Car Coupling. (open access)

Car Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design "relates to car-couplings, and it has for its object to provide a device of this character which shall be automatic in its action, simple in its construction, positive and effective in operation, and one that will be strong and durable. A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting the link in a horizontal position, so that it will engage the draw-head of the adjacent car. The invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts" (lines 10-21).
Date: June 16, 1885
Creator: Hogan, John James & Miller, Rudolph Albert
System: The Portal to Texas History
Automatic Car Uncoupler. (open access)

Automatic Car Uncoupler.

Patent for a new and improved car uncoupler. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with a coupling adapted to hold two cars together, of an uncoupler comprising a lever pivotally connected to the car, a weight supported on the car and connected to said lever, and a connection between the weight-operated lever and the coupling for operating it, to separate the cars upon the dropping of the weight" (lines 4-11).
Date: June 7, 1887
Creator: Flett, John Henry
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car Coupling. (open access)

Car Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design has for its object "to provide a coupler which may be used in connection with an ordinary pin-and-link coupler, or with a novel form of draw-pin formed especially for use in connection with the coupler . . . the object of the invention being to so arrange the parts that cars may be automatically coupled and uncoupled without entering the spaces between the ends of the approaching cars" (lines 8-17).
Date: June 7, 1887
Creator: Flett, John Henry
System: The Portal to Texas History
Condenser (open access)

Condenser

Patent for "the construction of surface-condensers for condensing steam, condensing cooling ammonia-gas, and other purposes" (lines 17-20) including instructions and illustrations.
Date: June 15, 1880
Creator: Lee, Charles Brogden
System: The Portal to Texas History
Weather and Fire Strip for Box Car Doors. (open access)

Weather and Fire Strip for Box Car Doors.

Patent for a new and improved weather and fire strip for box car doors. This design "relates to an improved device for closing the space between the rear edge of the doors of box-cars and the side of the car, so as to prevent sparks or water from entering through the space and damaging the goods in the car" (lines 9-14).
Date: June 12, 1883
Creator: Nichols, George B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Yielding and Buoyant Pile Breakwater. (open access)

Yielding and Buoyant Pile Breakwater.

Patent for a new and improved breakwater. This design is "of a cheap, durable, and efficient breakwater for localities exposed to the destructive action of the waves; and it consists mainly in a line of single-column buoyant piles, arranged side-by-side, and grouped together in sections . . . and anchored to their water-bed, and also in certain constructions and combination of parts" (lines 28-35).
Date: June 27, 1882
Creator: Franklin, Robert M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wheeled Vehicle. (open access)

Wheeled Vehicle.

Patent for a new and improved wheeled vehicle. This design consists in "[a] one-wheeled sulky in which are combined the single wheel, the frame, the thills, the seat, the standards, and the rods or braces" (lines 54-57).
Date: June 19, 1883
Creator: Boyd, William
System: The Portal to Texas History
Swing. (open access)

Swing.

Patent for a new and improved swing. This design consists in "[t]he combination of a suitable support, a single hanger having its width increased at that point where the friction-roller of the operating-lever bears against it, with the operating-lever provided with a friction-roller to bear against the front edge of the hanger, a second roller, over which the cord passes, a friction-roller attached to the hanger, and an operating cord" (lines 18-26).
Date: June 16, 1885
Creator: Elliott, William W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Rope Clamp. (open access)

Rope Clamp.

Patent for a new and improved rope clamp. This design "is intended to be used in place of selvagee-straps in any and all places where such straps can be used, and also for use on purchases in setting up rigging in place of cats'-paws; also in joining two ends of a rope together in place of splicing, or in any situation where it is desired to clamp or hold ropes" (lines 7-14).
Date: June 9, 1885
Creator: Magee, Samuel H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Odometer. (open access)

Odometer.

Patent for "new and Improved Odometer, of which is a full, clear, and exact description."(lines 4-6) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: June 30, 1885
Creator: Hutches, Benjamin F., Jr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Pile for Use in the Construction of Wharves and Other Structures. (open access)

Pile for Use in the Construction of Wharves and Other Structures.

Patent for a new and improved pile. This design "relates to that class of piles which have a portion of their length most exposed to decay and destruction from worms constructed of metal, and that portion of their lengths above the water and beneath the water-bed constructed of wood" (lines 25-30).
Date: June 27, 1882
Creator: Franklin, Robert M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car Coupling. (open access)

Car Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design "relates to an improvement in car-couplings, and has for its object to provide a coupling by means of which the link will be held up and guided into the draw-head, and the coupling-pin held in position to be coupled and automatically thrown into engagement with the link" (lines 7-13).
Date: June 5, 1888
Creator: Rutledge, William O.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Child's Carriage. (open access)

Child's Carriage.

Patent for a new and improved stroller. This design consists in "[a] running-gear, of the vertical hoop secured thereto, the brackets extending outward and upward from the hoop, and notched in their upper ends, the body, the brackets at opposite sides of the body, and the knife edge projections resting on the upper notched ends of the brackets . . . a vertical encircling hoop carrying buffers, standards, and brackets formed with edges, which rest upon the standards . . . an axle, wheels fitted to the axle, a forwardly extending bracket carrying a fixed wheel . . . and a sunshade" (lines 81-98).
Date: June 22, 1886
Creator: England, William
System: The Portal to Texas History