At a glance
| Patent number | CN206670777U (application CN201720214190) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Weighing-type handle (一种称重式手柄) |
| Patent owner | Shanghai University of Engineering Science |
| Filing date | 2017-03-07 |
| Grant date | 2017-11-24 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (effective 2021-03-07, recorded 2022-02-22) |
| Patent family | Only this Chinese patent - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 3 later Chinese documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN206670777U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a weighing handle with a carry handle and a base under it that attaches to a suitcase. A load cell is built into the base, and the outside of the base has an LCD and a battery assembly powering the load cell and display. The load cell is connected to the LCD, which shows the measured weight.
Claims 2-6 add: the handle made of a grip and two connectors joined to the base and the load cell; two symmetric load cells, each a rigid pad with a scale circuit, strain gauges on top connected to the handle connectors and an elastic part below connected to the case; the elastic part being a spring; the power assembly being a solar panel; and solar panels on both sides of the base.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed in 2021 because annual fees were not paid. It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Luggage with built-in scales has been patented in several forms over the years, including in the US. Your final design should be checked by a US patent attorney with a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Load cells sized for carry-on or checked bags (capacity to be confirmed in design) |
| Display | Simple LCD; lb / kg switch; overweight warning icon at a set limit |
| Power | Coin cell, rechargeable battery with USB-C, or solar panel + battery as in the patent |
| Handle | Soft-touch, leather-look or aluminum grip; flush or raised design |
| Mounting | Factory-fitted on new suitcases, or a retrofit handle with mounting plates and screws |
| Extras | Auto-off, tare button, last-weight memory |
| Colors & branding | Custom colors, logo on the base, retail packaging |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Electronics rules - simple digital electronics typically need FCC compliance as an unintentional radiator; batteries should meet transport rules for small cells.
- Accuracy - set and test an accuracy target (for example within a fraction of a pound) and a maximum capacity.
- Durability - handles are lifted thousands of times and dropped by baggage handlers; test strength, fatigue and water resistance.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - new suitcases or retrofit handles, capacity, power choice and quantity.
- Design - handle and base housing, load-cell layout, electronics and mounting.
- Prototype - working samples tested for accuracy, strength and battery life.
- Pilot run - small batch with calibration and quality checks.
- Production - volume production, calibration, packaging and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
The handle needs housing molds plus a small electronics board. Send us your target quantity and price point and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
