Patent Number: 048797359
Section: description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved baggage inspection device of the present invention. An X-ray baggage inspection device 11 consists of a housing 13 having an input port 15 (FIG. 2) and an output port 17 (FIG. 2), disposed above a Conveyor 19, having a first location 21 and a second location 23 for transporting baggage between the first location 21 and the second location 23. In one preferred embodiment, the input port 15 has an upper boundary 25 defined by housing 13, and a lower boundary 27 defined by conveyor 19. A substantially rigid baffle 29, having an upper edge 31 and a lower edge 33, is pivotally suspended from upper boundary 25 of housing 13 at upper edge 31. Baffle 29 comprises a substantially flat monolithic rectangular plate that is pivotally suspended from upper boundary 25 by a hinge 35. Baffle 29 substantially occludes an upper selected region 37 of input port 15. Lower edge 33 of baffle 29 is spaced a preselected distance above conveyor 19, leaving an open space adjacent to conveyor 19 that is identified in FIG. 2 as lower selected region 39. Lower selected region 39 has a configuration suited for the passage of briefcase type baggage horizontally disposed upon said conveyor 19 beneath lower edge 33 of baffle 29. Briefcase type baggage is baggage of the type having a vertical height that is much greater than its width, often used for the transportation of papers, clothing, books, and personal effects. The definition of briefcase type baggage is broad enough to include briefcases, purses, clutches, and other small pieces of luggage referred to in the industry as "carry-on luggage". The width of baggage horizontally disposed upon Conveyor 19 is referred to hereinafter as the "horizontal height" of the baggage. Since baffle 19 is pivotally suspended from upper boundary 25, it will pivot inward in response to the passage of baggage having a horizontal height exceeding the preselected distance between lower boundary 27 and lower edge 33 of baffle 29. During normal operation, baffle 19 is pivotally suspended from upper boundary 25 in a position substantially normal relative to conveyor 19; as oversize horizontally disposed baggage or vertically disposed baggage is advanced along conveyor 19, baffle 29 will be urged into an angular position relative to conveyor 19. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the improved X-ray baggage inspection device of FIG. 1. Briefcase type baggage 41 is horizontally disposed upon conveyor 19 at first location 21 for transportation through housing 13 to output port 17, wherein X-ray baggage inspection device 11 serves to non-intrusively inspect the content of briefcase type baggage 41. Specifically, X-ray baggage inspection device 11 is utilized to inspect for firearms or explosives. Baffle 29 is shown suspended from upper boundary 25 in a position substantially normal relative to conveyor 19, but is depicted in phantom at an angular position relative to conveyor 19. Baffle 29 serves to encourage the horizontal placement of baggage on conveyor 19. A traveler approaching the X-ray baggage inspection device 11 will assume that baffle 29 is rigidly mounted in selected upper region 37 of input port 15, preventing the vertical placement of baggage. In addition, the traveler will recognize that selected lower region 34 has a configuration suited for the passage of briefcase type baggage horizontally disposed upon conveyor 19. Since baffle 29 is pivotally suspended from upper boundary 25, it will pivot inward in response to briefcase type baggage 41 having a horizontal height exceeding the preselected distance between conveyor 19 and lower edge 33 of baffle 29. In addition, baffle 29 will pivot inward in response to briefcase type baggage 41 vertically disposed upon conveyor 19. Baffle 29 will pivot inward to oversize baggage horizontally disposed on conveyor 19. "Oversize" baggage is considered herein to refer to baggage that will fit through input port 15, but which when horizontally disposed on conveyor 19, has a height greater than the lower region 39. In one preferred embodiment, the preselected distance between conveyor 19 and lower edge 33 of baffle 29 is approximately eight inches, which provides an opening height sufficient to accommodate substantially all briefcase type baggage. The present invention presents a variety of advantages over existing systems. First, the baffle encourages the proper placement of briefcase type baggage on the X-ray baggage inspection device conveyor. This allows the most thorough non-intrusive inspection of carry-on baggage. In addition, carry-on baggage that has a horizontal height that exceeds the preselected between the baffle and the conveyor surface may still pass unimpeded through the X-ray baggage inspection device, since the baffle will pivot inward in response to the conveyance of the baggage. Thus, the improper placement of baggage is discouraged, while baggage having a variety of configurations are passed through the X-ray baggage inspection device without impediment. The present invention saves a considerable amount of time at airport terminals, where improperly placed carry-on baggage impedes the flow of passengers and baggage through a terminal security station. In addition, the distraction and annoyance often associated with improperly positioned carry-on baggage is eliminated, allowing the X-ray baggage inspection device operator to focus his or her attention upon the task of detecting weapons and explosives. Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.