US3823382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for inhibiting motor vehicle operation by inebriated drivers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-22
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle is equipped with a system for inhibiting operation by a drunk driver. A sample of the driver''s breath is directed to a chamber containing chemical granules which react with alcohol fumes exothermally. A temperature responsive switch, which is in the form of a capillary tube partially filled with mercury and having electrodes at each end, extends through the chemical granules and is connected in a control circuit. The control circuit includes timers, alarms, and a relay for opening the ignition circuit of the vehicle. Upon actuation of the temperature responsive switch, an alarm and a timer are energized. After a predetermined time interval, the timer energizes a second alarm and a second timer. The second timer, after a predetermined time interval, energizes the relay to open the ignition circuit of the vehicle. Three such chambers are provided, each having a temperature responsive switch. A flow control valve directs the sample of the driver''s breath to one of the chambers, and a selective switch is provided for connecting the temperature responsive switch in the selected chamber to the control circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 A Gaddy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:14
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/02; B60K28/06; B60K28/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
In a system for inhibiting the operation of a motor vehicle by an inebriated driver, a switch assembly responsive to a predetermined level of alcohol in the breath of the driver, comprising: a. a chamber containing chemical means for reacting with alcohol fumes, said reaction being exothermal, b. temperature responsive switch means extending within said chamber in contact with said chemical means, said switch means being actuated in response to a predetermined temperature of said exothermal reaction; and, c. flow control means for introducing a sample of the driver''s breath into said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a system for inhibiting the operation of a motor vehicle by an inebriated driver, a switch assembly responsive to a predetermined level of alcohol in the breath of the driver, comprising: a. a chamber containing chemical means for reacting with alcohol fumes, said reaction being exothermal, b. temperature responsive switch means extending within said chamber in contact with said chemical means, said switch means being actuated in response to a predetermined temperature of said exothermal reaction; and, c. flow control means for introducing a sample of the driver''s breath into said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a system in accordance with claim 1, circuit control means for controlling the ignition circuit of said vehicle, said circuit control means opening said ignition circuit in response to actuation of said switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a system in accordance with claim 1, circuit control means for controlling alarm means, said circuit control means energizing said alarm means in response to actuation of said switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a system in accordance with claim 3, said circuit control means comprising timing means for opening the ignition circuit of said vehicle after a predetermined time interval, actuation of said switch means initiating operation of said timing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a system in accordance with claim 3, said circuit control means comprising first timing means for energizing second alarm means after a predetermined time interval, actuation of said switch means initiating operation of said timing means, second timing means for opening the ignition circuit of said vehicle after a second predetermined time interval, said first timing means initiating operation of said second timing means after completion of said first predetermined time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a system in accordance with claim 1, circuit control means for controlling the ignition circuit of said vehicle, said control means including timing means for opening said ignition circuit after a predetermined time interval, actuation of said switch means initiating operation of said timing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a system in accordance with claim 1, said flow control means comprising valve means for directing said sample of the driver''s breath to said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a system in accordance with claim 1, a plurality of said chambers and a plurality of said temperature responsive switch means respectively within each chamber, said flow control means comprising valve means for directing said sample to one of said chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a system in accordance with claim 8, selective switch means in series with each of said temperature responsive switch means, said selective switch means selecting one of said temperature responsive switch means for connection to circuit control means for controlling the ignition circuit of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a system in accordance with claim 9, said selective switch means being ganged to said valve means, whereby said sample is directed to the chamber within which the temperature responsive switch means connected to said circuit control means by said selective switch means is located.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a system in accordance with claim 10, said circuit control means opening said ignition circuit in response to actuation of said selected temperature responsive switch means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a system in accordance with claim 10, said circuit control means energizing alaRm means in response to actuation of said selected temperature responsive switch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a system in accordance with claim 12, said circuit control means comprising timing means for opening the ignition circuit of said vehicle after a predetermined time interval, actuation of said selected temperature responsive switch means initiating operation of said timing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a system in accordance with claim 12, said circuit control means comprising first timing means for energizing second alarm means after a predetermined time interval, actuation of said selected temperature responsive switch means initiating operation of said timing means, second timing means for opening the ignition circuit of said vehicle after a second predetermined time interval, said first timing means initiating operation of said second timing means after completion of said first predetermined time interval.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a system in accordance with claim 10, said circuit control means including timing means for opening said ignition circuit after a predetermined time interval, actuation of selective temperature responsive switch means initiating operation of said timing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
In a system in accordance with claim 1, said temperature responsive switch means comprising a capillary tube, a column of mercury within said capillary tube, and electrodes at each end of said tube, said tube extending through said chemical means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |