There are no non-"idea" patents. By their very nature, patents are there to provide a monopoly on novel ideas. If I come up with the design for a new gearing

There are no non-"idea" patents. By their very nature, patents are there to provide a monopoly on novel ideas. If I come up with the design for a new gearing system and patent it, then you have an idea for a substantially similar system and build it, you're violating my patent. It's all about ideas.