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 
   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 
   The present invention relates generally to luggage and more specifically to the weighing of luggage. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   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&#39;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. 
   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 
   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 
       FIG. 1  shows a suitcase with a handle, attachment fittings and a scale located in the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a detailed illustration of the handle of the suitcase in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of a handle 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a third embodiment of a handle 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   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. 
   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. 
     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  14   a  and  14   b  which attach the handle  12  to the suitcase, and a weight scale  16  located in the handle in accordance with the present invention. 
     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  14   a  and  14   b , a spring or compression scale  102 , a window  210  with an indicator scale  112 . Attachment points  14   a  and  14   b  are used to attach the handle  12  to the suitcase or piece of luggage (not shown). The attachment points  14   a - 14   b  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  14   a - 14   b  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 . 
   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. 
   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. 
     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 ( 301   a ,  301   b ) 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  301   a  and  301   b . Enclosed within the handle is a pair of cams  302  and followers  303  whereby the vertical force applied to the attachment points  301   a  and  301   b  is converted to a lateral force and movement of the cam followers  303   a  and  303   b . Variations in weight attached and suspended at attachment points  301   a  and  301   b  result in a change in the lateral displacement of followers  303   a  and  303   b  and a resultant change in the relative positions of  305  and  306 . The relative measurement of force suspended at attachment points ( 301   a  or  301   b  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. 
     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) ( 405   a  &amp;  405   b ) 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  401   a  and  401   b . Enclosed within the handle is a pair of cams  402  and followers  403   a  and  403   b  whereby the vertical force applied to the attachment points  401   a  and  401   b  is converted to a lateral force and movement of the cam followers  403   a  and  403   b . Variations in weight attached and suspended at attachment points  401   a  and  401   b  result in a change in force applied to a pressure transducer or strain gauge  408 . The relative measurement of force suspended at attachment points  401   a  and  401   b  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. 
   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. 
   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. 
   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.