Improvement in Portable Derricks. (open access)

Improvement in Portable Derricks.

Patent for improvement in portable derricks by using an “adjustable crane mounted on a truck-platform, having an overhead frame for the support of the upper end of the crane-post, and braces for staying the frame, so that the crane can be turned around to overhang the sides.” (Lines 6-11) Illustration is included.
Date: May 16, 1876
Creator: Reams, Shirwood Y.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cotton-Choppers. (open access)

Improvement in Cotton-Choppers.

Patent for an improvement in cotton-choppers by way of vertical rock-shafts.
Date: May 25, 1876
Creator: Burnham, Theodore O.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Car-Couplings. (open access)

Improvement in Car-Couplings.

Patent for an improvement in car-couplings with illustrations.
Date: May 30, 1876
Creator: Darrow, Nicholas
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cotton-Sprinklers. (open access)

Improvement in Cotton-Sprinklers.

Patent for "the combination, in a cotton-sprinkler, having a fluid-vessel, of flexible ejecting hose, having flaring nozzle sprinklers, with hooks or fastening devices for holding the nozzles in elevated positions upon the vessels, whereby the driver has perfect control both over the flow and direction of the fluid, and is thereby enabled to inject the fluid upon the two rows of plants, without regard to their height or the uncertain movement of the horse between the rows, and to stop the flow by elevating and hooking the ejecting-hose to the upper corners of the vessel, thus rendering the device much more effective in directing the fluid than could possibly be effected by fixed distributing perforated cocks, and preventing unnecessary waste of the fluid." (Lines 13-30) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 18, 1875
Creator: Ramsey, Croghan A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cotton Presses. (open access)

Improvement in Cotton Presses.

Patent for the improvement of cotton presses to bale cotton and other materials, including illustrations.
Date: May 12, 1874
Creator: Brown, Bartlett W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Bleaching Resins. (open access)

Improvement in Bleaching Resins.

Patent for a process to "bleach, clarify, and refine the commonest and lowest grade of resin, and such is now known to the trade as black resin, as to produce therefrom, by a cheap and simple means or process, an article as pure as extra pale, or resin which is the product of the virgin dip, and which for use in all the arts where the finest quality of resin is desirable or required, is equally as valuable." (Lines 14-23) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 27, 1873
Creator: Lee, Archibald K.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Box and Bale Hooks. (open access)

Improvement in Box and Bale Hooks.

Patent for "a guard or shield, of leather or other equivalent material, combined with the handle or shank of the hook used for turning or otherwise handling bales or boxes, &c., to prevent the hands from rubbing or pressing against the bale or box, whereby the are often injured." (Lines 6-12) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 26, 1874
Creator: Knight, John W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Brick-Presses. (open access)

Improvement in Brick-Presses.

Patent for a "new and useful improvement in brick-presses by which bricks may be quickly and cheaply pressed by hand power from clay taken direct from bank or mixer" ( Lines 1-3 )including instructions and illustration.
Date: May 14, 1878
Creator: Moore, Andrew A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improved Head-Rest. (open access)

Improved Head-Rest.

Patent for a new and improved head-rest for railroad-car seats and other seats, that can be applied to or removed from the back of seats without the use of clamp-screws, and are adjustable and adaptable to the convenience and comfort of different persons. It includes a description and illustrations.
Date: May 31, 1870
Creator: Littlepage, Caleb V.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Car-Couplings. (open access)

Improvement in Car-Couplings.

Patent for "a new and improved Car-Coupling"
Date: May 11, 1875
Creator: Shelley, Nathan G.; Bozarth, Stephen P. & Spring, David V.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Chairs. (open access)

Improvement in Chairs.

Patent for improvement in chairs, which provides adjustable shoulder supports and back (inclination and height), with intended advantages of better lung capacity and spinal alignment. The chair can be adjusted to fit all sizes of bodies. It is noted that some of the adjustable features could be incorporated into other furnishings such as beds or lounges. An additional feature of the chair is a retracting spring to assist the user in exiting the chair.
Date: May 9, 1876
Creator: Barnes, James W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Car-Couplings (open access)

Improvement in Car-Couplings

Patent for car coupling device that attaches cars automatically when moved together while also detaching if one or more cars come off the tracks.
Date: May 22, 1877
Creator: Dobbs, Charles & Robinson, Samuel L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Resin Boxes and Coolers. (open access)

Improvement in Resin Boxes and Coolers.

Patent for improvement in receptacle for oils, molasses, or thick liquid that permit liquid to be surrounded by steam or water and changeable temperature.
Date: May 13, 1873
Creator: Lee, Archibald K.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cotton-Worm Destroyers. (open access)

Improvement in Cotton-Worm Destroyers.

Patent for "a new machine for removing the destructive cotton-worms from the cotton-plants without injury to the plants, and for destroying the worms," which "consists in the arrangement of a movable frame, which is by animals drawn over the fields to straddle the rows of cotton, and which is provided with brushes for sweeping the worms from the plants, and with jointed bottom pieces or slides, which crush them on the ground." (Lines 15-25) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 20, 1873
Creator: Helm, Jackson
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Camp-Stoves. (open access)

Improvement in Camp-Stoves.

Patent for "an improved stove for camp and other uses, that may be reduced to small and compact size for transportation and readily put up for use." (Lines 14-17) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 21, 1878
Creator: Vollbrecht, Louis P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Railway-Gates. (open access)

Improvement in Railway-Gates.

Patent for "automatically operating slide-gates which are operated by pressure on treadles, and are suitable for use either as farm-gates or railroad-gates." (Lines 15-18) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 28, 1878
Creator: McCaffrey, James M. & Larkin, James
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cotton-Worm Destroyers. (open access)

Improvement in Cotton-Worm Destroyers.

Patent for an improvement in cotton worm destroyer, includes instructions and illustration.
Date: May 28, 1878
Creator: Yeager, George
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Railroad-Gates (open access)

Improvement in Railroad-Gates

Patent for a new and improved Railroad-Fence Gate that prevents cattle from escaping from farm areas, including illustrations.
Date: May 13, 1879
Creator: Hahn, Henry & Gaston, Anderson Lewers
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Refining and Ageing Liquors. (open access)

Improvement in Refining and Ageing Liquors.

Patent for improvement in refining and ageing liquors, including an illustration. The process includes expelling air from distilled liquors, heating them to a boiling point and then cooling them in a waterbath, through the use of a closed, air-tight vessel surrounded by an open water-vessel.
Date: May 10, 1870
Creator: Gilman, Samuel H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Pipe and Bar Cutters (open access)

Improvement in Pipe and Bar Cutters

Patent for a new and improved pipe and bar cutter, which cuts metal and steel. This design is simple, convient, and effective, including illustration.
Date: May 21, 1877
Creator: Astall, Jesse
System: The Portal to Texas History