HANDLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle for use with an item of luggage. The handle comprises an outer shell, at least one inner bar and at least one strain gauge, wherein the at least one inner bar extends out from within the outer shell at each end of the handle such that the item of luggage may be attached to the handle using the at least one inner bar. The arrangement is such that when an item of luggage is lifted using the handle, the weight of the suitcase is measured using the at least one strain gauge.

Description

The present invention relates to a handle, and, more particularly, to a handle that enables the weight of an item of luggage to be measured.

Various means of measuring the weight of an item of luggage are known, including the use of an external weighing mechanism and weighing mechanisms that are integrated within an item of luggage.

Clearly the simplest external weighing mechanism is a set of scales, but other external weighing mechanisms specifically designed for use with an item of luggage have also been developed. For example, GB 2411966 discloses an electronic weighing device that may be used to lift an item of luggage by way of a strap releaseably fitted around the handle of the item of luggage. However, external weighing mechanisms have an inherent disadvantage in that a user is required to carry a separate device with them to wherever they may wish or need to measure the weight of the suitcase.

Known weighing mechanisms that are integrated within an item of luggage include mechanisms using springs and load sensors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,454 discloses a handle for use with an item of luggage, in which a weighing mechanism comprising springs is built into the handle. Lifting an item of luggage with a handle according to US '454 causes the weight of the item of luggage to be displayed mechanically. However, such a device is inaccurate and the mechanical display would be difficult for a user to read. Even more recent developments tend to suffer from multiple disadvantages. For example, US 2006/0266563 discloses a weighing mechanism comprising one or more load sensors that are built into the base or the top surface of an item of luggage. Use of the weighing mechanism of US '563 would require the modification of the item of luggage itself and the weighing mechanism is located in a place where it is likely to be damaged during use of the item of luggage.

The present invention seeks to provides an improved handle that overcomes many of the disadvantages associated with prior art mechanisms for weighing an item of luggage.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a handle for use with an item of luggage, said handle comprising an outer part, at least one inner bar and at least one strain gauge, wherein the at least one inner bar extends out from within the outer part at each end of the handle such that the item of luggage may be attached to the handle using the at least one inner bar, the arrangement being such that when an item of luggage is lifted using the handle, the weight of the suitcase is measured using the at least one strain gauge.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer part is an outer shell. The outer shell may be made out of any durable material, such as a hard plastic or a metal. A hard plastic outer shell provides a robust handle whilst helping to minimise its weight. Optionally, the outer shell may be ergonomically designed, may comprise a textured outer surface and/or may comprise an additional outer layer, such as rubber, to improve grip.

The at least one inner bar may be made out of any durable material, such as a hard plastic or a metal. The at least one inner bar may be a continuous bar extending from one end of the handle to the other with the at least one strain gauge mounted on the continuous bar or within a recess in the continuous bar. Alternatively, the at least one inner bar may comprise two parts linked by the at least one strain gauge.

The at least one inner bar may be maintained in a fixed position within the outer shell by the close fit of parts of the outer shape of the at least one inner bar with parts of the internal shape of the outer shell. In embodiments in which the at least one inner bar comprises two parts linked by the at least one strain gauge, the at least one inner bar may also be maintained in a fixed position within the outer shell by the close fit of parts of the outer shape of the at least one strain gauge with parts of the internal shape of the outer shell.

Preferably, the handle comprises a single strain gauge. Using a single strain gauge enables the accurate measurement of the weight of the item of luggage. The strain gauge may be connected to a printed circuit board that converts the signal from the strain gauge into a weight measurement.

The handle of the present invention may also comprise display means for displaying the weight of the item of luggage. Suitable display means include a liquid crystal display. The weight may be displayed in any unit of measurement and the display means may comprise a button to switch between different units of measurement, e.g. between kilograms and pounds.

The display means may be protected by a retractable cover to prevent the display means being damaged at times when it is not necessary to weigh the item of luggage, e.g. when the item of luggage is being processed by baggage handlers at an airport. The retractable cover may be designed to retract such that it is housed within the outer shell and may comprise two parts that move away from each other as they retract to uncover the display means.

The handle of the present invention may also comprise a battery to supply power to the weighing mechanism and/or the display means. The battery may be stored behind a removable cover to ensure that the battery may readily be changed. The handle may also comprise an on/off switch to improve battery life.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a suitcase comprising the handle of the present invention. Any item of luggage incorporating a handle may be covered by the present invention, for example the item of luggage may be a suitcase, a rucksack, a bag, a trunk or a briefcase.

The item of luggage may also comprise display means for displaying the weight of the item of luggage either in addition to or instead of the display means that may be present in the handle. As with the display means suitable for use with the handle, display means suitable for use with the item of luggage include a liquid crystal display. Also as with the display means suitable for use with the handle, the display means suitable for use with the item of luggage may be protected by a retractable cover, may display the weight in any unit of measurement and may comprise a button to switch between different units of measurement.

The item of luggage may be designed such that the handle can pivot between an upstanding position and a flat position. Preferably, the item of luggage will comprise a recess, the recess being shaped such that when the handle is in the flat position it is located within the recess. This helps ensure the handle is not damaged when it is not in use.

The at least one inner bar may be attached to the item of luggage by any suitable means, such as springs, pins, spigots and/or pegs. In embodiments in which the handle can pivot, the pivot point of the handle may be extended inwards (towards the middle of the handle) to help distribute the weight of the item of luggage.

One embodiment of a handle according to the present invention is depicted in the Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the inside of a handle according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a close up of a part of FIG. 1

Claims

1. A handle for use with an item of luggage, said handle comprising an outer part, at least one inner bar and at least one strain gauge, wherein the at least one inner bar extends out from within the outer part at each end of the handle such that the item of luggage may be attached to the handle using the at least one inner bar, the arrangement being such that when an item of luggage is lifted using the handle, the weight of the suitcase is measured using the at least one strain gauge.

2. A handle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inner bar is a continuous bar extending from one end of the handle to the other with the at least one strain gauge mounted on the continuous bar or within a recess in the continuous bar.

3. A handle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inner bar comprises two parts linked by the at least one strain gauge.

4. A handle according to claim 3, wherein the two parts of the at least one inner bar are linked by a single strain gauge.

5. A handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises display means for displaying the weight of the item of luggage.

6. A handle according to claim 5, wherein the display means comprises a liquid crystal display.

7. A handle according to claim 5, wherein the display means is protected by a retractable cover.

8. A handle according to claim 7, wherein the retractable cover can retract such that it is housed within the outer part.

9. A handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a battery.

10. A handle according to claim 9, wherein the handle further comprises an on/off switch.

11. An item of luggage comprising a handle according to claim 1.

12. An item of luggage according to claim 11, wherein the item of luggage further comprises display means for displaying the weight of the item of luggage.

13. An item of luggage according to claim 12, wherein the display means comprises a liquid crystal display.

14. An item of luggage according to claim 12, wherein the display means is protected by a retractable cover.

15. An item of luggage according to claim 11, wherein the handle can pivot between an upstanding position and a flat position.

16. An item of luggage according to claim 15, wherein the item of luggage comprises a recess, and wherein, when the handle is in the flat position, the handle is located within the recess.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)