Levered scale with strain gauge tension link

Abstract

A levered scale for weighing human beings is disclosed in which weight measurement is produced by direct tensile loading of at least one stress-dependent transducer that is bonded to the central member of an improved tension link plate which is pivotally supported at one end by a U-shaped bracket and pivotally coupled at the opposite end to lever arms. The thin tension link plate, which is made of elastically deformable sheet metal, is received between the sides of the U-shaped bracket. The tension link plate is connected directly to the U-shaped bracket by a first cross pin and to the lever arms by a second cross pin. The resultant force produced by the weight of the load applied to the scale produces vertically downward movement of the lever arms thereby providing tensile loading of the tension link plate and the stress-dependent transducers bonded or deposited thereto. The end of the tension link plate supported by the U-shaped bracket is held in position while the tensile loading is applied directly to the opposite end of the tension link plate. The resultant force which is proportional to the weight of the load applied to the scale is transmitted as tensile force directly to the tension link plate thereby producing changes in transducer resistance proportional to the resultant force.