Cotton-Chopper. (open access)

Cotton-Chopper.

Patent for improvements in cotton-chopper by using a combination of revolving disk, fender disks, a rotary shaft and cultivator-blades to construct a machine that is able to thin and cultivate cotton. Illustration is included.
Date: October 6, 1891
Creator: Allen, George Washington
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car-Coupling. (open access)

Car-Coupling.

Patent for an improved car-coupling that features "a solid block at the back part of the draw-head, which when coupling the cars will come far enough back to hit the solid part in the draw-head and prevent the bent spring from breaking." (Lines 16-21) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: October 6, 1896
Creator: Schneider, Adolph F.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Animal-Poke. (open access)

Animal-Poke.

Patent for "a combined animal poke and halter of simple, inexpensive, and efficient construction whereby stock to which the device is applied are prevented from forcing through or throwing their weight against barbed and other wire fences, and also whereby a halter strap or chain may be readily applied thereto to provide for securing the stock in their stalls when stabled." (Lines 8-16) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: October 6, 1896
Creator: Parker, William H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wooden Bridge (open access)

Wooden Bridge

Patent for a wooden bridge with a focus on increased durability of the structure and effective drainage for moisture from the timbers and for the free circulation of air between, around, or through the structure.
Date: April 9, 1891
Creator: Ferguson, Benjamin F.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Trundler For Spooled Wire. (open access)

Trundler For Spooled Wire.

Patent for a trundler for spooled wire that is strong, light, and shapely enough to propel or draw spooled fence-wire, telegraph-wire, or similar material that is coiled upon flanged spools, and distribute the same lines for the manufacture of fences or erection of electric conductors.
Date: April 13, 1891
Creator: Smith, Cullen R.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Fence Machine. (open access)

Wire-Fence Machine.

Patent for "new and useful improvements in wire-fence machines" (lines 12-13), including illustrations.
Date: October 6, 1891
Creator: Darden, John J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Stalk-Cutter (open access)

Stalk-Cutter

Patent for a stalk cutter that is especially adapted for cutting cotton-stalks or cornstalks, although it may be used for cutting any variety of stalks.
Date: April 8, 1891
Creator: Brownlee, Robert N.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Medical Compound. (open access)

Medical Compound.

Patent for an improvement in medicinal preparations by combining Mexican sarsaparilla, broom-sage, alcohol and sugar to treat yellow fever, chills and fever, diphtheria, and other diseases; exact amount of the ingredients and instructions on how to mix them are detailed in the patent. No illustration.
Date: October 6, 1891
Creator: White, George W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hand-Car. (open access)

Hand-Car.

Patent for improvements in hand-cars by “providing gearing operated by cranks, on the shaft of which are arranged triangular balance devices, the cranks being adjustable by means of set-screws of other analogous means, so that they may be made to operate the wheels in either direction desired.” (Lines 24-29) Illustration is included.
Date: October 6, 1891
Creator: Lo Casto, Tony
System: The Portal to Texas History
Gate-Hinge. (open access)

Gate-Hinge.

Patent for an inclined gate-hinges. One part is "secured to the supporting-post or upright and is formed with two parallel loops slightly separated one from the other located just outside the recess in said post, and the other [part is] adapted to be secured to the gate, having an outwardly-extending arm and a cross-head adapted to be passed between and parallel loops and to bear against the rear surface thereof" (lines 94-102).
Date: October 6, 1896
Creator: Wilson, James L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Looping Tool. (open access)

Wire-Looping Tool.

Patent for improvements in wires tightening tool by using a frame in the shape of a lyre and a hollow screw-shaft mounted on the frame. A twister-rod arranged within the shaft which having a hook at one end and a polygonal head at the other. A hand-lever is adapted to operate the shaft and rod in order to twist a wire. Illustration is included.
Date: October 6, 1891
Creator: Flatau, Louis S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Rein-Holder. (open access)

Rein-Holder.

Patent for improvement in rein-holders that are being used in carriages and wagons by using two horizontal jaws, one with a downwardly-projecting rear end and the other with a downwardly-projecting front end; the first jaw is secured to the side of the wagon and the second jaw is pivoted to the first jaw. This device will "hold the reins when the driver is absent and capable of being tripped by pressure of the driver’s foot" (lines 11-13). Illustration is included.
Date: October 6, 1891
Creator: Watson, Thomas H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Method of Baling Cotton. (open access)

Method of Baling Cotton.

Patent for a method of baling cotton. The cotton is taken direct from the gin, condensed, compressed progressively into a thin sheet of suitable density, and baled, the bale being formed previous to the expansion of the fiber.
Date: November 5, 1890
Creator: Goldthwaite, Joseph G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Dish-Washer (open access)

Dish-Washer

Patent fora dishwasher. The object of this invention is to furnish an improved means for washing dishes in such a manner that all foreign substances, greasy matters, and offensive odors may be readily and expeditiously removed and the dishes restored dry and clean by the operation of the machine without handling them.
Date: January 14, 1891
Creator: Hoppe, Frederick William
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car-Coupling. (open access)

Car-Coupling.

Patent for improvement in car-couplings by using many separate parts to work together to connect cars; and it can be operated without the operator going between the cars. Illustration is included.
Date: October 6, 1891
Creator: Goss, Wilson Lumpkin
System: The Portal to Texas History