GB2502916A

GB2502916A - Weighing handle for luggage and luggage item with integrated weighing handle

Info

Publication number: GB2502916A
Application number: GB1315199.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ravi Bhogal
Original assignee: TCC GLOBAL
Current assignee: TCC GLOBAL
Priority date: 2013-08-23
Filing date: 2013-08-23
Publication date: 2013-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-23
Also published as: WO2015040356A3; GB201315199D0; GB201321878D0; GB2502916B; WO2015040356A2

Abstract

Handle assembly 100 for luggage comprising a base for fixing to luggage, a weighing handle 120 and a carrying handle. A load cell and a display 126 are mounted in the weighing handle. Elongated flexible element 160 attaches at one of its ends to the load cell whilst the second end passes through an opening in the base for attachment to an anchor point relative to the base. In operation when the weighing handle moves from a position adjacent the base to a position spaced from the base, the flexible-element 160 is tensioned and the load cell provides an output to the display corresponding to the tension. The anchor point may be a spool, which may be base mounted. The flexible-element, which may be a strap or cord, may be routed through the base interior over a series of fixed points, which may be rollers or pins; a coiled spring may be used to restore the flexible-element to a coiled state. Also disclosed is a base mounted carrying handle for fixing to luggage, where a display mounted in a sloping surface of the base displays weight in response to an output from a load cell mounted in the carrying handle.

Description

WEIGHING HANDLE FOR LUGGAGE AND LUGGAGE ITEM WITH

INTEGRATED WEIGHING HANDLE

The present invention relates to handles for luggage and, in particular, to handles that enable the weight of the luggage to be determined. The invention also relates to items of luggage having an integrated weighing handle.

Most airlines place limits on the weight of luggage that passengers are allowed to take on board an aircraft, most especially luggage that will be stored in the aircraft hold. Some airlines also place restrictions on hand luggage that passengers take in to the cabin with them, though hand luggage restrictions mostly relate to the size of the hand luggage rather than its weight. Nevertheless, it can be useful for passengers to know the weight of hand luggage as well as the weight of luggage that will be conveyed in the aircraft hold.

Many airlines have weighing scales at the check-in desks, but it is inconvenient for a passenger to find out at the check-in stage that his luggage exceeds the permitted weight. In these circumstances, the passenger is faced with the choice of removing something from his luggage and leaving it behind, or paying the supplemental fees that are applied to overweight luggage. In either event, this is inconvenient not only for the passenger concerned, but also for other passengers whose check-in procedure is delayed as a result.

Of course, for the outward leg of a journey starting from his own home, the passenger can use a conventional weighing device such as a bathroom scale to weigh his luggage before he sets off for the airport. However, for the return leg of the journey, the passenger may not have access to a bathroom scale and, if the contents of his luggage for the return leg of the journey are different, the luggage needs to be weighed again.

Another possible complication is that a long journey or extended trip may involve carriage by a number of different airlines, each of which may have its own specific weight restrictions for a passenger's luggage.

It would therefore be useful for an airline passenger to be able to determine the weight of his luggage before arrival at the airport for check-in.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a handle assembly for luggage, the handle assembly comprising: a carrying handle having base means adapted to be affixed to an item of luggage; a weighing handle; a load cell in the weighing handle; an elongate flexible element connected at a first end to saidload cell and connected at a second end to an anchor point associated with the base means, and a display in the weighing handle, the display being operatively connected to the load cell for displaying the weight of the item of luggage detected by said load cell; wherein the weighing handle is movable between a retracted position adjacent said base means to an extended position remote from said base means upon the lifting of the item of luggage by said weighing handle.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a handle assembly for luggage, the handle assembly comprising: a carrying handle having base means adapted to be affixed to an item of luggage; a load cell in the handle, and a display operatively connected to the load cell for displaying the weight of an item of luggage; wherein 1 5 the base means has a sloping surface and the display is mounted in the sloping surface.

In a third aspect, the invention provides an item of luggage having a handle assembly as described above.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and without limitation by reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a user holding an extendable weighing handle integrated into a suitcase carrying handle in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the handle of the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handle of the first embodiment of the invention mounted on the top wall of a suitcase and showing the extendable weighing handle in its retracted position; Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the can-ying handle of the first embodiment of the invention mounted on the top wall of a suitcase; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an extendable weighing handle integrated into a suitcase carrying handle in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention showing the extendable weighing handle its extended position; Figure 6 is another perspective view of the extendable weighing handle integrated into a suitcase carrying handle in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention showing the extendable weighing handle and its retracted position; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a user holding a weighing handle of a suitcase in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is an exploded view of the handle of the third embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the handle in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention mounted on the top wall of a suitcase, and Figure 10 is a sectional side view of the carrying handle of the third embodiment of the invention mounted on the top wall of a suitcase.

