| Author | Message | ||
     Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 142 Registered: 03-2003 |
If anyone is in the N.C. area, and would like to help in the production of a replica of the adventure racks please let me know. I am trying to get one to use so that me and some buddies can make others that are identical to it. Talked to several people that are good with making accessories, and he said if he gets one to look at he can make it and several more and sell for around half the price that the dealer asks. | ||
| Drew Porta (Ncrover) New Member Username: Ncrover Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2003 |
Keep me in the loop when you get one and want to organize a group purchase to fabricate these racks (drewporta@lycos.com). If you can go to a welding/fabrication shop with 10 - 12 guaranteed orders you should be able to get a price break. I can talk to several others I know who might also be interested. | ||
| Justin (Vanroth) New Member Username: Vanroth Post Number: 34 Registered: 02-2003 |
Garrett, I'm located in NC... Greensboro to be exact. You are more than welcome to use my Adventure rack. Let me know and good luck. -justin muhnihausen@hotmail.com | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 144 Registered: 03-2003 |
Justin, I appreciate it. All i need is to use it long enough to make a copy of it with one other, then i can use that as a model for the rest. I'm in Asheville, is there anyway you could meet halfway? Let me know in mail, rover7592@yahoo.com | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 222 Registered: 02-2003 |
I am in Tarboro (eastern part) I have no rack but just wondered where ytall were from. | ||
| Greg Tearne (Gooddoggomez) New Member Username: Gooddoggomez Post Number: 21 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hey, if you guys make any plans/drawings/measurements, please post them or make them available... Us Southern Hemispherians need some gtt | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 145 Registered: 03-2003 |
You got it. As soon as Justin lets me know when we i can get the rack we will start trying to make some. Let me know. | ||
| Justin (Vanroth) New Member Username: Vanroth Post Number: 35 Registered: 02-2003 |
garrett, You got mail. | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 146 Registered: 03-2003 |
If anyone wants a rack let me know, and how you'd like for it to be painted. After the first one comes off i am having line-x spray it for the finish. Personally it is stronger and more durable, but it will be cheaper if you want to have it painted yourself or line-x to do it. | ||
| Kevin Fedyk (Kovert) New Member Username: Kovert Post Number: 37 Registered: 05-2003 |
I'll be in the VA area starting in a week, and also shopping for a Disco. And I'm sorry, but a roof rack is essential  I just love the look of them. So I guess I'll be looking into one, and Line-X definitely seems the way to go. I wonder if anyone ever line-xed there brushguards? | ||
| Chad Mayes (Cmayes) New Member Username: Cmayes Post Number: 36 Registered: 04-2003 |
I line-xed (actually Herc-u-lined) my ARB brushguard last summer and it worked great. Its supper durable and I think it looks good. I line-xed it because I didn't think there would be any way to repaint it and retain the durability of the original powder coating. I'm toying with the idea of doing my safari rack, rear bumper, and rear lamp guards. | ||
| Kevin Fedyk (Kovert) New Member Username: Kovert Post Number: 38 Registered: 05-2003 |
Yeah I once saw a Wrangler completed coated in the stuff. Seriously from head to toe. But yeah I've been looking around at discos (buying ASAP) and ones with brush guards all seem to have some surface rust and I thought linex would be great for it. I just wondered if it changes the size of what lights can fit and such since it does add a little to the bar. Also what about added weight? | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 260 Registered: 10-2002 |
Will someone please make a low profile adventure rack?! Just remove the factory roof rack rails and the adventure rack could sit 4" lower. No need to have the 5" gap or so in between the roof and the bottom of the rack...4" could change the center of gravity quite a bit when hauling heavy things like gas/water cans and wheels/tires. It would help with clearance in low areas and look alot better too. I am eventually going to modify my rack to achieve what I said above and spray it with some kind of liner. The liner is paintable and gives it a little more grip. Anyone know where I can get a 4' x 8' sheet of aluminum, either tread/diamond plate or the kind with punched holes (similiar to a sand ladder but much smaller) in it for traction? | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 148 Registered: 03-2003 |
Home Depot | ||
| Drew Porta (Ncrover) New Member Username: Ncrover Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2003 |
