Baling-Press (open access)

Baling-Press

Patent for "a simple, light, and durable press, which may be conveniently manipulated in either a vertical or horizontal position and readily transported in a field from stack to stack of hay. . .wherein the hay may be expeditiously and effectively baled by two persons" (lines 9-16).
Date: December 11, 1888
Creator: Freytag, Anton
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car Uncoupling Device. (open access)

Car Uncoupling Device.

Patent for a new and improved uncoupling device for railroad cars. This design consists in "a draw-head provided with a vertically-movable coupling-pin support and lifting frame, a spring holding the coupling-pin support in raised position, a catch for holding the pin-support in lowered position, and a lever mechanism for releasing the catch and effecting the uncoupling of a car" (lines 7-14).
Date: December 11, 1888
Creator: Rutledge, William O.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Apparatus for Trimming Hooves of Animals. (open access)

Apparatus for Trimming Hooves of Animals.

Patent for a new and improved hoof trimmer. This design "consists in an upright standard or support having a concaved supporting-recess adapted to receive the animal's hoof, with parallel guide-ways arranged in rear thereof, a trimming implement moving in said guides, and so constructed as to operate upon the hoof without injury to the frog, and means for reciprocating the trimming device from either side of the animal" (lines 16-25).
Date: December 11, 1883
Creator: Mullins, Joshua 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
Feed Water Regulator. (open access)

Feed Water Regulator.

Patent for a new and improved feed-water regulator. This design "consists in the combination, with the heater, of a supply-pipe having a valve-chamber, a valve opening and closing said pipe, and having a stem which is packed through the wall of the heater, a bell-crank lever fulcrumed upon a stud projecting from the inner wall of the heater, and actuated by a float connected with one arm, the other arm being connected to the valve-stem, whereby the supply-pipe is opened and closed by the fall and rise of the water-level in the heater" (lines 16-27).
Date: December 11, 1883
Creator: Osborn, Adelbert E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Tent (open access)

Tent

Patent for "a simple light inexpensive tent structure which may be made of any required size, and may be easily and quickly pitched or struck, and will be securely anchored to the ground by the weight of its occupants, and will promote their good health, and will afford them ready exit in emergencies" (lines 9-15).
Date: December 11, 1888
Creator: Gentzen, Herman
System: The Portal to Texas History
Grocer's Bin. (open access)

Grocer's Bin.

Patent for a new and improved grocer's bin. This design "consists, broadly, in a box or bin pivoted so that its upper open end may be conveniently tilted out for the purpose of replenishing or taking therefrom, and may as conveniently be pushed back into the casing or framing" (lines 9-13).
Date: December 11, 1888
Creator: Johnston, Lysander
System: The Portal to Texas History