Player Piano (open access)

Player Piano

Patent for a new form of valve for mechanical piano operated by pneumatic mechanisms in which the value is self-centering and does away with the guide pin usually employed, and an amplification of the wippen so that the striker rod is placed at the front of the pneumatic mechanism where it is accessible. The change in leverage permits the use of a smaller pneumatic.
Date: January 31, 1922
Creator: Pace, Vara L.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Method of Casting Chilled Valve-Seats (open access)

Method of Casting Chilled Valve-Seats

Patent for making moldings of seats to be more consistent.
Date: March 11, 1919
Creator: Boykin, Burwell, Jr.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Power-Hammer. (open access)

Power-Hammer.

Patent for a power hammer that can utilize any power source and only needs one person to operate it. The design also uses less parts, making it more affordable.
Date: December 13, 1921
Creator: Karlson, Eric Fritjof
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Horse-Boot. (open access)

Horse-Boot.

Patent for a horse boot that covers and protects the hoof and pastern joint of a horse. It also protects the fetlock joint and practically the entire foreleg below the knee. This device allows for the horse to move without being hindered in any way, or without causing chafing. Both protecting the horse and providing additional comfort and safety.
Date: November 1, 1921
Creator: McKenzie, Joseph H.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Train-Line Valve. (open access)

Train-Line Valve.

Patent for "a cut out cock for pneumatic air brake systems." This invention allows the brake lines to be bled so that all brakes may be applied simultaneously.
Date: August 30, 1921
Creator: Weaver, Charles H.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Vehicle-Wheel. (open access)

Vehicle-Wheel.

Patent for an improved vehicle wheel with a demountable tire rim, so that tires can be easily placed on and taken off the wheel.
Date: December 27, 1921
Creator: Larson, Christian H.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Process of Heating Oil-Retorts and Apparatus Therefor. (open access)

Process of Heating Oil-Retorts and Apparatus Therefor.

Patent for "a method of securing even heating of oil retorts and the like throughout their length" and "a new apparatus, particularly intended for the heating and cracking of oils to convert the same into pyrolytic products". The invention may be used for any oil converting retort, but the patent description relates to the production of gasoline.
Date: August 16, 1921
Creator: Alexander, Clive M.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Valve. (open access)

Valve.

Patent for improvements to valves, specifically valves that have a sliding movement on the valve seat and to disk valves. The invention is to provide a valve of this type which is used in the interior of vats, tanks, or similar receptacles containing liquids.
Date: July 5, 1921
Creator: Spencer, Elmer H. & Block, A.C.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Shutter for Motion-Picture Machines. (open access)

Shutter for Motion-Picture Machines.

Patent for a shutter for motion picture cameras to eliminate flickering. Produced by stamping the device from sheet metal.
Date: August 22, 1922
Creator: Patureau, Arthur M.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Game. (open access)

Game.

Patent for a "a game of skill, rather than a game of chance" (lines 11-12), albeit with elements of a game of chance, in the style of a carnival game. The game consists of a motorized, revolving model airplane and a circular arrangement of nets (one for each player); the airplane drops candy into the winning player's net.
Date: August 9, 1921
Creator: Auffurth, Erwin, Jr. & Hjerpe, Erick
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Well Boring Apparatus. (open access)

Well Boring Apparatus.

Patent for a well-boring apparatus, an invention of a drilling apparatus using a form of power to transmit rotary movement to the string of a pipe. This invention is designed to lock the rotary elements against movement when the drill or pipe is moved or adjusted within its support.
Date: November 29, 1921
Creator: Boykin, Burwell, Jr.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Electric-Current Relay (open access)

Electric-Current Relay

Patent for Electric-Current Relay to allow capability of use with either a direct or alternating current. This is adapted for economical use in constant temperature apparatus. Further, this technology avoids the possibility of "sticking of relay movable contacts".
Date: July 19, 1921
Creator: Lorenz, Charles O.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Valve-Operating Mechanism (open access)

Valve-Operating Mechanism

Patent for Valve Operating Mechanism that includes "new and useful improvements" (lines 5-6), and "has for its primary object to provide a simple and efficient means for operating a valve at a distance" (lines 10-12).
Date: September 10, 1918
Creator: Baurens, Jean Marie, Jr.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lawn Mower (open access)

Lawn Mower

Patent for a lawn mower in which the means for adjusting the intermediate blade has been created so that a groove for a predetermined depth can be cut, and easy removal of the blade when it is desired to sharpen the same. Additionally, a ground-engaging roller is included to keep the machine at the same level so that the knife will cut into the ground at an even depth.
Date: December 5, 1919
Creator: Coniglio Carmelo
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Well-Drilling Rig. (open access)

Well-Drilling Rig.

Patent, including illustrations, for "an improved well drilling rig or apparatus" which provides "a simple, efficient, and practical machine of this kind including revoluble means having a device operatively connected to a walking beam (from which a drilling tool is suspended), so that upon every complete revolution of the revoluble means, the drilling tool or bit will be given two direct drops, each alternating with the lifting movement of the drill bit" (page 1, lines 11-21).
Date: February 3, 1920
Creator: Bradford, Robert M.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Well Screen. (open access)

Well Screen.

Patent for a well screen device. The device can keep particulates out of the well water while also restricting water to flow into the well without being released back into the soil.
Date: February 1, 1921
Creator: McLean, Marrs
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Building-Block. (open access)

Building-Block.

Patent for building block that is easily formed or molded. The building block forms tiers to easy move around and modify.
Date: February 1, 1921
Creator: Pace, Vara L.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Automatic Fuel-Changing Valve. (open access)

Automatic Fuel-Changing Valve.

Patent for Automatic Fuel Changing Valve. The purpose of the invention is to provide a mechanism that switches to another gas supply when the one which is feeding the system runs low.
Date: March 26, 1918
Creator: Connelly, John S.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvements in Processes of Distillation and Apparatus Therefor (open access)

Improvements in Processes of Distillation and Apparatus Therefor

Patent for improvements in processes of distillation and apparatus therefor in petroleum refineries.
Date: April 30, 1918
Creator: Prichard, George L.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improving Oils. (open access)

Improving Oils.

Patent for a method of improving the quality of more volatile petroleum oils, such as gasoline and burning oils.
Date: December 23, 1919
Creator: McAfee, Almer M.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvements in Burners (open access)

Improvements in Burners

Patent for improvements for burners. It is related explicitly to hydrocarbon burners. Its purpose is to keep the oil and steam separate as they leave the burner by keeping them in two separate streams.
Date: June 19, 1918
Creator: Trahan, Clair A
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Trailer. (open access)

Trailer.

Patent for trailers for attachment to trucks that is strong and compact and will not be distorted by the turning of the trailer relative to the truck.
Date: August 31, 1920
Creator: Feigelson, Alexander
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Trailing Device for Tractors and the Like (open access)

Trailing Device for Tractors and the Like

Patent for a device built to connect behind tractors and other farming vehicles. Development and use are within text; includes illustrations to demonstrate the object of the patent.
Date: November 27, 1917
Creator: Fiegelson, Alexander
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hydraulic Swivel (open access)

Hydraulic Swivel

Patent for a new and useful improvement in hydraulic swivels by simplifying the structure and making the device more efficient and reliable.
Date: March 7, 1922
Creator: Black, Lee J.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History