For the sheet aluminum, try McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com) as they are usually pretty cheap on materials. Since you live in GA, you might even be able to stop by their warehouse and pick it up. BTW: Nice wheel color...sent you an email with questions. Also, did you paint before or after tire install and if after how did the tire guys not scratch the wheel lip? | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 469 Registered: 09-2002 |
Jason, Do you mean something like this?   | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 261 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yeah, Alan just like that! Is that a modified rack or was it originally made like that? McMaster-Carr and pretty cheap can never be used in the same sentence. I have their 3,120 page catalog right here. The one thing good about them is they are guaranteed to have just about whatever you could possibly need...you just have to pay the price. Home Depot sells the aluminum diamond/tread plate in 2' squares for about $67. I think I'll pass on that one. | ||
| Brad Noviski (Bradnoviski) Member Username: Bradnoviski Post Number: 53 Registered: 02-2003 |
Look in the yellow pages under steel suppliers. It will be your cheapest bet. If their are none listed, call a local machine shop and ask them. If they don't have what you need, they may be able to tell you where you can get. I live in way upstate NY and have two large local steel supply companies that will sell me just about any size and type I want. They will even cut it to length. much cheaper than Home Ripoff. You may be surprise what you find. | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 282 Registered: 03-2002 |
1" EMT Conduit Piping is the way to go. Reinforce the joints w/ 3/4" for added security. 1" pipe bender and a welder is really all else you need...$50 for parts and $40 for a bender... Garret I'm still looking for those plans I made. Exams are over next wed. so I can draw up new plans then...I'll just jump on top of the truck and take some measurements. It's a good bit of work but I think it's worth it and I know my rack came out stronger than a genuine one. I didn't cop out and flatten the tube to make the joints...I actually ground out the joints to make a perfect fit.         | ||
| Drew Porta (Ncrover) New Member Username: Ncrover Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2003 |
Jason, As with anything in life you'll have to shop around for the best price. My other hobby is building race cars and I don't typically use diamond plate on them for the obvious weight penalty reasons. I'm not sure of the gauge of Aluminum Diamond Plate you're looking for, but McMaster has 2'x2' 0.063" thick diamond plate (Part Number 9058K193) for $44.44 or an Aluminum Hole Perforated Sheet 36" X 40" 0.063" thick for $44.74 each. Either way, that's over a $20 savings from HD so I'm not sure I follow you about McMaster being so expensive. Now, for my race cars I've found that Aircraft Spruce is a cheap source for my sheet aluminum ($8 per 2'x2' 6061T6). You mentioned that you're looking for a 4'x8' sheet, go to this link: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/alumsheet_6061t6.php and see if one of these flat sheets fits the bill. Personally, I use 0.063" thick aluminum sheets to floor the bottom of a race car so this should be plenty thick enough for a roof rack (unless you are on safari and gorillas are jumping on the roof). Besides, you aren't spanning large distances to cover the floor of the roof rack so ultra thick material is really not required. Therefore, a 4'x8' flat sheet of 0.063" thick 6061T6 for $81.25 might fit the bill. A bonus is that Aircraft Spruce has a warehouse in Griffin, Georgia that hopefully is not too far away from you. If you are going to coat it with line a bed material, why pay the premium for diamond plate or perforated material? If you're using the perforated material because you're worried about drainage, then I'd either: 1 - place a couple of washers down the center of the non-perf sheet aluminum to create a very slight arc to the aluminum that will aid in draining the water and not allow it to puddle; or 2 - buy a fly-cutter (yes, from Home Depot for <$10) to use with your drill and custom cut some holes of any diameter you want in the top of the non-perf sheet yourself Brad's comment is spot-on about local metal yards as they will be the cheapest by far. When you stop by, ask to see their "drop" sheet metal. "Drop" is the excess metal left-over from a specific customer order that was cut-down to the requested size. I doubt you'll find "drop" in big sizes, but if you are willing to piece a few sections together it would probably be real cheap. For me, I don't have the time to run around and save $5 here and there, so McMaster and Aircraft Spruce almost always beat the chain and local hardware type stores on price which gives me more time to focus on the project at hand. There's also a couple of nation-wide metal supply stores with websites, but you'll have to locate them on the web and see if their prices are any better. So, there are some options for you. | ||
