U.S. patent application number 11/855965 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for scale which indicates a relative force applied between two attachment points.
This patent application is currently assigned to TFB GLOBAL, LLC. Invention is credited to John J. Lewis.
Application Number | 20080006449 11/855965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38262094 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080006449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lewis; John J. |
January 10, 2008 |
SCALE WHICH INDICATES A RELATIVE FORCE APPLIED BETWEEN TWO
ATTACHMENT POINTS
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.
Inventors: |
Lewis; John J.; (San Jose,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAWYER LAW GROUP LLP
P O BOX 51418
PALO ALTO
CA
94303
US
|
Assignee: |
TFB GLOBAL, LLC
San Jose
CA
|
Family ID: |
38262094 |
Appl. No.: |
11/855965 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11473700 |
Jun 22, 2006 |
7271353 |
|
|
11855965 |
Sep 14, 2007 |
|
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60759756 |
Jan 18, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
177/126 ;
190/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01G 19/58 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
177/126 ;
190/115 |
International
Class: |
G01G 19/52 20060101
G01G019/52; A45C 5/03 20060101 A45C005/03 |
Claims
1. A scale comprising: first and second attachment points; wherein
the scale indicates a relative force applied to the attachment
points.
2. The scale of claim 1 wherein the relative force is applied
symmetrically to the two attachment points.
3. The scale of claim 1 wherein the relative force is applied
asymmetrically to the two attachment points.
4. The scale of claim 1 wherein the scale includes a set of cams
and followers to transfer force and motion between the attachment
points.
5. A scale comprising; two independent attachment points wherein
the scale can display the total force applied to the two attachment
points.
6. The scale of claim 5 wherein the scale includes a set of cams
and followers to transfer force and motion between the attachment
points.
7. A suitcase comprising: a body portion; and a handle coupled to
the body portion, wherein the handle comprises a handle shell;
within the shell is a mechanism coupled to the body portion, the
mechanism including a plurality of attachment points; where each
attachment point moves independently; causing an indicator to move
a distance proportionate to the weight suspended by the mechanism;
and causing a scale adjacent to the indicator to move a distance
proportionate to the weight suspended; where the combined movements
of the independent mechanisms result in a totalized weight
indication suspended at the attachment points.
8. The suitcase of claim 7 wherein the mechanism includes a set of
cams and followers to transfer force and motion between the
attachment points.
9. A suitcase comprising: a body portion; and a handle coupled to
the body portion, wherein the handle comprises a handle shell;
within the shell is a mechanism coupled to the body portion, the
mechanism including a plurality of attachment points; where each
attachment point moves independently; causing pressure to be
transferred by a link(s); and the transducer sends a relative
signal to a microprocessor; and the microprocessor provides an
indication of the totalized weight on a LCD; where the combined
pressure of the independent mechanisms result in a totalized weight
indication suspended at the attachment points.
10. The suitcase of claim 9 wherein the mechanism includes a set of
cams and followers to transfer force and motion between the
attachment points.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Under 35 USC .sctn.120, this application is a continuation
application and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/473,700, filed Jun. 22, 2006, entitled
"Scale Which Indicates a Relative Force Applied Between Two
Attachment Points", which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of
provisional patent application No. 60/759,757, 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
display of the scale is covered by the luggage, which may be much
larger and bulkier in size than the scale. 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. Each time the
luggage needs to be weighed with a conventional home scale, the
suitcase or bag must be closed before attempting to place it on the
small-sized scale. What is needed is a method by which a customer
can weigh luggage as it is being packed, to make sure that it fits
within required weight limits before it taken to the airport or
location for transport. The present invention meets this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a suitcase with a handle, attachment fittings
and a scale located in the handle in accordance with the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of the handle of the
suitcase in accordance with the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a handle
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of a handle
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present invention relates to generally to luggage and
more specifically to the weighing of luggage. The following
description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art
to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a
patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to
the preferred embodiments and the generic principles and features
described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to
the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0011] The present invention provides an individual with a method
for determining the weight of a piece of luggage (a suitcase, for
example) without using a standalone utility scale.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a suitcase 10 in accordance with the present
invention. The suitcase 10 includes a body portion 11 and a handle
12. The suitcase 10 further includes attachment fittings 14a and
14b which attach the handle 12 to the suitcase, and a weight scale
16 located in the handle in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partially expanded illustration of the handle 12
of the suitcase in accordance with the present invention. The
handle 12 includes attachment points 14a and 14b, a spring or
compression scale 102, a window 210 with an indicator scale 112.
Attachment points 14a and 14b are used to attach the handle 12 to
the suitcase or piece of luggage (not shown). The attachment points
14a-14b may be permanently connected to the body 11 of the suitcase
or they may be detachable, allowing the handle 12 to detach from
the suitcase body 11. The attachment points 14a-14b connect to a
spring or compression scale 102 which is contained within the
handle shell 104. The handle 12 is fitted with an opening 108 and a
spring or compression scale 102 within the handle shell 104.
[0014] As is seen in FIG. 2, a window 110 with an indicator scale
112 fits within the opening 108 in the handle shell, thereby
covering the spring scale 102 and the scale pointer 106. The window
110 could be made from any kind of clear material such as plastic,
glass, or any other transparent material. The indicator scale 112
has markings on it which indicate weight in pounds, ounces, a
metric scale, or other measurement scales, and is calibrated to
include the total weight of the suitcase and handle/scale
combination, so that an accurate weight reading may be determined.
When a person lifts the suitcase from a surface so that the
suitcase is supported only by the person holding the suitcase, the
scale pointer 106 will point to markings on the indicator scale 112
which indicate the weight of the suitcase. In this way a person may
determine the weight of the suitcase.
[0015] The markings on the indicator scale, as indicated above, may
be displayed in pounds, ounces, the metric system, or in any other
desired weight measurement system. It would also be possible to
utilize markings on the indicator scale which indicate weight
limits imposed by specific airlines, transport companies, mailing
systems or the like.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of 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 change in the lateral displacement of followers 303a and 303b and
a resultant change in the relative positions of 305 and 306. The
relative measurement of force suspended at attachment points (301a
or 301b may be observed by an offset distance change between 305
and 306. The combined movements of the independent mechanisms
result in a totalized weight indication suspended at the attachment
points.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of 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
result in a change in force applied to a pressure transducer or
strain gauge 408. The relative measurement of force suspended at
attachment points 401a and 401b may be observed as a digital value
displayed on an electronic display screen 406. The combined
pressure of the independent mechanisms result in a totalized weight
indication suspended at the attachment points.
[0018] Although the present invention has been described in
accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the
art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the
embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Although two attachment points are
utilized in the preferred embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the
art readily recognizes that a plurality of attachment points could
be utilized and that they would be within the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the
art readily recognizes that the scale could utilize a digital
readout, and be within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0019] Although a suitcase is shown as a preferred embodiment, one
of ordinary skill in the art readily recognizes that other types of
pieces of luggage may be utilized, such as bags or containers of
various kinds, and that they would also be within the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0020] Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
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