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
Plow. (open access)

Plow.

Patent for a new and improved plow. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the plow-beam, of the plow-standard hinged to a crank-rod journaled in the plow-beam, the tension-spring connected to the plow-standard and provided with the adjustable plate, and the key or rod for securing the adjusting-plate in place" (lines 83-88).
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Ross, Albert J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hay Pitching and Stacking Machine. (open access)

Hay Pitching and Stacking Machine.

Patent for improvement to hay pitching and stacking machines "to provide a device for pitching and stacking hay, the parts of which can be easily and quickly taken apart or adjusted, and which may be employed in making stacks of hay or straw" (lines 18-22).
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Donald, Frank
System: The Portal to Texas History
Saw-Filing Machine (open access)

Saw-Filing Machine

Patent for improvements to machines that file saw teeth, including illustrations.
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Nolen, Robert; Bishop, Rudolph W. & Waltemeyer, Joseph
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
Cotton Chopper and Cultivator. (open access)

Cotton Chopper and Cultivator.

Patent for a new and improved cotton chopper and cultivator. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with a cotton cultivator and chopper, of the usual frame, a pair of guiding-handles pivoted thereto, a chopping-knife hinged to said frame, and links forming a loose connection between said blade and handles, whereby the blade is raised and lowered" (lines 26-31).
Date: February 1, 1887
Creator: Schaumleffel, John A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Cotton Cleaner (open access)

Cotton Cleaner

Patent for the invention of a machine used to clean cotton. The Machine employed for cleaning cotton in which the object of the invention is to produce a machine wherein the cotton may be thoroughly and effectively cleaned without damage to the staple or fiber of the material (10)
Date: February 1, 1885
Creator: Ralston, Joseph
System: The Portal to Texas History