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Is a carbon monoxide detector patented?

Short answer: specific designs of a carbon monoxide detector have been patented many times, but "a carbon monoxide detector" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.

What our index shows
  • 1,156 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “carbon monoxide” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
  • Among the 1145 best keyword matches we examined, 366 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
  • Most frequent assignees in those matches: AIR LIQUIDE (35), BASF AG (16), AIR PROD & CHEM (15), BASF SE (15).
  • Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): C01B (411), B01J (343), B01D (209), Y02P (168).

Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.

14 real patent publications related to a carbon monoxide detector

  1. Carbon monoxide detector and safety switch US-2026218901-A1 2026 · ZEROCO SYSTEMS LLC
    A safety system for protecting against a flow of gas includes a gas producing device. A circuit board controls an operation of the gas producing device. A switch is in communication with the circuit board of the gas producin…
    View on Google Patents
  2. All-in-One Gas, Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detector US-2020380836-A1 2020 · HARRISON MICHAEL O
    The present invention provides for a combination of sensors that disposed within a single portable unit. Such sensors may include sensors monitoring carbon monoxide levels, natural gas levels and levels of smoke emitted from a com…
    View on Google Patents
  3. Initiation of carbon monoxide and/or smoke detector alarm test using image recognition and/or facial gesturing US-9159218-B2 2015 · MICROCHIP TECH INC
    An apparatus for smoke detection having an image sensor may be tested using image or pattern recognition, or facial gesturing without having to climb a ladder or chair to initiate the test, or be uncomfortably close to the smoke d…
    View on Google Patents
  4. Carbon monoxide detector safety systems US-8803696-B1 2014 · DUNYAN JOSEPH W
    A carbon monoxide detector safety system comprising: a carbon-monoxide sensing and transmitting device; at least one door-opener receiver; and an onboard receiver connected to a wiring assembly of a vehicle; wherein said carbon mo…
    View on Google Patents
  5. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector, Alarm, Transmitter, and Cut out switch system US-2013093593-A1 2013 · WOODS JOHN H
    The present invention discloses a smoke and carbon monoxide detector, alarm, transmitter and cutout switch system. The device is designed to sound an alarm and transmit electronic signals to cutout switches causing interruption in…
    View on Google Patents
  6. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors having distinct alarm indications and a test button that indicates improper operation US-8232884-B2 2012 · PATTOK GREG R
    A detection device and detection device system are provided, wherein the detection device includes a housing, a first detector device and a second detector device. The first detector device is configured to detect at least one smo…
    View on Google Patents
  7. An electrochemical carbon monoxide detector alarm that can be directly plugged into the cigarette lighter receptacle of an automobile vehicle (12-24v) WO-2009134206-A1 2009 · YEE DESMOND
    A carbon monoxide detector alarm that can be directly plugged into the cigarette lighter receptacle of an automobile vehicle comprising of an electrochemical cell sensor, a circuit board, an alarm system and a 12-24 voltage outlet…
    View on Google Patents
  8. Reduction of carbon monoxide interference in gaseous analyte detectors US-7611671-B2 2009 · APERON BIOSYSTEMS CORP
    Highly sensitive devices for detecting nitric oxide and/or other gaseous analytes in gaseous samples are improved by the incorporation of a carbon monoxide scavenger in the interior of the device or in the device packaging. The re…
    View on Google Patents
  9. Method of COHb calculation in a carbon monoxide detector US-7408473-B2 2008 · MAPLE CHASE CO
    A gas detector and method of operating the gas detector that includes a carbon monoxide sensor and a processor. The carbon monoxide sensor senses an environmental concentration of carbon monoxide and provides the sensed value to t…
    View on Google Patents
  10. Portable carbon monoxide generation apparatus for testing CO sensors, detectors and alarms US-7212734-B2 2007 · NO CLIMB PRODUCTS LTD
    An apparatus for generating carbon monoxide comprising an enclosure ( 6 ) having an inlet and an outlet at least one of which is provided with means ( 8 ) restricting air flow from the inlet to the outlet, a container ( 1 ) locate…
    View on Google Patents
  11. Carbon monoxide detector on a gas powered generator US-2007085692-A1 2007 · BLACK & DECKER INC
    A carbon monoxide detector is coupled to a gas-powered generator. The carbon monoxide detector is configured to provide notification when a predetermined concentration of carbon monoxide is reached and may also be utilized to disa…
    View on Google Patents
  12. Accessible smoke/carbon monoxide detector system and apparatus for single/multifamily new residential installations US-2004032335-A1 2004
    An accessible smoke/carbon monoxide detector (combustion gas detector) apparatus and system aids in preventing alarm system failures and easing maintenance by providing a system that includes a ceiling mounted smoke/carbon monoxid…
    View on Google Patents
  13. Carbon monoxide detector tester and method of using tester US-2004050137-A1 2004
    The present invention is directed to a carbon monoxide detector tester and method for using the carbon monoxide detector tester to determine the operability of a carbon monoxide detector. The tester comprises a closable box adapte…
    View on Google Patents
  14. Microprocessor-based combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector having intelligent hush feature US-6753786-B1 2004 · KIDDE PORTABLE EQUIPMENT INC
    A microcontroller-based hazardous condition detector having an intelligent hush feature is presented. The microcontroller controls the operational mode of the detector by monitoring a single user-actuated switch, the inputs from a…
    View on Google Patents

What this means for your idea

Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a carbon monoxide detector been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Household products tend to differ in the mechanism (how something attaches, folds, dispenses or cleans) rather than the basic idea.

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Guides that help with this

First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.