VEHICLE BREATH INPUT UNIT

• US 3,796,210 A
• Filed: 05/08/1972
• Issued: 03/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Guardian Technologies LLC (Lasko Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Donald F. Hoeg
• Inventors: Hoeg, Donald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Application Number:
  US05/251,207
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2C,2.08,145 285/273,274 340/237,279 180/82,99 73/421.5R
• US Class Current: 600/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/087 Joints with radial fluid passages
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06

Abstract

A breath input unit for a vehicle having both an A pillar and breath testing means is disclosed. The unit includes an elongated member defining a breath passageway through which breath may be blown. One end of the member is mounted at the upper part of the A pillar. The member is arcuately movable so that its other (breath input) end can move from a storage position adjacent the lower part of the A pillar to a use position away from the A pillar.

Claims

1. The combination of a vehicle having an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'A'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' pillar;

breath testing means; and

a breath input unit comprising;

an elongated member defining a breath passageway through which breath may be blown, said member having an input end and an other end, said member being mounted in said vehicle with said other end adjacent to the upper part of said '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'A'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' pillar, said member being movable so that its input end may arcuately move from a storage position adjacent the lower portion of the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'A'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' pillar to a use position away from the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'A'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' pillar, whereby a barrier to liquid contaminates is provided by the upward breath flow path.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

a second elongated member for the passage of breath is provided between the one end and the breath testing means, said second member also being positioned along the A pillar.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said first-mentioned elongated member and said second member are jointed together by a hollow pivot which allows breath to flow from said first member to said second member.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein means for resiliently urging the first elongated member toward the storage position are provided.