Carbon monoxide detection system for motor vehicles

A new carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles for detecting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide within the passenger areas of motor vehicles. The inventive device includes a carbon monoxide detector mounted at the highest point within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a visual indicating signal to visually signal a warning when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected, and an audible signaling device to provide an audible signal when dangerous levels are detected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to carbon monoxide detectors and more 
particularly pertains to a new carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles 
for detecting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide within the passenger 
areas of motor vehicles. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of carbon monoxide detectors is known in the prior art. More 
specifically, carbon monoxide detectors heretofore devised and utilized 
are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious 
structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs 
encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the 
fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
Known prior art carbon monoxide detectors include U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,949; 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,466; Des. U.S. Pat. No. 308,646; U.S. Pat. No. 
4,221,206; U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,232 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,372. 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new carbon 
monoxide detector for motor vehicles. The inventive device includes a 
carbon monoxide detector mounted at the highest point within a passenger 
compartment of the vehicle, a visual indicating signal to visually signal 
a warning when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected, and an 
audible signaling device to provide an audible signal when dangerous 
levels are detected. 
In these respects, the carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles 
according to the present invention substantially departs from the 
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing 
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of detecting 
dangerous levels of carbon monoxide within the passenger areas of motor 
vehicles. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
carbon monoxide detectors now present in the prior art, the present 
invention provides a new carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles 
construction wherein the same can be utilized for detecting dangerous 
levels of carbon monoxide within the passenger areas of motor vehicles. 
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new carbon monoxide 
detector for motor vehicles apparatus and method which has many of the 
advantages of the carbon monoxide detectors mentioned heretofore and many 
novel features that result in a new carbon monoxide detector for motor 
vehicles which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even 
implied by any of the prior art carbon monoxide detectors, either alone or 
in any combination thereof. 
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a carbon monoxide 
detector mounted at the highest point within a passenger compartment of 
the vehicle, a visual indicating signal to visually signal a warning when 
dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected, and an audible signaling 
device to provide an audible signal when dangerous levels are detected. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional 
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which 
will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new carbon 
monoxide detector for motor vehicles apparatus and method which has many 
of the advantages of the carbon monoxide detectors mentioned heretofore 
and many novel features that result in a new carbon monoxide detector for 
motor vehicles which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or 
even implied by any of the prior art carbon monoxide detectors, either 
alone or in any combination thereof. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new carbon 
monoxide detector for motor vehicles which may be easily and efficiently 
manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new carbon 
monoxide detector for motor vehicles which is of a durable and reliable 
construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon 
monoxide detector for motor vehicles which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles economically 
available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles which provides in the 
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, 
while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally 
associated therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon 
monoxide detector for motor vehicles for detecting dangerous levels of 
carbon monoxide within the passenger areas of motor vehicles. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon 
monoxide detector for motor vehicles which includes a carbon monoxide 
detector mounted at the highest point within a passenger compartment of 
the vehicle, a visual indicating signal to visually signal a warning when 
dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected, and an audible signaling 
device to provide an audible signal when dangerous levels are detected. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles that provides a measure of 
safety to the occupants of the vehicle. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
carbon monoxide detector for motor vehicles that provides multiple signals 
upon detection of dangerous levels, to increase the likelihood that the 
vehicle occupants receive the warning. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 
thereof, a new carbon monoxide detection system for motor vehicles 
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and 
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. The 
term "motor vehicle" used throughout the description and claims is meant 
to include cars, trucks, vans, rv's, and the like. This system is also 
applicable for use on boats having enclosed passenger compartment areas. 
More specifically, it will be noted that the carbon monoxide detection 
system for motor vehicles 10 comprises a conventional carbon monoxide 
detector 15 mounted at the highest location within a passenger compartment 
of a motor vehicle 12, such as on a ceiling 13 of the vehicle. The highest 
location is chosen because the carbon monoxide gas will tend to rise to 
the top of the interior. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, it can be shown that the detector 
15 is mounted adjacent the ceiling in the uppermost region of the vehicle 
interior by a pair of identical mounting arms 16. Each mounting arm has a 
first end 17 connected to the detector, an elongated, flexible main body 
member 18, and a second end 19 which is attached to a mounting foot 20. 
