APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE DRIVING OF AN AUTOMOBILE OR THE LIKE WHEN THE OPERATOR IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

• US 3,815,087 A
• Filed: 10/26/1972
• Issued: 06/04/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Katuo Okugawa, Kazutaka Monden, Sadasuke Toda, Tadao Hirano
• Original Assignee: Katuo Okugawa, Kazutaka Monden, Sadasuke Toda, Tadao Hirano
• Inventors: Toda, Sadasuke, Okugawa, Katuo, Monden, Kazutaka, Hirano, Tadao
• Primary Examiner(s): Waring, Alvin H.
• Application Number:
  US05/300,995
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52R,53,237,279 180/82.7,99 128/2C 73/421.5R
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for preventing an operator from driving a motorcar or the like when under the influence of alcohol. The apparatus detects the alcohol content in the exhalation of the driver and selectively makes the motorcar impossible to drive. Detecting apparatus is also provided for detecting the alcoholic content of the exhalation of a fellow passenger. In the event that a fellow passenger is under the influence of alcohol but not the driver, operation of a ventilation apparatus is initiated for venting the interior of the motorcar. This prevents the operation of the first noted detecting apparatus and prevents rendering the motorcar inoperative. Furthermore, an apparatus is provided for restoring the operability of the motorcar. Preferably the detecting apparatus is associated with a Zener diode, which operates a relay, which separates, for example, the ignition circuit of the motorcar from its power supply.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising a mobile vehicle, means to permit operation of said vehicle by an operator, detector means to detect said operator'"'"''"'"'s incapacity to operate said vehicle, and control means responsive to said detector means to render the first said means inoperative, said detector means including means To detect the alcoholic content of said operator'"'"''"'"'s exhalation and first and second means to distinguish between the alcoholic content of said operator'"'"''"'"'s exhalation and the exhalation of a passenger, said first means being located in front of the operator and said second means being located adjacent the passenger;

the said detector means further including ventilating means positioned rearwardly in said vehicle for venting the interior of the vehicle when the alcoholic content is detected in the exhalation of said passenger rather than in the exhalation of said operator.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first said means is an ignition circuit for said vehicle and a power supply therefor and the control means is a relay for disconnecting the ignition circuit from the power supply.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said detector means includes a sensitivity adjuster means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said detector means includes a Zener diode and a relay operated thereby.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said detector means includes an indicator means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said detector means is located directly in front of the operator.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means to restore the first said means to operative condition.