The present invention relates to a luggage piece, such as a suitcase, a travellers bag, a clothes bag or a backpack, having an outer shell. Such pieces of luggage are known since a long time.

Especially during long journeys the luggage is a companion for the traveller over long periods of time. Apart from carrying the clothes and other possessions of the traveller, luggage piece may serve the traveller as well for other aims.

Hence the present invention provides a luggage piece of the kind referred to above comprising at an electronic unit, a display and a battery, wherein the battery and the electronic unit are incorporated into the piece of luggage at the inner side of the outer shell and that the display is incorporated into the outer shell.

The combination of electronic unit, the display and the battery may serve the traveller on different ways during his or her travels. The display may be embodied as a number of leds, a small alphanumeric display or as a more elaborate touch screen. Separate switches or controls may be present, although not explicitly required in case of a touch screen. The display may be used to indicate information relating to applications incorporated into the electronic unit, but also to indicate the charge of the battery, the temperature, time, etc. The invention is preferably applicable to a normal hard or soft suitcase, as this is the most often used type of luggage. Hence according to a preferred embodiment the piece of luggage is a suitcase having a rigid outer shell and a soft inner shell and the electronic unit and the battery are located between the outer shell and the inner shell. This embodiment provides a proper protection of the electronic unit.

With the enormous increase in travel, especially air travel, luggage pieces are taken on board or airplanes, either in the cabin or in the luggage compartment of the airplane. Often the weight of a luggage piece which can be taken into the luggage compartment of an airplane is limited to an allowance, as determined by the conditions of carriage. If the luggage piece weighs more than the allowance, an extra fee, often quite high, has to be paid. Hence prospective travellers often weigh their pieces of luggage after packing to determine whether the weight of the piece of luggage is within the allowance.

Accordingly prior art provides small weighing scales or spring scales for this purpose. Further the prior art provides suit cases with built in weighing scales. To incorporate these features in the piece of luggage according to the invention, an embodiment provides the feature that the piece of luggage comprises a handle for carrying the piece of luggage and that the handle is mechanically connected to the piece of luggage through an anchor plate comprising a force transducer electrically connected to the electronic unit and that the electronic unit is adapted to let the display indicate the weight of the piece of luggage. Further it is preferred that the components required for performing the weighing of the suitcase can be removed from the suitcase and can be coupled to another suitcase to allow determining the weight of a suitcase of a travel companion.

To avoid exhausting the batteries incorporated in the electronic unit, the electronic unit is preferably adapted to let the display indicate the weight of the piece of luggage during a limited time after activating the electronic unit. When this limited time has lapsed, the electronic unit will then switch off itself and the force transducer.

During travelling the piece of luggage is carried by its handle. This implies that the weight of the piece of luggage stresses the anchor plate and the transducer, which may wear under said stress. To avoid these problems the piece of luggage preferably comprises a suspension member adapted to be mechanically connected to the handle and the piece of luggage and a mechanism adapted to connect the anchor plate only between the handle and the piece of luggage after actuating a control element.

The actuating of a control element may easily be forgotten, leading to early exhaustion of the battery and extra wear of the anchor plate. It is possible to provide means for disconnecting the anchor plate after a predetermined time. It is however preferred that the mechanism is adapted to disconnect the anchor plate when the piece of luggage is set down. Preferably the electronic unit is adapted to make the display indicate the weight of the piece of luggage only when the suspension member is mechanically connected between the handle and the piece of luggage. In line with the aim of the invention, that is to provide a multifunctional travel companion, another embodiment provides the feature that the piece of luggage comprises a first socket electrically connected to the electronic unit, allowing to charge an electronic device from the battery and that the display is adapted to indicate the rate of charge of the battery. This feature is especially useful in case of travel delays when often prolonged telephone calls are made or websites are consulted and the batteries of a media device such as a smartphone or a tablet become exhausted. This feature presumes the presence of a battery having an energy content which is sufficient to recharge the battery of a media device. It is noted that most current smartphones have a standardized nominal voltage of 5V DC, and a standardized USB-plug/socket.

It may be attractive to provide the piece of luggage with a support for a media device , allowing to position the media device during the charging thereof. This support may be incorporated into a lid otherwise covering the USB -connection or into the trolley rod. The battery needs to be charged as well from time to time. According to a first embodiment the piece of luggage comprises a second socket electrically connected to the electronic unit for charging the battery from an external power source. This socket allows the charger supplied with the media device to charge the battery. This presumes that the nominal voltage of the charge unit and of the media device are equal to that of the battery.

Another possibility for charging the battery is through a photovoltaic unit. Hence an alternative embodiment provides the feature that the piece of luggage comprises a photovoltaic unit located on its outer shell, the photovoltaic unit being electrically connected to the electronic unit for charging the battery. Often airport lounges have a high level of lighting, allowing to charge the battery, albeit with a reduced rate through the photovoltaic unit. A further alternative embodiment provides the feature that the piece of luggage comprises at least one wheel and an electrical generator mechanically connected to at least one of the wheels, and electrically connected to the electronic unit for charging the battery. This wheel can be an added third or fifth wheel positioned in the bottom of the suitcase, which may be retractable to protect it during baggage handling.

As an alternative, the piece of luggage comprises an electrical generator mechanically connected with a crank at the outer side of the piece of luggage and electrically connected to the electronic unit for charging the battery.

Our homes are abundant with wireless networks, all representing minimal amounts of electrical energy. This energy can be picked up and used to supply the battery, especially when this process extends over a substantial time, for instance when the piece of luggage is stored between journeys. This process is also known as a trickle charge. A further embodiment provides a piece of luggage comprising an antenna adapted to receive wireless electrical energy present in the piece of luggage and connected to the electronic unit to charge battery.

Another possibility for charging the battery resides in the use of thermocouples, which are subjected to a temperature difference. Preferably the piece of luggage comprises a thermocouple of which one of the junctions is connected to a part of the piece of luggage having a large thermal mass and the other junction is left free and the thermocouple being connected to the electronic unit to charge the battery. Preferably the battery is arranged removable in the piece of the luggage. This feature allows to replace an exhausted battery by a freshly charged battery, for instance shortly before a journey. Also this feature allows to battery to be removed from the suitcase when airline regulations prohibit the presence of the battery in checked in luggage. Further this feature allows charging the battery when mains sockets are located in situations inhibiting the charger being connected to both the piece of luggage and the mains socket.

Travellers may use vacuum bags to reduce the volume of clothing to be taken into the suitcase. These vacuum bags require a vacuum pump. At home a vacuum cleaner can be used for this purpose, but often a vacuum cleaner is not always available. A preferred embodiment provides a piece of luggage comprising a vacuum pump connected to the electronic unit. Again in line with the initial aim of the invention, it may be attractive to know the position of the piece of luggage when the traveller is separated from the piece of luggage, for instance when the piece of luggage does not arrive on the luggage pick up after a flight, or when the piece of luggage is sent by a separate carrier or forwarder. Accordingly an embodiment provides a piece of luggage wherein the electronic unit comprises a positioning unit adapted to determine the position of the piece of luggage. Preferably the electronic unit is adapted to avoid receiving and sending signals when in the luggage compartment of an airplane.

The positioning unit may be used separately, for instance to determine the positioning of children on the beach. Hence the positioning unit is preferably adapted to be removed from the piece of luggage. Also preferably the positioning unit is provided with means such as a strap for connecting it to a child.

The positioning unit may be comprise a GPS-receiver. This allows an accurate determination of position of the electronic unit. Other means such as accelerometers and integrators, incorporated into the positioning unit are not excluded as an alternative or as extra support. It is also possible to make use of other wireless networks, even local wireless networks, such as wifi or Bluetooth. In a somewhat simpler embodiment the positioning unit comprises a barometer, allowing the positioning unit to determine the height of the piece of luggage above sea level. This allows the traveller to determine whether or not the piece of luggage is in the air. To allow the traveller to detect the position of the piece of luggage, it is preferred that the electronic unit is adapted to send a wireless signal representing the height above sea level or the position of the piece of luggage, depending on the information available in the electronic unit. The traveller has to be in the possession of a media device, such as a smartphone with software, such as an app, allowing to receive, interpret and display such signals. Apart from the position, other information may be sent and displayed on the media device, such as battery charge, speed, and temperature, s

To avoid early exhaustion of the battery, the electronic unit is adapted to only send a wireless signal to a mobile media device when request signal is received from a media device. Again this media device should be provided with suitable software allowing to send such a signal.

Often regulations prohibit the exchange of wireless signals to and from electronic equipment in airplanes. To cater for such regulations, it is preferred that the electronic unit is adapted calculate the speed of the piece of luggage and to send the position signal only when the speed of the piece of luggage is lower than predetermined speed. Herein the predetermined speed is related to the minimal speed of aircraft, for instance 50 km/h, allowing the speed as a threshold for determination whether the piece of luggage is actually flying. However the height above sea level may also be used as a criteria for sending electronic signals. Other criteria for determination whether gps signals may be received or information signals to be sent to satisfy air traffic

regulations, may be used. In line with the initial aim of the invention, the piece of luggage comprises a lock and the electronic unit is connected to an actuator adapted to inhibit unlocking the lock. This feature allows to control the lock of the piece of luggage even when the traveller is not present with the piece of luggage. Of course this remote control of the lock requires a smartphone or another electronic device to control the electronic unit. The lock may be provided with means to be opened with a TSA key or similar means by security officers to conform regulations in some countries despite the electronic locking of the lock.

A further embodiment provides the feature that the electronic unit is adapted to normally inhibit unlocking and to relieve the inhibition of the unlocking on reception of a wireless signal.

Another interesting feature resides in the electric connection between the electronic unit and the lock wherein the electronic unit is adapted to register the locked and unlocked positions of the lock in time or in location. This feature allows to determine where or when the locked was opened, simplifying investigation of theft.

Subsequently the present invention will be elucidated with the help of the following drawings, which depict:

Figure 1 : a perspective view of a suitcase according to the invention;

Figure 2 : a partial cross sectional view of the suitcase depicted in figure 1;

Figure 3 : a perspective view of a weighing mechanism according to an embodiment;

Figure 4 : a cross sectional view of the weighing mechanism depicted in figure

Figure 5 : a side view of a rucksack according to another embodiment; and

Figure 6 : a diagram of the electrical circuit of a piece of luggage according to i invention. Figure 1 depicts a suitcase, which is denoted in its whole by number 1, and which comprises two outer shell halves 2, 3, preferably made of a tough plastic and mutually connected by a zip-fastener 4, of which the tabs 5 are connected to a lock 6 incorporated into one shell halve 2. The suitcase 1 further comprises a first handle 7, adapted to carry the suitcase, and to weigh the suitcase through a weighing mechanism not depicted in figure 1. To indicate the weight of the suitcase 1 a display 8 is present near the handle 7. Further a second handle 9 on one of the short sides is provided for carrying or pulling the suitcase 1. The suitcase also comprises a pair of wheels, which may be formed by castor wheels, and of which only one wheel 10 is visible. The suitcase as described so far, forms part of the prior art.

According to the invention the suitcase 1 comprises an electronic unit 12, which is visible in figure 2, showing the same suitcase in a cross sectional view. The electronic unit 12 is located within the shell halve 2 and an inner shell, which is formed by a liner 13 extends within the outer shell 2, 3 and at the inner side of the electronic unit 12, so that the electronic unit is enclosed between the outer shell 2, 3 and the inner shell 13. The electronic unit further comprises a battery 14, which can be removed for replacement, while the electronic unit 12 itself can also be removed. The electronic unit further comprises 1 first socket 15, adapted for connection with a smartphone or other portable electronic piece of equipment, to allow charging of the battery in said piece of electronic equipment from the battery 14 of the suitcase. It also comprises a second socket 16 allowing to charge the battery 14 of suitcase by the charger provided with the piece of electronic equipment. The electronic unit 12 is further connected to the display 8 to indicate the charge rate of the battery 14. The display 8 is preferably rigidly connected to the electronic unit 12 to allow an easy installation of the electronic unit 12 and the display 8. The same counts for the sockets 15 and 16 which extend through the shell 2 for easy accessibility of the sockets.

The handle 7 is shown more in detail in figures 3 and 4. This handle is provided with a weigh mechanism adapted to weigh the suitcase 1, which weigh mechanism can be inactivated. The actual handle 7 is at both ends connected to a link element 18, and both link elements 18 are connected to an end of an anchor plate 19, of which the middle is connected to a frame 20 of the suitcase 1. Both sections of the anchor plate 19 are provided of strain gauges 21 which are connected to the electronic 12 unit which is adapted to convert the resistance of the strain gauges to the weight of the suitcase 1 and to indicate the weight at the display, possibly calibrated in kg's and in lbs. As stated before, the handle is not only used during the weighing action, but also and for prolonged times for carrying the suitcase, leading to a prolonged load of the anchor plate 19, which may deform as caused by such an action, which would make the weighing less accurate. To avoid this the suitcase 1 comprises a strip 23 which acts as a suspension member, when the suitcase 1 is carried during travel. This strip 23 comprises two cams 24 which can be inserted into apertures 25 provided in the link elements 18.

The strip 23 comprises a knob 26 which allows the strip to shifted to its active position, wherein the cams 24 of the strip 23 extend in the apertures 25 and the strip takes the weight of the suitcase 1 is loaded to the strip 23. When the handle 7 is pulled up to carry the suitcase 1, the lower walls of the apertures are in contact with the cams 24, transferring the load to the strip 23. The strip 23 itself is in contact with the frame 20 of the suitcase or with the outer shell 2 thereof. A leaf spring 27 urges the strip 23 to its active position, in which the load of the anchor plate 19 is bypassed. If however the knob 26 is moved against the force of the leaf spring 27, the cams 24 are free from the link elements 18, allowing the link elements 18 to move freely and to transfer the forces to the anchor plate 19 allowing the electronic unit 12 to measure the weight of the suitcase. When is knob is released after the suitcase has been lifted to perform a measurement, the link elements 18 move slightly upward, inhibiting the re-entrance of the cams 24 into the apertures 25.

When, after performing a measurement the suitcase 1 is set down the links 18 move slightly downward, so that the cams 24 enter the apertures 25, as caused by the movement of the strip 23 urged by the leaf spring 27.

As stated before, another function of the electronic unit 12 is to provide electric power to external portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers. This requires the presence of the battery 14, , but this battery should be charged as well. The easiest possibility is the charging via the second socket 16 as discussed before. Another possibility is the replacement of the exhausted battery 14 by another fully charged battery 14, which has been charged by other means. A further possibility resides in the charging of the battery 14 in the piece of luggage by photovoltaic panels. The embodiment depicted in figure 5 comprises such panels. This embodiment comprises a rucksack 30 having an outer shell 31 of appropriate cloth, at the inner side whereof a frame 32 is been provided. The top of the rucksack 30 comprises a handle 33, which is connected to the frame 32 of the rucksack 30 through a weighing mechanism similar to that elucidated in the description of the preceding embodiment. It is however also possible to provide another mechanism or to dispense with such a mechanism, so that the handle 33 is directly connected to the frame 32. On the outer side of the cloth two photo-voltaic panels 34 have been provided, which are connected to the electronic unit 12 located within the cloth outer shell 31 of the rucksack. These panels may be foldable to avoid damage when not in use.

Further it is possible to supply electric power to the electronic unit to charge the battery by a generator. Such generator may be coupled to one or more of the wheels so that the generator is driven when the piece of luggage is pulled along. It is however also possible to provide a crank drivable by hand to drive the generator.

A further possibility resides in the use of an antenna and an appropriate tuned circuit to withdraw the energy present in the terrestrial space as caused by wireless networks. These networks represent only a small amount of energy and the charging may thus take considerable time, only suitable in between travels. A last possibility resides in the use of a thermocouple, of which one junction is connected to a part of the suitcase with a large thermal mass, such as the frame. When an airplane gains height, the ambient temperature changes very quickly, so that a temperature difference between the two junctions of the thermocouple will develop, which generates electrical power. These same mechanism can be used when the plane loses height.

Figure 6 discloses the circuit of the electronic unit 12. The electronic unit comprises a supply circuit 36, which is on one side provided with two contacts 37 arranged for contacting the contacts of the battery 14 and which is connected with the sockets 15 and 16. Further the supply circuit is connected to the generator 38, which can be driven by one of the wheels 10 of the suitcase 1. The connection may be replaced or be augmented by a connection to photo-voltaic panels, antenna's or to a thermocouple, in dependence of the power source or sources available in the piece of luggage.

Further the electronic unit comprises a processor 40, which is connected to the supply circuit for supplying electrical energy to the processor and to the display 8. For measuring the weight, the processor 40 is connected to the strain gauges 24, possibly arranged in the bridge circuit. For controlling and recording the locked or unlocked position of the lock 6, the processor is connected to the lock 6 as well. This lock 6 incorporates a control mechanism to inhibit the unlocking of the lock 6 and a sensor which detects the locked or unlocked position of the lock 6. Herein the processor is also connected to a memory 42 to store the recorded information.

Finally the processor is also connected to a GPS-unit 44 allowing to determine the position of the piece of luggage. This GPS-unit may be replaced by a barometer to determine the height of the piece of luggage above sea level. The information thus obtained may be used as discussed earlier in the application. To exchange this information via a wireless connection, the electronic unit also comprise an antenna 46.

All features as described hitherto may be used together in any required combination or alone in a piece of luggage such as a suitcase. The combinations need not be the same as disclosed in this document. Further the scope of the invention described in this document is not limited to the described embodiments; it is only determined by the appended claims.