Commercially produced aerodynamic pickup bed cap

[aerohead]

EV World published the article about bondo's Aerolid and boat tail box on John Gilkison's new F-150.It made it to press without some of the edits,but you'll get a sense of their performance in the real world.
Since John's trip,he's seen 28-mpg at 55-mph.Not too shabby for 36-sq-ft frontal area and 6,000-pounds.
Here's the link:What A Difference Aerodynamics Makes - Part 2 : EVWORLD.COM

[slime]

Originally Posted by bondo

Yes Bicycle Bob, in a way, I have wasted my money. Since I have yet to see but a small monetary return on the money and time spent designing and building the five Aerolids and five boat tails it has been mostly expenditures. Fortunately, the patents on both the Aerolid and boat tail cost me far less than they would have if I had hired a Patent Attorney. I was granted both these patents Pro Se ( on my own). Now I make money on the side writing and filing Provisional and Non-Provisional patent applications for people who want to file their own patents Pro Se.

Freebeard, you are very right in saying that the game in patents is circumvention. What is stated in the claims of a patent, the most important part, is what is argued in a court of Law in infringement cases. In my claims for both patents, I simply stated they are constructed of "rigid" materials. The word "rigid" pretty much covers Aluminum, sheet metal, fiberglass, thermoformable plastics, ect. If one chose to circumvent the Aerolid patent using metal instead of fiberglass, this one word "rigid" in the claims would negate them.

I often go to the Patent and Trademark Office web page, United States Patent and Trademark Office and look through the new patents that have been granted that week. I look under the class 296 which is land vehicles. It is interesting to see how many patents are granted to the automobile manufacturers both foreign and domestic. Many of the patents deal with improved aerodynamics.

I reckon the automobile manufacturers don't consider patents a waste of money.

Bondo

Where do you find the new patents on there site?

[bondo]

Originally Posted by slime

Where do you find the new patents on there site?

Go to the United States Patent and Trademark Office web page. Once there click on patents or on patent search. When the next page comes up look to the left of the page and go down to Official Gazette. Click on that. Newly issued patents issued each week will come up. You then have to figure out which class and subclass you want to search. Just a class will suffice - example - 296 class is land vehicles. This is where most aero stuff for cars and trucks is found.

Hope this helps.

Bondo

[BamZipPow]

Official Gazette for Patents

[BamZipPow]

I guess www.aerolid.com is no longer around?

[Superdutytd]

I have been wanting to buy one of these forever, I even own an F-150 now, I take it that Bondo never got this off the ground?

[elbugo]

Hi I was searching the web for ways to save on fuel mileage and I came across your Aerolid. I am sad to see that they are not being produced but I am curious if you have tried one of those Kickstarter campaigns? I am sure people would love to help get this off the ground and I would gladly donate and promote the fund on social media.
Just a question and idea. I hope this wasn't already suggested I was unable to read all 50+ pages

[rajt]

kickstarter or indiegogo are two popular platforms - check out their sites!
same goes to anyone else

[slime]

Hey Bondo...any progress with the aero topper getting into production? I have a 1996 extra cab long bed Chevy that really needs one.I don't have a shop or garage so I've got my hands tied as far as gabbing something else...just wondering.

[Michael Dinich]

I have followed this project for a bit, any updates? I find it crazy no manufacturer would take on the project, I bet a manufacture could do a small run if enough order were taken. How about shark tank?