Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] O/T Patent applications

Dan Mauch wrote:

> I once heard that patents were for lawyers. Hmmm.
> What is really interesting is to go to a hardware store, pick up a light
> bulb and see how many patents cover it. Then pick up a competitors light
> bulb and see how many different patents cover it.

In almost all cases, where we're talking incandescent bulbs, there are
NO patents on the bulb itself. There may be patents that are sort of inherent
in the bulb, but are really patents on the processes used to manufacture
the bulb, as in the sealing, wire attachment, socket attachment, etc.
The patent that appears to refer to the bulb may be really a patent on the
package that protects the bulb for shipping, or the process of stuffing the
bulb into the package automatically, without breaking bulbs.

The incandescent bulb has been around so long that there is not likely
to be much chance of important innovation in the basic bulb.
Of course, there are Halogen lamps, etc. and other special purpose
lamps, but the basic bulb hasn't changed much in the last 50 years.

Jon