Luggage and weighing system for luggage

Abstract

A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage on hard or soft surfaces in real time. A luggage case including a body structure for receiving and holding articles for transport, the body having a closure means on a portion thereof for opening and closing the body to allow insertion and removal of luggage articles; at least one weigh body mounted to a portion of the body structure, a weigh sensor housing; a weigh sensor mounted within the weigh sensor housing calibrated to determine weight of the luggage case; a ground engaging member adjustably mounted within the weigh housing movable between a weighing condition and a non-weighing condition.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage on hard or soft surfaces in real time, the system comprising:
 a luggage case comprising a body structure for receiving and holding articles for transport, a body having a closure means on a portion thereof for opening and closing the body to allow insertion and removal of luggage articles;   at least one weigh body mounted to a portion of the body structure, the weigh body comprising:
 a weigh sensor housing; a weigh sensor mounted within the weigh sensor housing calibrated to determine weight of the luggage case; 
 a ground engaging member adjustably mounted within the weigh housing movable between a weighing condition and a non-weighing condition, wherein in the weighing condition a first portion of the ground engaging member engages the weigh sensor for weighing the luggage case, and a second portion engages the ground such that a force proportional to the weight of the luggage is exerted on the weigh sensor; 
 a power circuit comprising a microprocessor attached to the at least one weigh sensor, whereby the microprocessor is programmed to receive input information from the at least one weigh sensor(s) in a weigh condition; 
 a display attached to an external surface of the body portion, the display being interconnected to the microprocessor for receiving and displaying weigh information; 
   wherein in a weigh condition the weigh sensor(s) completes the power circuit and the weight of the luggage is determined by the weigh sensor and a weight measurement is displayed on the display, and   wherein in a non-weighing condition the pound engaging member is adjustably disengaged from the weigh sensor.   
     
     
         19 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 18 , wherein the second portion of the ground engaging member at least partially lifts the luggage case into weighing engagement with the sensor whereby the weight of the luggage comprising articles within the body portion of the luggage is determined and displayed substantially independent of hard or soft surfaces, and whereby when contact occurs between the ground engaging member and weigh sensor in a weighing condition, the power circuit is completed and measurement of weight provided by the weigh sensor. 
     
     
         20 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 18 , wherein the weigh body further comprises a guide for aligning and locating the first portion of the ground engaging member in engagement with the sensor in a weigh condition. 
     
     
         21 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 20 , wherein the guide comprises mating components on the weigh sensor housing and the ground engaging member which bias the first portion of the ground engaging member towards engagement with the weigh sensor in a weigh condition. 
     
     
         22 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 18 , wherein the ground engaging member comprises a ground engaging head and dependent legs, wherein the legs are slidably received within the weigh sensor housing and whereby the head lies adjacent the weigh sensor housing in a non-weigh condition with the legs resting adjacent the weigh sensor. 
     
     
         23 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 22 , wherein the head portion of the ground engaging member includes a releaseable locking mechanism whereby the head portion is releasably seated adjacent the weigh housing in a non-weighing condition. 
     
     
         24 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 23 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism comprises a depression member in the head portion biased towards a locking condition whereby in a non-weigh condition the depression member engages a shoulder portion on the weigh housing so as to lock the head portion adjacent the weigh housing. 
     
     
         25 . An improved luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage on hard or soft surfaces in real time comprising:
 a transportable luggage case for receiving articles of clothing and the like, the case having a base portion on which ground engaging members such as wheels or feet are mounted;   a housing attached to the base;   a carry handle attached to the housing;   a weighing system comprising at least one load sensor operatively connected to the base, the at least one load sensor being configured to move relative to the base between a stored condition and an operating condition;   wherein in an operating condition the at least one load sensor is configured to extend below the base portion sufficiently to engage the ground and raise the wheels or feet from frictional engagement with the ground for measuring weight of the luggage, and wherein in a stored condition the at least one sensor is configured to allow engagement of wheels or feet with the ground for transport of luggage.   
     
