Gate. (open access)

Gate.

Patent for a new and improved gate. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the gate having a cross-bar, and mechanism . . . for operating the cross-bar and moving it vertically, the weighted levers, and the standards supporting the levers, of the latch-levers pivoted between their ends to the weighted levers and having their front ends engaged by the cross-bar, and the stops for engaging the rear ends of the latch-levers and holding the gate closed" (lines 15-24).
Date: November 1, 1887
Creator: Terry, Hiram
System: The Portal to Texas History
Cotton Packer. (open access)

Cotton Packer.

Patent for a new and improved cotton packer. This design consists in "the combination of a reciprocating plunger having an upright frame formed with a cross-piece at its top, a drum having means for revolving it in opposite directions, a chain attached to the plunger and to the drum winding upon the same, a spring secured at its middle to the cross-piece of the plunger-frame, and chains secured to the ends of the spring and to the drum winding upon the same in opposite direction to the chain from the plunger" (lines 93-103).
Date: March 1, 1887
Creator: Dulaney, John Thornton
System: The Portal to Texas History
Expansion Double-Shovel Corn And Cotton Planter. (open access)

Expansion Double-Shovel Corn And Cotton Planter.

Patent for a new machine for planting corn or cotton that can be "adapted for use as a plow or cultivator" (lines 60-61), including instructions and illustrations.
Date: March 1, 1887
Creator: Draper, Richard Edward.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Flood-Fence. (open access)

Flood-Fence.

Patent for a flood fence dedicated in cases of high water, preventing the fence from destruction. This fence is cheap to manufacture and requires a simple construction.
Date: March 1, 1887
Creator: Sims, Abner Z.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Thill Coupling. (open access)

Thill Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for thills. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the clip having the ears provided with the openings of the draft-iron having the eye at its inner end adapted to be inserted between the ears of the clip and having the transverse central opening" (lines 94-98). Further, it has "the coupling-bolt having the inclined shoulder and the nut provided with the [other] inclined shoulder and the sleeves having the inclined inner ends adapted to enter the inclines of the draft-iron and provided at their outer ends with the inclined recesses" (lines 1-7).
Date: March 1, 1887
Creator: Findley, James W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Cotton Chopper and Cultivator. (open access)

Cotton Chopper and Cultivator.

Patent for a new and improved cotton chopper and cultivator. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with a cotton cultivator and chopper, of the usual frame, a pair of guiding-handles pivoted thereto, a chopping-knife hinged to said frame, and links forming a loose connection between said blade and handles, whereby the blade is raised and lowered" (lines 26-31).
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Schaumleffel, John A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hay Pitching and Stacking Machine. (open access)

Hay Pitching and Stacking Machine.

Patent for improvement to hay pitching and stacking machines "to provide a device for pitching and stacking hay, the parts of which can be easily and quickly taken apart or adjusted, and which may be employed in making stacks of hay or straw" (lines 18-22).
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Donald, Frank
System: The Portal to Texas History
Plow. (open access)

Plow.

Patent for a new and improved plow. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the plow-beam, of the plow-standard hinged to a crank-rod journaled in the plow-beam, the tension-spring connected to the plow-standard and provided with the adjustable plate, and the key or rod for securing the adjusting-plate in place" (lines 83-88).
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Ross, Albert J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Saw-Filing Machine (open access)

Saw-Filing Machine

Patent for improvements to machines that file saw teeth, including illustrations.
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Nolen, Robert; Bishop, Rudolph W. & Waltemeyer, Joseph
System: The Portal to Texas History