GB2484721A

GB2484721A - Luggage with integral weighing device

Info

Publication number: GB2484721A
Application number: GB1017803.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm John Thorne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-21
Filing date: 2010-10-21
Publication date: 2012-04-25
Also published as: GB201017803D0

Abstract

A luggage item (100, fig.1) includes a container body (101, fig.1), and a device 202, 204 to provide an indication of the weight of the container body and any said items contained therein. The device is fixed to or on the luggage item, preferably on the handle 104, 106, or in one or more feet or wheel members. The weighing device may comprise a load cell 204 having a strain gauge 202 directly connected to the handle 106 and the container body (101, fig.1). A visual display 206 may be provided for displaying the weight indication. The device may be turned on and off using a switch (108, fig 1). The device may also have an alarm to indicate if the weight exceeds a stored weight limit.

Description

Luggage with an Integral Weighing Device The present invention relates to luggage having an integral weighing device.

Most airlines place restrictions on the weight of luggage that passengers are allowed to bring onboard aircraft. This typically includes both hand luggage and luggage to be stored in the hold of the aircraft. Although many airlines provide scales at check-in areas, passengers finding out at that stage of their journey that their luggage exceeds the permitted weight will either have to pay supplemental charges to be allowed to have the luggage onboard, or are forced to leave behind items in order to reduce the weight of their baggage, which can be distressing/embarrassing and take up time.

Conventional weighing devices, such as bathroom scales, can be used to weigh suitcases and the like, but such devices may not always be accessible to people when travelling. Further, it can be difficult or impossible to clearly view the weight on typical bathroom scales when a large item of luggage is placed on top of it, or when the luggage is held aloft by an individual standing on the scales. Known solutions to these problems take the form of hand-held weighing devices specifically designed to weigh suitcases. However, users of such devices need to carry them whilst travelling and such items can be prone to being forgotten or lost. Further, such devices typically include hook-like members which may not be suitable or strong enough to hook onto all kinds of luggage, and can be difficult to use by elderly or disabled people.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to address at least the abovementioned problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a luggage item including: a container body, and a device adapted to, in use, provide an indication of a weight of the container body and any said item contained therein, wherein the device is fixed to or on the luggage item.

In use, the container body will contain at least one item for storage/transportation. The container body may include a handle member.

The device may be at least partially mounted on the handle member. In another embodiment, one or more said weighing device can be located in one or more foot or wheel member of the luggage item.

The device may include a load cell having a strain gauge extending between the handle member and the container body.

The handle member may comprise a first member fixed to the container body and a second member connected to the first member. The strain gauge can be connected to the first member and the second member.

The load cell may comprise a semiconductor load cell. The load cell may comprise a beam load cell.

The device may include a visual display for displaying information relating to the weight. The visual display may comprise an LCD or LED. The visual display may have different elements/portions for indicating whether the the weight is below, near or over a specified weight limit. In an alternative embodiment, the device may transfer a signal (e.g. wirelessly) relating to the weight to a remote device, such as a computer located on an airline check-in unit.

The device may further include a switch for switching the device on and/or off. The switch may be activated by movement of a handle, e.g. switched on when the container body is lifted up. The device may be configured to automatically switch off after a predetermined period of time.

The device can be configured to store at least one weight limit, and to provide a visual and/or audible (e.g. warning beep/alarm) indication if the measured weight exceeds that limit. The at least one weight limit may be user-programmable. The device may selectively display the at least one weight limit.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a luggage item having an integral weighing device.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a handle component configured to be fixed to a luggage item, the handle component including a device adapted to provide an indication of a weight of the luggage item and any item(s) contained therein.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the invention extends to such specific combinations not already described.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an example suitcase with an integral weighing device, and Figure 2 details components of the suitcase and the weighing device.

Figure 1 shows an example item of luggage 100. In the drawing the luggage comprises a suitcase, but it will be understood that the present invention can be adapted for different types of luggage, such as wheeled suitcases, rucksacks, bags, trolleys, hand luggage, or the like. It will also be understood that the luggage can be of any size and shape, and may be formed of any suitable rigid, soft or flexible material(s).

The suitcase 100 includes a main container body 101 in which item(s) for transportation are placed in a conventional manner. In the example the container body has a rectangular box shape, but it will be understood that its design can vary. The suitcase can also include at least one lock and/or other conventional features.

The suitcase 100 further includes a handle member 102 on one of the surfaces 103 of the container body 101. Again, it will be understood that the handle member shown in the drawing is illustrative only and can vary in dimensions and shape, etc. The handle member includes a pair of base members 104A, 104B that are fixed to the surface 103 of the suitcase. The base members 104 can be fixed to the surface by any suitable means, e.g. bolts, adhesives or being integrally formed with at least part of the body of the suitcase. The handle member further includes a second member 106. In use, the second member 106 is gripped by the user. The second member is generally U-shaped with ends that are connected to the base members 104.

The handle can include a switch/button 108 for activating the electronic weighing device. In some embodiments, the switch may be activated by movement of a handle, e.g. switched on when the container body is lifted up.

The weighing device may be configured to automatically switch off after a predetermined period of time.

Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that the second member 106 is connected to the base members 104 and so is indirectly fixed to the container body 101. The second member 106 may be connected to the base members 104 by any suitable means, e.g. a slidable or flexible sleeve 201. Fitted within the second member is a strain gauge member 202 connected to the main body container 101 (typically indirectly by the first handle member 104) and the second handle member 106. The strain gauge member is in communication with a load cell processor 204, which can include a power source, such as battery 205. In alternative embodiments a different power source may be provided, e.g. a solar cell or a dynamo/inverter connected to wheels of a trolley-type suitcase. The load cell processor is also connected to a display device 206 located on the second member 106 of the handle in the example, but it will be understood that it could be located elsewhere on the suitcase.

