Churn Motor. (open access)

Churn Motor.

Patent for a new and improved churn motor. This design "consists in [a] novel construction and arrangement of parts . . . The machine . . . is so constructed that it gives to the dasher a perpendicular long or short stroke, and that it may be sunk deep or shallow in the milk; and the machine may be run at the greatest speed with but little friction, and without the danger of its parts becoming loosened, and by means of its apron and attachment . . . it holds the churn in place" (lines 16-26).
Date: February 26, 1884
Creator: Nevel, William A. & Fisher, George W.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Combined Clod Crusher and Sod and Stalk Cutter. (open access)

Combined Clod Crusher and Sod and Stalk Cutter.

Patent for a new and improved combined crusher of clods and cutter of sod and stalks. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the slotted beam, of the stalk-gathering device consisting of the bent wires or rods forming eyes, and diverging at their lower ends, and held in place by the plate or washers below the beam, and wedge above the beam . . . [and] of the frame, the slotted cross-bar, and the rollers having cutting-blades" (lines 74-83).
Date: February 27, 1883
Creator: Miller, John
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Lap Ring. (open access)

Lap Ring.

Patent for a new and improved carabiner ("lap ring"). This design calls for the hinged bar to interlock more with the body of the ring. This design prevents the stretching of the ring when bearing a heavy load, representing an improvement over previous designs.
Date: February 22, 1881
Creator: Morris, John P.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Mail-Bag Catcher. (open access)

Mail-Bag Catcher.

Patent for railway mail service bag-catchers "to provide a catcher which will remove a bag from a supporting-crane and transfer it automatically into the mail-car while the train is in motion" (lines 13-16).
Date: February 20, 1906
Creator: Elliff, Josiah C.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Roofing Construction (open access)

Roofing Construction

Patent for a weatherproof roofing construction. Illustrations included.
Date: February 22, 1910
Creator: West, Hosea E.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Permutation-Lock. (open access)

Permutation-Lock.

Patent for a permutation or combination lock for mail boxes.
Date: February 18, 1908
Creator: Maxfield, James Robert
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Permutation-Lock. (open access)

Permutation-Lock.

Patent for a permutation lock, which is harder to break into than the previous version.
Date: February 2, 1909
Creator: Maxfield, James R.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History

Lake Tawakoni State Park

This an illustrated map o Lake Tawakoni State Park near Wills Point in Van Zandt County, Texas. The map shows the parks access routes, hiking trails, camping sites, and a legend that provides the location of the parks amenities. There is also information for visitors on the left side of the map.
Date: February 2015
Creator: Texas. Parks and Wildlife Department.
Object Type: Map
System: The Portal to Texas History
Combined Andirons and Grate (open access)

Combined Andirons and Grate

Patent for a combined andiron and grate that can be used with or without the grate attachment. The grate is adjustable to maintain variable fire depths and has "a swinging bracket for heating and cooking."
Date: February 2, 1915
Creator: Wilderspin, Alfred K.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Railway Gate (open access)

Railway Gate

Patent for gate for rail and train tracks.
Date: February 13, 1917
Creator: Burress, John R.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History