As best shown in FIG. 5, the first end 17 of each arm extends through a 
hole 21 in the side of the detector and extends into a slot 22 formed in 
the detector 15. The ends 17 are flexible and include a plurality of 
spaced enlargements which have a size slightly larger than the size of the 
holes 21. The enlargements 23 permit each end 17 to be adjusted into, or 
out of, the detector so as to accommodate different vehicle interior sizes 
and areas. The flexibility of the ends 17 and enlargements 23 permits them 
to be manually deformed so that they can fit through the holes 21. The 
ends 17 of each arm are spaced apart from each other within the slot to 
permit a wide range of adjustment. 
The main body members 18 are similar to the ends 17 in that they are 
flexible and include a plurality of the spaced enlargements 23. As best 
viewed in FIG. 3, the main body member 18 are curved to follow the inner 
surface of the ceiling 13. The main body members are encased by a cloth 
cover 24 which can be decorated so as to match the interior of the 
vehicle. The ends 17 and the body members 18 can be made of any flexible 
rubber or plastic material which can be manually deformed to permit 
bending and flexing of the ends and body members. 
The mounting feet 20 are suitably attached to the second ends 19, such as 
by mechanical fasteners. Each mounting foot 20 is made of a plastic or 
metallic material, and is elongated such that it fits within a slot 25 
formed in ceiling 13 of the vehicle. For instance, the slot 25 can be 
formed in the molding used to retain the ceiling liner of the vehicle in 
place. Thus the detector is securely held adjacent the ceiling by the two 
arms 16, and the arms can be adjusted and deformed to accommodate 
different vehicle interiors. 
The detector 15 includes a rectangular shaped housing 30 which houses any 
conventional type of carbon monoxide detection means, such as any of the 
means shown in U.S Pat. Nos. 4,221,206, 5,252,949, or equivalent. The 
detector 15 is powered by a battery 31 disposed therein. A back plate 32 
of the detector 15 is removably attached to the rest of the housing 30 by 
screws 33 to permit access to the slot 22 and the battery 31. 
The top wall of the housing 30 includes an indicating light 34 attached 
thereto, which flashes when the detector 15 detects a dangerous level of 
carbon monoxide. The top wall also includes a speaker cover 35 which 
covers a speaker (not shown) which generates an audible signal when the 
detector detects the dangerous level of carbon monoxide. Thus dual signals 
are generated, which increases the likelihood that the vehicle occupant(s) 
will be notified that a danger exists. The detector 15 also includes a 
test button 36 which actuates the light 34 and the speaker when pressed in 
order to test whether the detector 15 is functioning normally. Releasing 
the button 36 stops the light and speaker. The circuitry for permitting 
operation of the detector 15 is believed to be obvious to one having 
ordinary skill in the art and is thus not specifically shown. 
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate embodiment where the detector 15a is 
installed within the ceiling 13 of the vehicle, such that it is flush with 
the inside of the ceiling, thus eliminating the arms 16. The detector 15a 
is attached using any appropriate means, such as mechanical fasteners, and 
such attachment is considered to be permanent, since the detector 15a 
could not be readily removed. Power for the detector 15a would be supplied 
by the vehicles power supply, such as the vehicles battery, thus 
eliminating the battery 31. The electrical connection between the detector 
15a and the vehicles power supply would be obvious to one having ordinary 
skill in the art. This embodiment would also include an indicator light 37 
mounted on a dashboard 14 of the vehicle near the driver, such that the 
light 37 would flash when the dangerous level of carbon monoxide was 
detected by detector 15a. Therefore the driver of the vehicle would not 
have to take his eyes from the road to be aware of the flashing warning 
light 37. The detector 15a is otherwise similar to the detector 15, 
including speaker, light 34, and test button 36. 
In use, either detector 15,15a is mounted within the vehicle in the manner 
described above. If a dangerous level of carbon monoxide is detected, the 
visual and audible signals are produced by the detector, giving warning to 
the occupants that a dangerous condition exists and needs attention. To 
test whether the signaling devices of the detectors are working properly, 
the test button 36 is pushed which actuates each signaling device. 
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the 
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. 
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and 
operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.