Buckle. (open access)

Buckle.

Patent for a buckle meant for use with harnesses and "wherein the ordinary movable and hinged tongue is dispensed with, and a rigid stud or pointed projection is used in reversed positions at opposite ends of connecting loops" (lines 9-13).
Date: December 5, 1893
Creator: Odom, Plesant W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car-Coupling. (open access)

Car-Coupling.

Patent for an improved car-coupling that automatically couples cars by "striking together adjacent couplers of the same class, and which may be conveniently uncoupled by a person standing at a distance from the coupler without going between the cars, as with the ordinary couplers" (lines 10-15).
Date: December 4, 1894
Creator: Bishop, James C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Steam Engine, &c. (open access)

Steam Engine, &c.

Patent for a new and improved engine. This design "connect[s] the piston-rod of the steam-cylinder with the disk or crank that is attached to the fly-wheel shaft by means of a lever, or a disk acting as such, in a manner that enables the piston-rod to operate upon its connecting-bar in a longitudinal direction . . . thereby [avoiding] angular vibration of the connecting-rod and reduc[ing] friction of sliding surfaces" (lines 15-25).
Date: December 11, 1883
Creator: Barton, Alexander M. & Davis, Philip Z.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Peanut Planter (open access)

Peanut Planter

Patent for a peanut planter utilizing a belt and pulley system.
Date: December 14, 1915
Creator: Crider, Julius Washington
System: The Portal to Texas History