First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 1 is a is a perspective view of a suitcase 20 having an extendable weighing handle 120 integrated into the suitcase carrying handle 100 mounted on a top wall 21 of the suitcase. The weighing handle 120 is extendable from a retracted position to an extended position on a webbing strap 160 which, in the retracted position, is coiled up inside a housing mounted inside the suitcase 20. The weighing handle 120 has a display 126 disposed at one of its ends. A user lOis shown in dotted outline holding the extendable weighing handle 120 and, as will be explained in more detail below, the user 10 is able to view the display 126 easily whilst holding the weighing handlc 120 because of the orientation of the display.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the carrying handle 100 and weighing handle assembly. The carrying handle 100 comprises a substantially C-shaped semi rigid handle main body which may be formed, for example, of polypropylene over a metal core. At each of its ends, the carrying handle main body 101 has an inwardly-directed axle 102. The axles 102 are configured to be joumalled in inverted U-shaped slots Ill provided at each end of a handle base unit 110. This arrangement enables the carrying handle 100 to lie flat against the suitcase top wall 21 when the suitcase 20is not being carried or moved along by the handle, and enables access to the weighing handle 120 which is mounted in an upper surface of the base unit 110 as will be explained in more detail below.

The handle base unit 110 has a concave depression 112 in its upper surface.

Each of the long sides of the concave depression 112 has a cutaway portion 113 for facilitating finger access to the weighing handle 120 and enabling it to be grasped when it is seated in the concave depression 112. In the centre of the concave depression 112 there is a transverse through-hole 114 through which the webbing strap 160 (not shown in Figure 2) passes when the weighing handle 120 is in its extended state. On its interior, the base unit 110 has a series of four protrusions 115 (only one shown) moulded on the surface of the internal wall of the base unit. Each protrusion has a threaded hole for receiving a threaded fastener by means of which a base unit cover 116 is mounted to the base unit 110.

The base unit cover 116 is a substantially flat plate having a transverse through-hole 117 that sits beneath the transverse through-hole 114 of the base unit and through which the webbing strap 160 passes when the weighing handle 120 is in its extended state. In the vicinity of each of its corners, the base unit cover 116 has a small through-hole 11 8 for receiving the shank of a threaded fastener (not shown) threadedly receivable in the respective threaded holes of the protrusions 11 5 of the base unit 110 for mounting the base unit cover 116 to the base unit 110.

lnboard of the small through holes 11 8 there is a larger through-hole 119 for attaching the handle assembly to the top wall 21 of the suitcase 20, as will be described in detail below.

The extendable weighing handle 120 comprises a top shell 121 and a bottom shell 122 formed of polypropylene that are snapped fitted together in the final assembly using the flexible properties of the polypropylene parts.

The top shell 121 incorporates the display 126 where the weight of the suitcase is shown. The display 126 is positioned at one end of the top shell 121 on a sloping surface 127 that orients the display towards the eyeline of a user so that it can be easily seen by the user when the weighing handle 120 is being grasped for weighing the suitcase 20. The upper surface of the top shell also includes an on/off push button 128 that is operable to switch the display 126 on when the weighing handle 120 is to be used for weighing the suitcase 20 and for switching the display 126 off when the weighing handle is not in use.

The bottom shell 122 includes a load cell seat 123 moulded to the interior bottom surface of the bottom shell. There is a through-hole in the bottom surface of the bottom shell 122 for receiving a spigot 131 of a tension bar 130. The spigot 131 is attached to a load cell 125 mounted on the load cell seat 123. On its underside, the bottom shell 122 has a tension bar inlet shroud 124 for receiving the upper body 132 of the tension bar 130.

The transverse through-hole 114 in the concave depression 112 of the base unit 110 is dimensioned to receive the tension bar inlet shroud 124 when the weighing handle 1 20 is in its retracted position. Similarly, the transverse through-hole 117 in the base unit cover 116 is dimensioned to receive the tension bar 130 when the weighing handle 120 is in its retracted position.

