BMW special screws to make you go to dealers

[JOEPRO]

First their heated seat subscriptions. Now this

https://www.autoblog.com/news/bmws-screw-that-no-one-else-can-turn

All the more reason to buy Mercedes - just sayin

 

[8ob]

Don’t worry about it, the knock off tools to fit these bolts are probably winging their way over from China as we discuss the issue.No different to the five sided bolts and all the other oddball arrangements found on other cars.

Bob

 

[Endeleus]

Fortunately the type of person likely to run in to this problem is also the type of person who is likely to order a compatible tool online.

Just another needless thorn in the site of the few of us who retain the practical abilities to fend for ourselves.

 

[Moose McAlpine]

I don't think that's real.

Besides, it'd take 5 minutes to machine a tool to fit that.

 

[bricol]

Seems to be a genuine patent.

Which doesn't mean they will use it - but it stops anyone else creating them and selling them as dress-ups for the people that like shiny, but useless, things.

If it does become used, for most uses I reckon two holes drilled into the end of a bar, with two roll pins, dowels, etc shoved in to engage with the recesses will work just as well as anything more complicated.

We, and our competitors, routinely file patents for ideas we have, but have no time, or need, to develop, just to stop others doing it, or to make them find an alternative, hopefully more expensive, solution.
Also good to find the one missing word in their patent that allows us to drive the often mentioned coach and horses through it

 

[droopsnoot]

Don’t worry about it, the knock off tools to fit these bolts are probably winging their way over from China as we discuss the issue.No different to the five sided bolts and all the other oddball arrangements found on other cars.

Bob

Indeed, something weird like a five-sided bolt holding the brake calipers on some modern Audis. My MAF sensor has five-sided security torx screws holding it in to the plastic inlet pipe, I had to buy a set of six or eight just to get the one I wanted.

 

[Kram]

You cant blame them for making a bolt head out of their logo. I expect it will only be used for cosmetic trim screws that are visible. It wouldnt have the torque for anything important.

Even so, there are plenty of other good reasons not to buy German rubbish, including merc.

 

[dobbslc]

Not sure how much to trust an article like that when they have obviously no idea about the history of mechanical inventiveness!
Honda NR750 or NR500 anyone?

"While brands like Ferrari are innovating with radical oval piston concepts"

 

[JOEPRO]

Not sure how much to trust an article like that when they have obviously no idea about the history of mechanical inventiveness!
Honda NR750 or NR500 anyone?

"While brands like Ferrari are innovating with radical oval piston concepts"

Yes no way on oval pistons. I prefer square ones myself

 

[malcolm]

Not real. How would you center it onto a robot?

 

[colnerov]

Seems to be a genuine patent.

Which doesn't mean they will use it - but it stops anyone else creating them and selling them as dress-ups for the people that like shiny, but useless, things.

If it does become used, for most uses I reckon two holes drilled into the end of a bar, with two roll pins, dowels, etc shoved in to engage with the recesses will work just as well as anything more complicated.

We, and our competitors, routinely file patents for ideas we have, but have no time, or need, to develop, just to stop others doing it, or to make them find an alternative, hopefully more expensive, solution.
Also good to find the one missing word in their patent that allows us to drive the often mentioned coach and horses through it

Even simpler, grind a notch into the centre of a flat bladed screwdriver.

Edit: don't forget to send me a 'litigation waiver fee' for a possible patent infringement.

 

[dobbslc]

Honda did it to get 8 valves into each cylinder to get more power but it didn't really work. A brilliant willy wave to to competition though!

 

[cheb]

Not sure how much to trust an article like that when they have obviously no idea about the history of mechanical inventiveness!
Honda NR750 or NR500 anyone?

"While brands like Ferrari are innovating with radical oval piston concepts"

Pedantic note: They aren't oval, ovals have curved sides. They are stadium shaped.

 

[bricol]

Even simpler, grind a notch into the centre of a flat bladed screwdriver.

Edit: don't forget to send me a 'litigation waiver fee' for a possible patent infringement.

Even easier - and I already have one to defeat the "security" screws used on some items.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Maybe porsche could create something like this to stop the green fingers nicking the headlights?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Seems to be a genuine patent.

Which doesn't mean they will use it - but it stops anyone else creating them and selling them as dress-ups for the people that like shiny, but useless, things.

If it does become used, for most uses I reckon two holes drilled into the end of a bar, with two roll pins, dowels, etc shoved in to engage with the recesses will work just as well as anything more complicated.

We, and our competitors, routinely file patents for ideas we have, but have no time, or need, to develop, just to stop others doing it, or to make them find an alternative, hopefully more expensive, solution.
Also good to find the one missing word in their patent that allows us to drive the often mentioned coach and horses through it

Wiki suggests BMW have applied for over 60k patents and had over 44,000 of those granted.
There are quite a few parts on a car but they can't be using that many of them..

 

[cheb]

What's the inventive step that means this deserves a patent?

 

[Wozzaaah]

Not real. How would you center it onto a robot?

The images doing the rounds are AI generated and they aren't currently in use but apparently, the patent is real.

WIPO - Search International and National Patent Collections

 

[keithski122]

If they did exist these might fit.

 

[ahebron]

I cant wait till BMW use them as wheel bolts!