Dear BPs (Bippies?)

I'm researching a pin-connected metal truss bridge (Wrought Iron Bridge Co,
Canton OH, 1893) that has a design detail called a "4-pronged basket loop" at
the bottom of a vertical hanger (the rest of the tension members are your
basic wrought iron eyebars).

I haven't been able to find a way to locate patent information on this detail
without going through a patent search for enormous amounts of $$$, which I am
sure that the client is not prepared to spend. However, it is an interesting
detail that I would like to track down. I have made some inquiries of the
folks at the Institute of the History of Technology and Industrial
Archaeology that may eventually prove helpful, but if anyone has any other
suggestions in the meantime, I'd be grateful ...

-- Mary Tisket-a-tasket