If this is a repost I am sorry, but I haven't seen it around on the boards in a few months. Wish I knew the site that was making it, but I just saw it on ebay. Anyway I know there aren't a ton of options for grills right now so though I would throw this one in the mix......



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...510411299&rd=1

 

Hate the hood...but love the grill! Man...where can I get one? I was thinking about doing the 6 piece carriage works within my nostril grill...but I think I like this better...wow!

 

I saw one of these Tuscany Conversions "Tonka Trucks" at my dealer last week (MSRP ~$50K+).

The custom guy that sold me our E250 Tuscany Conversion Van said lots of folks want the grill only, but Tuscany owns the patent and they aren't going to sell them.

So, it looks like that is one of the nicest grills available for an F150, but it probably won't be available for aftermarket purchase. At least not yet anyway.

Bummer...I like it!

 

What/? ...That really blows. I had my mind set on getting it already. Guess I'll have to settle for the other.
Man........I really like that though!

 

I have faith ebay will come up with a copy of the grill soon enough, assuming there is the demand

 

*DROOL*

Man I want that. And Im not even a fan of tons of chrome, but that looks cool.

 

Can you patent a design if it serves no purpose other than asthetics?

Also, a patent takes a long while to push through the system.

A quick search at www.uspto.gov for Tuscany yeilded nothing 'truck' related. *shrugs*

RP

 

You don't need a full patent, just a patent pending will keep people from duplicating the design. That's of course you can get the patent in the first place.

 

RP,

I am not sure about the "patent". That is just what the custom van/truck guy at my dealer told me...

I emailed Tuscany Custom Vans / trucks and asked about their "patented Super Duty look-a-like grill." They don't even have a 2004 F150 on their own website www.tuscany-vans.com, but they do have some pics of their 1997-2003 models http://www.tuscany-vans.com/trucks/f-150-options.php

Who knows, maybe they'll start selling the new grill separately (especially if they get alot of requests???

Will let ya'll know if I hear back from them.

 

Right.... that's what I was wondering.

Doesn't it have to show functionality and not just asthetic value? I'm no patent lawyer but, it seems like a patent on something like that would be a stretch...

Who knows though...

RP

 

I like the grill but it would be better with out the ford logo in the middle, which is the main reason why i replaced my frill with the billit version.
Just my 2 cents, which is worth about 1 cent to all my fellow Americans.
Trev

 

I saw one of those grilles in my december issue of truckin' magazine. The company is AIM Industries the price is $199. Its on page 176 if interested.

 

I dont think the grille in the magazine was chrome.

 

I dont think they can patent it.

If it looks like the Tonka grill, then Ford technically owns it. And I think at that point its not patent but a trademark.

The next one to knock one off just has to make enough changes to it and they can sell the same thing.

 

The phrase 'Patent Pending' means exactly what it says, that a patent has been filed on the intellectual property or design, it doesn't prevent anybody from duplicating the design...it just helps you with your legal defense if you actually get the patent approved in the end and want to claim royalties from those who profited from copying you after you notified them that you had filed a patent.

The trademark on "Tonka" has no impact on appearance...that is literally a protection of the brands name. Dodge can build a truck that 'looks' just like an F-150, but they can't call it an F-150 because 'F-150' is a Ford trademark.