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 the chopper-handle, of the notched-roller, the mortised cross-beam, having the pivot across its mortise or hole, and the spring, attached to an upright, and the handle, whereby the chopper may be operated" (lines 73-78).
Date: May 15, 1883
Creator: Pettitt, Francis Alexander.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Laundry-Iron (open access)

Laundry-Iron

Patent for improvements to heating and use of irons used for laundry.
Date: May 15, 1883
Creator: Pedder, James Nagel
System: The Portal to Texas History
Split Switch (open access)

Split Switch

Patent for a split switch, with illustrations. The "invention relates to split switches; and the object of our invention is to provide a switch which will be normally in condition to prevent a train from running on the main track from the siding, and yet always keep the main track in condition for the rapid movement of trains, and at the same time allow the shunting of a train from the main track to the side track" (lines 16-24).
Date: May 15, 1883
Creator: Crowley, John Henry & Temple, Bernard Moore
System: The Portal to Texas History
Packing Attachment for Baling Presses (open access)

Packing Attachment for Baling Presses

Patent for an "improved cotton packing attachment for baling-presses" (lines 9-10).
Date: May 15, 1883
Creator: Shepherd, James R.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Nut Lock. (open access)

Nut Lock.

Patent for a new and improved nut lock. This design utilizes "[t]he combination, with the bolt having a longitudinal groove therein, and the nut having a circular recess in its inner face and a series of perforations in its outer face, of the key having its inner end bent at right angles and fitted in said recess, and provided with an arm and pivoted catch at the outer end, which catch is adapted to engage with a perforation in the nut" (lines 47-55).
Date: May 15, 1883
Creator: Mlinarich, Gioseppe Iosef Pepos
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 objects to provide a coupling-pin which can be reversed when one end becomes worn, to provide a reversible pin of novel construction, which is adapted to automatically engage the ordinary coupling-link, and to provide a coupling-pin of novel construction, with a device for holding it elevated when it is not desired to engage a coupling-link" (lines 10-18).
Date: May 15, 1883
Creator: Fowler, Joseph C.
System: The Portal to Texas History