Car-Coupling. (open access)

Car-Coupling.

Patent for an automatic car-coupling that is designed to be operated from either side of the car. The danger of an operator passing between cars to couple or uncouple the cars is avoided in this invention, and the coupling can be adapted to couple cars that have draw-bars to unequal height. The coupling can be manually operated if wished.
Date: January 28, 1896
Creator: Boyd, James S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car-Coupling. (open access)

Car-Coupling.

Patent for "car-couplers of the link-and-pin type which couple automatically and are provided with unlocking-levers operated from the top and side of a car, and designed to avoid the necessity of passing between the cars to couple or uncouple the same." (Lines 11-17) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: January 28, 1896
Creator: Boyd, James S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Construction of Doors or Window-Sashes. (open access)

Construction of Doors or Window-Sashes.

Patent for "improvements in the construction of doors and window-sashes, the object being to provide a door or window-sash which shall be constructed of two pieces of timber united by means of a key to prevent warping or twisting" (lines 8-13). The panel of the door or the pane of glass can also be united by the key. This design lightens and cheapens doors and window-sashes.
Date: July 28, 1896
Creator: Cordray, Henry A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Combined Trunk and Dressing-Case. (open access)

Combined Trunk and Dressing-Case.

Patent for a combined trunk and dressing-case. The trunk has drawers, and the lid of the trunk has a mirror in its lid. "The lid is connected at one end by a hinged strap with one end of the body of the trunk, so as to be adapted to be moved into position for closing the body and to be supported in upright position on the same in line with the bottom, so that it forms a proper support for a looking-glass, shelf, and the like" (lines 19-26).
Date: August 18, 1896
Creator: Witteborg, Ernest
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Stretcher. (open access)

Wire-Stretcher.

Patent for a wire-stretcher that has "a body portion bifurcated at one end with the rigid integral forks of the bifurcation oppositely notched with said notches arranged in line substantially transverse of the body portion, whereby the device is adapted to operate in holding the wire for stretching" (lines 75-81).
Date: May 26, 1896
Creator: Willie, William T.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Sweep. (open access)

Sweep.

Patent for sweep that is improved with the addition of a middle-break so that it "will be adapted to do its work thoroughly with the least possible draft and which will not be liable to get out of kilter." (Lines 16-19) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 12, 1896
Creator: Schoenfelder, August
System: The Portal to Texas History
Feed-Water Heater. (open access)

Feed-Water Heater.

Patent for a feed-water heater for steam-boilers. It provides "such a heater having an arrangement of distributing-troughs located in such a manner as to evenly distribute the water over tubes in thin streams or a thin sheet, whereby it may be quickly heated, and, furthermore, in so constructing the parts that the interior portions comprising the circulating tubes and troughs may be easily removed for the purpose of cleaning" (lines 10-18).
Date: August 25, 1896
Creator: Muday, George T.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Dish-Cleaner. (open access)

Dish-Cleaner.

Patent for a dish cleaner that consists of an oscillating vessel where dishes are placed, which goes inside another vessel. The inner vessel has openings so the water can go in and out while cleaning dishes, and the vessel is hand-turned by a crank on the top of the machine.
Date: March 17, 1896
Creator: WIllie, William Thomas
System: The Portal to Texas History