Boot Scraper. (open access)

Boot Scraper.

Patent for a new and improved boot scraper. This design "consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the inclined bow-shaped upper plate, having a transverse bar connecting the branches of the plate, the inner edges of which are inclined outward and upward from the upper edge of the transverse bar, and in providing, in connection with the bow-shaped plate, an under or subsidiary plate of forked form, having a rounded recess between the forks adapted to conform to the shape of the heel" (lines 18-30).
Date: October 23, 1883
Creator: Collins, Morris A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Store Shelving. (open access)

Store Shelving.

Patent for new and improved store shelving. This design utilizes a hinge whereby the shelving can collapse onto a flat surface, which is otherwise available as storage itself. This design also utilizes wheeled legs for easy transportation and zinc plating so as to partially fire-proof the shelving.
Date: February 27, 1883
Creator: Harris, Thomas A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Stalk Cutter. (open access)

Stalk Cutter.

Patent for a new and improved stalk cutter. This design consists "[i]n a stalk-cutter, the combination of the frame, having the central longitudinal parallel bars, slotted laterally and having the space between them, the sliding block, pivoted slotted knives, pivoted arms, and recessed side sills, and the pivoted lever and rack" (lines 77-83).
Date: July 17, 1883
Creator: Duncan, Garnett & Evens, John Richard
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hay Knife. (open access)

Hay Knife.

Patent for a new and improved hay knife. This design "consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the forked frame, the lever pivoted thereto, slotted at one end and carrying at the other end a cutting-blade working through bearings in the fork, the crank pivoted to the frame and engaging the slot of the lever, and the pressure-head or cross-bar connected to the outer end of the frame" (lines 18-26).
Date: May 29, 1883
Creator: Moss, John C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Fence. (open access)

Fence.

Patent for a new and improved fence. This design "consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the bevel-end lap-joint top rails connected to and supported by the posts, the pendent panels consisting of series of horizontal rails interwoven in wire slings connected to the top rails, and links connecting the lower parts of the panels and the intermediate posts" (lines 20-27).
Date: May 8, 1883
Creator: Sevier, Moses Nimrod
System: The Portal to Texas History
Permutation Lock. (open access)

Permutation Lock.

Patent for a new and improved combination lock. This design's operation "is as follows: Being unlocked, the bolt is in the retracted position . . . [t]he door can then be operated in the usual manner, being held, when closed, by the ordinary spring-bolt. . . . When the door is closed, in order to lock it, the graduated knob is turned, operating the toothed disk and the first or governing ring, which will . . . throw out the end of the locking-bolt. By turning the handle, all the rings of the slotted guide can be moved sufficiently to engage the teeth of the locking-arm of the bolt" (lines 80-94).
Date: April 17, 1883
Creator: Sarlls, Rutus & Holland, Virgil C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Permutation Lock. (open access)

Permutation Lock.

Patent for a new and improved combination lock. This design "consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the elongated case, its longitudinally slotted and notched partitions, the boltway over the partitions, reciprocating notched and perforated slides, and adjustable pins or studs engaging the perforations and projecting into the slots of the partitions, the rack-slide, drop-bolt, and graduated knob carrying the pinion" (lines 20-28).
Date: April 24, 1883
Creator: Sarlls, Rutus & Holland, Virgil C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Cultivator (open access)

Cultivator

Patent for "new and useful improvements in Plows and Cultivators" (lines 5-6), with illustrations.
Date: April 3, 1883
Creator: Nutting, James H.
System: The Portal to Texas History