US4697666A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sobriety interlock with time-locked interlock mode
Assignee: Sheram Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1986-09-16
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Granted: 1987-10-06
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Expires: 2006-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A sobriety interlock for a machine such as a vehicle operates in either an interlock mode or a BYPASS mode. In the INTERLOCK mode, a breath sobriety test must be passed before the machine can be started, while in the BYPASS mode, a breath test is not required to start the machine. When the system is powered up, it operates in the INTERLOCK mode for a predetermined period, preferably about 12 hours before automatically beginning operation in the BYPASS mode. From the BYPASS mode, INTERLOCK mode operation can be selected at any time by actuating a switch which locks in INTERLOCK mode operation for at least the predetermined period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W. Collier
- 👤 Kip L. Fuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/02; B60K28/06; B60K28/063; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/16; A61B5/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of controlling a machine sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a machine connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the machine passes a breath sobriety test, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the selection of alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) upon sensing selection of said interlock mode, disabling the machine unless a breath sobriety test is passed; and (c) upon sensing selection of said bypass mode, permitting the machine to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed, provided that at least a predetermined period of time has elasped since said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of controlling a machine sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a machine connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the machine passes a breath sobriety test, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the selection of alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) upon sensing selection of said interlock mode, disabling the machine unless a breath sobriety test is passed; and (c) upon sensing selection of said bypass mode, permitting the machine to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed, provided that at least a predetermined period of time has elasped since said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined period of time is in the range of 8 to 24 hours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: beginning operation in said interlock mode upon energization of said interlock system.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of controlling a vehicle sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a vehicle connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the vehicle passes a breath sobriety test, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the selection of alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) upon sensing selection of said interlock mode, disabling the vehicle unless a breath sobriety test is passed; and (c) upon sensing selection of said bypass mode, permitting the vehicle to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed provided that at least a predetermined period of time has elasped since said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of controlling a vehicle sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a vehicle connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the vehicle passes a breath sobriety test, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the selection of alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) upon sensing selection of said interlock mode, disabling the vehicle unless a breath sobriety test is passed; and (c) upon sensing selection of said bypass mode, permitting the vehicle to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed provided that at least a predetermined period of time has elasped since said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of: beginning operation in said interlock mode upon energization said interlock system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a machine sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a machine connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the machine passes a breath sobriety test, the improvement comprising: (a) mode selecting means for selecting alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) means responsive to said mode selecting means for disabling the machine unless a breath sobriety test has been passed when said interlock mode is selected and for permitting the machine to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed when said bypass mode is selected if at least a predetermined period of time has elapsed since said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a machine sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a machine connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the machine passes a breath sobriety test, the improvement comprising: (a) mode selecting means for selecting alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) means responsive to said mode selecting means for disabling the machine unless a breath sobriety test has been passed when said interlock mode is selected and for permitting the machine to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed when said bypass mode is selected if at least a predetermined period of time has elapsed since said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said interlock system begins operation in said interlock mode upon energization of said interlock system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a vehicle sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a vehicle connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the vehicle passes a breath sobriety test, the improvement comprising: (a) mode selecting means for selecting alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) means responsive to said mode selecting means for disabling the vehicle unless a breath sobriety test has been passed when said interlock mode is selected and for permitting the vehicle to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed when said bypass mode is selected if at least a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a vehicle sobriety interlock system of the type operable to disable a vehicle connected to the interlock unless a prospective operator of the vehicle passes a breath sobriety test, the improvement comprising: (a) mode selecting means for selecting alternative bypass and interlock modes of operation; (b) means responsive to said mode selecting means for disabling the vehicle unless a breath sobriety test has been passed when said interlock mode is selected and for permitting the vehicle to be operated regardless of whether a breath sobriety test is passed when said bypass mode is selected if at least a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the said interlock mode was last selected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said interlock system begins operation in said interlock mode upon energization of said interlock system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-05 | 1991-04-06 | 1991-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-05 | 1995-04-06 | 1995-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-05 | 1999-04-06 | 1999-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |