Resource Type

Bridge. (open access)

Bridge.

Patent for a new and improved bridge. This design consists in "the combination, with the base, stringers, the top arched bars, and the upright tie-bars, of the intermediate stringers, arched bars, and their horizontal tie-bars, and wedge-keys . . . whereby the structure is greatly strengthened" (lines 85-91).
Date: December 13, 1881
Creator: Ibel, Justus H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Nut Lock. (open access)

Nut Lock.

Patent for a new and improved nut-lock. This design "is to produce a nut-lock which will require a minimum number of parts to adjust, will require no other tools than a wrench, which will stay where adjusted in spite of any amount of pounding or concussion, and which, when desired, may be removed without difficulty. To this end [the] invention consists in a nut provided with a serrated face and a washer having sharp spring-lips engaging with the serrations. [The] invention also consists in a peculiarly-constructed washer for locking the nut" (lines 18-30).
Date: December 6, 1887
Creator: Parks, John W.
System: The Portal to Texas History