Boll-Weevil or Other Insect Destroyer. (open access)

Boll-Weevil or Other Insect Destroyer.

Patent for improvement to the machine set forth in the patent granted to John S. Doak and Alexander G. Farrington on April, 1902, No. 696419. (Page 1, lines 12-14.) The improvements are to use “a pair of troughs connected to a truck and provided with upwardly-projecting wings on their outer edges, spring-arms attached to the truck and pressing normally against the wings and the outside parts of the troughs, spiral springs adjustably mounted on the truck and pressing against the spring-arms, and means for forcing insects from growing plants into the troughs.” (Page 3, lines 74-83.) Illustration is included.
Date: March 28, 1905
Creator: Doak, John S. & Farrington, Alexander G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improved Mode of Regulating the Velocity and Furling the Sails of Wind-Wheels. (open access)

Improved Mode of Regulating the Velocity and Furling the Sails of Wind-Wheels.

Patent for a new windmill using different parts to help regulate the sails and for folding and unfolding the sails, including illustration.
Date: March 24, 1857
Creator: Witting, F. W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Thill Carrier for Harness. (open access)

Thill Carrier for Harness.

Patent for a new and improved thill-carrier for harnesses. This design utilizes a loop or ring, and "[b]y this construction of the thill-carriers it will be seen that the trouble and annoyance of running the thills into and backing them out of the thill-carriers are entirely overcome, and by means of the loops or rings . . . the thills are perfectly confined in the carriers . . . [they] may be made very cheap, and also very ornamental to the harness" (lines 66-76).
Date: March 13, 1883
Creator: Hake, Francis A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Envelope. (open access)

Envelope.

Patent for a new and improved envelope. This design calls for "a projecting flap, to which the postage stamp or stamps may be attached in such a manner that the said stamp or stamps may be canceled by perforation (or by means of a punch or otherwise) without danger of injuring the contents of the envelope" (lines 14-19).
Date: March 16, 1880
Creator: Terry, James Doss
System: The Portal to Texas History
Horse - Releaser. (open access)

Horse - Releaser.

Patent for certain new and useful improvements in "devices for releasing fractious animals from vehicles" (line 15 -16).
Date: March 8, 1898
Creator: Grossman, Amanda I.
System: The Portal to Texas History