The weighing handle assembly also includes a webbing housing 140 adapted to be mounted inside the suitcase 20. The webbing housing 140 comprises a webbing housing first half 141 and a webbing housing second-half 142.

The webbing housing first half 141 has a spindle projecting from the interior surface of its end wall in a direction towards the end wall of the webbing housing second-half 142. The spindle 143 is for mounting a coil spring housing 170 described in more detail below. On the interior surface of the top wall of the webbing housing first half 141 there is provided a pair of protrusions 145 (only one shown) each of which has a threaded hole 146 for receiving a threaded fastener (not shown) by means of which the webbing housing first and second halves are connected to each other.

The webbing housing second-half 142 has a pair of through-holes 148 that are aligned with the threaded holes 146 in the protrusions 145 of the webbing housing first half 141. The through holes 148 are dimensioned to receive the shanks of the threaded fasteners.

The top wall of the first and second webbing housing halves is provided with a notch 144 which forms a shoulder on which the bottom surface of the tension bar 130 abuts with the weighing handle 120 is in its retracted state. Inboard of the notches 144, each of the first and second webbing housing halves has a slot 145. The slots together form a transverse through-hole through which the webbing strap 160 passes.

The top wall of the first and second webbing housing halves forms a pair of flanges 149, each of which has a through-hole 150 for receiving a threaded fastener (not shown) by means of which the first and second webbing housing halves are attached to the underside of the top wall 21 of the suitcase 20.

The coil spring housing 1 70 accommodates a coiled flat metal spring that imparts an urging force to the webbing strap 160 to return the extending weighing handle 120 to its retracted state afler use. The coil spring housing has a transversely extending retention pin 171 onto which a first end loop 161 of the webbing strap 160 is slidable to secure the webbing strap 160 to the coil spring housing 170.

The tension bar 130 has a narrow upper body 132 and a wide lower body 133.

The wide lower body 133 has a transverse through-hole 132 of a width dimensioned to accommodate the webbing strap 1 60. Below the transverse through-hole 132, the lower body 133 forms a retention bar 135 to which the webbing strap 160 is secured in the following way. The free end of the webbing strap 160 is passed through the through-hole 134 and then folded back on itself to form a second end loop 162. The free end of the webbing strap 160 is stitched at 163 where the webbing strap overlaps itself.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the carrying handle 100 in an upright position with the handle base unit 110 mounted on the top wall 21 of a suitcase 20. In this view, the extendable weighing handle 120 is shown in its retracted position. The dispiay 126 on the sloping surface 127 is not easily viewable when the handle is in the upright position but, as seen in Figure 1, the sloping surface 127 facilitates viewing of the display 126 when the extendable weighing handle 120 is grasped and when the carrying handle 100 is lying flat relative to the top surface 21 of the suitcase 20. Figure 3 also shows one of the cutaway portions 113 and how the extendable weighing handle 120 is made accessible to the user's fingers by these cutaway portions.

Figure 4 is a sectional side view showing the carrying handle 100 mounted on the top wall 21 of a suitcase. The carrying handle 100 is shown in an upright position, in which position the extendable weighing handle 120 would normally be seated in the concave depression 112. However, the extendable weighing handle 120 has been omitted from Figure 4 for reasons of clarity.

In the centre of the concave depression 112 is the transverse through-hole 114 and extending to the left and right of the through-hole 114 is the cutaway portion 113 that facilitates access of the user's fingers to the extendable weighing handle (not shown) when it is seated in the concave depression 112.

S The axles 102 at the ends of the handle main body 101 are held in the inverted U-shaped slots 111 at the ends of the base unit 110 and are retained in the slots by flanges 103.

The base unit cover 116 is attached to the handle base unit 110 by threaded fasteners 192, shown in dotted outline in this view, which pass upwardly through the small through holes 118 at either end of the base unit cover 116 and are threadedly engaged with the internal screw threads at the base of the protrusions 115.

Depending from the underside of the concave depression 112 are two posts that protrude through the larger through holes 119 in the base unit cover 116. The posts 180 have an internal screw thread 181 and the handle base unit 110 is affixed to 1 5 the top wall 21 of the suitcase by threaded fasteners 190 screwed into the screw threads 181 from the underside of the top wall 21 of the suitcase.

