Dekers Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 (edited) Broadly speaking, Ford have had heated front windscreens patented a long time (that isn't 100% true but lets not worry about detail). I was told in a main dealer car showroom recently that is no longer the case, and Ford don't have this patent anymore. Seems odd to me and I can't find anything to back that up, anyone know anything about this? Cheers Edited September 4, 2016 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 (edited) I think they let Jaguar use it while under Ford ownership.But its a god send on any ford car I've had,pity its not on the side windows as well. Its a bit like their ecoboost engine at the moment,lots of manufactures trying to copy it but cant pull it off.Wonder if Ford own something design wise in the make up of this engine. Edited September 4, 2016 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 I thought Vauhall were installing it in the new Corsa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Lots of manufacturers do or have used heated front screens. Jag, Land Rover, Volvo, Mazda, SsangYong, etc etc,, most of those had a connection/deal with Ford. BUT, as my OP, a main dealer tells me Ford no longer have the patent tied up, anyone know anything about this? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Lots of manufacturers do or have used heated front screens. Jag, Land Rover, Volvo, Mazda, SsangYong, etc etc,, most of those had a connection/deal with Ford. BUT, as my OP, a main dealer tells me Ford no longer have the patent tied up, anyone know anything about this? Cheers I will ask the question on the Ford ownere club site Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 I will ask the question on the Ford ownere club site Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 A patent only lasts so many years (20 I think) and then it can be reproduced by other companies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 A patent only lasts so many years (20 I think) and then it can be reproduced by other companies. Ford had heated front screens on the Scorpio and Sierra in 1987/8, for all I know earlier I was told by a major new car dealership, they have just lost the patent...that is nearly 30 years! But the question remains, does Ford still have a patent or not, I can't find any evidence they have lost it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Range Rover some Minis and Passats had heated glass screens. The patent has expired . It was called quick clear as opposed to heated front screen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Dekers,feedback from Ford owners club id 'patent has expired' however Ford usually make comment on posts so i'll prob get some more feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 Dekers,feedback from Ford owners club id 'patent has expired' however Ford usually make comment on posts so i'll prob get some more feedback. I have had Fords and other motors with Heated screens since my 80's Sierra, back then it was like looking through bent prison bars. I seriously rate the heated screens, as I think most people do that have had first hand experience of them. I currently have a Land Rover with a screen but I am sick to death of their overpriced and unreliable products, and service/repair cost at Main dealers are a joke. Mine also suffers from the Battery Drain syndrome that appears to effect quite a few, this means it simply drains the battery overnight, happens several times a year and leaves the motor useless! So it has to go, but I want another motor with a heated screen, if Ford no longer have the patent tied up, I suspect (HOPE) other manufacturers may soon begin to install them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 I have had Fords and other motors with Heated screens since my 80's Sierra, back then it was like looking through bent prison bars. I seriously rate the heated screens, as I think most people do that have had first hand experience of them. I currently have a Land Rover with a screen but I am sick to death of their overpriced and unreliable products, and service/repair cost at Main dealers are a joke. Mine also suffers from the Battery Drain syndrome that appears to effect quite a few, this means it simply drains the battery overnight, happens several times a year and leaves the motor useless! So it has to go, but I want another motor with a heated screen, if Ford no longer have the patent tied up, I suspect (HOPE) other manufacturers may soon begin to install them. The Ford one is faultless and its one of the main things we look for when purchasing a new ford.I have heard on the Ford forum that Vauxhall use it when fords patent expired but it was total pants.So dont know what ford are doing that the rest cant replicate.Its their same with their ecoboost engines in particular the 1lt t 125 ecoboost, no other manufactures seem to be able to match the performance with the fuel consumption.They seem to get the high fuel return but no performance like the Ford does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 I am genuinely surprised to learn this was even patentable to start with, I mean the patent office only had to look at the rear screen of every car made since the 60's ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason_ox Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 Was told by father in law yesterday who works for ford that the patent has expired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted September 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 Was told by father in law yesterday who works for ford that the patent has expired. I'm no patent expert but Ford must have had this circa 30 years, do patents just expire or can you renew them, just surprised Ford let it go. I still can't find anything to confirm that but appreciate the reply. Personally I hope every manufacturer jumps on this and starts installing them ASAP. As a matter of interest my Land Rover screen packed up under warranty and the main dealer told me he had to get 2 technicians from Landrover to come and fit a new one as they didn't have the skills. £1000 for a genuine LR replacement screen plus fitting, absolute joke! That was the first time I have ever had one go wrong, but seeing as my LR cost £11,500 in Warranty repairs in the FIRST year I guess I got a raspberry! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 I was offered a heated front screen when I bought my Freelander 8 years ago. I turned down the offer -unwisely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 I had one on a Focus, best thing since sliced bread. I did notice that, at tickover, the headlights (those blueish really bright ones) dimmed when it was switched on, such was its current draw. I also had one on a Defender, I didn't notice the headlights dimming but they weren't as bright in the first place. I wish the original owner of my Freelander 2 had paid the extra for one but at least I don't now go to work at 4 in the morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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