| Jeff Conrad (Jwconrad) Member Username: Jwconrad Post Number: 56 Registered: 02-2002 |
Garrett, I'm interested in one as well. Keep me posted. I'm in Winston. A few of us maybe heading up toward your area Memorial Weekend to ride some trails near Boone, shoot me an email if you want to ride. Jeff | ||
| Greg Tearne (Gooddoggomez) New Member Username: Gooddoggomez Post Number: 22 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hey Brad, how'd the exams go? gtt | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 150 Registered: 03-2003 |
Jeff, I'll keep you in touch. If i can get a rack, a week from tuesday is when i am going to make a copy of it. If it turns out as planned, i am going to take an order as of how many i should make, and go from there. Anybody want to bring a rack up? | ||
| michael mccoy (Michmcco) New Member Username: Michmcco Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
wow, these racks look really nice! If you would be so kind as to email me if you decide to produce a few I'll probably be able to take one off your hands! Mike | ||
| andrew adia (Drew) New Member Username: Drew Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2003 |
Garrett, Can you make a lower profile rack for non sunroof models? If so I would like to purchase one when they are ready. Thanks Drew | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 339 Registered: 02-2003 |
andrew, safety devices already makes the low profile rack. the Yellow XD disco's came with them Stock. contact a Safety devices resale place. http://www.thatchedroofgarage.com/ is supposed to have good price. i've also dealt with http://www.stableenergies.com/ there are already rover solutions to this problem -rd | ||
| Raul Pena lopez (Spec) New Member Username: Spec Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
Hey Garrett let me know of your project how they turn out i may buy few of your racks .keep in touch Raul. | ||
| andrew adia (Drew) New Member Username: Drew Post Number: 10 Registered: 03-2003 |
thanks Rob -D | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 284 Registered: 03-2002 |
Greg...Exams are still going. I have numbers 11 and 12 tomorrow. 13 is Wednesday and that's the last one for a little while. then i'll have 8 more in a few weeks. It sucks taking AP and IB everything, but we get out of school for the day so I spend the extra time working on my rovers so it's all good! I'll do the plans thurs/fri. | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 154 Registered: 03-2003 |
Justin is bringing the rack up this week. Everything is working out good so far. I'm planning on starting them next tuesday. If you're interested drop me an email. Haven't came up with a fair price just yet, but i'll let everyone know. | ||
| Nick M (Nick5o) New Member Username: Nick5o Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2003 |
With respect to using EMT conduit, is it difficult to weld? What are the special needs or are there alternative materials (non galvanized tubing, aluminum, etc.) | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 350 Registered: 02-2003 |
welding on galvanized tube is a health hazard. there are some nasty gases coming off of that shit rd | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 287 Registered: 03-2002 |
Yes, Rob is right. Be sure you are in a well-ventilated area. I had a downdraft paintbooth fan over my working area. Other than that it's rather easy. The EMT does burn through if you don't keep moving...and as always you need to let it cool down before trying to fill a hole. | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 155 Registered: 03-2003 |
I've only had 5 people send me emails concerning the racks. If you are serious about buying a rack please send me an email. If anyone has a price suggestion please let me know also. Several people on here have posted saying they are interested, please send an email letting me know that you are serious. Picking the rack up on Saturday, and making them on Tuesday. I would advise gettin while the gettin is good. rover7592@yahoo.com Raul, Just let me know how many and where you live. -Garrett | ||
| Nick M (Nick5o) New Member Username: Nick5o Post Number: 19 Registered: 03-2003 |
Bottom line is I have some ideas that I would like to incorporate into a rack. I just need to know what tubing to use(best or at least the easiest to work with)...If EMT is nasty to deal with, what are the rack LR and others sell made out of? | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 359 Registered: 02-2003 |
