GB2478020A

GB2478020A - Self-weighing luggage with anti-static device

Info

Publication number: GB2478020A
Application number: GB1017149A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John O Hare
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-18
Filing date: 2010-10-12
Publication date: 2011-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-12
Also published as: GB201017149D0; GB2478020B; GB201013765D0

Abstract

A self-weighing luggage device 10 comprises a housing 11, a towing handle (not shown) at one end and a pair of wheels 14 at the other end 15. A weight determining unit 16 has a generally rectangular base (17, fig. 2) and is attached to end 15 of the housing 11. A foot member 19 is mounted at each corner of the base (17, fig.2). Each foot member 19 has a hollow interior in which a strain gauge-based, load cell (not shown) is located. A ground-engaging, stainless steel contact 21 extends from end 22 of each foot member 19. The ground-engaging contacts 21 provide means for dissipating any electrostatic build-up in the device 10, thus reducing the danger of damage to the electrical components of the device 10 due to such electrostatic build-up.

Description

A self-weighing luggage device This invention relates to a luggage device and, in particular, to a self-weighing luggage device for travelling.

Rising fuel costs and environmental taxes have resulted in airlines increasing the cost of air travel. These increased costs are typically passed on to the customer as additional charges, such as excess baggage fees.

Checked luggage is usually measured by weight. All checked items are generally weighed by the airline, and should the luggage exceed the limitations of the baggage allowance regarding the number of pieces, its size or its weight, the airline will charge a fee for the excess baggage. This is one of the most common extra charges, as more weight on an airplane means higher fuel consumption and running costs for the airline.

Airlines encourage customers to keep the amount of luggage to a minimum to keep running costs down. Many airlines offer lower fares if customers only have hand luggage.

Passengers who exceed a maximum weight limit for a piece of luggage typically have to decide on whether to pay for the extra luggage weight, to leave items behind at the airport, or to start moving items from one bag to another to adhere to the weight limit. This can be very inconvenient, embarrassing and time consuming.

The general allowance per passenger depends on the policies of a particular airline. Most airlines are now operating on a baggage weight limit of oniy 20 kilograms (44 pounds) per person, but for some airlines this can be even less.

On some airlines, there is a set limit, and carrying additional weight above this limit is prohibited. Thus, it is important for the customer to know, in advance, that his luggage weight is under this maximum limit.

It is also important that the empty luggage is lightweight so that the user may pack as many items as possible and still remain under the luggage weight limit.

One current method for determining the weight of a piece of luggage is to use a portable set of weighing scales, which are attachable to the luggage. However, this method requires the luggage to be lifted before the weight can be measured. This is not practical for some users such as wheelchair-bound individuals and the elderly.

Another method for determining the weight of a piece of luggage is to use electronic transducers to convert a force into an electrical signal.

U.S. Patent No. 7,084,357 discloses a luggage device with a built-in load determination means such as a set of load cells or strain gauges.

However, these electronic transducers may be affected by electrostatic charges that build up when different materials are brought together and then separated. The accumulation of electric charge leaves one material positively charged while the other becomes negatively charged.

Wheii luggage is transported electrical charge accumulates from frictional charging between the luggage and the floor and/or carpet. The problem of electrostatic charge and arcing is of great concern for electronic components and equipment. The resulting charge build-up upon the luggage can generate a strong electrical discharge which can cause electronic components to exceed their safe working levels and malfunction or fail.

This electrostatic charge accumulation can have some potentially serious consequences for luggage on an aircraft. If the voltage becomes high enough it may cause a spark and ignite nearby flammable materials.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the luggage devices hereinbefore described.

Accordingly, the invention provides a self-weighing luggage device, comprising a housing for holding pieces of luggage therein, the housing having a towing handle at one end and one or more wheels at the other end, a control unit mounted on the housing, means, mounted at the wheel end of the housing, for determining the weight of the luggage device and any contents therein, in use, means for displaying the determined weight, and means for dissipating any electrostatic charge accumulated on the luggage device in use.

An advantage of the self-weighing luggage device according to the invention is that it dissipates any electrostatic charge accumulated through use, thereby preventing damage to and extending the lifespan of any electronic components.