The webbing housing 140 is shown in dotted outline beneath the top wall 21 of the suitcase to show how it is offset relative to the centre axis of the handle 100, with the notch 144 positioned below the transverse through-hole 114 formed in the bottom of the concave depression 112. Although not shown in this view, the webbing housing 140 is affixed to the underside of the suitcase top wall 21 and may be enclosed in a housing or shroud that also encloses the heads of the threaded fasteners to prevent the contents of the suitcase from fouling those handle components that are inside the suitcase.

When it is desired to weigh the suitcase 20, the user 10 moves the carrying handle 100 so that it is lying down, presses the push button 128 to switch on the weighing flmction and then grasps the extendable weighing handle 120 to lift the suitcase by the weighing handle instead of the carrying handle. Firstly, the weighing handle 120 moves out of the concave depression 112, against the restoring force of the flat metal spring (not shown) that acts to keep the webbing strap coiled up, as the webbing strap 160 is initially deployed. During this first stage, the suitcase remains on the ground. When the webbing strap 160 is fully deployed to its maximum extension, raising the weighing handle 120 iuirther lifts the suitcase from the ground and the weight of the suitcase is transmitted to the load cell 125 through the tension bar 130. The tension bar 130 is attached at its upper end to the load cell 125 via spigot 131 and is attached at its lower end to the webbing strap second end loop 162 via its retention bar 135.

The weight of the suitcase is displayed in the display 126 which is powered by a battery (not shown).

After the weight of the suitcase has been noted, the user lowers the suitcase to the ground and the webbing strap 160 then rewinds itself around the coil spring housing 170 as the coiled flat metal spring (not shown) exerts its restoring force.

When the weighing handle 120 is returned to the concave depression 112, the push button 128 is operated again to switch off the weighing function. Alternatively, the weighing function may operate on a timed circuit that automatically switches off the weighing function after a predetermined period of time in order to save battery life.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

The second embodiment is similar in construction to the first embodiment except for the structure of the handle base unit 210 and the maimer in which the webbing strap 160 is coiled up when the weighing handle 120 is in its retracted position. Accordingly, the same reference numerals have been assigned to the features of the second embodiment which are common with features of the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an extendable weighing handle 120 integrated with a suitcase carrying handle 100 with the extendable weighing handle in a partly deployed position. The carrying handle in this view is shown with the handle main body 110 in a lying position so that the weighing handle 120 can be deployed.

Figure 6 is also a perspective view of the extendable weighing handle 120 but shown in its retracted position As in the first embodiment, the weighing handle 120 comprises a top shell 121 and a bottom shell 122 formed of polypropylene that are clipped together in the final assembly using the resiliency of the polypropylene parts. The iop shell 121 incorporates the display 126 where the weight of the suitcase is displayed. The display 126 is positioned at one end of the top shell 121 on a sloping surface 127 that orients the display towards the eyeline of a user so that it can be easily seen by the user when the weighing handle 120 is being grasped for weighing the suitcase 20.

The upper surface of the top shell also includes an on/off push button 128 that is operable to switch on the display 126 when the weighing handle 120 is to be used for weighing the suitcase 20 and for switching off the display 126 when the weighing handle is not in use. On its underside, the bottom shell 122 has a tension bar inlet shroud 124 for receiving the upper body of a tension bar 130.

The tension bar 130 is conneted at its upper end to a load cell (not shown) accommodated inside the top and bottom shells of the weighing handle 120. At its lower end, the tension bar 130 is connected to the webbing strap 160 which is looped over a lower portion of the tension bar as in the first embodiment described above.

The webbing strap 160 is stitched at 163 where the webbing strap overlaps itself The handle base unit 21 0 has a concave depression 212 in its upper surface.

Each of the long sides of the concave depression 212 has a cutaway portion 213 for facilitating finger access to the weighing handle 120 and enabling it to be grasped when it is seated in the concave depression 212 (Figure 6). In the centre of the concave depression 212 there is a transverse through-hole 114 through which the webbing strap 160 passes.

Unlike the first embodiment, there is no webbing housing inside the suitcase for storing the webbing strap 160 in its coiled up state. Instead, the webbing strap 160 in its coiled up state is stored inside the handle base unit 210 which is therefore taller than the handle base unit 110 of the first embodiment in order to accommodate the coiled up webbing strap 160.

