During the late 19th century, September was a rewarding month for inventors across Colorado. In Park County, one of the 17 original counties of the Colorado Territory, early visionaries were granted patents by the United Stated Patent Office for practical inventions ranging from an amalgamator (1884) to a placer mining machine (1893) to a signal transmitter actuated by the wind in a weather vane (1895).
September 23, 1873: William E. Musgrove of Fairplay patents a machine for removing snow and ice from streets
William E. Musgrove of Fairplay was issued U.S. Patent No. 143,176 in 1873 for his invention of a machine for removing snow and ice from streets. In his patent application, Musgrove described his machine:
“I have invented a Machine for the Removal of Snow and Ice from Streets, Roads, etc. My invention consists of an apparatus supported on wheels, and having a case in which is placed a furnace supplied with an air-blast by a blower, the case ending at front near the ground in a long and narrow opening, through which the heated air and smoke are projected against the snow and ice covering the ground.”
September 6, 1881: Samuel E. Darne of Fairplay patents a combined cradle and nursery
Samuel E. Darne of Fairplay was issued U.S. Patent No. 246,729 in 1881 for his invention of a combined cradle and nursery. In his patent application, Darne described his device:
“I have invented a new and improved Combined Cradle and Nursery. The object of this device is to provide an improved article for household purposes that can be used either as a combined cradle and crib or as a separate cradle and separate nursery for children.
The invention consists in constructing the cradle with a detachable top frame or crib so made and applied that when the frame is used upon the cradle, it forms an effective crib to protect and keep the child within the cradle, and when the crib is removed and placed upon the floor, it forms an effective nursery, in which the child may be placed and protected, taught to walk, amused, &c.”
September 9, 1884: Simeon Truby of Alma patents an amalgamator
Simeon Truby of Alma was issued U.S. Patent No. 304,765 in 1884 for his invention of an amalgamator, which is a machine used for obtaining precious metals, such as silver and gold, by separating them from the ore in which they’re found. In his patent application, Truby described his invention:
“I have invented a new and useful Amalgamator. This invention has relation to amalgamators for amalgamating, concentrating, and separating the gangue from comminuted mineral; and it has for its object to produce a machine of the class above referred to that shall possess advantages in point of simplicity, cheapness, durability, and general efficiency.”
September 26, 1893: Charles O. Sumner of Fairplay patents a placer mining machine
Charles O. Sumner of Fairplay was issued U.S. Patent No. 505,684 in 1893 for his invention of a placer mining machine, which is used for extracting gold from sand, gravel, and dirt using water and mechanical methods. In his patent application, Sumner described his machine:
“I have invented a new and useful Placer Mining Machine. This invention relates to placer mining machines, and it has for its object to provide a simple and improved device of this character which will possess advantages in point of simplicity and inexpensiveness in construction, durability and general efficiency.”
September 10, 1895: Willie H. Davis and Hugh C. Christy of Como patent a signal transmitter
Willie H. Davis and Hugh C. Christy of Como were issued U.S. Patent No. 546,228 in 1895 for their invention of a signal transmitter, which is used for selectively calling a substation from a main station by applying a control signal. In their patent application, Davis and Christy described their apparatus:
“We have invented a new and improved Signal-Transmitter. The object of our invention is to provide apparatus for transmitting electrical signals to be recorded at a distant point, the invention being designed more particularly for use in connection with meteorological instruments—a weather vane, for example.
Our invention consists in a helical cam attached to the moving shaft, a lever adapted to engage the cam, a device for lifting the lever over the step from the lower to the higher part of the cam, a revoluble drum carrying contact surfaces representing different signals, a contact-point pressing upon the revoluble drum, and electrical connections and recording mechanism.”
September 13, 1898: Addison L. Holmes and James H. Campbell of Alma patent a nut lock
Addison L. Holmes and James H. Campbell of Alma were issued U.S. Patent No. 610,679 in 1898 for their invention of a nut lock, which is a device used for preventing a nut from coming unscrewed. In their patent application, Holmes and Campbell described their invention:
“We have invented a new and useful Nut Lock. This invention relates to improvements in nut locks; and the object of the same is to provide a simple and improved lock for the nut whereby the latter is prevented from becoming loose upon the bolt, it being positively locked from any reverse movement thereon.
With the above object in view, the invention consists of a locking-Washer having a spring-tongue provided thereon adapted to engage a ratchet formed upon the inner face of the nut, the securing-rivet of said spring-tongue projecting from the opposite face of the Washer, and adapted to engage the fishplate or other object to prevent the rotation of the Washer.”