nick, go with the thinnest wall tube your bender will except you can get. the roversolutions rack up there is made from .059" wall and alloy steel to keep weight to a minimum. personally i think that Lowes conduit is too heavey to be practical. the roversolutions rack with rectangular flooring weights approximately the same as a standard "adventure rack" & mine is way more ridged too. if you have any further questions email me. youcan click on my name for contact information -rob | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 288 Registered: 03-2002 |
Rob...you may think EMT Conduit is too heavy but my rack weighs less than the Adventure Rack by a fair amount. Garret are you planning on making racks to sell? | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 362 Registered: 02-2003 |
sweet brad, i thought they were heavy wall stuff rd | ||
| Garrett (Rover7592) Member Username: Rover7592 Post Number: 156 Registered: 03-2003 |
Brad, yes i am planning on making racks to sell. I have 7 emails from people interested. Tuesday is the last day that i am going to tally up, and then the rack production begins. Anybody else interested let me know, and let me know their price range. -Garrett | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 290 Registered: 03-2002 |
Oh...I was planning on publishing my plans at specifically putting in a clause that they could not be used for profit. I put well over 8 hours just in the engineering of my rack and wouldn't think it's fair for someone to make a dime off my work. For that reason I ask that you not use my plans when I publish them. I hope people can/will use my plans to make a rack for themselves but will not allow people to use my plans for profit. I know my rack is at least 10% different than the LR Adventure Rack so I might ask a buddy of mine about how hard it is to get a copyright. Anyone have experience with this? | ||
| michael mccoy (Michmcco) New Member Username: Michmcco Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2003 |
You already have a copyright. It's your idea and believe it or not, your idea is your property. Whenever you publish your plans, just be sure to type something about not being able to profit from your idea. Your plans belong to you and are protected as long as you're alive. | ||
| Rick D (Fatmcnasty) New Member Username: Fatmcnasty Post Number: 23 Registered: 04-2003 |
Brad... Hurry up with the plans!!! Can you put a drawing in for the hold down clips. My offer for the Autocad services still stands. Raw outlines in CAD format would be nice for the guys with access to cnc plasma cutters(clips and brackets especially). I'm looking at using ASA-5 3/4" pipe. It has a 1 and some change OD and a .065 wall thickness. Should be light and easy to weld(no galvanizing). On a un related note.. Do you guys think a 1/4" stainless steel skid plate is a little too heavy duty? All the others ive seen have been alloy. I have both 7 ga and 1/4 SS Scrap and I thought that I would make one. | ||
| Greg Tearne (Gooddoggomez) New Member Username: Gooddoggomez Post Number: 25 Registered: 02-2003 |
Brad You've got my word that not profit will be gained from your B, S & T's. Once I get mine made, if anybody in the street does see it and wants one, then they'll have to send you a case of beer (usual Aussie currency when doing stuff for your mates). Looking forward to it (both the rack and a beer) gtt | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 364 Registered: 02-2003 |
brad, lol, your ideas? you scaled off the adventure rack and then call it your own? i think you need to talk to safety devices about their copyright. | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 295 Registered: 03-2002 |
Rob...if you read my post it clearly says that my design is more than 10% different and therefore is legally my idea. If you really don't believe me I can show you the differences that make it 10% different. That was something I made sure of from the start. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 369 Registered: 02-2003 |
just because you changed the design doesn't make it an invention. a new mounting system or an innovation of some kind, like having the rack change from contoured to flat with the touch of a button so that you can put a tent on top might do it. you didn't invent the roof rack or the idea of it, all you have done is made a version of a roof rack, furthermore, if you did come up with an innovation only that would be covered under a patent -not a copyright. unless you consider your rack art, then it would be instantaneously covered as a copyright. i think we all agree the rack is not art otherwise you might be infringing on safety devices copyright in that sense. | ||
| michael mccoy (Michmcco) New Member Username: Michmcco Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2003 |
