Cooling and Preserving Apparatus. (open access)

Cooling and Preserving Apparatus.

Patent for a "cooling apparatus in which a cloth envelops a vertically-disposed series of supports, and has its upper end dipping into a receptacle supplied with water; and the object of the improvement is to secure a uniformity of temperature throughout the structure, and particularly in the several compartments formed between the various supports, as well as to prevent the spoiling of food by foreign matters entering the same by accidental dislodgment from a support immediately thereover." (Lines 8-19) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Brown, Elijah Clark
System: The Portal to Texas History
Advertising-Fan. (open access)

Advertising-Fan.

Patent for "an attractive sign, which by reason of its revolutions will receive notice from the general public and illustrate business cards or signs, and furthermore to operate the same by and in conjunction with a fan, such as is commonly used in public places." (Lines 15-20) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Lo Casto, Tony
System: The Portal to Texas History
Banker's Daily-Balance Index. (open access)

Banker's Daily-Balance Index.

Patent for a banker's daily-balance index meant to "promote the speed and accuracy of book-keepers in keeping the personal daily balance ledger in banking and other like business" (lines 9-12). The patent is for a piece of paper divided with ink into strips on the front and back.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Thomas, Thomas Parry
System: The Portal to Texas History
Combined Couch and Storage-Chest. (open access)

Combined Couch and Storage-Chest.

Patent for a couch that stores clothes in its body and head. The clothes can be readily accessed.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Caruthers, Robert A. & Savage, Charles P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire Stretching and Splicing Tool. (open access)

Wire Stretching and Splicing Tool.

Patent for a wire stretching and splicing tool used when repairing barbed wire and other wire fences. It connects the ends of broken wires by bringing them together and twisting them. It has a wire gripping device, an adjustable end that corresponds to the wire gripper, a way to separate the above listed parts and bring them back together again, and a clamping device.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: la Bauve, Odelon Joseph
System: The Portal to Texas History
Instrument for Dividing Angles into Equal Parts. (open access)

Instrument for Dividing Angles into Equal Parts.

Patent for an instrument for dividing angles into equal parts and is meant to be used with a beam compass. The "invention consists in a member having a point adapted to be placed at the point of the angle to be divided, and having movable thereon a beam extending horizontally and having at one end a transverse head projecting from each side of the beam and carrying at one end an indicating point and at the other end a marking pencil" (lines 22-29).
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Cornelius, Francis W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Ironing-Table. (open access)

Ironing-Table.

Patent for "ironing-tables which are arranged to be capable of folding when not in use and of extending when used." (Lines 8-11) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Mills, Charles Richmond
System: The Portal to Texas History
Water-Elevating Device. (open access)

Water-Elevating Device.

Patent for a simple, inexpensive, efficient, and durable water-elevating device meant to be used in collecting water from wells, cisterns, &c., and can be used in domestic and commercial settings. "Power may be increased [in the invention] to enable an operator to raise large quantities of water with facility" (lines 13-15).
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Taylor, James B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Music-Holder. (open access)

Music-Holder.

Patent for an adjustable, simple, inexpensive, and light music-holder that does not let the music slip and does not damage the music. The clamps will not get in the way of the music, and holds a book as easily as a sheet of music. Springs are not used, the staff is telescopic, and should be made from aluminum.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Gross, Frederick D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Exercising Device. (open access)

Exercising Device.

Patent for an "exercising device for teaching beginners the correct touch on the piano to systematically develop finger [technique]." (Lines 9-11) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Felden, Oscar
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hay-Rake. (open access)

Hay-Rake.

Patent for an improvement on a revolving hay-rake that is simple, economic, and easily manipulated. It can move backwards as well as forward, and the teeth can turn freely. The ground pressure of the teeth can be adjusted.
Date: April 30, 1895
Creator: Lunday, Isaac G.
System: The Portal to Texas History