Buckle. (open access)

Buckle.

Patent for a new and improved buckle. This design utilizes a bifurcated end and crossbars, a flat crossbar, a swinging crossbar, a tongue, and a stud to cover the underside of the strap, which would otherwise be exposed. This eliminates the need for stitching the strap, as well as being stronger than previous buckles.
Date: February 1, 1881
Creator: Owen, Abram
System: The Portal to Texas History
Buckle. (open access)

Buckle.

Patent for a new and improved buckle. This design utilizes two frames rather than one, and each has a stud. The studs fasten the strap(s) to the frame; thus the studs eliminate the need for a tongue and for the stitching of the strap to itself around the frame. Additionally, the larger frames allow for easier use in the cold or the dark.
Date: February 1, 1881
Creator: Owen, Abram
System: The Portal to Texas History
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through said trunnion into the cylinder, which tester serves as a handle for revolving the cylinder, and can be withdrawn from time to time with samples of coffee to enable the operator to judge of the progress of the roasting process" (lines 11-19).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
Car Truck. (open access)

Car Truck.

Patent for a new and improved car-truck. This design "consists in providing the lateral guide-wheels with long axles which are inclined at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the ordinary truck-wheels, and in providing the bolsters of the truck with a central opening, and otherwise constructing the same with a view to attachment of such inclined axles" (lines 17-24).
Date: February 22, 1881
Creator: Beaumont, Franklin, Jr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Animal Shears. (open access)

Animal Shears.

Patent for new and improved animal shears. This design calls for a spring with eyes at the ends so that the handles of individual blades may be inserted through them. Then, nuts fasten the individual blades to the spring, which makes sharpening easier and breakage less likely.
Date: February 22, 1881
Creator: Benavides, Cristobal & Arthur, Joshua P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Buckle. (open access)

Buckle.

Patent for a new and improved buckle. This design utilizes a knob in addition to the tongue to hold the strap more securely, preventing slippage.
Date: February 22, 1881
Creator: Owen, Abram
System: The Portal to Texas History
Umbrella and Sun Shade. (open access)

Umbrella and Sun Shade.

Patent for a new and improved (sun) umbrella. This design utilizes an adjustable metal frame that can be attached to a piece of equipment (e.g., a tractor) or worn comfortably by a person. This allows for hands-free use while being protected from the sun and/or rain.
Date: February 8, 1881
Creator: Gray, Hiram Balderston
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
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.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Manufacture of Hydraulic Cement and Lime. (open access)

Manufacture of Hydraulic Cement and Lime.

Patent for improvement in“the manufacture of hydraulic cement or lime form rotten or decomposed limestone” (lines 66-68).
Date: February 8, 1881
Creator: Dimelow, John
System: The Portal to Texas History
Folding Crate. (open access)

Folding Crate.

Patent for a new and improved folding crate. This design "consists, in a folding crate, of a closed-bottom and open work top and sides, each made in two parts, hinged to each other at their adjacent ends . . . the upright bars, having tenons upon their ends; the strengthening-bars, each made in two parts . . . the hooks and eyes; the hasps and staples; and the rod and staple, whereby the crate is made strong and firm, and allowed to be folded compactly for reshipment" (lines 18-29).
Date: February 1, 1881
Creator: Van Hutton, William Bruno
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