Compensating Pump-Spring. (open access)

Compensating Pump-Spring.

Patent for improvements in compensating pump-springs by “storing up in the downward or idle stroke of the suction-rod, a power which is expended during the upward stroke to assist the crank in lifting the rod; and at the same time reducing the power required to drive the pump, equalizing the resistance, increasing the efficiency and generally prolonging the life of the entire mechanism.” (Lines 36-40) Illustration is included.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Black, William L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Churn-Power. (open access)

Churn-Power.

Patent for improvements in churns is to “simplify and improve the construction of the means for operating vertically-reciprocating churn-dashers and to enable the dasher to be adjusted vertically, according to the amount of lacteal fluid to be churned.” (Lines 11-15) Illustration is included.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Dickey, John S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Baling-Press. (open access)

Baling-Press.

Patent for improvements in baling-presses by using a four-sided baling box/chamber with supporting-upright doors arranged at the top, at the front and one of the sides of the box. These doors can be hinged at diagonally-opposite corners of the box; locking-bolts are pivoted at the free end of the each door, the top door with locking-bar sliding through apertures in the uprights and the lever for operating the top door. Illustration is included.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Klockmann, Henry G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Stretcher. (open access)

Wire-Stretcher.

Patent for improvements in wire stretchers by using a T-shaped lever “to stretch the wire readily to the desired tension, and is capable of maintaining the wire at that tension until after stapling or otherwise fastening the same to a post.” (Lines 61-65) Illustration is included.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Kennedy, Thomas
System: The Portal to Texas History
Strainer for Coffee-Pots, &c. (open access)

Strainer for Coffee-Pots, &c.

Patent for a strainer for coffee and tea strainers "so constructed as to be attachable in the lower end of the spout or body of the pot, as shown; and the object of my improvement is to construct a strainer to be removable, durable, of minimum cost, and perfect in its operation" (lines 13-18).
Date: April 21, 1896
Creator: McClellan, John A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Washing-Machine. (open access)

Washing-Machine.

Patent for improvements in washing-machines known as “roller and bed and it consists of a rubber-bed adapted to operate in conjunction with a rotatory rubber…….the bed being regulated by tightening screw-nuts upon the hooks which connect the springs with the end walls of said casing.” (Lines 13-22) Illustration is included.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Wood, Commodore R.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Whiffletree. (open access)

Whiffletree.

Patent for an improvement in whiffletrees, made out of steel. It includes a description and illustration.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Flatau, Louis S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Derrick. (open access)

Derrick.

Patent for improvements in derricks or machines for hoisting heavy objects, which can be easily erected and operated; this device “can be manipulated with ease and by which the article being elevated or lowered may be changed in position without moving the support.” (Lines 20-23) Illustration is included.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Lindsey, William E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Device for Cooling Milk and Butter. (open access)

Device for Cooling Milk and Butter.

Patent for improvements in devices for cooling milk and butter by using textile materials to cover the buckets or pails that contain milk or butter or other food articles, then saturated these textile covered buckets or pails with water; thus reducing the temperature of the articles contained in the buckets or pails, owing to evaporation. Illustration is included.
Date: April 21, 1891
Creator: Hall, Charles T.
System: The Portal to Texas History