Blueprints and designs are certainly considred art. Graphic design, industrial design, commercial design, I could go on for hours. One could even argue that a rack is sculpture or functional fine art, but it's a reach. I dont know what percent, if there is one, improved that it has to be to call it your own, but Brads changes (whatever they are) are his. Now about safety devices copyright, they didn't invent the rack either. They may have changed the mounting system or a support brace, and you wouldn't want to copy that for production... you know what, this could never end. There are books hundreds of pages thick about this crap. I'm out. rack looks good! Wish I could get one too! | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 296 Registered: 03-2002 |
I never claimed I had an invention...you took it upon yourself to claim that. Companies do stuff all the time like what I'm doing. Examples are endless...the Razor scooter has been one-offed many many times. Each company has a copyright of their design. All you have to do to not infringe is make yours 10% different. Then it's your own. There's no argument about it. Too bad Vanilla Ice's song was only 8% different compared to Queen's...haha | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 376 Registered: 02-2003 |
if you are not claiming you invented something then you have no grounds for copyright or patent and where did you get the 10% rule? rd | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 520 Registered: 04-2002 |
The same place he got the "mail it to yourself" rule LOL | ||
| Joshua (Joshua) Member Username: Joshua Post Number: 237 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey I mailed it to myself from amsterdam 19 weeks later,,my box showed up! looked like it went to hell and back, but it made it. you see, i didnt want to carry all that coffee and chocolate on the plane, thats why i sent it...i...uhhh....ummm....duh.... | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 297 Registered: 03-2002 |
from dictionary.com: in·ven·tion( P ) (n-vnshn)n.: A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation from www.copyright.gov: 113. Scope of exclusive rights in pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works45 (a) Subject to the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the exclusive right to reproduce a copyrighted pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work in copies under section 106, includes the right to reproduce the work in or on any kind of article, whether useful or otherwise. (1) A design is "original" if it is the result of the designer's creative endeavor that provides a distinguishable variation over prior work pertaining to similar articles which is more than merely trivial and has not been copied from another source. So...I have not claimed to nor I have made a new device, method, nor a process. I made a design. Mounting brackets...sizes are different, all angles are different, different materials, my own reinforcements, light mounting brackets, cross sections, and all diminsions in general have been made on my own reconaisance. In fact I started with nothing more than a picture and engineered the entire thing from scratch. and if...for some bizarre reason you could make a legitimate claim that my design is not distinguished, then have at this: (d) Acts in Ordinary Course of Business.-A person who incorporates into that person's product of manufacture an infringing article acquired from others in the ordinary course of business, or who, without knowledge of the protected design embodied in an infringing article, makes or processes the infringing article for the account of another person in the ordinary course of business, shall not be deemed to have infringed the rights in that design under this chapter except under a condition contained in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b). Accepting an order or reorder from the source of the infringing article shall be deemed ordering or reordering within the meaning of subsection (b)(2). Try doing some research before you open your mouth | ||
| Tam Nguyen (Nvhbdisco2) New Member Username: Nvhbdisco2 Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2003 |
Brad, Bottom line is the rack looks sweet. Does not matter to me about the copyright thing, maybe to others though. Are you willing to fabricate one for my DII, I am not willing to give my 2 arms and my wife for the OEM? | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 378 Registered: 02-2003 |
ahh,, there is the 10% how did i miss it. so i guess you are calling the rack a work of art then. lol rd | ||
| Justin (Vanroth) New Member Username: Vanroth Post Number: 38 Registered: 02-2003 |
