Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
A load cell for converting variations in a force into variations in a force into variations in an electrical condition, comprising: a. a pair of spaced, relatively rigid, parallel members extending in the direction of a force to be measured; b. a pair of spaced, relatively flexible, parallel members extending between the relatively rigid members at right angles thereto and connected only thereto; c. a fifth member extending between the relatively rigid members at right angles thereto and connected only thereto, said fifth member being located between and spaced from said flexible members and comprising: 1. two flexible elements, respectively fixed at one end to respective ones of said pair of relatively rigid members and having their opposite ends extending therefrom toward the other of said pair of relatively rigid members, said opposite ends being spaced and aligned in said direction; and 2. a flexure element connected between said opposite ends of said two flexible elements and extending in said direction, said flexure element being stressed longitudinally by said force and having four semicylindrical notches, one on each of its side faces adjacent each end thereof, said notches making said element laterally flexible in response to forces perpendicular to said force to be measured so that substantially only a force parallel to said force to be measured is transmitted through said fifth member; and d. electrical strain responsive means on at least one of the flexible elements for converting strain variations therein to variations in an electrical condition which measures said force and is unaffected by moments due to eccentric application of said force to one of said rigid members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
A load cell for converting variations in a force into variations in a force into variations in an electrical condition, comprising: a. a pair of spaced, relatively rigid, parallel members extending in the direction of a force to be measured; b. a pair of spaced, relatively flexible, parallel members extending between the relatively rigid members at right angles thereto and connected only thereto; c. a fifth member extending between the relatively rigid members at right angles thereto and connected only thereto, said fifth member being located between and spaced from said flexible members and comprising: 1. two flexible elements, respectively fixed at one end to respective ones of said pair of relatively rigid members and having their opposite ends extending therefrom toward the other of said pair of relatively rigid members, said opposite ends being spaced and aligned in said direction; and 2. a flexure element connected between said opposite ends of said two flexible elements and extending in said direction, said flexure element being stressed longitudinally by said force and having four semicylindrical notches, one on each of its side faces adjacent each end thereof, said notches making said element laterally flexible in response to forces perpendicular to said force to be measured so that substantially only a force parallel to said force to be measured is transmitted through said fifth member; and d. electrical strain responsive means on at least one of the flexible elements for converting strain variations therein to variations in an electrical condition which measures said force and is unaffected by moments due to eccentric application of said force to one of said rigid members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A load cell as in claim 1, including transversely extending semicylindrical notches on the opposite recessed faces of the flexure element at the middle thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
A load cell as in claim 1, including: a. a pair of aligned recesses in opposite faces of a narrow neck of said one flexible element, leaving a thin web of material between said aligned recesses; b. a pair of holes having their centers aligned along a line parallel to the force being measured and extending through said web and leaving a narrow bridging portion thereof; and c. said strain responsive means includes strain gage elements located on said narrow bridging portion of the web.