System for preventing driving while intoxicated

• US 20060179901A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence J. Schlitt
• Original Assignee: Lawrence J. Schlitt
• Inventors: Schlitt, Lawrence J.
• Application Number:
  US11/061,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20060179901A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/209
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/0225 using a rod locked on the steering wheel rim B60R25/0221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5765 Rotary or swinging

Abstract

A drunk driving prevention system includes a steering wheel locking device. The steering wheel locking device may include a first bar including a steering wheel engagement member, a second bar, including a steering wheel engagement member, longitudinally movably mounted with respect to the first bar, and a lock operable to fix the first and second bars longitudinally with respect to each other. A lock cover is movably mounted with respect to said lock. The lock cover is movable between an open position that permits access to the lock and a closed position that prevents access to the lock. A latch is operable to hold the lock cover in the closed position. A breath alcohol measuring device is coupled to release the latch when a driver'"'"'s breath alcohol level is determined to be less than a predetermined level.

Claims

1. A drunk driving prevention system, which comprises:

means for locking a steering wheel;

means for determining a breath alcohol content;

means for means for preventing access to said steering wheel locking means if a breath alcohol content determined by said determining means is greater than a predetermined level.

2. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for locking said steering wheel comprises an externally mountable steering wheel locking device.

3. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said externally mountable steering wheel locking device includes:

a first bar including a steering wheel engagement member;

a second bar longitudinally movably mounted with respect to said first bar, said second bar including a steering wheel engagement member; and

,

a lock operable to fix said first and second bars longitudinally with respect to each other.

4. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for preventing access to said steering wheel locking means if a breath alcohol content determined by said determining means is greater than a predetermined level comprises:

a lock cover movably mounted with respect to said lock, said lock cover being movable between an open position permitting access to said lock and closed position preventing access to said lock;

a latch operable to hold said lock cover in said closed position;

means for releasing said latch if a breath alcohol content determined by said determining means is equal to or less than said predetermined level.

5. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 4, including:

means for disabling for a predetermined time period said means for releasing said latch if said breath alcohol content is determined by said determining means to be greater than said predetermined level.

6. A drunk driving prevention system, which comprises:

an external steering wheel locking device, said external steering wheel locking device including a lock;

means for blocking access to said lock; and

,

means for permitting access to said lock if a driver'"'"'s breath alcohol content is less than a predetermined level.

7. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said external steering wheel locking device comprises:

a first bar including a steering wheel engagement member; and

,

a second bar longitudinally movably mounted with respect to said first bar, said second bar including a steering wheel engagement member.

8. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said lock is operable to fix said first and second bars longitudinally with respect to each other.

9. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for blocking access to said lock comprises:

a lock cover movably mounted with respect to said lock, said lock cover being movable between an open position permitting access to said lock and closed position preventing access to said lock; and

,

a latch operable to hold said lock cover in said closed position.

10. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means for permitting access to said lock if a driver'"'"'s breath alcohol content is less than a predetermined level comprises:

means for releasing said latch when said driver'"'"'s breath alcohol content is less than said predetermined level.

11. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for releasing said latch includes a breath alcohol testing device.

12. The drunk driving prevention system as claimed in claim 6, including means for disabling means for permitting access for a predetermined time said means for releasing said latch if said driver'"'"'s breath alcohol content is greater than said predetermined level.

13. A drunk driving prevention system, which comprises:

a steering wheel locking device, said steering wheel locking device including;

a first bar including a steering wheel engagement member;

a second bar longitudinally movably mounted with respect to said first bar, said second bar including a steering wheel engagement member; and

,

a lock operable to fix said first and second bars longitudinally with respect to each other;

a lock cover movably mounted with respect to said lock, said lock cover being movable between an open position permitting access to said lock and closed position preventing access to said lock;

a latch operable to hold said lock cover in said closed position;

means for releasing said latch;

a breath alcohol measuring device coupled to said means for releasing said latch.