I think the rack is great Brad... I think it is great that so many people make there own projects on this board. Keep it up. However, as far as this originality/copy debates goes, it is like this. As long as someone makes something for their own use and without profit you are free and clear. Make away. Now as soon as you copy, improve, or improvise things get dicey. It really has no bearing what dictionary.com or anyother resource says. No matter what the percentage is (as long as it is not 100% unique) it is a matter of lawyers and judges. There is no magic number and never will be. I am not saying I care, because I don't. Hell, I'm offering to let Garrett copy my rack. I want people to get a cheap deal as well. I'm just stating that it is pointless to argue. If LR, SD, or whoever feels that you are stepping on their territory (which I doubt they do) then they have the right to sue you no matter how unique you think it is. Now they might not win, but you might not either. Things like that happen all the time. With that being said, I would keep making away and keeping it low key until someone tells you to stop (ie. the original patent holders). And I really doubt the small LR Adventure rack market really cares unless you start OEMing ;). -justin | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 521 Registered: 04-2002 |
Come on Rob, it's clearly 10% different... It sits 10% higher up off the roof, the cargo capacity is 10% smaller, the way it follows the roof contour is 10% less accurate, ect. Brad, you have made a better than I would probablly make on my first try, but I would calm down just a little bit w/ all this. Sure your rack has different dimensions but where you honestly not TRYING to make look as close to a genuine adventure rack as possible when you drew up the plans??? If you really don't want anyone to profit from your design then don't publish the plans, its as simple as that. Personally I wouldn't worry about it, anyone who really wants to get into the rover roof rack business selling a similar rack is going to probablly set up a jig around a real adventure rack, not use your plans. | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 293 Registered: 02-2002 |
i think it looks like a D1 rack on a D2 it most defintely differs from an LR rack.. is that good or bad?? | ||
| Blue (Blue) Senior Member Username: Blue Post Number: 81 Registered: 04-2003 |
All copyright legal speak bullshit aside, the important point is what you gonna do about it, Brad, if someone uses your plans for profit? Bark or bite? You gotta pay to bite in this world. No offense, man....rack looks great & you should keep on keepin on, but don't publish your plans and the pictoral play-by-play if you don't want to share. Besides, someone could approach the "how should I make a rack" issue in the same manner you did and come up with the exact same thing you have. Maybe it would be only 9.5% different from yours...LOL...you gonna sue em? A rack is a rack is a rack. You can call it a "Brad Special" all you want and put a little © on your official plans, but to the rest of the world it's a rack that fits on top of a Disco. In other words, the whole copyright dealio is a MOOT point. Good work, though - looks good. | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 272 Registered: 10-2002 |
#1, I'm not a Patent Lawyer nor a Lawyer of any kind but 95% of what everyone saying is BS. There is no 10% differance and its ok or anything like that. As someone said above, it is up to the lawyers & judges when there is a dispute but it all begins with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The question is Utility or Design Patent? Utility patent is the basic idea of it (roof rack for carrying shit) while a Design patent leans more towards the appearance or basic shape (made w/ round tubular bars, pipe, emt, etc.) Sometimes just a utility patent can't protect enough. If there is not a patent for it, no matter who designed or made it then no one can claim they own the idea or should collect money off it. Going through a Patent Lawyer it will cost at least $6,000.00 US (closer to $10-12k+ once done) to own a patent on it. You may be able to do it yourself for under $3-4K with months and months of work. This is a link to a "roof rack" patent (sorry, you must copy & paste it for it to work): patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/searc h-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1='roof+rack'&OS="roof+rack"&RS="roof+r ack" ...it may give everyone an idea of what is involved. Also, patents do expire. So even if you have no desire to make something you can still "re-patent" it and maybe profit off it yourself. I searched a little bit and did not find anything associated with rack and Safety Devices or Land Rover's name (don't know their legal names though) and I seached all through the "roof rack" results. If neither have a patent on it then theoretically you can patent the design yourself and profit from each one either sells after the patent is filed or one of them may offer to buy the patent from you. More than you'll ever want to know is available here: http://www.uspto.gov I'm not trying to be an ass...I just know a little bit about what is involved because I have a couple [original, useful, & potentially very profitable] things I need to patent myself but don't have the money to do it. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 286 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jesus Christ man , dont you all think that was a little too much enery to spend talking about a Conduit rack ? That shit will kill you welding on it.... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Jim Reynolds (4x4xfar) New Member Username: 4x4xfar Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2003 |
