Patent ID: 6590404
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring the relative force and the centroid of the force applied to a surface comprising:an assembly comprising; a planar lower plate having a known area and perimeter with at least three spaced recesses formed in said lower plate around a central region of said lower plate and within said known perimeter; a respective load cell positioned in each recess in said lower plate; a planar upper plate smaller than said planar lower plate but large enough to cover said recesses and said central region between said spaced recesses positioned over said lower plate and in direct contact with said cells; a tester for measuring the load applied to each respective load cell and determining the centroid of the force applied to a plurality of said load cells; each respective load cell have means for coupling each such cell to said tester; and a ring secured to the perimeter of said lower plate for retaining the upper plate on said lower plate over said cells such that the upper plate is free to move towards the lower plate under the stimulus of a force applied to said upper plate that will act to force said upper plate towards said lower plate and in direct contact with said load cells; whereby each respective load cell will provide, to said tester, a signal proportional to the amount of force applied thereto by said upper plate to said load cells from which the centroid of the applied force may be determined.