Patent Publication Number: US-2022221331-A1

Title: Suitcase weighing luggage rack

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Non-Provisional Application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/137,134, filed in the United States on Jan. 13, 2021, entitled, “Suitcase Weighing Luggage Rack,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     (1) Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a luggage rack and, more particularly, to a luggage rack that also weighs luggage. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     Most airlines have strict weights limits for checked luggage/baggage. Upon check-in, the luggage is weighed by the airline employee. If the luggage exceeds the airline&#39;s limit, the traveler must either remove items from the luggage to reduce its weight, or pay a fee. If the traveler decides to remove items from the luggage, the traveler often has to open his bag on the floor in front of the agent in a hurried and embarrassing manner and then reweigh in front of the agent to see if they are now under the limit. Every traveler would like to avoid this situation. 
     There are currently handheld spring scales that can be used to weigh luggage prior to checking luggage at the airline counter. These devices attach to a handle of a suitcase or bag in order to weigh the luggage. To use these devices, the user attaches the device to the handle of the luggage, holds the weighing device, and allows the luggage to hang from the device in order to obtain a weight of the luggage item. The disadvantage of these types of devices is that the luggage must be closed prior to weighing; otherwise, the personal items in the luggage will fall out. Therefore, the user must weigh the zipped luggage, place the luggage down, unzip the luggage, remove or add more personal items, and then weigh the luggage again. This is an inconvenient and imprecise process. 
     Thus, a continuing need exists for a luggage rack that allows a user to weigh their luggage while they are packing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a luggage rack and, more particularly, to a luggage rack that also weighs luggage. The luggage rack comprises a rack portion comprising a top section and a bottom section; a platform portion connected with the top section of the rack portion, wherein, in use, the platform portion is stacked on top of the rack portion; a weighing mechanism; and an electronic display configured to display a weight of an object placed thereon. 
     In another aspect, the weighing mechanism comprises one or more sensors. 
     In another aspect, the one or more sensors are attached with the platform portion. 
     In another aspect, the one or more sensors are attached with the top section of the rack portion. 
     In another aspect, the weighing mechanism is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile application. 
     The present invention further relates to a weighing luggage rack, comprising a rack portion having a top section and a bottom section; a weighing mechanism attached with the rack portion; and an electronic display configured to display a weight of an object placed thereon. 
     In another aspect, the weighing mechanism comprises one or more sensors. 
     In another aspect, the bottom section of the rack portion comprises a set of legs, and the one or more sensors are attached to at least one leg in the set of legs. 
     In another aspect, the one or more sensors are attached with the top section of the rack portion. 
     The present invention further relates to a weighing luggage rack comprising a platform portion formed to be placed on top of an existing luggage rack, wherein the platform portion comprises a weighing mechanism, and an electronic display configured to display a weight of an object placed thereon. 
     In another aspect, the weighing mechanism comprises one or more sensors. 
     In another aspect, the weighing mechanism further comprises a sensor housing surrounding each sensor and attached with the platform portion. 
     In another aspect, the weighing luggage rack further comprises a securing element configured for positioning the platform portion onto at least a portion of the existing luggage rack. 
     In another aspect, the weighing mechanism further comprises a tubular support element attached with the platform portion, and a movable guide with a locking mechanism formed to engage with the tubular support element, such that the platform portion is secured against at least a portion of the existing luggage rack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a weighing luggage rack with a platform portion resting on top of the rack portion, showing sensors sandwiched between the platform portion and rack portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the weighing luggage rack with the platform portion lifted away from the rack portion, showing sensors attached with the rack portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the weighing luggage rack with the platform portion lifted away from the rack portion, showing sensors attached with the platform portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of the weighing luggage rack in use, showing a piece of luggage being weighed according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of the weighing luggage rack with a glass platform portion lifted away from the rack portion, showing sensors attached to the glass platform portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a screenshot of a mobile application used in conjunction with the weighing luggage rack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of the weighing luggage rack with only a rack portion and sensors in the legs of the rack portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a top-view illustration of the weighing luggage rack with the platform portion resting on top of the rack portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of the weighing luggage rack with only a rack portion and sensors attached with the top section of the rack portion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view illustration of a platform portion having a sensor housing that can be positioned onto a rectangular, flat rail of an existing luggage rack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view illustration of a platform portion having a sensor housing that can be positioned onto a rounded rail of an existing luggage rack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustration of a platform portion having a sensor housing that can be positioned onto a rectangular, angled rail of an existing luggage rack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of a platform portion having a tubular support element and locking mechanism for securing the platform portion against an existing luggage rack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a side-view illustration of the platform portion having a tubular support element and locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a luggage rack and, more particularly, to a luggage rack that also weighs luggage. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of aspects. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the aspects presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. 
     The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. 
     Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter-clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. As such, as the present invention is changed, the above labels may change their orientation. 
     (1) Specific Details of Various Embodiments 
     The invention described herein is a luggage rack that provides the dual purpose of weighing the luggage that is placed on the luggage rack.  FIGS. 1-14  illustrate various views and embodiments of the weighing luggage rack  100  described herein. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the weighing luggage rack  100  comprises a platform portion  102  connected with a rack portion  104 . The platform portion  102 , comprised of wood, glass, metal, or any other suitable material, is stacked on top of and hingedly connected via a set of hinges  110  (made of metal, fabric, or the like) with the rack portion  104 . Specifically, one of the long sides of the platform portion  102  is aligned with and connected with one of the long sides of the rack portion  104  via the hinges  110 , as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The platform portion  102  is rectangular in shape, having two parallel long sides, and two parallel short sides. Similarly, a top section  106  of the rack portion  104  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) is rectangular in shape, having two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. Furthermore, the weighing luggage rack  100  is foldable/collapsible in order to be portable for storage either within a hotel room or a user&#39;s home. 
     As described above, the rack portion  104  has a top section  106  which provides a flat surface to support both the platform portion  102  and luggage. The top section  106  can comprise one continuous material (e.g., wood) or slats, or straps, of a material (e.g., wood, metal, fabric) with spaces in between, as depicted in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 . Any material and arrangement of the top section  106  is possible given that it provides a flat surface that is stable and large enough to support luggage. Thus, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the platform portion  102  and the rack portion  104  are formed to be able to support and stabilize luggage  400  placed thereon, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As depicted in, at least,  FIG. 1 , the rack portion  104  further includes a bottom section  108  comprising four legs  109  for stabilizing the weighing luggage rack  100  when it is in use. The platform portion  102 , when in use, is stacked directly on top of and aligned with the top section  106  of the rack portion  104  to receive luggage. As described above, the platform portion  102  is connected along one of its sides with one of the sides of the rack portion  104 . In one embodiment, the connection is a hinge-type mechanism with a movable joint which connects the platform portion  102  with the rack portion  104 . The hinge  110  can be comprised of fabric, metal, or any suitable material that can securely, yet movably, connect the platform portion  102  to the rack portion  104 . The platform portion  102  can be flipped completely off and over the top section  106  of the rack portion  104  when not in use.  FIG. 4  depicts the weighing luggage rack  100  in use. The platform portion  102  is positioned directly on top of the rack portion  104 , and the luggage  400  (e.g., bag, suitcase) is placed on top of the platform portion  102  to weigh the luggage  400 . 
     The weighing luggage rack  100  further comprises an internal weighing mechanism comprising one or more load cell sensors  112  (e.g., strain gauge load cell sensors) for detecting the weight of an object placed on the weighing luggage rack  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the sensors  112  are positioned between the platform portion  102  and the rack portion  104  when the platform portion  102  is on top of the rack portion  104 . The sensors  112  may be attached with the platform portion  102 , as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , or with the rack portion  104 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, connection wiring  200  between the sensors  112  and a main electronics  504  housing are positioned within a channel  202  (or similar indentation; shown in dashed lines) within the rack portion  104 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , to hide the wiring  200 . Similarly, the channel (or channels)  202  and wiring  200  can be located in the platform portion  102 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the wiring  200  is only shown in one of the channels  202  for illustrative purposes; however, wiring  200  exists between each sensor  112  and the main electronics  504 . In an embodiment in which the platform portion  102  is a wood platform portion  102 , the channel(s)  202  are routed into the wood and a thin veneer layer of wood is glued over the bottom of the platform portion  102  to hide the channel(s)  202 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a glass embodiment of the platform portion  102 , where sensor housings  500  holding the sensors  112  are attached with the platform portion&#39;s  102  corners, and wires  200  run in thin, metal tubes  502  between the sensor housings  500  and the main electronics  504  of which the display is a component. Each sensor housing  500  comprises one or more batteries and any additional electronics needed for each sensor  112  to function properly. The metal tubes  502  are attached to the glass platform portion  102 . Likewise, if the platform portion  102  is made of metal, metal tubes  502  within the metal material are used to house the wiring  200 . The main electronics  504  comprise a microcontroller, a LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED (light emitting diodes) display  114 , a battery compartment (for AA, AAA, or 9V battery or batteries), a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth®) transceiver, and the electronics to run the load cell sensors  112 . The electronic scale display  114  shows the weight of an object (e.g., suitcase  400 ) placed on the weighing luggage rack  100  so that a user can easily choose what to bring on a trip while remaining under baggage restriction or penalty limits. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the main electronics  504  may also include an on/off button  116 , a zero (or tare) button  118  to zero out the weight before placing a piece of luggage (e.g., suitcase) on the platform portion  102 , and a kg/lb button  120  (or switch) to change between kilograms and pounds as a weight measurement unit. Zeroing out the weight prior to placing luggage on the weighing luggage rack  100  is important in order to accommodate anything non-luggage oriented above the sensors  112 . For instance, one does not want the weight of the platform portion  102  to affect the final weight of the luggage  400 . Therefore, it is necessary for the user to zero out the weight after the platform portion  102  is positioned on the rack portion  104  and before any luggage  400  is placed on the platform portion  102 . 
