System and method for simultaneously verifying conformity of a carry-on luggage to maximum permissible size and weight values

• US 20020113715A1
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Weigh-Tronix Canada, ULC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Weigh-Tronix Canada, ULC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Wilson, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US09/789,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20020113715A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/02 for measuring length, width or thickness G01B5/004, G01B5/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/52 Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture with walking sticks A45B3/08

Abstract

The system is used for simultaneously verifying the conformity of carry-on luggage to maximum permissible size and weight values, such as the ones imposed by airline companies. The system comprises a sizing template having a receiving area and an opened side allowing insertion and removal of the carry-on luggage from the receiving area. The receiving area of the sizing template has dimensions delimiting the maximum permissible size values forwhich the carry-on luggage has to conform with. The system further comprises a weight sensor configured and disposed with reference to the sizing template to measure the weight value of the carry-on luggage once it is set in the receiving area thereof. A display unit, responsive of the weight value of the carry-on luggage, allows to indicate whether the carry-on luggage is conform with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not. This system is particularly useful in airports but could be used with other transportation systems as well.

Claims

1. A system for simultaneously verifying conformity of a carry-on luggage to maximum permissible size and weight values, the system comprising:

a sizing template comprising a receiving area and an opened side allowing insertion and removal of the carry-on luggage from the receiving area, the receiving area having dimensions delimiting the maximum permissible size values for which the carry-on luggage has to conform with;

a weight sensor configured and disposed with reference to the sizing template to measure the weight value of the carry-on luggage once it is located in the receiving area thereof; and

a display unit responsive of the weight value of the carry-on luggage and indicating whether the carry-on luggage is conformed with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sizing template comprises a cage-like structure.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the sizing template is mounted directly over the weight sensor.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises means for displaying the weight value of the carry-on luggage.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises means for comparing the weight value of the carry-on luggage with the maximum permissible weight value and emitting a signal indicative whether the carry-on luggage is conformed with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the signal is a visual signal.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein the signal is an audible signal.

8. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a photovoltaic panel as a power source.

9. A system for simultaneously verifying conformity of a carry-on luggage to maximum permissible size and weight values, the system comprising:

first means for receiving the carry-on luggage and allowing verification of its conformity with the maximum permissible size values;

second means for measuring a weight value of the carry-on luggage once it is set in the first means; and

third means for indicating whetherthe carry-on luggage is conformed with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the first means comprises a cage-like structure having dimensions delimiting the maximum permissible size values for which the carry-on luggage has to conform with.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the first means is mounted directly over the second means.

12. A system according to claim 9, wherein the third means comprises means for displaying the weight of the carry-on luggage.

13. A system according to claim 9, wherein the third means comprises means for comparing the weight value of the carry-on luggage with the maximum permissible weight value and emitting a signal indicative whether the carry-on luggage is conformed with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the signal is a visual signal.

15. A system according to claim 13, wherein the signal is an audible signal.

16. A system according to claim 9, further comprising a photovoltaic panel as a power source.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the display unit comprises means for displaying the weight value of the carry-on luggage.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the display unit comprises means for comparing the weight value of the carry-on luggage with the maximum permissible weight value and emitting a signal indicative whether the carry-on luggage is conformed with the maximum permissible weight value or not.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein the signal is a visual signal.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the signal is an audible signal.

22. A system according to claim 17, further comprising a photovoltaic panel as a power source.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein step (c) comprises informing a user of the maximum permissible weight value and displaying the weight value of the carry-on luggage for comparison.

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein step (c) comprises reading the maximum permissible weight value in a memory, comparing the read value to the weight value of the carry-on luggage, and emitting a signal indicative whetherthe carry-on luggage is conformed with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the sub-step of emitting a signal comprises emitting a visual signal.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the sub-step of emitting a signal comprises emitting an audible signal.

17. A system for allowing a simultaneous conformity verification of a carry-on luggage to maximum permissible size and weight value once it is set in a carryon luggage sizing template, the system comprising:

a supporting frame for receiving and holding a lower end of a carry-on luggage sizing template;

a weight sensor located underneath the supporting frame, the weight sensor being configured and disposed to measure the weight value of the carry-on luggage once it is set in the sizing template; and

a display unit responsive of the weight value of the carry-on luggage and indicating whether the carry-on luggage is conformed with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not.

23. A method for simultaneously verifying conformity of a carry-on luggage to maximum permissible size and weight values, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting the carry-on luggage in a receiving area of a sizing template to verify its conformity with respect to maximum permissible size values;

(b) measuring the weight value of the carry-on luggage while it is in the sizing template; and

(c) evaluating whether the weight value of the carry-on luggage is conformed with respect to the maximum permissible weight value or not.