Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a ventilation control device having a portable housing capable of being selectively positioned in various locations in a space such as a room, vehicle compartment or any other area where people or animals may be located. The ventilation control device has a gas detection portion within the portable housing capable of sensing the presence of a specified gas or gasses. A transmitter is also located within the portable housing and operably engaged to the gas detection portion for transmitting a ventilation signal. A power source is located within said portable housing for energizing said transmitter. The power source can be an independent power source such as a battery or a connector such as plug for connecting to power outside of the portable housing or both. A connection portion is located on the portable housing for removably connecting the portable housing at a user specified location.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a portable gas detection and ventilation control device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The buildup of unwanted gasses in structures such as homes and vehicles can lead to harmful or even deadly consequences. However, the use and creation of sometimes fatal gasses is often unavoidable because they are byproducts of our everyday life. For example buildings and vehicles almost always contain the presence of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide produced from the combustion of natural gas, gasoline or other fuel sources. In order to try and combat the problem of unwanted buildup of these gasses ventilation systems are often installed. However, detection devices for harmful gasses are often not present in all areas. When detection devices are present they are often not positioned in an ideal location in a given space. Thus there is a need to provide a detection device that is versatile in terms of positioning and is capable of controlling the ventilation of the unwanted gasses. Also detection devices can be implemented in a variety of settings so it is necessary for them to have versatility in terms of programming and power supply sources. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to a gas control device having a portable housing capable of being selectively positioned in various locations in a space such as a room, vehicle compartment or any other area where people or animals may be located. The gas control device has a gas detection portion within the portable housing capable of sensing the presence of a specified gas or gasses. A transmitter is also located within the portable housing and operably engaged to the gas detection portion for transmitting a signal that can actuate a ventilation device or an alarm. A power source is located within the portable housing for energizing the transmitter. The power source can be an independent power source such as a battery or a connector such as plug for connecting to power outside of the portable housing or both. A connection portion is located on the portable housing for removably connecting the portable housing at a user specified location. 
         [0004]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the ventilation control device; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the ventilation control device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional illustration of the ventilation control device being used in a garage; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional illustration of the ventilation control device activating a garage door in response to the presence of gas within the garage; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a partially broken away cross-sectional plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0012]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  which shows a perspective view of the portable gas control device  10  shown in accordance with the present invention. Gas control device  10  has a housing  12  that has a sensor or gas detection portion  14  contained within the portable housing  12  for sensing the presence or absence of a specific gas or gasses. The types of unwanted gas that can be sensed by the gas detection portion  14  are virtually unlimited and include, but are certainly not limited to, smoke, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, propane, radiation, methane, or radon. 
         [0013]    Also contained within the portable housing  12  is a transmitter  16  that is operably engaged to the gas detection portion  14 . The transmitter  16  serves to transmit a signal from the portable housing  12  to a device. The signal transmitted by the transmitter  16  can be transmitted with or without hard wires. Thus it is within the scope of this invention for radio frequency waves or some other non-wire transport to be used for outputting the signal from the portable housing  12 . The signal transmitted by the transmitter  16  can be any type of signal. The signal can be a ventilation control signal that is transmitted out of the portable housing  12  to a device. The signal can also be an alarm signal that is transmitted outside of the portable housing  12  to an alarm device that provides an audible and or visual alarm. Another aspect of the invention provides an alarm device integrated within the portable housing  12 . The transmitter  16  would transmit an alarm signal within the portable housing  12  to the alarm device. 
         [0014]    The transmitter  16  in the present embodiment is contained within the portable housing  12 . The transmitter  16  can have a learning circuit that allows the transmitter to learn the gas signal for operating the gas device. For example, in a application where the gas control device  10  is being used in a garage, the transmitter  16  can be programmed to learn and then subsequently transmit a wireless garage door signal. 
         [0015]    The portable housing  12  also contains a power source  18   a ,  18   b  for providing the power needed to operate the gas detection portion  14  and the transmitter  16 . The power source  18   a ,  18   b  can be self-contained with the portable housing  12  and be in the form of a battery  18   a  or can be in the form of a connector  18   b  for connecting the gas control device  10  to an outside power source. For example, it is possible to mount the gas control device  10  to a wall or some other location near a power outlet. It is also possible for the gas control device to have one or more sources of power. For example the ventilation control device can have a battery  18   a  that is charged using an outlet  18   b . In the alternate the battery  18   a  can be used a backup in case there is a loss of electrical power at the connector  18   b.    
