Internal-Combustion Engine. (open access)

Internal-Combustion Engine.

Patent for improvements for internal combustion engines. Improvements include a more compact design, easier to access for repairs, and increased durability and efficiency.
Date: June 17, 1919
Creator: Ward, John Price
System: The Portal to Texas History
Machine for Grinding Disks. (open access)

Machine for Grinding Disks.

Patent for improvements in grinding-machines in which it can “hold the disk rigidly at a desired angle and can be adjusted from or toward a grinding device;” (lines 13-15) by using a “combination of an adjustable gear, a grinding-wheel and means for imparting motion from the grinding-wheel to the gear; of a spring-pressed roller above the gear and adapted to hold a disk thereon in contact with the wheel.” (Page 2, lines 65-70) Illustration is included.
Date: March 17, 1903
Creator: Shipp, Abijah T.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Riding-Plows. (open access)

Improvement in Riding-Plows.

Patent for "an improved riding or sulky plow which shall be so constructed that the plow may be readily lowered into, raised from, and adjusted to run at any desired depth in the ground, and which may be adjusted to take or leave land, and to hold the carriage level when both wheels are running upon unplowed land, and when one wheel is running in a furrow." (Lines 14-22) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: July 17, 1877
Creator: Florance, James L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Washboard (open access)

Washboard

Patent for an improved washboard, that will be "simple, inexpensive, and efficient" while allowing water to fully drain from it after washing is finished, including illustrations.
Date: July 17, 1900
Creator: Bailey, Robert E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Universal Vise and Carpenter's Tool. (open access)

Universal Vise and Carpenter's Tool.

Patent for a universal vise and carpenters tool designed for the use of clamping and holding a door or window frame open.
Date: December 17, 1918
Creator: Minnis, Henry M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Smoke Stack Protector (open access)

Smoke Stack Protector

Patent for adjustable smoke stack protector that stays open when in use and covers the opening when not in order to protect from rain, wind, dirt to protect the stack from deteriorating.
Date: March 17, 1914
Creator: French, Elmer C. & Craig, Thomas E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Grain-Scale. (open access)

Grain-Scale.

Patent for “improvements in grain-scales, especially adapted for location at the rear end of a trashing-machine and for receiving therefrom the thrashed grain, weighing and subsequently bagging the same in predetermined quantities” (lines 7-12), includes illustration.
Date: March 17, 1891
Creator: Butts, Alexander W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Draft Equalizer. (open access)

Draft Equalizer.

Patent for improvement to draft-equalizers.
Date: April 17, 1900
Creator: Billington, Wesley E.
System: The Portal to Texas History