Another advantage of the self-weighing luggage device according to the invention is that any electronic components of the weight determining means are not affected by electrostatic charge. Thus, the perfonance and accuracy of the weight detenining means is niaintained.

A further advantage of the self-weighing luggage device according to the invention is that it allows the user to transport and weigh a piece of luggage without having to lift it off the ground. Thus, elderly and wheelchair bound individuals can weigh their luggage without exerting any significant effort.

A still further advantage of the self-weighing luggage device according to the invention is that an additional piece of luggage, such as hand luggage, may also be weighed by stacking it on top of the self-weighing luggage device and determining the weight thereof Preferably, the dissipating means is a plurality of metallic, ground-engaging contacts in communication with the weight determining means.

Further, preferably, the metallic ground-engaging contacts are made of stainless steel.

An advantage of this feature of the self-weighing luggage device according to the invention is that by using stainless steel, ground-engaging contacts, any accumulated charge can be directed and dissipated to earth, using the stainless steel contacts as an electrical conductive path.

Further advantages of the use of stainless steel are that it does not stain or rust as easily as ordinary steel. It also has a high corrosion resistance, allowing it to be used in harsh environments.

Stainless steel is fire and heat resistant allowing it to resist scaling and retain strength at high temperatures. It is also hygienic, non-porous, and has an aesthetic appearance, providing a modern and attractive appearance.

Stainless steel is robust, with a high strength-to-weight advantage that allows it to be used with a reduced material thickness over conventional materials, often times generating cost savings.

Stainless steel is resistant to impact even at extreme temperature variations, resulting in a material for long-term use.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, each metallic ground-engaging contact is mounted in a foot member, wherein the weight determining means is a strain gauge-based, load cell positioned inside each foot member, and wherein each foot member forms part of a support base, which base is attached to the wheel end of the luggage device.

An advantage of this feature of the invention is that by using a strain gauge-based, load cell a more precise weight measurement can be obtained. Mechanical alternatives such as scales or springs are known to be more fragile and need to be re-calibrated and balanced after any movement.

A further advantage of this feature of the invention is that the weight determining means is distributed evenly across the wheel end of the frame, which allows an accurate weight to be measured, specifically, when measurements are taken 011 uneven surfaces.

The weight determining means can be surrounded by a strong, flexible and resistant material such as a plastics material.

A further advantage of this feature of the invention is that the weight determining means is not required to be exposed to the external surface of the frame, but is in indirect contact with the ground through the ground-engaging contacts.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the means for displaying the weight is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which is mounted in a recess in the handle end of the housing, which recess is adapted to receive the handle in a stowed position, such that the LCD is protected by the handle, or a mobile telephone screen connectable to the self-weighing luggage device via a wireless device such as Bluetooth'.

An advantage of this feature of the invention is that by positioning the LCD directly underneath the handle, the display is protected from possible impact damage during transit.

A further advantage of this feature of the invention is that the luggage may be wirelessly connected to a device, such as a mobile phone. Thus, the personal details of the luggage owner can be transmitted to any device capable of receiving the wireless signal.

This remote access feature could also be adapted to serve as a localised locating system for the luggage device. Thus, for example, a user could locate the luggage device on an airport baggage carousel.

A still further advantage of this feature of the invention is that if the luggage device is lost, the personal details of the luggage device can be transmitted to an airport official using a device capable of receiving the wireless signal so that the luggage device can be returned to its owner.

The LCD can have a backlight to allow the weight to be determined in areas of low light. The frame can also have luminous markings to allow high visibility at night.

It will be appreciated that the self-weighing luggage device according to the invention may be produced in a number of different sizes and shapes to accommodate various requirements.

