On Fri, 16 Apr 2021 19:19:21 +0000 (UTC), Ralph Barone
wrote:

Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 4/15/2021 9:26 PM, Ralph Barone wrote:
sms wrote:
On 4/15/2021 11:13 AM, Tosspot wrote:

snip

Let me get this straight.* Shimano have just patented a t-junction?

No. Shimano has patented a t-junction with a built in backflow preventer

Hmm. T junctions exist in all sorts of fluid technologies. So do check
valves. It's hard to believe that they got a patent for putting them
together.


It could have been “Parent Applied For”, or maybe the patent was for
whatever magic that allowed them to construct it $0.02 cheaper than the
obvious way.

I believe that patents can be granted for a new use of a device or way
of doing something. One could, perhaps, patent the use of an ice pick
for cleaning one's teeth although the original developer had
previously patented it for use in chipping ice :-)

--
Cheers,

John B.