Bale-Tie Buckle (open access)

Bale-Tie Buckle

Patent for a bale tie buckle made from one piece of wire.
Date: December 19, 1911
Creator: McFarland, Frank H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Animal-Feed Device (open access)

Animal-Feed Device

Patent for an animal feed device that is collapsible and that can be suspended from fences, vehicle wheels, other structures, the ground, or the animal itself. (lines 10-15
Date: December 12, 1905
Creator: Russell, George Washington
System: The Portal to Texas History
Baling-Press. (open access)

Baling-Press.

Patent for "baling-presses, and has for its objects to provide a simple and efficient apparatus embodying a rebounding plunger; to provide means for regulating the resistance offered to the advance movement of the forward head-block; to provide improved means for tucking the material during the advance movement of the plunger; to provide means for regulating the length of a bale; to provide means for automatically inserting a head-block when a bale of the desired length has been formed; and to provide means whereby the raising and lowering of the press-box or baling-chamber is accomplished by the draft-horses through the sweep, and without the use of jacks or other analogous devices." (Lines 8-24) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: December 24, 1895
Creator: Keith, George A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Building Tile. (open access)

Building Tile.

Patent for "hollow blocks" or "tile and hollow corner blocks" that "prevent moisture from passing through walls" (lines 10-14).
Date: December 31, 1918
Creator: Bennett, Walter R.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car-Seat. (open access)

Car-Seat.

Patent for improvement in regular car-seating (not baby car-seat) by enabling the seat to recline “like an ordinary sleeping-coach without the necessity of the upper berths required in a sleeping-coach.” (Lines 45-48) Illustration is included.
Date: December 14, 1886
Creator: Goelet, Edward B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Adjustable Tire Mold (open access)

Adjustable Tire Mold

Patent for a tire mold that improves the viability of a tire mold due to the adjustable levers used during the tire curing process.
Date: December 7, 1920
Creator: Hibbs, Cassell D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Aircraft Propelling and Manipulating (open access)

Aircraft Propelling and Manipulating

Patent for air craft propelling systems for improvements in control of the aircraft by way of a "universal connection" (Lines 13-14) which makes for easier manipulation of the craft and aids in the prevention of air disasters.
Date: December 23, 1919
Creator: Schelb, Peter J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Apparatus for Curing Tire Casings. (open access)

Apparatus for Curing Tire Casings.

Patent for a more efficient system for curing tire casings. The new patented apparatus was capable of providing both smooth and ribbed tire textures by way of aluminum tips and molds. Additionally, the apparatus provided retreading and faster curing of pneumatic tires.
Date: December 2, 1919
Creator: Bongio, Philip P. & Stephenson, Elonzo
System: The Portal to Texas History
World-Chronometer (open access)

World-Chronometer

Patent for a globe set on top of a pedestal, where the globes rotates by clock work to instruct the user of the time for any given place on the globe. Sides of the pedestal also allow for advertising.
Date: December 29, 1914
Creator: Agnew, Walter F.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lock Hopple. (open access)

Lock Hopple.

Patent for a new and improved lock-hopple. This design consists in "the combination of the semi-circular section provided at its free end with the latch-hook and concave edge, and the semi-circular section provided with the perforated projection for the attachment of the lap-ring, and with the lock" (lines 95-100). It further consists in "the partition, the cap-piece having the central key-opening, the journaled latch-hook having the end of its journal formed to fit in the recess in the end of the key, the curved double-arm spring, the lid, and the lid-stem having upon it a block provided with the shoulders" (lines 1-8).
Date: December 18, 1888
Creator: White, Elisha Lafayette
System: The Portal to Texas History
Ink Blotter. (open access)

Ink Blotter.

Patent for a new and improved ink blotter. This design "is to facilitate the process and shorten the time of the [writer] in blotting of the ink from his [or her] writing. [The design] attain[s] this object by so constructing the blotter that when in use it is always attached to and worn upon the hand holding the pen" (lines 8-13).
Date: December 30, 1884
Creator: Smith, L. Starr
System: The Portal to Texas History
Indicator for Vehicles. (open access)

Indicator for Vehicles.

Patent for a device for vehicles which can signal turns and stops. Designed to be used in place of the driver's hand, this device consists of indicator arms mounted of either side of a vehicle and button controls placed near the driver's seat. Illustrations included.
Date: December 30, 1919
Creator: Hutchison, William F., Sr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Water Elevator. (open access)

Water Elevator.

Patent for a new and improved water elevator. This design "is to provide each bucket with a weighted back; also, in the manner of connecting the chains thereto, so that the necessity of the employment of a weighted wheel is obviated" (lines 20-24). This means that individual buckets may be removed and replaced, and construction becomes more durable and simple.
Date: December 28, 1880
Creator: Mayfield, William D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Working Machine. (open access)

Wire-Working Machine.

Patent for improvements in Wire-Working Machines that forms hangers for "coats, trousers, and other clothing" (lines 11-12). Provides a more inexpensive, faster, and more accurate machine that uses less power, includes illustrations.
Date: December 16, 1919
Creator: Shelton, John F.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wagon Bed Lifting Device (open access)

Wagon Bed Lifting Device

Patent for a wagon-bed lifter that will remove and wagon beds and position them for easy re-assembly.
Date: December 3, 1901
Creator: Slate, William L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Water-Conveyer. (open access)

Water-Conveyer.

Patent for a water conveyer for irrigation, which has a series of buckets on a conveyer belt which pour over a waterwheel to power the motor of the machine. This model has streamlined the buckets water flow to minimize the power used from the motor.
Date: December 24, 1907
Creator: Dove, John Oliver & Wirsing, Charley
System: The Portal to Texas History
Stirrup. (open access)

Stirrup.

Patent for "an improved bottom, an improved supporting-bar, and an instep-bar" (lines 8-9) for stirrups.
Date: December 11, 1900
Creator: Turner, Ephraim M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hydraulic Pressure and Time Indicator (open access)

Hydraulic Pressure and Time Indicator

Patent for hydraulic pressure and time indicator for "recording the times when hydraulic cylinders are in operation and to indicate when the cylinders commence work or reach the required pressure" (lines 10 - 14).
Date: December 24, 1918
Creator: Helm, Clyde D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Stirrup (open access)

Stirrup

Patent for a stirrup. This invention is intended for use when mounting difficult animals. Illustration included.
Date: December 13, 1906
Creator: Zimmerman, Gus H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Tree-Trimmer. (open access)

Tree-Trimmer.

Patent for a tree trimmer for use in pruning.
Date: December 5, 1911
Creator: Strong, George A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Stirrup. (open access)

Stirrup.

Patent for a new and improved stirrup. This design "has for its object to provide an improved stirrup wherein shall be combined lightness with strength, and wherein is provided a removable slipper and protector designed for use in winter" (lines 12-18).
Date: December 10, 1889
Creator: Turner, Ephraim M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Grain-Sourer. (open access)

Grain-Sourer.

Patent for certain new and useful improvements in grain scourers, including instructions and illustrations.
Date: December 12, 1899
Creator: McLellan, Frederick A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hoe-Sharpener. (open access)

Hoe-Sharpener.

Patent for a new and useful hoe sharpener, including instructions and illustrations.
Date: December 13, 1898
Creator: Foster, James T. & Miller, John B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hook and Eye Box Fastener (open access)

Hook and Eye Box Fastener

Patent for hook and eye box fastener. This invention is designed to secure covers and lids for boxes, crates, chests, etc. Illustration included.
Date: December 28, 1909
Creator: Gregson, William
System: The Portal to Texas History