     Unlike existing luggage weighing devices, which are attached to a closed bag or suitcase, the present invention does not require the luggage  400  to be closed, zipped, and/or picked up, as is required by existing baggage weighing devices that attach to the handle of the luggage. In fact, the user may use the weighing luggage rack  100  while in the process of packing to determine what should or should not be included in the luggage  400 . In one aspect, the weighing luggage rack  100  includes a mechanism that uses wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth®) technology between sensors  112  and the main electronics  504  to allow for wireless communication of the weight of the object (e.g., luggage  400 ) placed on the weighing luggage rack  100  and transmission of this information to a mobile application (app) on a mobile device, such as a smartphone. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an example of a screenshot  600  of the mobile app used in conjunction with the present invention. The screenshot  600  shows a weight reading  602  for the luggage  400  as obtained from the sensors  112  and main electronics  504  of the weighing luggage rack  100 ; a drop-down airline selection menu  604 ; carry-on luggage limit  606 ; and checked bag and associated fees  608 . In addition, the mobile app can be configured to display airline restrictions for batteries, other restricted items, size of luggage, and other relevant travel details based on the user&#39;s geographical location given either by the user&#39;s input or by the geographical positioning system (GPS) of the mobile device. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the sensors  112  are attached directly to the platform portion  102  under corners of the platform portion  102 . Thus, each sensor  112  is sandwiched between the platform portion  102  and the rack portion  104  at one or more of the four corners. In one aspect (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), each sensor  112  is installed into a cavity  300  within the platform portion  102  under all four corners. Thus, the connecting wires  200  are internal to the platform portion  102  and converge at the electronic scale display  114 /main electronics  504  attached to the platform portion  102 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the weighing luggage rack  100  in which the one or more sensors  112  are installed into a cavity or indentation within the top section of the rack portion  104 , such that at least a portion of each sensor  112  protrudes above the surface of the top section when the platform portion  102  is lifted away from the rack portion  104 . Further, straps  204  extend across the top section of the rack portion  104 . These straps  204 , which can be comprised of fabric, wood, metal, or the like, extend from one pair of parallel members of the rack portion  104  to keep the weighing luggage rack  100  from collapsing and to form a stable surface for the luggage. In this embodiment, the connection wires  200  run through the material (e.g., wood) of the top section  106  of the rack portion  104 . The connection wires  200  can also run through the straps  204  to converge back to the main electronics  504 . Furthermore, the wiring connection can also be an internal arrangement through the wood/metal of the rack portion  104  descending down the rear legs to the leg connection points and then up the front legs and to the main electronics  504 , as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     In another embodiment, the rack portion  104  includes four corner guides (or channels) in its top section  106 , and the platform portion  102  comprises protruding areas formed to align with and fit within the guides in the rack portion  104 . Thus, the platform portion  102  can be correctly positioned on top of the rack portion  104  without a hinge or attachment, while still fulfilling the intended function. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the platform portion  102  can also be formed with the corner guides (or channels), and the top section  106  of the rack portion  104  can be formed with the protruding areas. 
     In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the one or more sensors  112  are positioned under the four legs of the bottom section  108  of the rack portion  104 . In this embodiment, the sensors  112  are installed into a cavity  700  within each leg  109 , where only a portion of each sensor  112  protrudes from the cavity  700 , contacting the ground. In this embodiment, the connecting wires  200  run through the legs  109  and the rack portion  104  to the main electronics  504 . In this embodiment, there is no platform portion. The luggage simply rests on the top section  106  of the rack portion  104 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top-view illustration of the embodiment of the weighing luggage rack  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , with the platform portion  102  resting on top of the rack portion. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which there is no platform portion, and the sensors  112  are installed into the top section  106  of the rack portion  104 . In this embodiment, a large suitcase or bag would be placed on the top section  106  of the rack portion  104 , and the luggage would need to be large enough to cover each of the sensors  112  for an accurate weight reading. 
