Automobile carbon monoxide detection and control device

• US 6,208,256 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1999
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allison A. Fleming, Raymond Fleming
• Original Assignee: Allison A. Fleming, Raymond Fleming
• Inventors: Fleming, Raymond, Fleming, Allison A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US09/426,621
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 340/430, 340/438, 340/632, 340/539, 180/271, 180/273, 180/279
• US Class Current: 340/632
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/695 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/82 Images, Symbols
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/252 the elements functioning only in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/42 against smoke or gas
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 for CO, CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

An automobile carbon monoxide detection and control device is provide that interfaces with various elements of a vehicle to allow for shutoff or control of a vehicle'"'"'s motor or windows as a function of carbon monoxide level.

Claims

1. An automobile carbon monoxide detection and control device comprising:

at least one carbon monoxide sensors, each said sensor located directly beneath the automobile dashboard;

an audible alarm horn in communication with said sensors for providing a two-stage audible warning indication of the level of carbon monoxide as detected by said carbon monoxide sensors;

a numeric readout in communication with said sensors for providing numeric readout for continuously displaying the relative concentration of carbon monoxide; and

motion sensing means for determining if someone is inside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, said motion sensing means further for interlocking, controlling, and communicating with said audible alarm horn and said numeric readout.

2. The automobile carbon monoxide detection and control device of claim 1, further comprising:

help summoning means for communicating the activation of said audible alarm horn to a remote locations.

3. The automobile carbon monoxide detection and control device of claim 2, wherein said help summoning means utilizes a communication method selected from the group comprising a cellular phone link, a satellite link, and a radio link.

4. The automobile carbon monoxide detection and control device of claim 1, further comprising power window activation means, and wherein when certain conditions have been achieved and the windows of the automobile are automatically lowered.