Double shear beam strain gage load cell

Claim 1

A strain gage load cell of unitary construction for the measurement of axial loads and capable of substantially resisting lateral loads which adversely affect the measurement of axial loads comprising a relatively thick rectangular block of material, said block having a pair of recesses in one edge thereof, each of said recesses extending from a point spaced from one edge to a point spaced from the center and forming a central element of substantial area, said block further including a pair of elongated slots extending through said block at points spaced from the first said recesses and substantially parallel therewith and a narrow elongated slot connecting said pair of slots, the last said slots forming a discrete central element supported by substantially uniform elongated rectangular shear beams formed by said recesses and said pair of slots, said block further including a central opening extending through each of said shear beams, pairs of strain gages mounted within said opening in each shear beam and positioned centrally thereof, the gages of each pair being disposed at 90° one relative to the other and at 45° relative to the axis of the associated shear beam and means for applying an axial load to be measured between said central element and the opposing surface of said block.