Combination-Plow. (open access)

Combination-Plow.

Patent for a combination-plow that "may be combined with facility to form a variety of plows designed for work of different kinds, the present invention being an improvement upon that shown and described in Patent No. 492,462, granted to [the inventor] February 28, 1893" (lines 10-15).
Date: July 14, 1896
Creator: Dean, John Rowe
System: The Portal to Texas History
Combined Inkstand and Pen-Rack. (open access)

Combined Inkstand and Pen-Rack.

Patent for a inkstand with a magnetized pen-rack. If the pen or pencil isn't metal, a metal sleeve is provided to put around the utensil so it can sit on the rack. There is a space for ink-wells, pen-boxes, and a space for advertisements. It is meant for customers to use in lobbies.
Date: July 14, 1896
Creator: Moyer, Herman
System: The Portal to Texas History
Corn-Planting Attachment for Plows. (open access)

Corn-Planting Attachment for Plows.

Patent for improvement in corn planting attachment for plows in which the “attachment can be conveniently attached to any plow or furrow-opener” (lines 11-12) as a seed-dropping device. “This device may be retained in a raised or inoperative position.” (Lines 85-86) Illustration is included.
Date: July 14, 1891
Creator: Green, Frank
System: The Portal to Texas History
Machine for Sharpening and Gumming Saws. (open access)

Machine for Sharpening and Gumming Saws.

Patent for a machine that sharpens and gums saws for cotton-gins. It does so quickly and does not fatigue the operator. It automatically feeds "the saws so as to bring the teeth successively into position to be operated upon, and which will cut the teeth uniformly, thereby preserving the circular outline of the saws and preserving the teeth of a uniform length and appearance" (lines 15-20).
Date: July 14, 1896
Creator: Hulme, William A. & Hulme, Thomas B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Means for Operating Churns. (open access)

Means for Operating Churns.

Patent for improvement in operation of churns by using a spring-bar to press the flanged wheel against the driving-wheel to cause the dasher-shaft to revolve, thus the cream will be churned quickly. Illustration is included.
Date: July 14, 1891
Creator: Conner, Laurance H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Process of Tanning Hides. (open access)

Process of Tanning Hides.

Patent for "an improved process of tanning hides in an expeditious and economical manner, and to produce a fine quality of leather" (lines 8-11). The limed and haired hides are baited thrice, afterwards the hides are packed into "tanning-vats with bark and covering them with a solution of alum and water" (lines 80-82). The hides are then leached in salt water and scoured and dried.
Date: July 14, 1896
Creator: Rogers, John Charsley
System: The Portal to Texas History
Quilting-Frame for Sewing-Machines. (open access)

Quilting-Frame for Sewing-Machines.

Patent for improvement in quilting-frames by providing “screw-eyes on the end pieces of the frame for the purpose of holding the frame together and at the same time serving to run in the rollers to carry the frame along,” (Lines 25-31) and an interchangeable roller-gages would enable either straight or curved or fancy quilting to be done. Illustration is included.
Date: July 14, 1891
Creator: Stukes, John Marion
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Stretcher. (open access)

Wire-Stretcher.

Patent for a device that efficiently stretches wires for fence-strands.
Date: July 14, 1896
Creator: Folk, David H.
System: The Portal to Texas History