Guest 89 Maui Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 There is a part that is on any car, by any auto manufacturer, any model, any year (back to the 20's). It may be found on trucks, motorcycles, even on farm equipment.What is it ?Wouldn't you love to have that patent.I will provide the answer after 50 replies or if somebody answers it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Not enough clues.......... it could be wheels, tires, glass (safety glass), engine, steering wheel, bearings, brakes, exhaust, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 key ignition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I agree, not enough information to narrow down.One thing that absolutely has to be on any human directed vehicle....a driver's seat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Driver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 The ALAM used to hold the Sedon patent until it was narrowed so that is the most general possible.Think we can eliminate the powertrain because there has been everything from springs to compressed air used.I recall there was at least one that did not have a seat for the driver and the driver is not a "part".Then we had some that would make a go cart seem luxorious. Lights were an option and there were no instruments.About the only common item is the wheel but that dates back thousands of years and suspect there were some tracked vehicles (though they also have "wheels") so the patent would need to be for "things that are round or roll". I kinda think that would be rejected for "prior art" but that wasn't a criteria.BTW I added "or roll" because in geometry there are objects that can roll smoothly but are not round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steveskyhawk Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 The operator's manual Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I don't think common sense, logic or any process of elimination is going to apply here. After all, we are trying to guess what someone is thinking. There was not enough information given in the question to do otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89 Maui Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 This " item " is a mechanical device, it has basically retained its original design. Let's face it, bodies have changed, engines have changed along with drive trains, tires, rims, steering and all components, uphostery, glass, all electrical systems including lights, all springs, batteries, chassis and all suspension, cooling systems, even petroleum - gas and oil. Also, owners manuals have changed.But this " item " is still being used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steveskyhawk Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 OIL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Spark plug? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steveskyhawk Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 mirror Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Shrader valve (tire valve) has been around since the 1890s, modified about 1910 to the way we see it today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 About the only thing left after all those exclusions is the key that fits the car, but that was already mentioned......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Patents don't last 90 years so having that patent wouldn't do much for you now.To add my guess, how about the cotter pin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) Cars do not all have keys, diesels/electrics/steam do not have spark plugs, oil is not mechanical, rail cars do not all have tires & were solid ones in the early daze with no schraeder.Suspect there have been engines that have no on/off switch (deliberately did not say "start" or "ignition" & think there were cars (Model A ?) besides electrics that had no fuel pump . Chain drive would not have an axle.As to mirrors, see Ray Harroun. OTOH that was "since the 20's", suspect they were "optional extras" even then. Since farm impliments are included license plates are right out.Only common things would be a frame (including monocoque) and wheels so are two. Make that three - without some means of steering it would be pointless but have been many different types.Just realized it did not say only for cars so the threaded fastener would also apply. Edited January 7, 2012 by padgett (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Braking device Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I'm going to go with lugnut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue90 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Shrader valve (tire valve) has been around since the 1890s, modified about 1910 to the way we see it today.I add my vote for the Shrader valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Guess #2 fuel pump or at least a tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89 Maui Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 My next hint was going to be that a total of eight are used on the REATTA.But Grimey - George answered it correctly with Retired w/Reatta - Stanley agreeing that the " Schrader Valve " was their response.Isn't it interesting that the schrader valve was designed in the mid 1800's and patented in 1893 in the U.S. and is still used in virtually all automobiles. Such a simple design but is still the most effective manner for the purpose it is used for. Modern engineering has not improved to different designs in the past 150 years. (read wikipedia on the schrader valve)I have asked this trivia question to auto dealerships (salesmen and mechanics) and tire outlet stores. What I have found interesting is that salesmen usually provide the answer over the mechanics.You might want to try asking this trivia question in your endeavers and enjoy the responses that you receive.By the way, the answer about the cotter key was quite original and could possibly be another part that is universal but cotter keys are made in different sizes and therfore would not be totally universal.Thanks guys, I enjoyed it and I hope everyone who reads this thread enjoyed it and found their brains working overtime in searching for the answer.I have only been on the forum a short time but I find myself jumping in and reading the threads. It has increased my knowledge of the various components that are comprised in the automobile and the problems that can arise. The fun is reading everyones response in assisting each other in solving the problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The original question did not state "has not changed", even your claification states (This " item " is a mechanical device, it has basically retained its original design.)The question is still not specific enough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richard D Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Electric starter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steveskyhawk Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 All vehicles did not come equipped with neumatic tires. My grandfather had trucks with hard rubber tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Woody, think you are incorrect about the Reatta having a total of 8.There are four or five in the AC system depending on whether the accumulator has one or two. Believe the stock one had one, but many after market have two.There is one on the fuel rail. Four on the tires and one on the spare.That makes ten or eleven and I'm probably forgetting about some.The are not all universal either as the diameter can vary as well as the length of the back stem and the material used for the seals all depending on the application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89 Maui Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 MC_REATTA -Thanx for the update, my AC was converted to R-134 and I do have 2 on the accumulator.But the point I am making is the simplicity of design yet having the longevity of use of the schrader valve.Engineers are constantly trying to design new designs to replace previous designs to lower the cost of manufacturing or labor, but we are still using the schrader valves.Steve -I am aware of the hard rubber tires used on the earlier trucks, but in the 20's the hard rubber tires were on their way out. That is why I mentioned "back to the 20's"Thanx for your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Except solid tires are still used in farm implements and industrial trucks even today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richard D Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I Still say electric starters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89 Maui Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Padgett -I have used this trivia question almost exclusively with the auto industry for about 12 years, but I am sure that if I asked it outside of the auto industry I would have to expect different responses.In my trivia question I did have an exception built into the question:" It may be found on trucks, motorcycles, even on farm equipment. "I am sure that the schrader valve is used on at least 99% of all motorized and non-motorized vehicles which would include riding lawnmowers, bicycles and childrens riding toys, etc...etc...etc.But once again it is the intent of the question for the auto industry and to get an individual to test his knowledge of the industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnemac Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 A threaded bolt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Since the only certain things are death and taxes, I'll go with a license plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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