Luggage bag incorporating scale

Abstract

A bag, comprises a bottom support member and a pair of wheels secured to the bottom support member. A scale disposed on the bottom support member has an electrical output. A compartment is configured and dimensioned to hold the contents of the bag. The scale is disposed between the bottom support member and the compartment. The compartment is movably mounted with respect to the bottom support member. This causes items contained within the compartment tend to apply their weight to the scale. A readout is electrically coupled to the electrical output of the scale.

1 . A bag, comprising:
 (a) a bottom support member;   (b) a pair of wheels secured to said bag;   (c) a scale having an electrical output disposed on said bottom support member;   (d) a compartment configured and dimensioned to hold the contents of the bag, said scale being disposed between said bottom support member and said compartment, said compartment being movably mounted with respect to said bottom support member, whereby items contained within said compartment tend to apply their weight to said scale; and   (e) a readout electrically coupled to said electrical output of said scale.   
     
     
         2 . A bag as in  claim 1 , wherein said compartment comprises a compartment bottom and a compartment back, said compartment back secured to said compartment bottom, and said compartment bottom being relatively stiff, and, further comprising:
 (f) a side support member secured to said bottom support member, said compartment back being slidingly mounted with respect to said side support member.   
     
     
         3 . A bag as in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 (g) telescoping member secured to said side support member; and   (h) a handle secured to telescoping member.   
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the compartment bottom is made of steel or a fiber-reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said compartment comprises a fabric member, a compartment bottom and a compartment back, said compartment back secured to said compartment bottom, and said compartment bottom being relatively stiff, said fabric member being secured to said compartment back and said compartment bottom. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a side support member secured to said bottom support member, said compartment back being slidingly mounted with respect to said side support member wherein said compartment comprises a fabric member, a compartment bottom and a compartment back, said compartment back secured to said compartment bottom, and said compartment bottom being relatively stiff, said fabric member being secured to said compartment back and said compartment bottom. 
     
     
         7 . A bag as in  claim 1 , further comprising a side support member secured to said bottom support member, said compartment back being slidingly mounted with respect to said side support member, and wherein said compartment defines a first inclined surface, and said bottom support member defines a second inclined surface, said first and second inclined surfaces being in facing relationship to one another, said compartment being configured and dimensioned to slide on said second inclined surface, said inclined surfaces being oriented to result in sliding of said compartment toward said side support member when said bag is inclined. 
     
     
         8 . A bag, comprising:
 (a) a bottom support member;   (b) a scale disposed on said bottom support member, said scale having an electrical output;   (c) a compartment configured and dimensioned to hold the contents of the bag, said scale being disposed between said bottom support member and said compartment, said compartment being movably mounted with respect to said bottom support member, whereby items contained within said compartment tend to apply their weight to said scale; and   (d) a readout electrically coupled to said electrical output of said scale.   
     
     
         9 . A bag is in  claim 1 , wherein said a pair of wheels is secured to said bottom support member. 
     
     
         10 . A bag, comprising:
 (a) a side support member;   (b) a pair of wheels secured to said bag;   (c) a scale having an electrical output disposed on said side support member;   (d) a compartment configured and dimensioned to hold the contents of the bag, said scale being disposed between said side support member and said compartment, said compartment being movably mounted with respect to said side support member, whereby items contained within said compartment tend to apply their weight to said scale when said big is oriented on its side; and   (e) a readout electrically coupled to said electrical output of said scale.