That doesn't sound right. A skid plate isn't a creative work. Something smells funny.

You might be able to patent it, but then there's too much prior art.

Hrm. Well good luck anyway, whatever you're doing.

 

The design is a creative work. It is his design and fitment, and he could patent the idea of his unique fitment (although it would probably not be worth the cost nor legal hassle).

Just as you can buy homebuilding plans, why not azrain skid plans? Printing out a detailed drawing is as much a creative work as printing out a detailed plan for .. a hemi, or an intermittent wiper switch, or air-cushioned insole (all patented items).

There is nothing wrong with him selling the plans, doesn't smell funny. If someone wants to make their own, they don't have to buy it. Just like the sliders, of which you can buy Demello, Stubbs, etc or you can make your own and I'm sure there are some Stubbs or Demello "inspired" homemade designs out there, I don't think that bothers them.

If he doesn't want to sell the plans, than that's his perrogative too.

 

Whoa, easy there sparky! I wasn't putting the guy down (heck I would love something like that for my Taco), I was just unclear on his claim of a copyright on the skidplate. Yes, you can copyright blueprints, but that's different that holding a patent on a process or item itself. It sounded like he copyrighted the item (or claimed that he did so), which confused me. That's what smelled funny, i.e. didn't sound/seem right.

 

Copyright is on the drawing, not on the end product. A patent has to be on a unique idea, so you are correct, the Engineering drawing is copyrighted, not the process or the idea. It would be non-sensical to consider a copyright stance on oh, say, brake forming or GTAW.

Mike

 

Mike,

What's the odds of you taking more shots/pics from other angles and writing up some measurements? I can probably find someone willing to take a stab at it up here.
--
Chris

 

Here's some photos of the AZrain's skid plate in comparison w/ Downey's







Downey provides the exact stock skid protection it should provide. The AZrain skid provides more protection beyond the stock where it covers the tranny pan and the headers. It covers up to the crossmember shown below:

 

Thanks Lance. That's quite a difference. AZrain's appears to provide much more protection. When the plate bolts onto the front of the rig ... the Downey plate seems to have an odd angle for the bolts. Was that from your rig and did it bolt somewhere other than where the factory plate does?

Also, there seems to be next to no holes in AZrain's for bolts to hold the plate up. Is only the front and rear secured?
--
Chris

 

Chris, the skid does protect more but at a higher cost of $ for the skid and also weight. Downey's plate is a direct stock replacement to cover what the stock skid covers but stronger. They only lack in the protection of the tranny pan and exhaust pipe. Although not required to be covered for most moderate offroading, it's always good to upgrade to a full skid that'll cover more. The only problem is that this full skid makes it harder to change your oil since you gotta remove a bigger piece of metal under there

Downey's bolts are at an angle because you add 2 tabs to the front cross member under the radiator. AZrain's skid uses the same cross member but instead you just use bolts that goes thru the cross member thus the lip shown in the photo.

AZrain uses 2 bolts that goes in the front (radiator), 2 bolts on the side right behind the tranny and 2 at the last cross member if your 4runner. Total is 6 bolts (varying size ofcourse).

Downey uses 2 bolts at the cross member and 2 bolts at the lower arm cross member.

Hope that makes sense.

 

Makes sense. Thanks. The remains of my skid plate is in my shed so am looking for replacement ideas. I like the full plate concept. Taking it off every couple of months shouldn't be that much of an issue considering the protection it offers. If only rocks broke as easily as the factory skid plate, I'd not have much worries right now ;-)
--
Chris

 

mine is still attached with zip ties.

 

Chris, it's relatively easy to install/uninstall but requires you to have a full size hydraulic floor jack so you can slide it under the truck. Not an easy task if you try to do w/ the skid on you and lifting it up while bolting it up

 

Not to mention patience...


I can't give out dimensions, I'm looking at a couple of trusted friends that may want to start making skids, not 100% firmed up yet but within the next three to six months there should be an announcement regarding 3rd Gen. and 4th Gen. skids and a named supplier.

Mike

 

Assuming the drainplug is at the bottom of the oilpan and easily accessable w/a socket, why couldn't you drill a hole in the plate where the drain plug is? The gas tank plate on my '84 Toy P/U had such a set-up (factory) and made it simple to drain my gas tank the few times it was necessary.

 

Ok so what is the update on this now? Will we see any in production? I'm sure a number of people would like to buy, including me.

 

Any holes on the bottom can be hiccups when you're sliding on rocks thus catching it and stopping you in your tracks. Thus the reason for a nice flat belly so you have nothing to worry about Keep in mind this is definitely built for protection and not convenience. It works well (been tested and approved!) but it is a pain to do oil changes but i'm not one to complain.

TBA. Sorry that's all the info I have at the moment.

 

Status?? Production?? A version in aluminum, perhaps??

 

these look like awesome skid plates ... i have a new solution though, so you can take me off the list of buyers. but i can't wait to see more of you guys running those skid plates ... they look beefy and awesome!

 

So when can we order?
What finish will it have?
How much will it finally weigh?

 

Nice looking skid plate, now for the real test, some off roading to see how it holds up.

I have been looking at my '04 T4R and it looks like a real vunerablility is the AC radiator.
I have been thinking about maybe some heavy expanded metal(need to not disturb air flow)
that would connect to where the skid plate starts and the heavy square tube behind the bumper.
I have had this happen on other rigs where a large rock gets kicked up by the tires and dents the radiator.

I don't have a shop any more so I can only make suggestions.

Cliff s

 

the skid has been tested rigorously in moab and locally in socal.

it holds up well considering how much thinner it is compared to the downey skid. one big benefit from it is that it's one big belly skid so you can really slide around alot of the stuff you normally wouldn't. defintiely a big plus. although it's abit thinner than the downey, you can just pound out the skid and it's all back to normal

when you look at the stock skid, the only concern is the lack of protection to the tranny pan. I damaged my tranny on one of my excursions and required some major repairs $$. learn from mistakes i guess.. that's the only part that i'd be concerned with as the rest looks a-ok