As shown in dotted outline in Figures 5 and 6, the handle base unit 210 has mounted therein a series of rollers 21 9a-d for guiding the webbing strap in a path through the handle base unit 210. A first roller 219a is positioned beneath the transverse through-hole 214 and the webbing strap 160 passes under this roller and is guided to one end (the right-hand as depicted in Figures 5 and 6) of the handle base unit 210 where it passes over a second roller 219b. Then the webbing strap 160 is guided downwardly towards the bottom of the handle base unit 210 where it passes around a third roller 21 9c. From the third roller 21 9c, the webbing strap 160 is guided along the bottom of the handle base unit 210 to its other end (the left-hand end as depicted in Figures 5 and 6), and then around a fourth roller 219d. As best seen in Figure 6, the webbing strap 160 is coiled up in the space between the first roller 21 9a and the fourth roller 219d.

As in the first embodiment, the webbing strap 160 is actually coiled up by winding it around the outside of a coiled spring housing that accommodates a coiled flat metal spring that imparts an urging force to the webbing strap 1.60 to return the extending weighing handle 120 to its retracted state after use. The spring housing and the coiled flat metal spring are omitted from Figures 5 and 6 for clarity.

When it is desired to weigh the suitcase, the user moves the carrying handle 100 so that it is lying down, presses the push button 128 to switch on the weighing function and then grasps the extendable weighing handle 120 to lift the suitcase by the weighing handle instead of by the carrying handle. Firstly, the weighing handle moves out of the concave depression 212, against the restoring force of the flat metal spring (not shown) that acts to keep the webbing strap coiled up, as the webbing strap 160 is initially deployed. During this first stage, the suitcase remains on the ground. When the webbing strap 160 is fully deployed to its maximum extension, raising the weighing handle 120 still further lifts the suitcase from the ground and the weight of the suitcase is transmitted to the load cell inside the weighing handle via the tension bar 130. The tension bar 130 is attached at its upper end to the load cell and attached at its lower end to the webbing strap 1 60.

After the weight of the suitcase has been noted, the user lowers the suitcase to the ground and the webbing strap 160 is then withdrawn into the handle base unit 210 by the restoring force of the coiled flat metal spring (not shown). When the weighing handle 120 is returned to the concave depression 212, the push button 128 is operated again to switch off the weighing function. Alternatively, the weighing function may operate on a timed circuit that automatically switches off the weighing function after a predetermined period of time in order to save battery life.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a user's hand 11 holding an integrated carrying and weighing handle 300 in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention mounted on the top wall 21 of a suitcase 20. There is no extendable weighing handle in this embodiment because the weighing function is integrated into the carrying handle, as will be described below. The user 10 is able to view a display 326 easily when his hand 11 is grasping the handle because of the orientation of the display.

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the integrated carrying and weighing handle 300 of the third embodiment. The handle 300 comprises a substantially C-shaped semi rigid handle main body 301 which may be formed, for example, of polypropylene over a metal core. At each of its ends, the carrying handle main body 301 has an inwardly-directed axle 302, 304. The axles 302 and 304 are configured to be journalled in inverted U-shaped slots 311 provided at each end of a handle base unit 310. This arrangement enables the handle 300 to lie flat against the suitcase top wall 21 when the suitcase 20 is not being carried or moved along by the handle.

The handle base unit 310 has a sloping top surface 3 17 having a push button mounting hole 312 and a display mounting hole 313 formed therein. The push button mounting hole 312 is dimensioned to receive a push button 327 which is operable by a user to switch the weighing function on and off, as will be described below. The display mounting hole 313 is dimensioned to receive a clear plastic cover 328 covering the weight display unit 326. The push button 327 and the cover 328 are mountable in the push button hole 312 and the display hole 313, respectively, from inside the base unit 310, i.e., from the underside of the sloping top surface 317.

On its interior, the base unit 310 has a series of four protrusions 315 (only one shown) moulded on the surface of the internal wall of the base unit. Each protrusion has a threaded hole for receiving a threaded fastener by means of which a base unit cover 316 is mounted to the base unit 310.

The base unit cover 316 is a substantially flat plate having a small through-hole 318 in the vicinity of each of its corners for receiving the shank of a threaded fastener (not shown) threadedly receivable in the respective threaded holes of the protrusions 315 of the base unit 310 for mounting the base unit cover 316 to the base unit 310. Inboard of the small through holes 318, the base unit cover 316 has a pair of larger through-holes 319 for attaching the handle assembly to the top wall 21 of the suitcase 20, as will be described in detail below.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the integrated carrying and weighing handle 300 in its filly assembled form mounted on the top wall 21 of a suitcase 20. Tn this view, without the user's hand, it is easier to see the handle main body 301 in its upright position and the display 326 next to the push button 327 mounted in the sloping top surface 317 of the handle base unit 310.

