[RickM]

Interesting thread. I'm sure many here have been through this.

I designed a few Auto items and went both to a Patent Agent and Patent Attorney. Long story short, after a review the attorney told me to put it out on the market and make as much money, as quickly as possible.

Also, many ideas, good or not, are too generic to patent or can be changed easily enough to get around your field description. (As mentioned by others)

Think about the "Bobby pin". By putting a wave in the standard straight hair pin of the day a totally new patent was realized. Plus it worked better. It's that simple.