Wagon Bow Socket. (open access)

Wagon Bow Socket.

Patent for new and improved wagon-bow sockets. This design "furnishes a firm support for the [wagon] bow at both top and bottom of the socket, by which it is evident it will be rigidly secured against all lateral motions" (lines 38-41). This eliminates the "unsightly appearance, leaking, and other defects of the uneven height of bows so often resulting from the use of ordinary staples" (lines 44-47).
Date: December 28, 1880
Creator: Williams, Richard P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Fence Tool. (open access)

Wire-Fence Tool.

Patent for certain new and useful improvements in wire fence tools, including instructions and illustrations.
Date: December 5, 1899
Creator: Boynton, John Blijah
System: The Portal to Texas History
Mechanical Movement. (open access)

Mechanical Movement.

Patent for improved manner of rotary movement on various machines. Includes illustrations.
Date: December 16, 1902
Creator: Gibson, Levi D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oliver. (open access)

Oliver.

Patent for an improved "oliver," a blacksmith's hammer operated by foot power or another mechanism. It provides improved means for mounting the hammer, adjusting the blow of the hammer or cushioning it, and arranging the hammer at different positions when not in use.
Date: December 27, 1898
Creator: Raiza, William J. & Souther, Alsom
System: The Portal to Texas History
Automatic Switch Throwing Apparatus (open access)

Automatic Switch Throwing Apparatus

Patent for a device that will automatically throw a switch upon the presence of an on-coming train, and switch it back after the train has passed.
Date: December 5, 1916
Creator: Bida, Frank
System: The Portal to Texas History
Pump. (open access)

Pump.

Patent for a pump that does not leak air when the piston is passed.
Date: December 26, 1911
Creator: Murray, Jasper
System: The Portal to Texas History