Cotton Chopper. (open access)

Cotton Chopper.

Patent for a new and improved cotton chopper. This design consists in "[t]he combination of an axle, a frame, a shaft journaled longitudinally in the frame, radial arms mounted on the said shaft, gear connecting the said shaft with the axle, rectangular blades secured upon the ends of the said arms, the said blades being set diagonally, making their side edges parallel with the spiral path of the arms . . . and one blade being narrower than the others . . . whereby each blade will exactly coincide with the spiral path of its motion and stands will be left uncut at equal intervals" (lines 24-36).
Date: April 13, 1886
Creator: Ferriott, Charlie L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Ant-Trap. (open access)

Ant-Trap.

Patent for an ant-trap with an inflexible bottom with a hole in the middle, a perpendicular section rough on the inside and smooth on the outside, and the perpendicular smooth sides are attached to the edges of the bottom. The trap has a device that prevents the ants from running around the trap.
Date: November 13, 1894
Creator: Carter, William B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Stretcher. (open access)

Wire-Stretcher.

Patent for a simple and efficient wire stretcher that aids in fence-building, tightening loose wires, cutting wires, and tying broken wires. The stretcher is similar in appearance to a wrench that can be taken apart in order to properly utilize the tool.
Date: June 13, 1893
Creator: McKinney, John Wilson
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Combined Adjustable Fire-Fenders, Grates, and Andirons. (open access)

Improvement in Combined Adjustable Fire-Fenders, Grates, and Andirons.

Patent for improvement in fire-fender and grate with separable andirons that is adjustable to different fireplaces, and which can be adapted for wood or coal.
Date: May 13, 1873
Creator: Hall, William N.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Paint Brush. (open access)

Paint Brush.

Patent for a new and improved paint brush. This design "consists in an extensible and contractible frame having means for clamping a brush within the same, and provided at the end of its component members or plates with a sockets or tubes, in which are fitted adjustable stems carrying brush holders or sockets at their ends which are capable of receiving an angular adjustment in relation to said stems" (lines 15-23).
Date: October 13, 1885
Creator: Nowlin, William Abner
System: The Portal to Texas History
Sash-Fastener. (open access)

Sash-Fastener.

Patent for a new and useful sash fastener, which is "capable of holding a sash at any desired adjustment and of being arranged to lock the sashes against vertical movement on each other" (line 13 - 14).
Date: February 13, 1900
Creator: James, Will S.
System: The Portal to Texas History