Applying for a patent - questions?

[The King]

Shit, somebody forgot to tell Edelbrock, Holley and Demon, amongst others, that the carbuerator is dead.

Not quite...There's still a market for carburetor parts.

True, but the investment has already been made in these cases and brand recognition is in place. Investing money for a patent and tooling for a new innovation in what might be termed a niche market would be much riskier.

[Baron Von Crowder]

How does this power valve help the common carbureted junky?

I'm betting it doesn't help unlesss there is some pressurized air invilved.

[mustangguy289]

I'm betting it doesn't help unlesss there is some pressurized air invilved.

Probably right.... Brooks loves to blow.

[Grimpala]

True, but the investment has already been made in these cases and brand recognition is in place. Investing money for a patent and tooling for a new innovation in what might be termed a niche market would be much riskier.

This is something that could be sold or licensed to the carb mfgs for their use. He's not reinventing the wheel, just a better spoke.

[Ruffdaddy]

True, but the investment has already been made in these cases and brand recognition is in place. Investing money for a patent and tooling for a new innovation in what might be termed a niche market would be much riskier.

Exactly, in some cases it's better to just not patent and take his Chances selling. Or try selling the idea to a known brand

[broke again]

Exactly, in some cases it's better to just not patent and take his Chances selling. Or try selling the idea to a known brand

x2

[STRONGNUFF]

Not quite...There's still a market for carburetor parts.

Tanner is keeping the market going lol

[stevo]

We are talking about a boost-referenced power valve, right? I thought there was someone on the turbo forums that manufactured these and has been selling them for a while?

Stevo

[turbostang]

DJ covered it- and there's a similar device out there right now, but not as user friendly, and not readily rebuildable like mine.

To be more precise - it's a power valve that works off of positive pressure, not vacuum. Known in the blowthrough world as 'boost referenced'. Nearly every blowthrough carb'd car I've seen could benifit from it...Especially turbocharged cars...and especially ones that are street driven or require a 'lean' cruise.

To tell the difference - I had one that was electronically controlled via an air pump that was actuated by a pair of hobbs switches. When the hobbs switches activated, the pump turned on and sent air to a tube that connected to the power valve cavity and eventually opened the valve. This worked fine, but had some latency and had the noisy pump to deal with - but yielded a decent 12.5:1 A/F at WOT.

This new design, with NO changes other than taking the old valve out and putting the new one in dropped the A/F down to 10.3:1 - it allowed me to drop the jetting WAY down..to add to that, it's adjustable and rebuildable with a standard holley power valve diaphragm.

Probably right.... Brooks loves to blow.

Only a true fag would make a reach that far.

Exactly, in some cases it's better to just not patent and take his Chances selling. Or try selling the idea to a known brand

You've pretty much nailed it. They're worth probably somewhere near 100-125$ and require some minor mods to a carb to make them work. They're only intended to be used on blowthrough turbo/supercharged cars.

[turbostang]

We are talking about a boost-referenced power valve, right? I thought there was someone on the turbo forums that manufactured these and has been selling them for a while?

Stevo

Yes, that's entirely possible - but as far as I know, You can't buy them seperately. I also think the ones you speak of may be electronically controlled?

[80coupe]

Tanner is keeping the market going lol

yup lol!

[big_tiger]

Get a provisional patent to secure your idea for one year, and then either come up with the $10k or so it costs to get a full patent. Try selling your provisional patent to a carb company, while also selling your product for revenue.

Most of the "As seen on TV" that say "patent pending" means they secured there idea for one year, and trying to get as much money as possible before the patent runs out.

[Ruffdaddy]

Get a provisional patent to secure your idea for one year, and then either come up with the $10k or so it costs to get a full patent. Try selling your provisional patent to a carb company, while also selling your product for revenue.

Most of the "As seen on TV" that say "patent pending" means they secured there idea for one year, and trying to get as much money as possible before the patent runs out.

It's actually not a patent that will run out...it's an early application for a patent. Technically there is no provisional patent.

But you've done a relatively good job at reinforcing the suggestions mentioned in this thread.

[stevo]

Yes, that's entirely possible - but as far as I know, You can't buy them seperately. I also think the ones you speak of may be electronically controlled?

Not sure, I really haven't check in a couple of years, just remember I was going to buy one from someone but ended up cobbling together my own and modifying the carb to port vacuum/boost to the PV.

If no one has actually put a patent on a design, you should be good I would think.

Stevo

[Baron Von Crowder]

Brooks, I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I think there has to be something like 5 differences from a patented design for it to not be considered patent infringement. Sounds like you are covered, as yours is almost completely different from the other and doesn't even perform the same way, just has a similar result.