Apparatus for preventing operation of machinery by one who is intoxicated

• US 4,613,845 A
• Filed: 03/24/1983
• Issued: 09/23/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald E Du Bois
• Original Assignee: Donald E Du Bois
• Inventors: Du Bois, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Queen, Tyrone
• Application Number:
  US06/478,357
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/53, 340/561, 340/562, 340/506, 340/507, 340/521, 340/522, 180/272, 128/716, 128/719
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/24 Drug level, e.g. alcohol

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing the operation of machinery such as a motor vehicle by an operator who is intoxicated, such apparatus including an alcohol sensor and a proximity sensor located in the control area of the machinery.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing the operation of machinery, such as a motor vehicle, by an intoxicated operator, the machinery having a control panel where the operator is situated when operating the machinery and having an electrical power source for actuating the machinery, such apparatus comprising:

an alcohol sensor located in the vicinity of said control panel, said alcohol sensor including means for detecting the state of intoxication of the operator from the operator'"'"'s breath and a proximity sensor to detect any object obstructing access to the alcohol sensor, said alcohol sensor and said proximity sensor being connected to the power source of the machinery;

an amplifier connected to said alcohol sensor and to said proximity sensor, said alcohol sensor being adapted to transmit an alcohol sensor electrical impulse when activated and said proximity sensor being adapted to transmit a proximity sensor electrical impulse when activated, said alcohol sensor being electrically connected to said amplifier to transmit the alcohol sensor electrical impulse to said amplifier, said proximity sensor being electrically connected to said amplifier to transmit the proximity sensor electrical impulse to said amplifier, said amplifier being connected to the power source;

an alcohol sensor relay and a proximity sensor relay, each relay being connected to said amplifier, said alcohol sensor relay being actuated by said alcohol sensor through said amplifier and said proximity sensor relay being actuated by said proximity sensor through said amplifier, said alcohol sensor relay including an alcohol sensor contact and said proximity sensor relay including a proximity sensor contact, said alcohol sensor contact and said proximity sensor contact each being normally open and being connected in parallel with one another;

a power converting means for converting direct current to alternating current, said power source being connected to said alcohol sensor and said proximity sensor and to said amplifier through said power converting means; and

an electrical circuit opening means which is normally closed and which is electrically connected in series with said power source, said alcohol sensor contact and said proximity sensor contact being electrically connected to said electrical circuit opening means, said electrical circuit opening means being opened when said alcohol relay is energized, said electrical circuit opening means being opened when said proximity relay is energized.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit opening means is a two pole solenoid having a coil with an energizing circuit, said alcohol sensor relay and said proximity sensor contact being located in such energizing circuit.