     
         26 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage on hard or soft surfaces comprising:
 a body portion for receiving and holding articles for transport, the body portion having a base platform, and a means for opening and closing the body portion;   a generally planar and substantially non-flexible plate member mounted on the base platform within the body portion; at least one weigh sensor(s) mounted on the plate whereby the at least one weigh sensor is located between the plate and base platform in an operating condition;   a microprocessor attached to the at least one weigh sensor, whereby the microprocessor is programmed to receive input information from the at least one weigh sensor(s) in an operating condition;   a display means attached to an external surface of the body portion, the display means being interconnected to the microprocessor for receiving and displaying weigh information; and   wherein the weight of articles within the body portion is determined when contact occurs directly or indirectly between articles in the body portion and the plate substantially independent of hard or soft surfaces.   
     
     
         27 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage on hard or soft surfaces comprising:
 a body portion for receiving and holding articles for transport, the body portion having a base platform, and a means for opening and closing the body portion;   a pair of spaced apart sleeve members mounted underneath the base platform on an external surface of the body, the sleeve members being connected to power circuitry within the body portion including a microprocessor;   a pair of weigh sensors, the each weigh sensor being slidably received within a sleeve member wherein in an operating condition the weigh sensors complete the power circuit;   a display means attached to an external surface of the body portion, the display means being interconnected to the microprocessor for receiving and displaying weigh information; and   wherein in a weigh condition the sleeve members contact a ground surface and allow weigh measurement of articles within the body portion.   
     
     
         28 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage on hard or soft surfaces, the system comprising:
 a body structure for receiving and holding articles for transport, the body having a closure means on a portion thereof for opening and closing the body to allow insertion and removal of luggage articles;   at least one weigh body mounted to a portion of the body structure, the weigh body including:
 a weigh sensor housing; 
 a weigh sensor mounted within the weigh sensor housing; 
 a foot member adjustably mounted within the weigh sensor housing being moveable between a weighing and non-weighing condition, wherein in the weighing condition a portion of the foot engages the weigh sensor; 
 a microprocessor attached to the at least one weigh sensor, whereby the microprocessor is programmed to receive input information from the at least one weigh sensor(s) in a weigh condition; 
 a display means attached to an external surface of the body portion, the display means being interconnected to the microprocessor for receiving and displaying weigh information; and 
 wherein in a weigh condition the foot member extends at least partially from the weigh sensor housing to engage the ground, and whereby the weight of the luggage including articles within the body portion of the luggage is determined and displayed when contact occurs directly or indirectly between the foot member and weigh sensor substantially independent of hard or soft surfaces. 
   
     
     
         29 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 28 , wherein the weigh body further includes a holding means for locating the foot member in engagement with the sensor in a weigh condition, and whereby the holding means comprises mating components on the weigh sensor housing and the foot member. 
     
     
         30 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 28  , wherein the foot member includes a ground engaging head and dependent legs, wherein the legs are adapted to slide within the weigh sensor housing and whereby the head lies adjacent the weigh sensor housing for resting on the ground in a non-weigh condition with the legs resting adjacent the weigh sensor, and in a weigh condition the legs extend from the weigh sensor housing engaging the weigh sensor and elevating the head above the weigh sensor housing for positive engagement with the ground. 
     
     
         31 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 28 , further comprising a caller identification means having a facility for recording owner contact details such as telephone and address, and a caller identification play means, wherein if luggage is lost and found by a third party, the caller identification play means is actuated by the third party to play the owner details through an audio speaker on the display means. 
     
     
         32 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 28 , further comprising a telecommunications device such as a radio transmitter and receiver, wherein owner telephone details are recorded, and whereby transmission is actuated by a push button. 
     
     
         33 . A luggage and integrated weighing system for weighing luggage according to  claim 28 , further comprising a GPS tracking device, and control means for transmitting GPS data at controlled or intermittent times.