Automatic Car Brake. (open access)

Automatic Car Brake.

Patent for a new and improved automatic car brake. This design "consists, first, in the combination of the draw-heads . . . connecting-rods . . . and a partially-rotating shaft provided with suitable slotted cams, which cams are attached to the brake-beams, so that when the draw-heads are forced inward or drawn out the brakes will move out of contact with the wheels; second, in the combination, with the slotted cams and a mechanism for moving them, of the rods which are connected thereto, and which pass through the brake-beams, the sliding sleeves, the springs, and the nuts" (lines 13-27).
Date: January 22, 1884
Creator: Miller, John D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Fruit Can. (open access)

Fruit Can.

Patent for a new and improved fruit can. This design "consists in the combination of a can having its upper edge turned inward, so as to form a flange, an L-shaped collar which is secured inside of the mouth of the can, the cap which has its lower edge turned outward, so as to form a flange, and a holding device for keeping the cap in position" (lines 13-19).
Date: September 16, 1884
Creator: Robinson, John Thomas
System: The Portal to Texas History