)

Fare-Box.

Patent for a simple, inexpensive, fraud preventing fare-box for street-railways.
Date: August 8, 1882
Creator: Alexander, Samuel & Boyle, Frank
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
Device for Controlling Runaway Horses. (open access)

Device for Controlling Runaway Horses.

Patent for a new and improved device for controlling runaway horses. This design has for its object "to construct an apparatus whereby such a pressure may be applied by the rider or driver of the animal in connection with which the apparatus is employed, the invention consisting of pads that are supported by lever-arms pivotally connected to a bit, and of a means whereby said pads may be moved toward each other—that is, to a position so that they will bear upon the outer nostril-wall . . . [since horses] may be quickly subdued by bringing continued pressure to bear upon their noses" (lines 9-21).
Date: August 16, 1887
Creator: Grumbach, Isaïe
System: The Portal to Texas History