The strain gauge member 202 is configured so that when the suitcase is lifted by a user picking up the second member 106 of the handle, it deforms and a corresponding electrical signal is received by the load cell processor 204. The processor converts the signal into an indication of the weight of the container body 101 and any contents, and this is displayed as a numerical value on the display 206. The weight value may be shown in any suitable units, e.g. kilograms, pounds, and may be user-selectable. In some embodiments, the weighing device may be configured to store at least one weight limit, e.g. an airline/carrier or postal weight limit, and provide a visual and/or audible indication if the measured weight exceeds that limit. The processor of the weighing device may be configured allow the user to program at least one weight limit, e.g. using control buttons (not shown) or the like, and may also be capable of selectively displaying the programmed limit(s) for information. The display device can be based on LCD, LED or any other suitable display technology. The display need not be numerical; for instance, a "traffic light" type colour display could be used to indicate whether the weight is below, near or over a specified weight limit. In an alternative embodiment, the strain gauge and/or processor may transfer a signal (preferably wirelessly) relating to the weight measurement to a remote device, such as a computer located on an airline check-in unit, where it is processed and/or displayed. This can allow the luggage weight to be automatically processed at a manned or un-manned check-in unit, and can reduce the need for manual data entry.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the weighing device can be varied. For instance, strain gauge members can be provided at both ends of the handle member 106, both in communication with the processor. The handle may take a different form so that there is only one point of connection between it and the main container body, or there may be several more components linking the handle and the container body. One or more straps or extendable handles, e.g. single or double telescopic handles, may be used. Further, the weighing device may have its own dedicated handle that is separate to the main handle(s) normally used to carry the luggage item.

The load cell can be of any suitable type (e.g. beam, digital electromotive force, diaphragm/membrane, etc) and may produce a signal based on any suitable electrical property (e.g. resistive, piezoelectric, analogue or digital, etc).

The load cell and associated components may be integrated onto a semiconductor circuit. The weighing device need not be entirely fitted on a handle member of the luggage item, e.g. the display at least could be located on the container body 101 or elsewhere. In alternative embodiments, a handle component with an integral weighing device may be provided for being fitted onto luggage items, either during manufacture, or for replacing an existing handle member on a luggage item. In yet another embodiment, one or more weighing device could be located in one or more foot or wheel member of the luggage item, with the weighing device(s) transferring signals to the processor 204/display 206, which can be located remotely, e.g. on/adjacent the handle, or on an upwards-facing surface of the luggage.

Embodiments of the device described herein are lightweight and easy to manufacture. They can provide the benefit of providing an accurate indication of the weight of the luggage item at any time without a separate weighing device.

This can allow users to check that their luggage meets airline weight restrictions prior to arriving at the airport, or at any convenient time.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A luggage item (100) including: a container body (101), and a device (202, 204) adapted to, in use, provide an indication of a weight of the container body and any said item contained therein, wherein the device is fixed to or on the luggage item.
2. A luggage item according to claim 1, including a handle member (104, 106), wherein the device (202, 204) is at least partially mounted on the handle member.
3. A luggage item according to claim 2, wherein the device includes a load cell (204) having a strain gauge (202) directly or indirectly connected to the handle member (106) and the container body (101).
4. A luggage item according to claim 3, wherein the handle member comprises at least one first member (1 04A) fixed to the container body (101) and a second member (106) connected to the first member, in use, a user picking up the luggage item by means of the second member.
5. A luggage item according to claim 4, wherein the strain gauge (202) is connected to the first member (104) and the second member (106).
6. A luggage item according to any one claims 1 to 5, wherein the device includes a visual display (206) for displaying the weight indication.
7. A luggage item according to claim 6, when the visual display is located on the handle member (106).
8. A luggage item according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the visual display (206) comprises an LCD or LED.
9. A luggage item according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (202, 204) comprises a semiconductor-based load cell.
10. A luggage item according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further includes a switch (108) for switching the device (202, 204) on and/or off.
11. A luggage item according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (202, 204) is configured to automatically switch off after a predetermined period of time.
12. A luggage item according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (202, 204) is configured to store at least one weight limit, and to provide a visual and/or audible indication if the measured weight exceeds a said limit.
13. A luggage item according to claim 12, wherein the at least one weight limit is user-programmable.
14. A luggage item according to claim 13, wherein the device (202, 204) is configured to selectively display the at least one weight limit.
15. A luggage item according to claim 10, wherein the switch (108) is activated by movement of a handle member (104, 106) of the item.
16. A luggage item according to claim 1, including a visual display (206) having different elements/portions for indicating whether the weight is below, near or over a specified weight limit.
17. A luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the device (202, 204) transfers a signal relating to the weight to a remote device, such as a computer located at an airline check-in unit.
18. A luggage item according to claim 1, wherein one or more said weighing device (202, 204) is located in one or more foot or wheel member of the luggage item.
19. A luggage item (100) having an integral weighing device (202, 204).
20. A handle component (104, 106) configured to be fixed to container body (101) of a luggage item (100), the handle component including a device (202, 204) adapted to provide an indication of a weight of the luggage item and any item(s) contained therein.
21. A luggage item substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.