Figured I'd chime in here while waiting on the wife tonight....
While I agree originality is best (and has always made me proud of myself), I'd like to direct my post to Drasis.
Drasis, I wouldn't recommend copying someone's "blueprints", unless someone offers them to you for your personal build. Meaning you won't be marketing a bumper with someone else's design. Dimensions on the other hand are another story. And what I mean by that is, if you are going to follow the bumper / bodylines of Chrysler's Jeep Liberty, by building a similar solid bumper, make sure you fab up something not exactly matching their patented bumper. Anyone who has done this, is also flirting with infringement. And yes, the same can be said for anyone's aftermarket bumper. All you have to do is change up your recovery point(s), and or turn signal location an inch or two for example, and you're golden. And if you want, once you have plans (aka blueprints of your own, you too can patent as well. Mind you, if you're just building a bumper for yourself, no one is going to go through the hassle of legal action. Keep in mind, any "named" aftermarket company would have to prove you stole and sold (made money) from their patent in order to be sued. So do not market or sell someone else's design or you could find yourself in trouble.
On a personal note, I would be flattered if someone thought enough of my design to copy it. As long as you weren't selling it. But that's just me.
Now with that said, yes I assumed you are only interested in designing a bumper for your KJ, and that you're looking for ideas. Personally, I like the route incusbusmike took, (maybe he will chime in with a linky to his post here on the forums somewhere?) - He found an aftermarket bumper and modified the mounts to work on a KJ. If you look around at bumpers for Jeeps, including the KJ, you're going to find the aftermarket bumpers for KJ's are the most expensive, while the Wrangler bumpers are cheaper because the supply is greater than it is for the KJ. Anyway, I am thinking of taking a similar route incusbusmike took - I've seen a couple of different aftermarket Cherokee and Wrangler front bumper(s) that might work for me. Of course I am not ruling out purchasing an aftermarket KJ (front) bumper either. As for the rear, I am hoping RL will release their proposed rear bumper. TBD....
So as I began, I think you would be most proud of designing your own bumper, if that is the route you want to go? Can't say as I blame you especially when you have someone who will do the labor (hard work) for you, for next to nothing. Good luck.
Got to run, the wife is ready!
_________________ Illegitima Non carborundom!
|