GB2411966A - Weighing device for travel baggage - Google Patents

Abstract

To weigh a piece of luggage, such as a suitcase 24, in one embodiment an electronic weighing device 10 is used to lift the luggage by way of a strap 12 releaseably fitted around the handle 22. In a further embodiment (Fig. 2) the weighing device is integral with the suitcase, incorporated in the handle.

Description

241 1966

APPARATUS

The present invention relates to weighing apparatus for weighing bags and suitcases and bags and cases incorporating weighing apparatus.

It is well known that airlines have restrictions on the weight of baggage carried for each passenger, known as baggage allowance. The baggage allowance per passenger varies from airline to airline and also in respect of the class travel booked by the passenger, destination and size of the aircraft. In a domestic environment, the applicant knows of no system available at present which enables a person to measure the weight of his/her baggage in a reliable manner. It has been known to attempt to make use of scales existing in the home, for example bathroom scales, to weigh baggage. However, bathroom scales are designed to support a person's feet and not baggage. Moreover, typical household scales are designed to measure a very different magnitude of weight than that of travel luggage. Therefore, they do not provide a reliable measure of the weight of baggage.

Passengers therefore normally only obtain a "true" indication of the weight of their baggage at an airport check-in desk, at which time it is normally too late to make any substantial changes to one's luggage arrangements, such as reducing the weight of the baggage by removing items carried. This can then result in a passenger having to pay extremely high excess baggage charges which might otherwise have been avoidable. With the fall in the costs of airline tickets, at least some airlines are becoming much more sensitive to excess baggage and therefore much more ready to charge for excess baggage.

The charges are very significant and can often represent a significant proportion or even multiple of the price of the airline ticket.

Another problem lies with a passenger's inability to question the accuracy of weighing scales provided at check-in desks. The passenger therefore currently has no means of redress.

The present invention seeks to provide a system which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for weighing personal travel baggage, including a weighing device and attachment means operable to attach an item of baggage to the weighing device.

Advantageously, the attachment means is engageable to a handle or handles of the baggage. The advantage of this is that the handle of a bag or case is typically provided in a balanced position when the bag or case is full, such that the attachment of the weighing \ means to the handle will provide for an accurate measure of the weight of the bag, irrespective of the size and shape of the bag. Moreover, it enables the attachment means to be suitable for virtually any type of bag or case because handles generally have similar dimensions to be suitable to be held by the hand.

In the preferred embodiment, the attachment means includes a strap which can be positioned around a handle of a bag or case. Advantageously, the strap is openable and closable by means of a fastener. Most preferably, the fastener is a hook and eye-type fastener. The preferred fastener provides relatively easy and quick fastening and release of the attachment means to a bag.

In the case where the attachment means is a closed loop of material, this can be looped around a handle of a bag or case prior to attachment to weighing the device.

In the preferred embodiment, the weighing device is provided with a hook to which the attachment means can be hooked.

Preferably, the weighing device is provided with a handle or other lifting element to IS enable the weighing apparatus to be lifted by a person via the handle or other element with the bag attached to the attachment means, such action causing the weighing device to produce an indication of the lifted weight on an analogue or digital display of the weighing device. The person therefore need only lift the bag slightly off the ground or other support surface via the weighing device to obtain a measure of the weight of the bag.

The weighing device may be provided with a memory to memorise measured weight even after the bag is placed back on the floor or other support surface.

Advantageously, the weighing apparatus is of a size that it can be handheld and that it can be carried by the user on his/her journey. This can be particularly useful in verifying the weight at the baggage check-in desk of an airport and also for the return journey. For this purpose, it is preferred that the weighing device is accurately calibrated.

In this embodiment it is also preferred that the weighing apparatus is provided with a clear indication of the calibration history and/or status of the device. This can be useful in connection with any possible dispute as to the weight of the baggage in question.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a travel bag or case incorporating a weighing device for measuring the weight of the bag or case.

In one embodiment, the weighing device is provided in or on a handle of the bag or case. In another embodiment, the weighing device is provided in or on a support member of the bag or case, such as a foot or wheel of the device.

