Re: [DML] Other Gull Wing sports cars

["Michael D. Myjak" <mmyjak@xxxx>]

But aren't patents only good for 17 years? Wouldn't the time frame from 5 April
1983 through 5 April 2000 be about the limit of said patent?

-Michael

Rob Hook wrote:

> JZD DOES have a patent on the DeLorean's door mechanisms. It is
> patent#4,378,658 and, ironically, wasn't granted until April 5,1983. Here
> is the part of the patent that applies:
>
> ================
> 1. In combination:
>
> a vehicle body;
>
> a door;
>
> a pair of hinges disposed on a common hinge axis, for mounting said door on
> said vehicle body for movement between a closed position and an open
> position, each hinge having a mounting plate, a hinge plate and a pin
> mounted on said axis and in said mounting plate with said hinge plate
> pivoted thereon;
>
> means securing said mounting plate to said vehicle body;
>
> at least one bolt securing each respective hinge plate to said door frame,
> said bolt having a projecting head for abutting said vehicle in a recessed
> manner in a closed position of said door; and
>
> a torsion bar having one end secured to said door and another end secured to
> said vehicle body biasing said door toward said open position.
>
> ===========================
> There are other parts but they are references to and modifications of the
> above. This does not give JZD patent rights to all gull-wing doors but does
> give him rights to the way it is done on the DeLorean. Specifically, the
> torsion bar mechanism.
>
> --Rob Hook
>
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--
All the best -
_
___|0|_|___ Michael D. Myjak, Vice President R&D and CTO
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