Improvement in Truss-Bridges. (open access)

Improvement in Truss-Bridges.

Patent for an improved method of truss-bridge construction, "whether made with a single or double roadway and with or without a sidewalk upon one or both sides, so as to enable them to be made with less material and less expense than when made in the ordinary manner, and which shall at the same time have an equal or greater strength." (Lines 14-20) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: November 17, 1874
Creator: Miner, John L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Fire-Tongs. (open access)

Improvement in Fire-Tongs.

Patent for improvement in fire-tongs with legs forked below the joint and riveted together.
Date: June 16, 1874
Creator: Kenney, Martin M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cotton-Worm-Poison Distributers. (open access)

Improvement in Cotton-Worm-Poison Distributers.

Patent for new and valuable improvement in cotton-worm-poison distributer (distributor) to secure to a saddle upon a horse.
Date: December 29, 1874
Creator: Willie, William T.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Automatic-Gates. (open access)

Improvement in Automatic-Gates.

Patent for "a new and valuable Improvement in Farm-Gates" (lines 3-4) allowing persons riding to open and close a swinging gate.
Date: March 3, 1874
Creator: Kenney, Martin M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Compounds for Destroying Insects on Plants. (open access)

Improvement in Compounds for Destroying Insects on Plants.

Patent for a “combination of flour and cotton-seed meal with paris green, for the destruction of cotton-worms or caterpillars, and other pestiferous insects” (lines 47-50).
Date: May 26, 1874
Creator: Royall, William B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Bale-Ties. (open access)

Improvement in Bale-Ties.

Patent for bale ties that are designed "to have a series of holes in each end portion of the hoop, so that two keys can be used; also so that the hoop can be taken up short and again used on the compressed or repressed bale." (Lines 20-24) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: October 27, 1874
Creator: Jones, Henry B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Insect-Destroyers. (open access)

Improvement in Insect-Destroyers.

Patent for "machines which are designed for distributing poison-dust over the leaves of plants for the destruction of insects, especially the worms which prey on the cotton-plant." (Lines 11-15) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: December 29, 1874
Creator: Eldridge, Frank A.
System: The Portal to Texas History