In the case of the weighing device being incorporated in a handle of the bag or case, the weighing device preferably measures the strain produced upon lifting the bag or case by the handle. It can be measured, for example, by means of a strain gauge incorporated into the handle structure. There is preferably provided a display proximate the handle to display the measured weight.

For a weighing device incorporated in support of the bag, such as a foot or wheel (castor), this could include a pressure sensor and the bag is preferably also provided with a display incorporated into the bag or case at a convenient location for the user (for example adjacent the handle).

The device can be set up for providing a display in imperial units and/or in metric units.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of weighing apparatus in use; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of weighing apparatus incorporated into a suitcase; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of weighing apparatus incorporated into a suitcase; and Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the suitcase of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, the embodiment of weighing apparatus shown includes a hand-held weighing device 10 and a strap element 12. The weighing device 10 includes a handle 14 at an upper end thereof and a hook 16 at a lower end thereof. The hook 16 is coupled to the weighing mechanism (not shown) provided inside the device 10. A display 18 provided on the device 10 as well as a number of control switches 20 used, for example, for switching on the device, for resetting a memory of the device, and so on as is explained below.

Any pulling of the hook 16 in a direction away from the weighing device 10 causes the device 10 to measure the force (and therefore the weight) pulling the hook 16. This measured force (weight) is displayed on the display 18.

The strap 12 in this embodiment includes latching means (not shown) for opening and closing the strap 12. In the preferred embodiment the latching means is provided with hook and eye-type fasteners so that the strap 12 can be undone to be looped around a handle 22 of a case 24 and then onto the hook 16. Any other form of fastening means, such as a buckle and so on may be provided instead of a hook and eye-type fastener.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the strap 12 has been strapped around the handle 22 and attached to the hook 16. A person is shown lifting the weighing device 10 via the handle 14 so that the case 24 is lifted away from the ground 26. The weight of the case 24 causes a downward pulling force on the handle 16, which is measured by the weighing device, that weight then being displayed on the display 18.

Advantageously, the device 10 is provided with a memory to memorise the weight measured.

The weight of the case 24 can thus be determined with accuracy at home and then compared to the baggage allowance for that particular trip. As this can be carried out conveniently at home, the person can change the contents of the case 24 in order to meet the baggage allowance.

The device 10 is preferably of a hand held size, as shown, and therefore is easily portable. This enables the person to carry the device for use not at an airport check-in desk, m case there is a discrepancy between the weight measured by the device 10 and that by check-in scales, but also for the return journey. For this purpose, it is also preferred that the device 10 is accurately calibrated by a reputable institution. The device 10 is provided with a location, such as 28, in which a calibration certificate can be affixed.

In order to assist travellers, it is also envisaged that details of baggage allowances and excess baggage fees charged by airline companies would be provided to passengers, for example via the Internet. Thus, a person can obtain access to this information from a dedicated website or other source to ensure that the baggage to be taken on the journey meets the current regulations of the airlines. Often, such information is difficult to obtain, causing additional stress and inconvenience to passengers. In this case, the person not only can obtain the information readily from the dedicated website but can also obtain an accurate and direct measure of the weight of the bag or bags to be taken on the journey.

It is envisaged in some embodiments that the device 10 can be provided with a cumulative weighing function which can give an indication of the cumulative weight of a plurality of bags 24 to be taken on a journey. The cumulative weighing function could also be provided with a facility to input the number of passengers on the journey in order to provide an indication of the total baggage allowance for that group of passengers. Thus, in some embodiments the device can be provided with an input to input baggage allowance of one or more passengers and can also be provided with a warning function to warn the passenger or passengers if the measured weight of one or more items of baggage exceeds the entered allowance.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown an embodiment of weighing apparatus which is incorporated into a suitcase. In this embodiment, there is provided within the handle assembly a measuring element 50. Appropriate electronics (the details of which will be apparent to the person skilled in the art) are also incorporated in the case, while a display 52 is provided, in this embodiment adjacent to the handle for displaying the measured weight.