Figure 10 is a sectional side view of the integrated carrying and weighing handle 300 shown mounted to the top wall 21 of a suitcase. The handle main body 301 is shown in an upright position with the axles 302 and 304 at the ends of the handle main body 301 being held in the inverted U-shaped slots 311 at the ends of the base unit 310 by respective flanges 303 and 305. The left-hand axle 304 differs from the right-hand axle 302 in having a passage 306 through the centre of the axle. This passage is for routing electrical wiring from a load cell 325 (shown in dotted outline in the underside of the grip portion of the handle main body 301) to the display 326.

The electrical wiring has been omitted from this view for clarity. The plastic of the handle main body 301 in the region beneath the load cell is relatively soft and is able to yield slightly so that the fingers of a user grasping the handle are able to transmit the load to the enclosed load cell 325.

The push button mounting hole 312 and the display mounting hole 313 are shown partly cutaway in this sectional view because the section intersects the sloping surface 317 of the base unit 310. Protrusions 315 formed on the rear wall of the base unit 310 have internally threaded holes into which threaded fasteners 320 (shown in dotted outline) are receivable for attaching the base unit cover 316 to the base unit 310.

The handle assembly 300 is attached to the suitcase top wall 21 by bolts 321 inserted through larger through-holes 319 in the base unit cover 316 and through the top wall 21 of the suitcase. Nuts 322 are threaded onto the ends of the bolts 321 from the interior of the suitcase.

When it is desired to weigh the suitcase 20, the user 10 presses the push button 327 to switch on the weighing function and then grasps the handle main body 301 to lift the suitcase. As indicated above, the plastic of the handle main body 301 in the region beneath the load cell is relatively soft and yields slightly to transmit the load through the user's fingers to the enclosed load cell 325.

The weight of the suitcase is displayed in the display 326, which is powered by a battery (not shown). Because the display 326 is mounted on the sloping surface 317 of the handle base unit 310, the user lOis easily able to read the display 326 even when his hand 11 is grasping the handle After the weight of the suitcase has been noted, the user lowers the suitcase to the ground and presses the push button 327 again to switch off the weighing function.

Alternatively, the weighing function may operate on a timed circuit that automatically switches off the weighing function after a predetermined period of time in order to save battery life.

Although the invention has been particularly described above with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to thosc embodiments or the particular combinations of features described.

For example, in the description of the first embodiment, the extendable weighing handle is deployed on a webbing strap which is able to be coiled up and therefore neatly retracts into the webbing housing mounted to the suitcase interior. In practice, any flexible element that enables extension and retraction of the weighing handle could be used in place of the webbing strap, such as a wire, a cord, a tension spring or an elastic member. Similarly, the webbing strap of the second embodiment, which is able to be coiled up and neatly retracted into the handle base unit instead of into a webbing housing mounted to the suitcase interior, could be replaced by any flexible element such as a wire, a cord, a tension spring or an elastic member that enables extension and retraction of the weighing handle.

Also, in the description of the first embodiment, the handle assembly is affixed to the top wall of the suitcase by means of threaded bolts 190 that pass from the suitcase interior and that are threadedly engaged with the internal screw threads 181 of the posts 180 depending from the underside of the concave depression 112.

The invention is not limited to this method of attachment of the handle assembly to a luggage item. For example, as an alternative, the handle assembly could be affixed to a luggage item by rivets.

Similarly, in the description of the third embodiment, the integrated carrying and weighing handle assembly is affixed to the top wall of the suitcase by means of bolts 321 inserted through larger through-holes 319 in the base unit cover 316 and through the top wall 21 of the suitcase, with nuts 322 threaded onto the ends of the 3 bolts 321 from the interior of the suitcase. The invention is not limited to this method of attachment of the integrated carrying and weighing handle assembly to a luggage item. For example, as an alternative, the integrated carrying and weighing handle assembly could be affixed to a luggage item by rivets. In yet another alternative fixing arrangement, the underside of the sloping surface 31 7 of the handle base unit 310 may be provided with a pair of downwardly depending projections that project through the larger through-holes 319 in the base unit cover 316. Such projections may be internally screw threaded to receive threaded bolts from the inside of the suitcase for affixing the handle to the suitcase.

The method of affixing the handles of the present invention to luggage items is not material to the weighing function of the handles. Therefore, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that any practical method of affixing handles to luggage could be used without detriment to the weighing function.

