System for inhibiting use of a hand-operated machine by an impaired individual through detection of toxins in the individual
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inhibiting use of a hand-operated machine by an impaired individual comprising:
- means for receiving perspiration from hands of the individual juxtaposed with means for operating the hand-operated machine by hand such that when the means for operating the hand-operated machine by hand is engaged said means for receiving perspiration from the hands of the individual is placed in contact with the hands of the individual;
ethanol assay means disposed in combination with said means for receiving perspiration from the hands of the individual for reacting with ethanol in the perspiration of the individual;
means for causing a mixture of said ethanol assay means and said ethanol to exhibit a color change;
means for detecting said color change and producing an electrical signal in response to said color change; and
means for causing said electrical signal to energize circuitry which inhibits operation of the hand-operated machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for inhibiting use of a hand-operated machine by an impaired individual through detection of toxins in the individual has affixed to a portion of the machine which the operator regularly engages with his or her hands a porous membrane (5) impregnated with a substance (2) which reacts with a toxin by-product of an impairing substances such as alcohol, and another substance which causes the combined toxin and toxin-reacting substance to exhibit a color change. The system further contains a means (26) for detecting the color change in the membrane (5) and then causing a signal (14) to be displayed to the operator. Upon detection of the toxin-producing substance the system may also interrupt operation of the machine.
91 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inhibiting use of a hand-operated machine by an impaired individual comprising:
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means for receiving perspiration from hands of the individual juxtaposed with means for operating the hand-operated machine by hand such that when the means for operating the hand-operated machine by hand is engaged said means for receiving perspiration from the hands of the individual is placed in contact with the hands of the individual; ethanol assay means disposed in combination with said means for receiving perspiration from the hands of the individual for reacting with ethanol in the perspiration of the individual; means for causing a mixture of said ethanol assay means and said ethanol to exhibit a color change; means for detecting said color change and producing an electrical signal in response to said color change; and means for causing said electrical signal to energize circuitry which inhibits operation of the hand-operated machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification