Suitcase with internal netting connected to tension sensors for weighing contents

• US 7,629,542 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethel Harding, Victor Harding
• Original Assignee: Ethel Harding, Victor Harding
• Inventors: Harding, Ethel, Harding, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/286,439
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 177/131, 177/148, 177/149, 177/245, 177/262, 177/263, 190/100
• US Class Current: 177/148
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/58 combined with handles of suit-cases or trunks

Abstract

Suitcases with internal load determination devices determine the weight of a suitcase without requiring the user to lift the loaded suitcase. A sensor grid suspended within the interior of the suitcase'"'"'s bottom is attached to sensors. When a load is placed on the sensor grid, the force exerted by the sensor grid on the sensors is measured and communicated to a CPU. The CPU calculates the weight of the load and displays it to the user on an electronic display. An on/off switch toggles the display between showing the net weight of the load and the gross weight of the loaded suitcase, as well as controlling the flow of electricity from a battery to the CPU, display, and sensors. The suitcase has a handle that extends over the display, feet, wheels, and latches. A method for using the suitcase with internal load determination device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A suitcase with internal load determination device comprising:

a top having opposing sides;

a bottom having opposing sides, opposing ends, and an interior with one of said opposing sides hingedly attached to one of said opposing sides of said top;

a CPU attached to one of said opposing sides of said bottom opposite said hingedly attached side;

a display electrically connected to said CPU;

a battery attached to one of said opposing sides of said bottom adjacent to said CPU;

a plurality of sensors attached to said opposing sides and opposing ends of said bottom;

a sensor grid suspended within said interior of said bottom and connected to said sensors; and

a plurality of wires electrically connecting said sensors, said battery, said CPU, and said display to one another.

2. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 1, further comprising an on/off switch electrically connected by said wires to said battery, said display, said CPU, and said sensors.

3. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a handle attached to one of said opposing sides of said bottom and extending over said display.

4. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of feet attached to said hingedly attached side of said top.

5. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to said hingedly attached side of said bottom.

6. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 1, wherein said display is selected from the group comprising LCD displays, LED displays, and OLED displays.

7. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a latch releasably connecting one of said opposing sides of said top to one of said opposing sides of said bottom.

15. A method for determining the internal load of a suitcase comprising the steps of:

obtaining the suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 2;

opening the suitcase with internal load determination device;

placing a load in said interior of said bottom on top of said sensor grid;

depressing said on/off switch;

responsive to said on/off switch being depressed, said sensors measuring force exerted on them by said load on top of said sensor grid and providing the measurements to said CPU;

responsive to receiving said measurements from said sensors, said CPU calculating a weight of said load on top of said sensor grid and directing said display to display said weight of said load;

viewing said weight of said load on said display;

depressing said on/off switch;

responsive to said on/off switch being depressed, said CPU adding an empty weight of said suitcase with internal load determination device to said weight of said load and directing said display to display a combined weight of said load and said empty weight of said suitcase with internal load determination device; and

viewing said combined weight on said display.

8. In combination with a suitcase, including a top having opposing sides and a bottom having opposing sides, opposing ends, and an interior, the improvement which comprises:

a CPU attached to one of said opposing sides of said bottom opposite said hingedly attached side;

a display electrically connected to said CPU;

a battery attached to one of said opposing sides of said bottom adjacent to said CPU;

a plurality of sensors attached to said opposing sides and opposing ends of said bottom;

a sensor grid suspended within said interior of said bottom and connected to said sensors; and

a plurality of wires electrically connecting said sensors, said battery, said CPU, and said display to one another.

9. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 8, further comprising an on/off switch electrically connected by said wires to said battery, said display, said CPU, and said sensors.

10. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 8, further comprising a handle attached to one of said opposing sides of said bottom and extending over said display.

11. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of feet attached to said hingedly attached side of said top.

12. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to said hingedly attached side of said bottom.

13. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 8, wherein said display is selected from the group comprising LCD displays, LED displays, and OLED displays.

14. The suitcase with internal load determination device as defined in claim 8, further comprising a latch releasably connecting one of said opposing sides of said top to one of said opposing sides of said bottom.