Abstract:
A handle integrated scale configured to fixedly attach to a liftable element that allows a user to ascertain the weight of said liftable element based on the amount of force exerted onto the handle integrated scale from the liftable element as it is lifted.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    One or more embodiments setting forth the ideas described throughout this disclosure pertain to the field of weight measurement devices. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more aspects of the disclosure enable a handle integrated scale. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There currently exist several types of scales that can measure the weight of objects. Some require the object to be placed on the scale and others require the scale to be affixed to the object. Other scales are attached to liftable elements that can be filled with whatever is to be weighed. Still others can be attached and unattached. Many of these types of systems are either difficult to use or are not convenient for everyday use. Individuals have continuing concerns about the weight of the objects they may be carrying, whether due to weight restrictions enforced at an airport for a flight or a person not wanting to overstress carrying too heavy of an object, and there needs to be an easy and reliable way to measure the weight of these objects without having to look for a scale or having to find it and then attach it to the object. In addition, certain scales are digital and rely on a properly working battery. A handle integrated scale allows a user to be aware and able to modify the weight of whatever is attached to the scale and allow them the flexibility to make these changes at any moment they deem necessary. 
         [0005]    For at least the limitations described above there is a need for a handle integrated scale. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    At a high-level the disclosure set forth herein is directed to a handle integrated scale. Utilizing this system enables a user to weigh an object that is attached to the handle integrated scale by measuring the force exerted on the scale as it is lifted by the handle. 
         [0007]    The handle integrated scale is meant to provide the user with a convenient means of weighing an object without the need to attach a separate weighing device. As a result of the scale being handle integrated, the user may assess the weight at any moment. As in the case with personal luggage, one may not have access to a scale when it is necessary, such as on vacation. Because of the stringent weight limits set on items like, but not limited to, personal luggage, one must be able to weigh one&#39;s own items. 
         [0008]    The handle integrated scale may be fixedly attached to any object that requires knowledge of its weight. The handle integrated scale may be fixedly attached at the natural spot where a traditional handle would be attached. In addition to adding the convenience of allowing weight measurements, the handle integrated scale will allow the user to carry and transport the object more easily. 
         [0009]    There are however various approaches for implementing such a system and its related methods are elaborated on throughout this disclosure. One such approach involves a handle integrated scale coupled to a liftable element at two ends that will display the force exerted onto the scale by the liftable element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the ideas conveyed through this disclosure will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a handle integrated scale. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale that includes an elastic force detector shown without a gauge. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale that includes a spring coiled force detector shown without a gauge. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale shown with a gauge. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale shown with an outline of where the gauge would be placed in relation to said hand integrated scale that includes an elastic force detector. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale shown with an outline of where the gauge would be placed in relation to said hand integrated scale that includes a spring coiled force detector. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of a handle integrated scale shown with the slack in relation to the elastic force detector. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of a handle integrated scale shown with the slack in relation to the spring coiled force detector. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C illustrate a top view of a handle integrated scale shown with the gauge placed in three different positions based on the position of the force indictor relative to the gauge. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a handle integrated scale shown coupled to a liftable element at different intervals from the liftable element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    A handle integrated scale will now be described. In the following exemplary description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the ideas described throughout this specification. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that embodiments of ideas described herein may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, specific aspects well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure. Readers should note that although examples of the innovative concepts are set forth throughout this disclosure, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the invention. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of handle integrated scale  100 . Hand integrated scale  100  includes strap  101  coupled with gauge  102  wherein strap  101  attaches to both sides of liftable element  110 , for example a suitcase. Strap  101  may include para-aramid synthetic fiber, such as KEVLAR®, leather, plastic, polyester, polyvinyl chloride “PVC”, nylon, styrene, rubber, steel, steel composite, carbon fiber, or any other object that may support liftable element  110  for example. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale that includes an elastic force detector shown without a gauge. Strap  101  includes force indicators  201 ,  202  and  203 , which for example may be implemented with different colors, and further includes force detector  210   a,  and slack  220 . As liftable element  110  is lifted by applying force upwardly to strap  101 , force detector  210   a  extends until slack  220  is all taken up and is in line with strap  101  and force detector  210   a  reaches its maximum length. Force indicators may include a series of colored elements for example. Other embodiments may use numerical or texture based indicators for the blind for example. Force detector  201  a may include one or more elastic band, a rubber band, latex band or any other element that stretches as a result of a longitudinal force for example. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale that includes a spring coiled force detector shown without a gauge. Strap  101  includes force indicators  201 ,  202  and  203 , which for example may be implemented with different colors, and further includes force detector  210   b,  and slack  220 . As liftable element  110  is lifted by applying force upwardly to strap  101 , force detector  210   b  extends until slack  220  is all taken up and is in line with strap  101  and force detector  210   b  reaches its maximum length. Force detector  20  lb may include one or more coiled spring, torsion spring or any other element that stretches as a result of a longitudinal force for example. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a handle integrated scale shown with gauge  102 . As shown, gauge  102  includes gauge value  301  and gauge value  302 , for example implemented as slots in gauge  102  that allow the color indicators  201 - 203  to show through when liftable element  110  is lifted and as force detector  210  stretches or otherwise extends. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of handle integrated scale  100  shown with an outline of where gauge  102  (shown as dotted lines) would be placed in relation to said hand integrated scale  100  that includes elastic force detector  210   a.  Force indicators  201 - 203  are displayed through gauge value  301  and gauge value  302  as liftable element  110  is lifted and as force detector  210  stretches. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a top view of handle integrated scale  100  shown with an outline of where gauge  102  (shown as dotted lines) would be placed in relation to said hand integrated scale  100  that includes spring coiled force detector  210   b.  Force indicators  201 - 203  are displayed through gauge value  301  and gauge value  302  as liftable element  110  is lifted and as force detector  210  stretches. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of handle integrated scale  100  shown with slack  220  in relation to elastic force detector  210   a.  Force detector  210 A will only stretch as far as length Y of slack  220 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of handle integrated scale  100  shown with slack  220  in relation to spring coiled force detector  210   b.  Force detector  210   b  will only stretch as far as length Y of slack  220 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C illustrate a top view of a handle integrated scale shown with the gauge placed in three different positions based on the position of the force indictor relative to the gauge.  FIG. 6A  illustrates force indicator  201  viewable through gauge value  301  as liftable element  110  is at rest and no upward force is exerted onto hand integrated scale  100 , and the length value of strap  101  is “z”.  FIG. 6B  illustrates force indicator  202  viewable through gauge value  301  and force indicator  201  viewable through gauge value  302  as upward force is exerted onto hand integrated scale  100  in an attempt to pick up liftable element  110 , and strap  101  begins to lengthen as force detector stretches by value “x”.  FIG. 6C  illustrates force indicator  203  viewable through gauge value  301  and force indicator  202  viewable through gauge value  302  as upward force is exerted onto hand integrated scale  100 , and strap  101  stretches by two values of “x” wherein the entire slack has been used up. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a handle integrated scale shown coupled to a liftable element at different intervals from the liftable element. Value “T” is the vertical distance between integrated hand scale  100  and liftable element  110  while liftable element  110  is at rest as in  FIG. 6A . Value “S” illustrates the vertical distance between integrated hand scale  100  and liftable element  110  as upward force is exerted onto hand integrated scale and strap  101  lengthens as in  FIG. 6B . Value “R” illustrates the distance between integrated hand scale  100  and liftable element  110  as upward force is exerted into hand integrated hand scale  100  and strap  101  lengthens as in  FIG. 6C . 
         [0032]    While the ideas herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.