Improvement in Rotary Engines. (open access)

Improvement in Rotary Engines.

Patent for rotary engines "driven by steam or other elastic agent, or which may be used for pumping water" (lines 29-32) to obtain "a more direct application of the force applied to drive the engine" (lines 39-40) including instructions and illustrations.
Date: February 6, 1872
Creator: Richardson, John Dun
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Velocipedes (open access)

Improvement in Velocipedes

Patent for the improvement of Velocipedes. The improvement consists of a new and novel combination and arrangement of propelling power, due to the weight of the body, which may be aided by the muscular force thereof and guiding apparatus.
Date: February 13, 1872
Creator: Maltby, Henry A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Fire-Place Fenders. (open access)

Improvement in Fire-Place Fenders.

Patent for "an extensible fender adapted for large or small fire-places" (lines 8-10) including instructions and illustrations.
Date: February 27, 1872
Creator: Hall, William N.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Hand-Cultivators. (open access)

Improvement in Hand-Cultivators.

Patent for "hand-cultivators; and the novelty consists in the improved construction and arrangement of the stock, tongue, and plows; and in the application to the end of the tongue of a shoulder-strap to assist in working the implement." (Lines 15-20) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: February 27, 1872
Creator: Jones, William G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Button-Hole Scissors. (open access)

Improvement in Button-Hole Scissors.

Improved Button Hole scissors, where the scissors may be "adjusted vertically for suitable Cutting Hole length"(pg 2). The scissors have a "v-shaped" button hole cutter that can be adjusted to pierce the fabric at a desired depth and a tracing wheel.
Date: February 27, 1872
Creator: Franklin, Edward A.
System: The Portal to Texas History