The measuring element 50 may in one embodiment take the form of a strain gauge incorporated into the handle 54, with the electronics suitably calibrated to measure from the strain gauge the weight of the case. In an alternative embodiment, the weighing element may be provided in the coupling between the handle 54 and the case itself. It may, for example, be provided by a pressure sensor or the like. Similarly, the transducer could be located, rather in the handle assembly 50, within a portion of the bag (such as the frame 56) where a reliable strain or stress can be measured. Any suitable transducer could be used.

Not shown in Figure 2 are one or more optional control inputs (such as push buttons) for use, for example, for powering up the device and for controlling the device especially when the device is provided with a memory function and/or any other inputs of the type described.

In some more simple embodiments, the device can be powered up from a sleep mode upon the sensing of a change in the output of the weight/measuring transducer.

The weight of the case in the embodiment of Figure 2 can be measured in a similar manner to that of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a case 60 which is provided with a plurality of castors or wheels 62. In this embodiment, each castor is provided with a transducer (not shown) able to measure the pressure on the castors when they are placed on the floor, thereby to measure the weight of the bag. Any suitable transducer of the type disclosed herein or otherwise known to the skilled person could be used.

As the weight of the castors is relatively minor, an accurate measure of the weight of the case can be obtained. In any event in the preferred embodiment the device is calibrated to take into account the weight of the castors.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, it is preferred that each castor 62 provides an indication of weight, with the electronics providing a suitable sum of the weight measured.

In a simple embodiment, the system can be calibrated during manufacture of the case 60.

The embodiment of Figure 3 and 4 could be adapted for measuring the weight of only two castors 62, even for the situation where the case 60 is only provided with two castors. In such an event, the weight of the case 60 can be determined by lifting the case onto one end while still being supported on a ground surface by the two measuring castors.

It will be apparent that the embodiments of Figures 2 to 4 save on having to carry a separate weighing device but are restricted to weighing only the one case in which they are incorporated.

The embodiments of Figures 2 to 4 can also be accurately calibrated and provided with an indication of their calibration status. They can also be used with the travel information service described above.

The disclosures in British patent application no. 0403251.2, from which this application claims priority, and in the abstract accompanying this application are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (21)

1. A system for weighing personal travel baggage, including a weighing device and attachment means operable to attach an item of baggage to the weighing device.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is engageable to a handle or handles of the baggage.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment means includes a strap which can be positioned around a handle of a bag or case.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the strap is openable and closable by means of a fastener.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the fastener is a hook and eyetype fastener.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the weighing device is provided with a hook to which the attachment means can be hooked.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the weighing device is provided with a handle or other lifting element to enable the weighing apparatus to be lifted by a person via the handle or other element with the bag attached to the attachment means, such action causing the weighing device to produce an indication of the lifted weight on an analogue or digital display of the weighing device.

8. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the weighing device is provided with a memory to memorise measured weight even after the bag is placed back on the floor or other support surface.

9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the weighing apparatus is of a size that it can be hand-held.

10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the weighing apparatus is provided with an indication of the calibration history and/or status of the device.

S

11. A system according to any preceding claim, including means to provide an indication of cumulative weight measured.

12. A travel bag or case incorporating a weighing device for measuring the weight of the bag or case.

13. A travel bag or case according to claim 12, wherein weighing device is provided in or on a handle of the bag or case.

] 4. A travel bag or case according to claim 13, wherein the weighing device measures the strain produced upon lifting the bag or case by the handle.

15. A travel bag or case according to claim 14, including a strain gauge incorporated into the handle structure.

16. A travel bag or case according to claim 12, wherein the weighing device is provided in or on a support member of the bag or case.

17. A travel bag or case according to claim 14, wherein the support member is a foot or wheel of the device.

17. A travel bag or case according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the weighing device includes a pressure sensor.

18. A travel bag or case according to any one of claims 12 to 17, including a display proximate the handle to display the measured weight.

19. A travel bag or case according to any one of claims 12 to 18, the bag or case is provided with an indication of the calibration history and/or status of the device.

20. A system for weighing personal travel baggage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

21. A travel bag or case substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.