Handheld dual input totalizing scale

a dual-input, totalizing scale technology, applied in the field of luggage, can solve the problems of clumsy and difficult process of placing luggage bags on a typical home scale, difficult to place luggage bags on a home scale, and even greater inconvenience and expens

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-07-19
TFB GLOBAL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a way for airline passengers to check the weight of their baggage before it is rejected or additional fees are added at the airport. The invention is a scale that has two attachment points, and can show the relative or total force applied to those points. This helps to ensure that passengers are aware of the weight of their baggage and can make informed decisions when packing it."

Problems solved by technology

In addition to the inconvenience experienced by the traveler and the additional fees, the traveler may have to miss a scheduled flight and as a result suffer even greater inconvenience and expense.
Placing luggage bags on a typical home scale, such as a bathroom scale, is a clumsy and difficult process.
It is also difficult to place luggage on a home scale and to keep it steady without holding it and thereby affecting the weight measurement.

Method used

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  • Handheld dual input totalizing scale
  • Handheld dual input totalizing scale
  • Handheld dual input totalizing scale

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

second embodiment

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates a handle. The handle is coupled to a body portion of a suitcase, for example the handle comprises a handle shell (300). Within the shell is a mechanism (301, 302, 303) coupled to the body portion. Each attachment point (301a, 301b) moves independently causing an indicator (305) to move a distance proportionate to the weight suspended by the mechanism and causing a scale (306) adjacent to the indicator to move a distance proportionate to the weight suspended. In abstract, a device used to weigh items at two attachment points where the item being weighed has a variable center of gravity, which include a handle 300 and two attaching points 301a and 301b. Enclosed within the handle is a pair of cams 302 and followers 303 whereby the vertical force applied to the attachment points 301a and 301b is converted to a lateral force and movement of the cam followers 303a and 303b. Variations in weight attached and suspended at attachment points 301a and 301b result in a...

third embodiment

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates a handle. The handle is coupled to a body portion of a suitcase, for example the handle comprises a shell (400); within the shell is a mechanism (401,402, 403, 404) coupled to the body portion; where each attachment point moves independently; causing pressure to be transferred by a link(s) (405a &405b) and a transducer (408) sends a relative signal to a microprocessor (407). The microprocessor provides an indication of the totalized weight on a LCD (406). In abstract, a device used to weigh items at two attachment points where the item being weighed has a variable center of gravity, which include a handle 400 and two attaching points 401a and 401b. Enclosed within the handle is a pair of cams 402 and followers 403a and 403b whereby the vertical force applied to the attachment points 401a and 401b is converted to a lateral force and movement of the cam followers 403a and 403b. Variations in weight attached and suspended at attachment points 401a and 401b resu...

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Abstract

The present invention provides airline travelers with a method of determining baggage weight compliance while traveling, prior to having baggage rejected or additional fees assessed at the baggage check counter at the airport. In a first aspect, a scale is disclosed that comprises first and second attachment points, wherein the scale indicates a relative force applied to the attachment points. In a second aspect, a scale is disclosed which comprises two independent attachment points wherein the scale can display the total force applied to the attachment points.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional patent application No. 60 / 759,756, filed Jan. 17, 2006.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to luggage and more specifically to the weighing of luggage.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Often at airports and other such locations there is a weight limit for each piece of luggage. If one or more pieces of a customer's luggage exceed this weight limit, then additional fees are assessed. Also, the traveler must then either find a way to reduce the weight and contents of the luggage or pay for an additional piece of luggage. In addition to the inconvenience experienced by the traveler and the additional fees, the traveler may have to miss a scheduled flight and as a result suffer even greater inconvenience and expense.[0004]Placing luggage bags on a typical home scale, such as a bathroom scale, is a clumsy and difficult process. Oftentimes the ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G01G19/56
CPCG01G19/58
InventorLEWIS, JOHN J.
OwnerTFB GLOBAL