     In another embodiment depicted in the cross-sectional view illustrations in  FIGS. 10-12 , the present invention comprises only the platform portion  102 , which can then be placed on an existing luggage rack in order to weigh luggage. In use, the platform portion  102  will be placed on top of an existing luggage rack having a size and shape that is similar to the platform portion  102 . In this embodiment, a platform brace  1000  comprising a sensor housing  1002  (square or circular) is attached to the platform portion  102 . A load sensor  112  resides within the sensor housing  1002  and is fixed in place. The platform brace  1000  also comprises a securing element  1004  (made of, for instance, plastic) which extends from the lower portion of the sensor housing  1002  and expands to a claw-like structure that can fit over both sides of a rail  1006  of an existing luggage rack. The securing element  1004  can move freely, to some extent, inside the sensor housing  1002  such that when sandwiched between the sensor  112  and the rail  1006 , a sensor button  1001  on the securing element  1004  contacts the sensor  112 , creating an electrical signal that travels through wires connected to the sensor  112  and to the main electronics  504 . The sensor  112  itself has a bead in the middle of the sensor  112  that is raised slightly above the main portion of the sensor  112 . The sensor button  1001  is a round metal part that is intended to contact forcibly against the bead on the sensor  112 . When the sensor button  1001  is compressed against the bead in the sensor  112 , it generates an electrical signal proportional with the force being applied. As with the embodiments described above, the sensor housings  1002  and sensors  112  therein are attached at each corner of the platform portion  102 . 
     As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, there are various types of luggage rack designs with respect to the cross-sections of the rails  1006  that hold the luggage. Non-limiting examples include rectangular and flat (usually wood), a round tube (usually metal), and angled rectangular (usually wood).  FIGS. 10-12  illustrate a universal sensor housing  1002  that three different securing elements  1004  can be attached to for one of the types of luggage racks currently on the market. The sensor housing  1002  is attached with the platform portion  102  via an attachment element  1003 . In one embodiment, the attachment element  1003  is a strong adhesive (e.g., double-sided adhesive), and the sensor housing  1002  is affixed to the wood or tempered glass platform portion  102  with the strong adhesive (e.g., double-sided adhesive) to allow the customer to position the sensor housings  1002  at desired locations based on the specific luggage rack they own. For instance, when the present invention is initially unboxed, the customer would, using their specific existing luggage rack, locate and adhere the four sensor housings  1002 /securing elements  1004  (with instructional guidance) to the underside of the platform portion  102  so that the four sensor housings  1002 /securing elements  1004  do not interfere with any straps that connect the two beams that hold the luggage and keep the existing luggage rack from collapsing. Thus, a customer would peel off double-sided adhesive stickers/taps: and then permanently affix the chosen sensor housings  1002 /securing elements  1004  to the platform portion  102  to best match their specific luggage rack. In another aspect, the attachment elements  1003  are screws (or the like), and the platform portion  102  may be sold with the sensor housings  1002 /securing elements  1004  already attached to the platform portion  102 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the platform portion  102  (made of, for instance, tempered glass) is formed having a movable guide  1300  with a locking mechanism similar to a ratcheting mechanism to secure the platform portion  102  against two existing luggage rails  1006 , or beams.  FIG. 13  is a top-view illustration of this embodiment.  FIG. 14  depicts a side-view of the platform portion  102  and movable guide  1300 . The dashed arrow indicates the direction of movement of the movable guide  1300  towards the existing luggage rack rail  1006 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the movable guide  1300  works with a tubular support  1302  (comprised of, for instance, metal, plastic, or routed wood with veneer) that is attached with the platform portion  102 . The long axis of the tubular support  1302  is perpendicular to the long axis of the platform portion  102 , such that it is a cross support. Similar to a socket wrench, the guide  1300  ratchets down from the end of the metal support  1302  to one of the rails, or beams, of an existing luggage rack (as indicated by the dashed arrow). Alternatively, the securing mechanism can be a resistance type mechanism. Any suitable securing mechanism can be used provided that it steadies the platform portion  102  so that when a piece of luggage (e.g., suitcase) is being positioned onto the platform portion  102  resting on the existing luggage rack, the platform portion  102  does not slide around on top of the existing luggage rack. This embodiment further comprises a sensor housing  1304  (comprised of, for instance, plastic) that inserts into a square or round cavity in the metal support  1302  and locks the sensor housing  1304  into place. Adhesive will be used to affix the sensor housing  1304  to the underside of the platform portion  102 . 
     Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. It should be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible. Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”.