Balanced Piston Engine. (open access)

Balanced Piston Engine.

Patent for a new and improved balanced-piston engine. This design "relates to that class of steam or other engines which are constructed with two pistons receiving the pressure in opposite directions, each connected with cranks set at opposite positions, whereby the strain occurs simultaneously in opposite directions upon the crank-shaft and balances the same within its bearings, and thus obviates great friction on the journals and thereby economizes power" (lines 7-15).
Date: February 15, 1881
Creator: Peebles, William D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Coffee Roaster. (open access)

Coffee Roaster.

Patent for a new and improved coffee roaster. This design calls for "a revolving cylinder; and the invention consists of a cylinder provided with a hollow trunnion, and of a semi-tubular tester introduced through said trunnion into the cylinder, which tester serves as a handle for revolving the cylinder, and can be withdrawn from time to time with samples of coffee to enable the operator to judge of the progress of the roasting process" (lines 11-19).
Date: February 15, 1881
Creator: Owens, Harrison
System: The Portal to Texas History
Vehicle Axle Box. (open access)

Vehicle Axle Box.

Patent for a new and improved axle box for vehicles. This design consists of a novel combination of spindle, detachable and reversible bearing-sleeve, interposed elastic sleeves, hub, axle-box, and lubricator (lines 74-90).
Date: February 15, 1881
Creator: Applewhite, David Thomas
System: The Portal to Texas History
Folding Cradle. (open access)

Folding Cradle.

Patent for a new and improved folding cradle. This design "consists of a cradle formed of two triangular folding end frames provided with folding braces and connected by longitudinal rods, from which the canvas bottom is supported, which frames are pivoted at their apex on the top of two connected triangular folding standards, and are provided with a crank for swinging the cradle. . . . [The cradle] is simple in construction and may be provided with a fan attachment" (lines 10-19).
Date: February 15, 1881
Creator: Clark, Chester Cady
System: The Portal to Texas History
Harness Loop. (open access)

Harness Loop.

Patent for a new and improved harness loop. This design calls for two loops, one of which has a knob for perforated straps, with a single base in common. This eliminates the need for leather loops and for stitching leather straps.
Date: February 15, 1881
Creator: Owen, Abram
System: The Portal to Texas History
Picket Fence (open access)

Picket Fence

Patent for a type of picket fence that uses short timber
Date: February 15, 1881
Creator: McGinty, Robert H.
System: The Portal to Texas History