In the description of the second embodiment, the webbing strap 160 is routed through the handle base unit 210 over a series of rollers 2l9a-d. In an alternative construction, the rollers may be replaced with fixed low-friction pins around which the webbing strap is routed.

In the description of the third embodiment, the plastic of the handle main body 301 in the region beneath the load cell is described as relatively soft so that it is able to yield slightly to transmit the weight of the suitcase through the user's fingers to the enclosed load cell 325. As an alternative, the handle main body could be provided with a recess into which is inserted a separate handle moulding containing the load cell, with slight movement permitted between the two parts to transmit the weight of the suitcase to the load cell when the handle is grasped.

The display may be powered by a rechargeable battery and a charging port may be provided in the handle to facilitate charging. Alternatively, the display may be powered by photovoltaic cells and there may be a photovoltaic panel incorporated into a part of the handle that is not covered by a user's hand when a weighing operation is being performed, or a photovoltaic panel may be incorporated into the luggage item and operatively connected to the display.

Other variants and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

The scope of the invention is therefore to be determined by the appended claims rather than by the description of particular embodiments.

Advantages of the invention The invention has the following advantages over known systems for weighing items of luggage: * because the extending weighing handle is only extended when the item of luggage is being weighed and is stowed away in a retracted position at other times, it is discreet and unobtrusive; * because the extending weighing handle has its display disposed on a sloping surface that orients the display towards the eyeline of a user, it is intuitive for 1 5 the user to grasp the extending weighing handle in the correct orientation for the user to be able to read the display; * because the integrated carrying and weighing handle has essentially the same outline as an ordinary carrying handle, it is discreet and unobtrusive; * because the integrated carrying and weighing handle has its display disposed on a sloping surface that orients the display towards the eyeline of a user, it is intuitive for the user to grasp the handle in the correct orientation for the user to be able to read the display.

Claims

Claims 1. A handle assembly for luggage, comprising: base means adapted to be fixed to an item of luggage; a carrying handle mounted to the base means; a weighing handle; a load cell mounted to the weighing handle; a display in the weighing handle, said display being operable to display a weight in response to an output by the load cell; and an elongate flexible element attached at one of its ends to the load cell and extending through an opening in the base means, and having its other end attached to an anchor point fixed relative to the base means; wherein the load cell is operable to provide an output corresponding to a tension in the elongate flexible element, and wherein the weighing handle is movable between: (a) a first position adjacent the base means; and (b) a second position in which the weighing handle is spaced from the base means, the elongate flexible element is tensioned, and the load cell provides an output to the display corresponding to the tension in the elongate flexible element.
2. A handle assembly as claimed in claim I wherein the base means has a depression for receiving the weighing handle in said first position.
3. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the base means has cutaway sides for enabling the weighing handle to be grasped when in said first position.
4. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said anchor point is a spool.
5. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spool is mounted in the base means.
6. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the elongate flexible element is routed through the interior of said base means by passage over a series of fixed points.
7. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fixed points are rollers or pins.
8. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spool is mounted in a housing adapted to be fixed to the interior of the item of luggage.
9. A handle assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 further comprising a coiled spring for restoring the elongate flexible element to a coiled state after the weighing handle has been extended.
10. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongate flexible element is a strap or a cord.
II. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the carrying handle is pivotally mounted to the base means
12. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the display is mounted on a sloping surface at one end of the weighing handle.
13. A handle assembly for luggage, comprising: base means adapted to be fixed to an item of luggage; a carrying handle mounted to the base means; a load cell mounted to the carrying handle, the load cell being operable to provide an output corresponding to an applied load transmitted to the load cell through the carrying handle, and a display mounted to the base means, said display being operable to display a weight in response to an output by the load cell; wherein the base means has a sloping surface and the display is mounted in the sloping surface.
14. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the carrying handle is pivotally mounted to the base means.
15. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the carrying handle is pivotally mounted to the base means by means of axles journalled to the base means and wherein one of the axles includes a passage for routing electrical connection means between the load cell and the display.
16. An item of luggage having a handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim.
17. A handle assembly for luggage as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 4 or with reference to either one of Figures 5 and 6.
18. A handle assembly for luggage as claimed in claim 13 and substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 7 to 10.
19. An item of luggage as claimed in claim 16 and substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 4 or with reference to either one of Figures 5 and 6 or with reference to any one of Figures 7 to 10.