Kyle, You forgot Jesus' middle initial "H" in the intro of your post. Please dont let this happen again. -Jim | ||
| todd powell (In4ma) New Member Username: In4ma Post Number: 28 Registered: 05-2003 |
come on you blokes...its a rack. looks good. new ideas have gone into it. im sure its not going to be produced in the thouands and sold for millions. leave the guy alone. love the rack. you did well. sorry. but 3/4 of this thread is you lot arguing over who is right. GET OVER IT. do like us ausiies. just say F$%CK IT and make them anyways. after downing a carton of piss anyways.hehe | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 533 Registered: 04-2002 |
welcome to dweb newbie | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 298 Registered: 03-2002 |
Haha...you can get a good little buzz from it Kyle. I did make sure to use a lot of fans and stuff like that...but I'm sure I still took a good bit. As for Carter's comment...that was a joke my buddies and I had originally. "Even if it looks mostly the same, the difference is in the errors." I didn't design it to be 100% perfect in all the lines or curves. I am pretty sure I did a better job than those who criticized could've. I wasn't trying to make it perfect, but you really can't tell there's flaws from a distance. It's stronger and is much easier to tie down to and that's all I wanted. Anyone that wants to tell me it doesn't look good enough to him can go fuck himself, for it's great to me and that's all that matters. As for the legal issues...I just want to put the moral issue on someone else's shoulders. I don't want people to use plans for profit. If they do, that's their decision. As long as they know, that's all i want. | ||
| Greg Tearne (Gooddoggomez) New Member Username: Gooddoggomez Post Number: 32 Registered: 02-2003 |
I reckon its a bloody good effort and if Brad wants to make his plans available to those of us who couldn't give a shit if its 1% or 99% like a SD rack, good on him. SD don't sell them here and neither does LR, so F#@k them. If Brad's good enough to make the plans available to me, then I reckon he's a top bloke and he'll have a mate in OZ. Todd was right, sometimes you lot bang on about nothing just for the sake of it. If other's see this kind of thing, how likely are they to share their ideas with us? Could be an idea that saves your truck or even your skin, so give 'em a go, not bagging. gtt | ||
| Peter Andersson (Onewheel) New Member Username: Onewheel Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2003 |
Hi! Call from Sweden. Nice looks - into making/welding one on my own too...have trouble about the fixing points (to the disco) So i´m looking forward seeing some drawings online - so I finally can get my roofrackproject started.... Keep it up... /Onewheel | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 300 Registered: 03-2002 |
I think what I'm going to do is make a public announcement in the tech section or something with some pictures and then attach a method for people to reach me and when they send me an e-mail I'll send them the plans. That would work well I think. | ||
| Adam Gandy (Jp2rvr) New Member Username: Jp2rvr Post Number: 31 Registered: 04-2003 |
Alan Yims, I would also like to know whether that rack is custom or what make it is. That is EXACTLY like I want to make since I don't have sunroofs. Brad, I will certainly email you for your plans when they are ready. How difficult might it be to modify your design to make it low-profile like Alans? I wouldn't mine altering yours to do this and putting them up for others to use. Adam | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 385 Registered: 02-2003 |
lot of yall are missing the point. busting balls to pass the time is what discoweb is about. i might not think brads rack is the cats meow but at least he got dirty and made something. same with the bumper guy. i guess my point is brad, dont stop at this one try to make it a little nicer. folks here are loving the one you have and you might get complacent. strive to make one that is art. my roofrack is not even to my satisfaction, plenty of flaws and new ideas, but i wont show those pictures, i like to just do the BAM finish product pictures. rd | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Senior Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 305 Registered: 03-2002 |
thanks. If I make any more I'm going to weld up a jig to use. That would definately square things up a lot. Mine works for me the way it is, but if i did it for other people I'd make sure the pipes match up better, as I would for myself were I do to it again. |
