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Travel Inventions for Your Summer Vacation
"Summer Vacation": Were there ever two more welcome words in the English language? Warm summer nights and long summer days make this the perfect time of year to get away from it all. Whether you head to your destination by land or air, InventHelp has found some fun travel inventions that can make your vacation even more relaxing.
Read more articles from the July 2008 issue of InventHelp's newsletter for inventors |
If you're traveling by air this year, be sure to read the fine print on your ticket! As fuel costs skyrocket, airlines are looking for ways to make a few bucks on simple things that travelers used to take for granted. Many airlines are now charging for curbside check-in, and many more airlines are charging passengers to check bags – even the first one. And don't forget about those weight limits; a heavy bag can cost a pretty penny.
To prevent weight overages at the airport, an invention called the Balanzza can help travelers to pack right before they get to the check-in line. The Balanzza is a small, compact digital luggage scale with the capacity to register up to 100 pounds (or 44 kilograms). The invention is easy to use provided that travelers don't mind a little lifting. After affixing the 10-oz. Balanzza to the luggage, the user lifts the bag and waits for the beep. Then, the bag can be set down and the weight of the bag will be displayed on the device's LCD screen. If the bag is overweight, the next (and hardest) step will be deciding what goes on vacation and what stays at home!
Once the bags are packed, the next step is getting them to their proper destination (which, as anyone who's had a lost bag knows, sounds much easier than it is!). Even if your bag does show up at the right place, it may not show up in the same condition. Although you painstakingly folded each garment to ensure they wouldn't wrinkle en route, don't bet that the TSA agent that searched your bag took the same care!
For privacy buffs, the SearchAlert lock system invention is a good way to determine if your bag has been opened. The combination luggage lock allows TSA airport security agents to open the bag via a secured access device without destroying the lock. If the bag has been searched, the security window changes from green to red. If a TSA agent accidentally breaks the lock, users can send the broken lock and baggage inspection notice to the company, who will replace the lock.
Finally, if your travels should take you abroad this year, there's a new way to "phone home." National Geographic is offering the Talk Abroad Travel Phone, which they market as a communications solution for those who go overseas less than once a year. Service is offered in more than 160 countries, with unlimited free incoming calls in more than 60 countries. The phone invention is prepaid, so there are no contracts or bills. Travelers also have the option of buying the phone or renting it, or experienced jetsetters that already have an international phone can purchase a SIM card to get in National Geographic's rates and coverage.
Traveling can be a thrilling experience, and despite the travel horror stories that make headlines, it can even be relaxing if you have the right tools! We at InventHelp are always on the lookout for inventions and gadgets that make day-to-day life easier, especially when it comes to our downtime. Although it can be hard to pull yourself away from work or other responsibilities, nothing beats coming back with a relaxed mind and a fresh perspective. Happy summer travels from InventHelp!
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