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2  an alternate embodiment of a gas control device  100  is shown. In this particular embodiment the gas control device  100  has a housing  102  that has an opening  104  for receiving a removable transmitter  106 . The removable transmitter  106  has an actuation button  108  that when depressed will transmit a ventilation signal. In one embodiment of the invention the transmitter  106  can be a garage door opening having a button  108  that transmits a wireless signal to a garage door opener. However, it is within the scope of this invention for the transmitter to be any type of wired or wireless transmitter for operating a gas device. A mechanical piston  110  is contained within the housing  102  and is aligned to depress the button  108  of the transmitter  106 . This particular embodiment of the invention allows the gas control device  100  to be more easily configured with already existing systems or openers such as garage doors or other transmitting devices. In this embodiment all a user has to do in order to set up the gas control device  100  is place a transmitter  106  within the aperture  104  and no further configuration will be needed. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  also shows a connection portion  112  which is used to removably connect the portable housing  102  at a user specified location. This connection portion  112  can be used in conjunction with all embodiments of the invention described herein. For example, the gas control device  10  can have a connection portion  112  located on its surface for connecting the gas control device  10  at a user specified location. The connection portion  112  can be a type of fastener, Velcro, mounting bracket, tape or adhesives or any other suitable connection. Additionally, the connection portion can be magnets for connecting the portable housing  12 ,  102  to a metal object. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4  the operation of the gas control devices  10 ,  100  will now be described.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show a garage  20  with a garage door  22  operably connected to a garage door opener  24 . A car  26  with a tailpipe  28  located in the garage  20 . The gas control device  10 ,  100  is connected to the garage door  22  using the connection portion  112 . However, it is possible to connect the gas control device  10 ,  100  at a location other than the garage door  22 . The gas control device  10 ,  100  can be positioned at any desired height with the garage  20  because of the portability of the device. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  the gas control device  10 ,  100  is positioned at or near the height of the tailpipe  28  of the vehicle  26 . In  FIG. 3  the garage door  22  is shown in the closed position initially when the car  26  is first started. The gas control device  10 ,  100  senses the presence of unwanted gas, such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide from the tailpipe  28  and transmits a signal to the garage door opener. In  FIG. 4  the unwanted gas is ventilated as the garage door  22  is moved to the open position in response to the transmission of a ventilation signal from the ventilation control device  10 ,  100 . 
         [0020]    The present invention allows for the selective positioning of the gas control device  10 ,  100  at a specified location. The application shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  the gas control device  10 ,  100  is positioned near the level of the tailpipe  28  of the vehicle  26 . This provides a tremendous response time since the gas control device  10 ,  100  is positioned so close to the source of the unwanted gas. If a gas control device were not positioned this close to the source, but instead were positioned near an interior house door  30  or near a wall outlet  32  the garage  20  would have to fill up with a much higher amount of unwanted gas before being detected. This may not be a fast enough response time and could still present a dangerous situation. The present invention solves these problems. 
         [0021]    Additionally, it is within the scope of the invention to incorporate the ventilation control device in other settings. For example, it is not necessary that the ventilation device be a garage door opener  24  in combination with a garage door  22 . It is within the scope of this invention for the ventilation device to be a window opener or ventilation fan. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to being used within a garage  20 . It is possible to use the present invention in virtually any other type of room, vehicle, or other setting. 
         [0022]    The gas control device  10  can be equipped with a sensor  19  that provides a means for sensing whether or not a ventilation device has been activated such as a mechanical switch, a gyroscope, proximity sensor, or electronic circuitry such as a memory circuit or any other sensing device capable of remembering or determining whether or not a ventilation device has been activated. The sensor is necessary in order to prevent a ventilation device from accidentally moving from a vent position to a closed vent position. Additionally, the sensor  19  could be separate from the portable housing  12  which would allow the sensor  19  to be placed separate from the gas control device  10 . This would require the sensor  10  to the be able to transmit a signal to the gas control device  10 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment where the gas control device  10 ,  100  is incorporated within the interior of a vehicle  200 . In this particular embodiment of the invention the gas control device  10 ,  100  is placed within the interior cabin of the vehicle and if the presence of an unwanted gas is sensed by the gas control device  10 ,  100  the transmitter will transmit a signal that will automatically roll down the windows  202  of the vehicle  200 . In this embodiment of the invention it is possible for the gas control device  10 ,  100  to be pre-installed within the interior of the vehicle  200  and connected so that signals from the transmitter  18  are sent via hardwires to the window actuators (not shown). However it is within the scope of this invention for the gas control device  10 ,  100  to be sold as an aftermarket device so it can be positioned anywhere within the cabin of the vehicle  200 . Not only is it possible to use this invention in automobiles it is also within the scope of this invention to use the portable gas control device  10 ,  100  in other vehicles such as boats and recreational vehicles. 
         [0024]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.