The wheels of the self-weighing luggage device can include illumination devices such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to improve the visibility of the self-weighing luggage device at night. These illumination devices may be powered by a portable battery power source or by power generated by a dynamo positioned at the wheel axle.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the self-weighing luggage device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an alternate perspective view of the wheel end of the self-weighing luggage device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the handle end of the self-weighing luggage device of Fig. 1, showing the handle extended for use; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the handle end of the self-weighing luggage device of Fig. 1, showing the handle retracted for storage.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is indicated, generally at 10, a self- weighing luggage device, in accordance with the iiivention. The self-weighing luggage device 10 comprises a housing ii for holding pieces of luggage therein, the housing 11 having a towing handle 12 at one end 13 and a pair of wheels 14 at other end 15 of the housing 11. A weight determining unit 16 is attached to the end 1 5 of the housing 11 and is shown in more detail in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 2, the self-weighing luggage device 10 is shown from the end 15. The weight determining unit 16 has a generally rectangular support base 17, which is attached to the end 15 of the housing 11 by a plurality of rivets 18. A foot member 19 is mounted at each corner of the support base 17, the base 17 and the foot members 19 being fonned as a single plastics unit 20 in a mould. The material of the plastics unit 20 is chosen to provide a rigid structure, which will withstand the wear and tear associated with baggage handling.

Each foot member 19 has a hollow interior, in which a strain gauge-based, load cell (not shown) is located. A ground-engaging stainless steel contact 21 extends from end 22 of each foot member 19.

In use, when the self-weighing luggage device 10 is stood on end, the ground-engaging contacts 21 take the weight of the device 10 and come into contact with their respective strain gauge-based, load cell, allowing the weight of the device 10 to be measured. In this position the ground-engaging contacts 21 provide means for dissipating any electrostatic build-up in the device 10 through the corresponding load cells to earth.

Thus, the danger of damage to the electrical components of the device 10 being caused, through electrostatic build-up, is eliminated. When the device 10 is not standing on end each ground engaging contact 21 is floating free.

Referring to Fig. 3 the self-weighing luggage device 10 is shown from end 13. A control unit 23 is mounted at the end 13 and the towing handle 12 is shown in an extended position. A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 24 is located at the base 25 of a recess 26 in the control unit 23.

A reset button 27 is also located at the base 25 of the recess 26.

In use, when the device 10 is stood on end, and the reset button 27 is pressed, one or more of the ground-engaging contacts 21 (see Fig. 2) touch the ground, and the load force on the or each corresponding strain gauge-based, load cell is converted into an electrical signal in a manner known per Se. This signal is sent to the control unit 23, which calculates the corresponding weight of the self-weighing luggage device 10, and any contents therein. The weight is then displayed on the LCD 24.

When the housing 11 of the self_weighing luggage device 10 is empty, the weight displayed on the LCD 24 is the weight of the self-weighing luggage device 10 alone. Once the housing 11 is filled and the reset button 27 is pressed, the displayed weight represents the weight of the self-weighing luggage device and contents.

Additional luggage, such as hand luggage may also be weighed, by pressing the reset button 27 before placing the additional luggage on top of the self-weighing luggage device 10.

Referring to Fig. 4, the self-weighing luggage device 10 is shown from the end 13, with the towing handle 12 locked in a retracted position within the recess 26. In the retracted position, the towing handle 12 covers the LCD 24 and limits access to the reset button 27 (see Fig. 3).

This arrangement means that the LCD is protected from possible impact damage during transit, and accidental pressing of the reset button 27 is reduced.

Claims

Claims: - 1. A self-weighing luggage device, comprising a housing for holding pieces of luggage therein, the housing having a towing handle at oiie eiid aiid one or more wheels at the other eiid, a control unit mounted on the housing, means, mounted at the wheel end of the housing, for determining the weight of the luggage device and any contents therein, in use, means for displaying the determined weight, and means for dissipating any electrostatic charge accumulated on the luggage device in use.
2. A self-weighing luggage device according to Claim 1, wherein the dissipating means is a plurality of metallic, ground-engaging contacts in communication with the weight determining means, more especially stainless steel, ground-engaging contacts.
3. A self-weighing luggage device according to Claim 2, wherein each metal ground-engaging contact is mounted in a foot member, wherein the weight determining means is a strain gauge-based, load cell positioned inside each foot member, and wherein each foot member forms part of a support base, which base is attached to the wheel end of the luggage device.
4. A self-weighing luggage device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for displaying the weight is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which is mounted in a recess in the handle end of the housing, which recess is adapted to receive the handle in a stowed position, such that the LCD is protected by the handle, or a mobile telephone screen connectable to the self-weighing luggage device via a wireless device such as Bluetooth.
5. A self-weighing luggage device according to Claim 1 for a piece of luggage, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.